 VP-4 History
Circa 1969
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...On Patrol - Page 30 to 31 - Naval Aviation News - June 1969..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1969/jun69.pdf [17SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...01DEC69--The Squadron deployed to NAS Adak, Alaska on 1 Dec 69 and returned to Barber's Point on 30 Jun 70. CO was Cdr. John Emerson and XO was Cdr Evan Vaughn. During that deployment we flew ice patrols in the Bering Sea out of Kodiak, had a long term detachment out of NAS Agana, Guam, and regular, I think daily, flights to the Kamchatka Peninsula. I believe these were scheduled 12-14 hour flights. At least one of which was intercepted by a Badger and firmly escorted away from the area it was in. Adak was a cold, windy place with terrible flying conditions. Believe me, there was no tears shed upon leaving Adak..." Contributed by Jim Slade jslade@awinc.com
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...The concept of developing a special program dedicated to enhancing the operational capabilities of the Navy's Maritime Patrol Force began in 1969. Originally established as a small cadre of personnel assigned to a squadron to supplement aircrews on special R&D missions, the programs's manning level, and responsibilities expanded steadily during the 1970's. On November 15, 1979, at Barbers Point Hawaii, Patrol Squadron FOUR Detachment Special Projects was established under the administrative control of Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron FOUR. In light of it's unique organization and operational employment, the detachment was commissioned as an independent unit on July 16, 1982 with an Officer in Charge in command. On March 27, 1996 VPU-2 was commissioned as a full squadron with an operationally screened Commanding Officer in Command. Since its inception, Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit TWO has been awarded three Meritorious Unit Commendations and two Navy Unit Commendations, one for service as a component of the Arabian Gulf Battle Force in action during Operation DESERT STORM. VPU-2 has also been awarded two Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbons and, for it's participation in Operation UNITED SHIELD, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Most recently, the squadron has flown missions in support of Commander, FIFTH, SIXTH and SEVENTH Fleets, and maintains a near continuous forward deployed presence..." Contributed by Jim Kruyne (RET) em729@erols.com
Circa 1968
A BIT OF HISTORY:   Meritorious Unit Citation "...Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross)..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [14DEC2012]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...On Patrol - Page 30 to 31 - Naval Aviation News - July 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/jul68.pdf [15SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...On Patrol - Page 30 - Naval Aviation News - May 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/may68.pdf [15SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Orion Flyin' - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - April 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/apr68.pdf [15SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - February 1968..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1968/feb68.pdf [14SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VP-4 Flight Line "...VP-4 flight line at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii on April 1968..." Contributed by KIDDER, AMSC Mike Retired robertkidder@comcast.net [30AUG2002]
Circa 1967
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Hawaiian Homecoming - Page 29 - Naval Aviation News - October 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/oct67.pdf [12SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - August 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/aug67.pdf [11SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 - Naval Aviation News - April 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/apr67.pdf [09SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - March 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/mar67.pdf [08SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 30 to 31 - Naval Aviation News - February 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/feb67.pdf [08SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Squadron Awards..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [23APR2001]
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
01 Aug 68 - 31 Jan 69
01 Jul 97 - 30 Sep 97
Navy Expeditionary Service Medal
08 Dec 78 - 06 Jun 79
10 Feb 81 - 31 Mar 81
Humanitarian Service Medal
10 May 75 - 31 Oct 75
Meritorious Unit Commendation
01 Dec 69 - 31 May 70
09 Sep 70 - 31 Oct 70
12 May 75 - 16 May 75
Navy "E" Ribbon (Battle "E")
01 Jan 79 - 30 Jun 80
01 Jan 96 - 31 Dec 96
01 Jan 97 - 31 Dec 97
Navy Unit Commendation
01 Feb 71 - 30 Jul 71
17 Jan 91 - 07 Feb 91
Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry)
01 Jan 67 - 01 Jul 67
21 Nov 68 - 31 Dec 68
Southwest Asia Service Medal
10 Nov 90 - 10 Mar 91
VP-4 Det
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
25 May 97 - 30 Jun 97
VP-4 Det Cubi Point
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
01 Feb 67 - 30 Jul 67
Meritorious Unit Commendation
01 Feb 71 - 30 Jul 71
01 Feb 72 - 15 Jul 72
VP-4 Det OF
