William Porter "Bill" Lawrence,was a decorated United States Navy vice admiral and Naval Aviator who served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from 1978 to 1981.
Everett Alvarez Jr. is a retired United States Navy officer who endured one of the longest periods as a prisoner of war (POW) in U.S. military history. Alvarez was the first U.S. pilot to be shot down and detained during the Vietnam War and spent over eight years in captivity,making him the second longest-held U.S. POW,after U.S. Army Colonel Floyd James Thompson.
Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94),also known as the Mighty Shrikes,is a United States Navy fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. It is an operational fleet squadron currently flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet. It is attached to Carrier Air Wing 17 and based at NAS Lemoore,California. Its tail code is "NA" and its radio call sign is "Hobo".
Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113),also known as the "Stingers," is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore,California. They are an operational fleet F/A-18E Super Hornet squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) and based at NAS Lemoore,California. Their tailcode is NE and their radio callsign is Sting.
Strike Fighter Squadron 192 (VFA-192),also known as the "World Famous Golden Dragons",are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at NAS Lemoore.
The Virginia War Memorial is a 1955 memorial in Richmond,Virginia,originally dedicated to Virginians killed in World War II and the Korean War. In 1980,the Shrine was enlarged to honor those Virginians killed in action in the Vietnam War. In 1996,the names of Virginians killed in action during Desert Storm/Desert Shield were added. Today,there are nearly 12,000 Virginians whose names are engraved on the Shrine of Memory's glass and stone walls. Reflecting the different character of war today,Virginia has created a special Memorial Shrine to honor the over 250 Virginians killed in the Global War on Terrorism.
Attack Squadron 163 (VA-163) Saints was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. VA-163 flew the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk from 1960 to 1969.
Richard Allen Stratton is a retired Naval Aviator and a clinical social worker. He served as lieutenant commander during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1973. He served on the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14)/Air Wing 19/Attack Squadron VA-192. Richard flew 22 combat missions,earned two Air Medals and the Combat Action Ribbon. After capture by the North Vietnamese on January 5,1967,he served with the Fourth Allied POW Wing,Hanoi,DRVN. He earned the Silver Star for his valor and leadership while a prisoner of war.
VA-56 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 4 June 1956,and disestablished thirty years later,on 31 August 1986. The squadron's nickname was the Boomerangs from 1957 to 1958,and the Champions thereafter.
VA-76 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 June 1955 and disestablished on 30 September 1969. The squadron was nicknamed the Spirits,from its motto Fighting Spirits of 76.
VA-93 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron VF-93 on 26 March 1952,and redesignated as VA-93 on 15 September 1956. It was disestablished 30 years later on 31 August 1986. The squadron's nickname was the Blue Blazers from 1954 to 1976 and the Ravens thereafter.
The second VA-95 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy,and was the second of three unrelated squadrons to bear that designation. It was established on 26 March 1952,and disestablished on 1 April 1970. The squadron's nickname was the Skyknights from 1957 to 1963,and the Green Lizards thereafter.
VA-144 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy,nicknamed the Roadrunners. It was established as VA-116 on 1 December 1955,and redesignated VA-144 on 23 February 1959. The squadron was disestablished on 29 January 1971.
VA-153 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. During a 1949 reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve,a Fighter Squadron at NAS New York was redesignated Fighter Squadron VF-831. It was called to active duty on 1 February 1951. The squadron was redesignated as VF-153 on 4 February 1953,and finally as VA-153 on 15 December 1956. It was disestablished on 30 September 1977. The squadron's nickname was the Blue Tail Flies from 1953 onward.
VA-164,nicknamed the Ghostriders,was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established on 1 September 1960 and disestablished on 12 December 1975.
Attack Squadron 212 (VA-212),nicknamed the Rampant Raiders,was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It was established as Fighter Squadron 212 (VF-212) on 20 June 1955,and redesignated as VA-212 on 1 April 1956. The squadron was disestablished on 12 December 1975.
VA-216,nicknamed the Black Diamonds,was an Attack Squadron of the US Navy. It was established on 30 March 1955,and disestablished 15 years later on 1 August 1970.
VA-776 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve. Details of its early years are sketchy,as few records exist for reserve squadrons prior to 1970,the year during which they began submitting history reports.
VA-125 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy,and was the second squadron to bear the VA-125 designation. It was established as VA-26 on 30 June 1956,and redesignated VA-125 on 11 April 1958. The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1977. Its nickname was Skylanchers from 1956-1958,and Rough Raiders thereafter.
Lieutenant Commander James J. Connell was an American naval aviator. Born in Wilmington,Delaware,Connell served in the United States Navy as a naval aviator. During the Vietnam War,Connell was shot down and captured,eventually dying in captivity. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross,with Connell's decoration being the highest award for valor bestowed on a Delawarean during the Vietnam War.
