VA-95
What was the official name of VA-95 (U.S. Navy) from Aug 1948 to 1949?
VA-95 ( U.S . Navy ) VA-95 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S . Navy . It was established as Torpedo Squadron VT-20 on 15 October 1943 , and as VA-10A on 15 November 1946 . It was finally redesignated as VA-95 on 12 August 1948 . The squadron was disestablished on 30 November 1949 . Its nickname is unknown . Two other squadrons , unrelated to this one , subsequently bore the VA-95 designation . Operational history . - 1 September 1944 : The squadrons first combat action involved strikes against shore installations on Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands . - September 1944 : Squadron aircraft participated in strikes against the Palau Islands in preparation for and support for the invasion of Peleliu . - October 1944 : The squadron participated in strikes against Okinawa , Formosa and Luzon in preparation for and support of the invasion of Leyte . - 15 October 1944 : Lieutenant Edward B . Holley , flying a squadron TBM , shot down a Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter , over Luzon . - 24 October 1944 : The squadron participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf . VT-20s TBM-1Cs flew sorties against a powerful Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea . These attacks contributed to the sinking of the Japanese battleship Musashi , one of the two largest battleships in the world . The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for their action against the Japanese task force : Ensigns W . T . Ross , W . J . Schaller , and G . Swint III ; Lieutenant ( junior grade ) M . Throwbridge ; Lieutenants C . H . H . Dickey , E . B . Holley , and R . E . McHenry , and Lieutenant Commander S . L . Prickett . - 25 October 1944 : Squadron aircraft were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle off Cape Engaño . Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement . The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for their action during the Battle off Cape Engaño : Ensigns T . E . Armour , J . L . Baxter , M . H . Krouse , and C . D . Leeper ; Lieutenant ( junior grades ) s P . H . Bradley and C . F . Schlegel ; and Lieutenants J . H . Howell , Jr. , M . L . Leedom , E . E . Rodenburg , and R . J . Savage . - November 1944 : The squadron participated in strikes against a Japanese troop convoy in Ormoc Bay , Leyte and enemy positions on Luzon . - December 1944 : Strikes were flown against Luzon in preparation for the invasion of Lingayan Gulf , Luzon . - January 1945 : Squadron aircraft flew strikes against Luzon , Formosa , Hong Kong , Japanese convoys in South China Sea and along coast of French Indochina , and Okinawa . - 12 January 1945 : Lieutenant J . N . Howell , Jr and Lieutenant ( junior grade ) M . Throwbridge were awarded the Silver Star Medal for their action against a Japanese cruiser that was protecting a convoy off the coast of French Indochina . Their attacks contributed to the sinking of the cruiser . Home port assignments . The squadron was assigned to these home ports , effective on the dates shown : - Naval Air Station San Diego – 15 Oct 1943 - Naval Air Station Barbers Point – 21 Apr 1944* - Naval Air Station Puʻunene – 17 Jun 1944* - Naval Air Station San Diego – 23 Feb 1945 - Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Lewiston – 16 Apr 1945 - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Edenton – Jun 1945 - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Elizabeth City – 02 Nov 1945 - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown – 21 Mar 1946 <NOWIKI>*</NOWIKI> Temporary shore assignment while the squadron conducted training in preparation for combat deployment . Aircraft Assignment . The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown : - TBF-1/TBM-1 Avenger – Nov 1943 - TBM-1C Avenger – Feb 1944 - TBM-3E Avenger – Jul 1945 - AD-1 Skyraider – 01 Aug 1949