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Winter 69
Spring 70
VP-4 Det Special Projects
Meritorious Unit Commendation
01 Oct 79 - 31 Dec 81
Navy Expeditionary Service Medal
08 Dec 78 - 06 Jun 79
21 Nov 79 - 30 Sep 80
VP-4 Participating Aircrews
Navy Expeditionary Service Medal
21 Nov 79 - 20 Jun 80
10 Feb 81 - 30 Jun 81
VP-4 Participating Crewmembers
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
01 Dec 95 - 31 Mar 96
01 Oct 97 - 28 Nov 97
VP-4 Participating Elements
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
15 May 75
Circa 1966
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - November 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/nov66.pdf [07SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - October 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/oct66.pdf [07SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - September 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/sep66.pdf [06SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 36 - Naval Aviation News - June 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/jun66.pdf [05SEP2004]
Circa 1965
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...On Patrol With Pacific Air Wings - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - December 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/dec65.pdf [03SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Pacific Air Wings On Patrol - Page 26 - Naval Aviation News - October 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/oct65.pdf [02SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...On Patrol With Pacific Air Wings - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - June 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/jun65.pdf [01SEP2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...On Patrol With Pacific Air Wings - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - April 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/apr65.pdf [31AUG2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...1965 VP-4 Cruisebook..." Contributed by BRINKLEY, Jere jerebrinks@hotmail.com [08JUN2004]
Circa 1964
A BIT OF HISTORY:  History "...Searching for info regarding this sign that stood in front of the VP-4 Duty Office at NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan until the squadron changed home port to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in 1964..." Contributed by ANDRUSZKEWICZ, Steve "Andy" sgpa2zfmly@aol.com [04JUL2012]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "E" Patch "...Patrol Squadron Four - Naval Air Force - Pacific Fleet - E - 1962/1963/1964 Patch..." Contributed by Richard Todd rlee5445@msn.com [12MAY2009]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Pacific Squadrons Win E's - Page 2 - Naval Aviation News - July 1964..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1964/jul64.pdf [29AUG2004]
Circa 1963
A BIT OF HISTORY: "E" Patch "...Patrol Squadron Four - Naval Air Force - Pacific Fleet - E - 1962/1963/1964 Patch..." Contributed by Richard Todd rlee5445@msn.com [12MAY2009]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...LT Dave Bonnet (Retired), former VP-4 Shipmate, found this photo while doing some research at the Navy Historical Archives in Washington DC - BUNO: 150279 Of Patrol Squadron Four, based at NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan flies past a Japanese Merchant ship while on patrol mission on 27 March 1963..." Contributed by Gary Myers ggaryrun@comcast.net [16APR2008]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...CNO Safety Awards Listed - Page 2 - Naval Aviation News - September 1963..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1963/sep63.pdf [27AUG2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...NavAirPac Winners Named - Page 2 - Naval Aviation News - February 1963..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1963/feb63.pdf [25AUG2004]
Circa 1962
A BIT OF HISTORY: "E" Patch "...Patrol Squadron Four - Naval Air Force - Pacific Fleet - E - 1962/1963/1964 Patch..." Contributed by Richard Todd rlee5445@msn.com [12MAY2009]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-4 Squadron Sign NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan and CDR I.T. Gumb last inspection as XO March 30, 1962 at NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan..." Contributed by ANDRUSZKEWICZ, Steve "Andy" sgpa2zfmly@aol.com [17JAN2008]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...VP-4 To Get 12 Neptunes - Page 32 - Naval Aviation News - November 1962..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1962/nov62.pdf [24AUG2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...VP-4 Scores Safety Mark - Page 38 - Naval Aviation News - March 1962..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1962/mar62.pdf [22AUG2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Five Squadrons Patrol China Coast - Page 15 - Naval Aviation News - January 1962..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1962/jan62.pdf [22AUG2004]
Circa 1961
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...The following historical fact provided by Chief Ronald C. Moore formally of VP-4. Did you ever hear about this one? The below-mentioned C.O. was CDR Constance. Most of the dialog is overly-familiar to you, but this was written so that civilians can understand it..." Forwarded by ZAFRAN, LCDR Bob vpfourever@gmail.com [19MAR2015]
Brink of WWIII?
