VA-52 Knight Riders Squadron Patch – Sew On

VA-52 Knight Riders Squadron Patch – Sew On Aviators! Are you looking for a high-quality patch that you'll be proud to wear or display? Look no further than the VA-52 Knight Riders Squadron Patch! 4 inch Embroidered US Naval Aviator Owned Business Sew On Plastic Backing increases rigidity, so the patch lasts longer and stays flat Reproduction Lineage: Established as Fighter Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR (VF-884), a reserve squadron, on 1 November 1949. Called to active duty on 20 July 1950. Redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR (VF-144) on 4 February 1953. Redesignated Attack Squadron FIFTY TWO (VA-52) on 23 February 1959. The first to be assigned the VA52 designation. Squadron Insignia and Nickname VF-884 was assigned to NAS Olathe, Kansas, prior to being called to active duty. The insignia, approved by CNO on 29 January 1951, portrayed its association with the state of Kansas. The circular designed insignia centered around a determined looking Jayhawk with a club in its hand. Inside the insignia were the words “Bitter Birds,” reflecting the squadron’s feelings about the Korean Conflict and its call to active duty. Colors for the insignia were: blue Jayhawk with red head and yellow beak, gloves and shoes; black club; and a white background outlined in red. When VF-884 was redesignated VF-144 on 4 February 1953 the old insignia apparently fell out of use and a new insignia was not approved until 23 May 1956. The new design depicted a stylized bird diving in the sky surrounded by a cone-shaped barrier. Colors were: a blue background outlined in black; six white stylized stars, three above and three below the bird; a white outer cone with a yellow inner part; and a black bird. In 1959 VF-144 was redesignated VA-52 and a squadron insignia was approved by CNO on 5 January 1960. This design depicts a stylized knight riding a sea turtle and armed with a mace. The knight and turtle are superimposed on a target. With the assignment of an attack mission the squadron’s new insignia was designed to portray the pilot in the role of the knight, the legendary protector of honor. His means of transportation was a sea turtle, a capable and speedy performer in his element, the sea. Using his mace, a feared weapon from an earlier time, he exemplified the squadron’s powerful striking capability. Colors for the insignia were: the outer part of the circular insignia was outlined in black; the next concentric circle was a light blue, followed by alternating colors of red and white to form the target; a white and black knight and turtle, with the boots and gloves of the knight a solid black; the spikes of the mace were solid black; the turtle was shaded black; the eye of the turtle was red; and a white scroll with black lettering. Nickname: Bitter Birds, 1951-circa 1953. Knightriders, circa 1960-present. Chronology of Significant Events 20 Jul 1950: VF-884 called to active duty as a result of the Korean conflict. 28 Jul 1950: Squadron reported for active duty at NAS San Diego. Mar 1951: In the later part of March, VF-884 aircraft conducted their first combat operations, flying close air support missions on Korea’s eastern coast. 24 May 1951: VF-884’s first Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander G. F. Carmichael died after parachuting from his F4U which had been hit by enemy ground fire. 4 Oct 1952: Lieutenant E. F. Johnson was attacked and shot down by enemy MIG aircraft. This was the first VF-884 and CVG-101 aircraft shot down by enemy aircraft. 8 Nov 1952: Lieutenant Commander Bowen, VF884’s third Commanding Officer, was listed as missing in action when his aircraft crashed near Pyongyang, North Korea. 4 Feb 1953: VF-884 was redesignated VF-144 during its second combat tour in Korea. In this change, the reserve squadron number was replaced by an active squadron number. 21 Feb 1953: VF-144 completed the last line period of its second combat tour in Korea. Its primary missions had been close air support of ground troops, inte