VP-4 Skinny Dragons Plaque, 14, Mahogany, Navy

Add this beautiful VP-4 Skinny Dragon Plaque to your goat locker and proudly show your Naval Aviation legacy!  Size: 14 inches

HISTORY OF THE SKINNY DRAGONS

Patrol Squadron FOUR has a long and distinguished history dating back to pre-World War II.   The first squadron designated Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) was established in 1928 and was based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Re-designated Patrol Squadron TWENTY-TWO (VP-22) in 1938, the squadron was nearly destroyed during the Japanese attack on 7 December, 1941. Following the attack, the squadron was reformed, refitted, and called to duty in World War II. While in the defense of the Philippines the squadron lost all but one aircraft leading to the disestablishment of the squadron. This paved the way for the second Patrol Squadron FOUR to be formed.

In July 1943, a new bombing squadron, Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR (VB-144) was established in Alameda, California and continued to conduct combat and reconnaissance operations throughout the Pacific P2VFormsTheater. VB-144 was redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron (VBP-144) in October of 1944. Following the war, VPB-144 was placed in an inactive status and existed only administratively at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, California. On 15 May 1946 VPB-144 was redesignated Patrols Squadron (VP-144). Shortly thereafter, on 15 November 1946, VP-144 was redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) FOUR (VP-ML-4), M for multi-engine, L for light. In 1947 VP-ML-4 was reactivated at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. After taking receipt of the United States Navy’s newest patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-2V Neptune, VP-ML-4 moved to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington in January of 1948.   In September of 1948 the squadron was redesignated Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4). These events mark the birth of the squadron as we know it today.

In 1956, VP-4 was again relocated, this time to Naha,Okinawa, Japan.Okinawa Patch From this base,the squadron flew reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions to counter theCommunist Chinese threat to the islands of Matsu and Quemoy. Starting a long-standing tradition of excellence, in 1964, the squadron marked its fourth year of unequaled operational excellence with three Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific(COMNAVAIRPAC) Navy “E” Ribbon, three Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety Awards, andfour Arnold J. Isbell ASW Awards.

In April 1964, VP-4 returned to their original home of Barber’s Point, Hawaii. From there, the squadron made numerous deployments to Southeast Asia in support of military action in Vietnam. It was on one of these deployments in 1965 when the squadron logo was changed from the Okinawa-era “Neptune” design to a Hawaiian-inspired “Black Griffin”. The logo caused some confusion on the part of waitresses in the local Officer’s Club, who remarked that it more closely resembled a “Skinny Dragon” and the new nickname was quickly adopted.

In 1966, the Skinny Dragons began transitioning from the P-2V Neptune to the P-3A Orion. Following completion of the transition, PATRON FOUR again made history by becoming the first Hawaii-based squadron to deploy P-3A’s to Naval Station Adak, Alaska.

In 1972, VP-4 was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its efforts during Operations MARKET TIME and YANKEE STATION. During the 1975 deployment to Cubi Point, VP-4 participated in the evacuation of South Vietnam and the “Mayaguez” recovery operations and in 1976 saw detachment operations to Naval Air Station Agana, Guam during which the squadron participated in Australia’s Kangaroo II fleet exercise.

p2vdiamnodheadIn July 1978, the “Skinny Dragons” assumed the Guam Detachment and simultaneously conducted operations that stretched around the world including locations as distant as: Cubi Point, Barbe