The year was 1961, and as best as I can recall it was early spring. I do not remember the day or month. I was a First-Class Petty Officer, and was standing night duty as ASDO (Assistant Squadron Duty Officer) with U.S. Navy Air Patrol Squadron Four. We were stationed aboard NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Our official navy designation was VP-4. Things were quiet, so the LT(jg) Squadron Duty Officer (SDO) decided to go to the officer's club for supper. That left only myself & the lower-ranked Duty Driver in the office.
The SDO had not been gone very long when I received a call from our Base Radio office that we had a TOP SECRET “Z” precedence message for pickup. "Z”" precedence, or FLASH as it was sometimes called was highest priority of the radio communications community. FLASH suggested something very ominous, something akin to all-out war. I knew that my SECRET clearance would not allow me to pick up that message but I asked anyhow. Of course they told me NO. I had no choice but to contact the squadron people higher in the chain-of-command. I started with my SDO at the officer's club. I was quite surprised by his demeanor. He was as mad as hell about my interrupting of his supper. He told me that there were only three people in the squadron who could retrieve such a message, and they were the Operations Officer, Executive Officer, & Commanding Officer. He told me that I should have known that; then he returned to his supper. I was also very surprised that he was not interested in returning to the squadron in spite of the fact that he could not retrieve the message. In my opinion his duties as SDO required such.
Next I called the home of our Operations Officer. I tried several times, and got no answer. So I called the home of our Executive Officer. His wife answered the phone, and she told me that her husband was at the north end of the island, and could not be contacted.
I had no choice but to contact our Commanding Officer. He answered the phone, and I apprised him of the situation. I told him about the message, and my efforts to contact the other three officers. He was very nice to me, and told me he would be right down. As his quarters were very close to our Duty Office, he was there in five minutes. He had already been to the Base Radio office, and he had the sealed message in his hand. He asked, “Where's the Squadron Duty Officer (SDO)?” I told him that the SDO was still at the “O” Club. He said that the SDO should have returned immediately when I contacted him. Then he told me to follow him to his office, thus leaving the Duty Office in charge of the Duty Driver. On the way to his office he told me that I did a good job. He was a Mustang (Navy jargon for a former enlisted person), so he was well aware of the feelings, problems, etc. of the enlisted ranks, especially in dealings with junior officers.
When we arrived at his office, he unlocked one of the drawers to his desk, and retrieved two .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), weapons. He shoved one into his belt, and handed the other to me. He said, "Stand by the door, and let no one enter." He emphasized the words "No One." As I moved to the door, he moved into the far corner of the office, faced the walls, opened the message, and read same. When he finished reading the message, he moved over to the trash can, set the paper on fire, held it for a couple seconds, and then threw it into the trash can. Then he retrieved the pistol from me, and told me to return to the Duty Office. He added, "When the SDO returns, send him back to me." That was the last I saw of the C.O. that night.
The SDO returned about a half-hour later. I told him that the C.O. wanted to see him. Approximately ten minutes later, the SDO returned from the Commander's office. He had a very submissive look on his face. I have no idea exactly what the Commander told the SDO (yes I do have a rough idea), but it probably was not very good news to the LT(jg). I doubt that it had anything to do with the actual contents of the message.
The very next day when I arrived at work, the word was being spread that we were to go up to NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan which was twenty miles north of NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan to retrieve our aircraft's .50 caliber machine guns and turrets. That was the first time that I knew that our model of the P2V-5F even had those guns. I knew that previous models had them but not our models which were strictly Patrol & Antisubmarine Warfare aircraft. We all realized that something serious was in the wind.
We sent five or six of our ordnance-men & several officers to NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan to retrieve our guns. They had been there but a short time when we got orders to stand down from our ordnance retrieval. The alert, whatever it was, had been canceled. Everyone felt a sense of relief in spite of the fact that we did not know from what. That was the last I heard of that situation until many years later.
After I retired from the navy in 1973 I had a couple jobs at different locations in Pensacola until I landed the one at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Gulf Breeze, Fl. That was in the year 1991. I worked there seven years for three of the computer services companies which were under contract to the at the EPA, with one short break at another location until I retired completely in 1998. While at the E.P.A. I became acquainted with one of the former mayors of Gulf Breeze who had also been an Air Force officer. When the mayor learned that I had been in Naval Aviation, we got into a conversation about aircraft. Subsequently he learned that I had flown a couple flights in the Douglas AD-5 Skyraider aircraft. He told me that he had been a pilot in the Air Force version of that aircraft in Viet Nam. We talked a while longer, and somehow got around to me telling him of our 1961 scare in Okinawa mentioned above. He asked me if I ever learned what that was about. I told him no. He told me to sit back, and he would tell me.
