Early 60Õs Japanese-Made US Navy VA-55 Attack Squadron Jacket Patch NO LONGER AVAILABLE

ARTIFACT: This is a circa 1954-1955 Japanese-made squadron patch made for the United States Navy's VA-55 Attack Squadron when the squadron was aboard the USS Hancock. The patch has a checkered border and shows a winged seahorse with a missile and reads WARHORSES.
During the period-of-wear for this patch the squadron flew:
Jan 1962: Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawks
Jul 1963: Douglas A-4E Skyhawks
VA-55 saw these interesting events took place during the period-of-wear for this patch:
October 30 and 31, 1962: Participated in cross deck operations on HMS Victorious (R 38) in the South China Sea.
April 1963: United States Ship Ticonderoga, with VA-55 embarked, deployed to the South China Sea following several defeats of neutralist forces by the Communists in Laos. After a cease-fire agreement was arranged, the ship resumed normal Seventh Fleet operations on 5 May.
May 2, 1963: Lt(jg). Frederick W. Hamilton was rescued uninjured from the wreckage of his A-4C BuNo 149602 by Airmen Arnold M. Steele and Gary L. Booker after Hamilton attempted an emergency landing aboard the USS Ticonderoga while it was operating in the South China Sea. The plane struck the stern of the ship, slid up the flight deck and came to rest in a mass of flames. US Armed Forces, Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tuesday, May 7, 1963
April 14, 1964 to December 15, 1964: VA-55 flying the A-4E Skyhawk deployed with CVW-5 to WestPac on United States Ship Ticonderoga, CVS-14 for the Warhorses first combat cruise to Vietnam.
July through September 1964: Participated in special Yankee Team operations involving missions over Laos and South Vietnam.
August 2 and 4, 1964: The squadron flew air support for United States Ship Maddox (DD 731) and United States Ship Turner Joy (DD 951) while the destroyers were on Desoto Patrol missions (intelligence collection missions begun in 1962) off the coast of North Vietnam.
August 5, 1964: VA-55's Skyhawks participated in operation Pierce Arrow, retaliatory strikes against the North Vietnamese. Along with other aircraft from CVG-5, they were part of the mission that struck the Vinh oil storage facility. Ninety percent of the complex was destroyed.
August 19, 1964: Warhorse A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150033 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot ejected and was recovered.
October through November 1964: The squadron continued to operate from United States Ship Ticonderoga off the coast of South Vietnam and participated in special Yankee Team operations, flying missions over South Vietnam.
November 23, 1964: Warhorse A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151037 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot ejected and was recovered.

VINTAGE: Circa 1954-1955.

SIZE: 5" diameter.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Fully-embroidered patch in multi-colored cotton/silk threads.

ATTACHMENT: N/A.

MARKINGS: N/A.

ITEM NOTES: This is from a United States Navy collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VGEX10 LCIEX 3/10 SLBBEX9/14 SBBEX10/14

CONDITION: 6+ (Fine-Very Fine): Patch has a moderate amount of wear.