Bombing Squadron VB-19
What was the official name of VA-194 (U.S. Navy) from Aug 1943 to Nov 1946?
VA-194 ( U.S . Navy ) VA-194 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S . Navy . It was established as Bombing Squadron VB-19 on 15 August 1943 . It was redesignated as VA-19A on 15 November 1946 , and as VA-194 on 24 August 1948 . The squadron was disestablished on 1 December 1949 . Its nickname is unknown . Operational history . - 18–21 July 1944 : The squadrons first combat sorties involved preinvasion strikes for the Battle of Guam . It also provided support for the initial landings on the island . - July–October 1944 : Squadron aircraft flew sorties against targets on Palau , Bonin Islands , the Philippines , including Mindanao and Luzon , Okinawa , Formosa and the Pescadores . - 24 October 1944 : Squadron aircraft participated in several major engagements during the Battle for Leyte Gulf . VB-19 aircraft flew search missions from north of Lingayen Gulf to the northern tip of Mindoro to locate the Japanese Task Force . It struck the Japanese Central Force in the Sibuyan Sea , which included the Japanese battleship Musashi . However , only limited damage was caused by the squadrons attack since its aircraft were armed only with general-purpose bombs instead of armor-piercing bombs . For his actions during this engagement Lieutenant Leonard R . Swanson was awarded the Navy Cross and Lieutenant ( jg ) s Stuart E . Crapser and Herbert N . Walters were awarded Silver Stars . - 24 October 1944 : The squadrons commanding officer , Commander R . S . McGowan , failed to return from a combat mission and was declared missing in action . - 25 October 1944 : The squadron participated in coordinated attacks against the Japanese Carrier Task Force in the Battle off Cape Engaño . VB-19 aircraft claimed they either sunk or assisted in the sinking of three Japanese carriers . Four Japanese carriers were sunk during the battle . Thirty-two squadron pilots were awarded the Navy Cross for their actions in this battle . They were : Lieutenants Price R . Stradley , Robert D . Niemeyer , John B . Gunter , William E . McBride , Emil B . Stella , Jack Meeker , John L . Butts , Jr. , Donald F . Helm , Norman E . Thurmon , Donald F . Banker , Robert B . Parker , Joe W . Williams , Jr. , William A . Wright and Raymond G . Wicklander ; Lieutenant ( jg ) s George H . Bowen , Melvin L . Chapman , Robert E . Lee Duncan , Jr. , Donald D . Engen , Arnost Jancar , Jerry B . Wilton , Webster P . Wodell , Daniel Sadler , Jr. , Louis A . Heilmann , George W . Peck , Jack Scott , Stuart E . Crapser , John H . Crocker , William T . Good and Robert G . Smith ; and Ensigns Leon F . Kinard , Robert W . Doyle and William H . Wagner , Jr . Two squadron personnel were awarded the Silver Star for their actions ; they were : Lieutenants Donald F . Banker and Leonard R . Swanson . - 5–6 November 1944 : The squadrons final sorties involved attacks on Manila Bay and the successful sinking of a Japanese Heavy Cruiser on 5 November . For their actions in the sinking of the cruiser , Lieutenants Donald F . Banker and Price R . Stradley were awarded Gold Stars in lieu of their second Navy Cross . 26 Nov–14 Dec 1944 : The squadron and air group were relieved by CVG-20 and were en route from Ulithi Atoll , via the Hawaiian Islands , to the States . Home port assignments . The squadron was assigned to these home ports , effective on the dates shown : - NAAS Los Alamitos – 15 Aug 1943 - NAS Kahului – 29 Feb 1944* - NAS Alameda – 20 Jan 1945* - NAAS Santa Rosa – 06 Feb 1945* - NAS Kahului – 09 Aug 1945 - NAS Barbers Point – 04 Nov 1945 - NAB Marpi Point and NAB Kobler , Saipan 01 Apr 1946** - NAS Alameda – 19 Aug 1946 <NOWIKI>*</NOWIKI> Temporary shore assignment while the squadron conducted training in preparation for combat deployment.<BR> <NOWIKI>**</NOWIKI> Temporary shore assignment while the squadron was deployed to WestPac . Aircraft Assignment . The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown : - SBD-5 Dauntless – Sep 1943 - SB2C-1 Helldiver – 01 Apr 1944 - SB2C-1C Helldiver – May 1944 - SB2C-3 Helldiver – Jun 1944 - SB2C-4 Helldiver – Feb 1945 - SB2C-4E Helldiver – Feb 1945 - SB2C-5 Helldiver – Aug 1945 - AD-1 Skyraider – 06 Dec 1946 - AD-2 Skyraider – Sep 1948 - AD-3 Skyraider – 10 Jan 1949