The mayor told me that at the time of that scare he was an intelligence officer stationed in South Korea. He further stated that his office there got the word that we were just hours away from World War Three (WWIII ) with Russia & China. He informed me that a few hours later we did indeed get the word that the cause of that impending war had been resolved. He did not tell me the actual cause nor even if he knew that himself. WWIII had been prevented. He told me that due to the time element, and the circumstances, he was convinced that our orders to arm our aircraft were directly related to the WWIII probability. So it unfolded that my 1961 dilemma was clarified some 30+ years later.
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...CNO Safety Awards Announced - Page 6 - Naval Aviation News - October 1961..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1961/oct61.pdf [20AUG2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Battle E Squadrons Cited - Page 2 - Naval Aviation News - October 1961..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1961/oct61.pdf [20AUG2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VP-4 Patch Contributed by SCOTT, AK3 Larry G. tobipaint@msn.com [12JAN2004]
Circa 1960
A BIT OF HISTORY:  Mrs. Georgette ‘Dickey' Chappelle "...Mrs. Georgette ‘Dickey' Chappelle, a photographer for Life Magazine (and others) visited VP-4 in November and December 1959. She flew with several crews and her story was published in Life Magazine, June 22, 1962 in a large article entitled "Mighty New Navy of the U.S.A.: Men with a Global Punch". Dickey was a renowned Combat Reporter/Photographer, the first woman to report the war from the front lines in WWII (Including Okinawa), Korea, and Vietnam. She was the first female to cover the Vietnam War and also the first female reporter to be killed in action in any conflict: She was critically injured by a land mine near Chu Lai Vietnam on November 4, 1965, the first reporter to be killed in Vietnam." Thanks to Gary Myers (59-61) for these scans of the Life Magazine..." Contributed by Gary Myers ggaryrun@comcast.net [20APR2008]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Articles contained in the Armed Forces overseas paper from early '60's..." Contributed by Gary Myers ggaryrun@comcast.net [14APR2008]
Left to Right:
Patrol Squadron Four - Subs Their Target
Article
Anti-Submarine Warefare Primary Mission of Patrol Squadron 4
A Typical Crew
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-4 Circa 1960-61. Article from Life Magazine, June 22, 1962. Article was titled "Like Walking a tightrope, Lt Tomas Kirkland Pilot, Chief Petty Officer William Rowley picture is in there twice. Don't have the magazine but would like to find it. Also have articles from some Navy newspaper titled "Anti-Submarine Warfare Primary Mission of VP-4, which describes our missions and has pictures of "tipical" crew, pic of three P2V's flying in formation, Cmdr constance getting Safety award from RAdm John W. Gannon. Another article titled "Patrol Squadron Four-Subs Their Target". Article was written by David Harvey, PIO Officer and contains pictures of Commander Constance, N.N. Sargent AD2 and F.E. Milligan, AD2 and another picture of "community action" with Mayer Junei Minei, D.E. Nye, M.K. Needhan. L.C. Overton and R.A. Dudek..." Contributed by Gary Myers ggaryrun@comcast.net [19MAY2006]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Accident Rate Lowered - Page 12 - Naval Aviation News - October 1960..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1960/oct60.pdf [18AUG2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...The U.S. Navy/U.S. Coast Guard Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument, will be located on the Council International Sport Military Field on the US Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA. This monument will be a personal detailed, and heart-felt tribute to all Naval & Coast Guard personnel who died serving their country in the South East Asia Theater of the Vietnam War from 1960-1975. A few of the military squadrons represented are: VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-17, VP-26, VP-40, VP-42, VP-48, VP-50, VAH-21, VAP-61, and VO-67. WebSite: Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument..." Contributed by BAILEY, AO3 Bob flynavy10@comcast.net [Updated 21DEC2000 | Updated 02JUL2000 | Updated 14APR2000 | 03APR2000]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VP-4 Patch Contributed by SCOTT, AK3 Larry G. tobipaint@msn.com [12JAN2004]
"VP-4 History Summary Page"
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