I reported to AirPac and was assigned to VS-23 in September 1953. The squadron had just returned from WestPac aboard the USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) and I was the first of many replacement Ensigns to report aboard. The aircraft in use were
TBM-3S2 and TBM-3W2. The first S2F arrived in April 1954 and we started FCLP on 10 May 1954. I had 13.5 hours in type. Day carrier qualified 16 Jun and night qualified a month later. LT Bill Young was our LSO and Ltjg Kenneth Miller, Ens Danny O'rourke, and Ltjg Jim Winnefeld were LSO trainees.
In early Aug 1954 the squadron sailed on the USS Princeton (CVS-37) to Seattle to participate in the annual SeaFair Festival. Departed for WestPac on 1 Nov 1954 and returned to North Island in May 1955. I left VS-23 in Oct 1955 for VU-7 at NAAS Brown Field and got some time in the JD-1 and F9F-5.
Surprise orders came from BuPers to NAS Seattle as a TAR. Arrived there in April 1956 and was assigned as VS Asst Flight Training Officer. AF Guardian aircraft were in use. I brought the first S2F to NAS Seattle Week-end Warriors in June 1956. I was released to inactive duty in Dec 1957 and immediately joined the Reserve and began an airline career that lasted for 34 years flying DC-3, F-27, and DC-9 aircraft.
YES INDEED, LIFE IS GOOD ! R. G., Captain USNR(RET)
I have attached a copy of the VS-23 Squadron Patch that was in use until the S2s arrived and the Black Cat was adopted.
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