Attack Squadron 42 ( United States Navy ) Attack Squadron 42 ( VA - 42 ) was a United States Navy attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana , Virginia . VA - 42 was known as the " Green Pawns " ( 1950 – 1992 ) and the " Thunderbolts " ( 1992 – 1994 ) ; and has evolved several times throughout its history that dates back to 1950 . History . VA - 42 was established on September 1 , 1950 the squadron was designated Fighter Squadron 42 ( VF - 42 ) . The unit was redesignated ( VA - 42 ) on November 1 , 1953 the squadron designation remained the same until it was disestablished on September 30 , 1994 . " Green Pawn " nickname . The insignia for VA - 42 , the " Green Pawn " , was originally approved by the Chief of Naval Operations ( CNO ) for Bombing and Fighting Squadron 75 ( VBF - 75 ) on October 28 , 1946 . When VBF - 75 was redesignated VF - 4B on November 15 , 1946 , the insignia was carried over for use by Fighting Squadron 4B ( VF - 4B ) . On September 1 , 1948 VF - 4B was redesignated Fighting Squadron 42 ( VF - 42 ) . This squadron continued to use the Green Pawn insignia until it was disestablished on June 8 , 1950 . When a new Fighting Squadron 42 ( VF - 42 ) was established on September 1 , 1950 they adopted the Green Pawn insignia that had been used by the former VF - 42 . In 1953 the insignia was carried over to VA - 42 following its redesignation from VF - 42 . The Green Pawn insignia is a simple , uncluttered and highly recognizable design . The symbol of the pawn was chosen because it has the most potential power of any piece on the chess board . The pawn is canted at a 45 degree angle inside a shield design . It is also said that the aircrews said they were called the Green Pawns for two reasons : it was the Fleet Replacement Squadron ( Responsible for training new aircrew and aircraft maintainers ; thereby , they were green , or new ) ; and their squadron was a pawn which could be pushed around by the fleet and the senior commands . Colors are as follows : green pawn ; background of the shield is white outlined in green ; and the scroll is white outlined in green with green lettering . " Thunderbolts " nickname . In 1992 the name and insignia was changed to " Thunderbolts " and the old logo of [ then recently disestablished A - 6 fleet squadron , VA - 176 ] . On the insignia was a dark blue background , a maced fist and lightning bolt held by the fist . Interestingly , the stars in the background , still were shown in the count of 1 , 7 , and 6 [ these were separated by the parts of the insignia ] . Location Assignment Date Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received Major overseas deployments . Depart Return Airwing Aircraft Area of Ops Air Wing assignments . Air Wing Tail Code Date However , ATG - 181 was not assigned a tail code letter until July 24 1956 . Prior to July 1956 VA - 42 still carried the tail code for CVG - 6 even though it deployed as part of ATG - 181 . † RCVG - 4 redesignated RCVW - 4 on December 20 , 1963 . ‡ On June 1 , 1970 , RCVW - 4 was disestablished . The AD tail code that had been allocated to RCVW - 4 and its assigned squadrons continued to be used by the squadrons that had been in RCVW - 4 . VA - 42 continued to use the AD tail code for its aircraft . Unit awards . MUC Meritorious Unit Commendation Inclusive Dates Covering Award