| VF-17 - THE JOLLY ROGERS |
| Comission Date: 1943 Comission Place: NAS Norfolk |
VF-17 - Fighting Seventeen THE JOLLY ROGERS LCDR J. T. (Tom) Blackburn founded, trained, and led in cobat one of the outstanding squadrons in the annals of air warfare. During two combat tours in the 1943/1944 deployment to the Solomon Islands/Rabaul Arena, VF-17, called the "greatest Navy fighter squadron in history," valiantly experienced what it meant to be the uttermost tip of the spearof naval power. The squadron was commissioned January 1, 1943 at NAS Norfolk and was to become the first US Navy squadron to see action with Corsairs. The first flight for most nuggets in the F4U was in February '43, but Skipper Blackburn checked out in the Corsair first: "I went through a last minute cockpit scan and pushed the throttle to the stop as I began to roll. Habits die hard; I applied right full rudder - a must with the F4F Wildcat. A snowbank on the right side loomed large, and then my overcorrection threatened to plough the Corsair into the left snowbank. My zigs and zags, highly erratic at first, gradually damped out and I managed to lift off the the center of the runway. The thermometer stood at 25 degrees, but I was bathed in sweat. I had already learned a few valuable lessons that needed to be imparted to my eager beavers back at Norfolk." Several losses of aircraft and/or pilots were sustainedas the result of resolute, arduous, and continuous training in preparation for deployment. Training operations included integration with the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) Air Group. After shakedown VF-17 was disembarked from Bunker Hill for logistic reasons and sent to the South Pacific where land based Marines were operating Corsairs. Combat engagement commenced in late October 1943 while stationed at Ondonga, New Georgia.After a December standdown for engine changes, training of replacement pilots, anda short R&R, the squadron was based on Bougainville. VF-17 covered the assault and landing on Bougainville Beach andgave air and ground support during the subsequent battle. During one period of 5 days while defending the beachheadfrom air attacks from Rabaul, the squadron destroyed over 60 enemy aircraft. After the Seabees had constructed two airstrips, repeated and determined bombing attacks were made against strong Japanese facilities at Rabaul, warships in the harbor, and the surrounding enemy airstrips by Navy, Marine, and Army Air Forces. New Zealand P-40's flew close support. Dive bombers, torpedo bombers, B-24's and B-25's all took their turns. One of the outstanding contributions made by VF-17 during this time was providing proof, under battle conditions, of the suitability of the F4U for carrier operations. In March 1944, the squadron left the theater and on April 1, 1944 put into the port of San Francisco onboard the USS Prince William. Credited with 154.5 enemy aircraft destroyed, the squadron was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and individuals were awarded an assortment of Navy Crosses, Silver Stars, Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medals, and Purple Hearts. In the execution of assigned missions, 13 youthful pilots of VF-17 gave their lives. Fifteen pilots became Aces, more than in any other Pacific fighter unit. After decommissioning, several squadron members joined other airgroups and distinguished themselves in further air combat in WWII.For further and in depth information about the Jolly Rogers of VF-17, contact the research library at the National Museum of Naval Aviation or pick up a copy of Tom Blackburn's book, JOLLY ROGERS, published by Crown Books.
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