VFP-62 Shipmates Guest Book- PAGE 5
Guests 101-125
Three RF-8As Over NAS Cecil Field
The lead RF-8 has new ventral fins, later installed on the RF-8G
Updated May 5, 2012
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101. Hello Shipmates, PH2 Bruce Nason, VFP 62 April 1960 to August 22, 1962. Ken Jack has been after me to get something posted since the reunion in Mobile. However, the first thing I'd like to state is that I have no idea what an RF 8 is, while I lived
the adventure VFP 62 flew the hottest jet in the Navy, the F8U-1P Crusader
Like many things in my life, duty in VFP 62 is borderline fate. Actually
I didn't even want to enlist in the Navy but was talked into the buddy plan by my best friend in High School and after boot camp I never saw him again. He went to AD(A) School in Memphis and I
got orders to PH(A) School in Pensacola. Around 10 weeks into school we had the aerial photo segment. I can recall the Chief saying, "Don't worry too much about this because A school students almost never get assigned to aviation units." Eighteen of the 30 members of Class 44-59 got orders to either VFP 62 or VAP 62.
So in Spring of 1960 the adventure began with the Shangri La detachment, "Youngblood's Tigers" Our Leading [photo] PO was PH1 Donald Bartholomew. Professionally we were "all Navy" but having Bart as a role model on liberty gave me a unique start to my Naval career. Ken Jack and I could probably entertain you for hours with sea stories from a NATO cruise to South Hampton, England, lots of Caribbean shake-down cruises to Gitmo with liberty in Kingston and St. Thomas and of course the Med. cruise which was, at times, like a trip to Disney World.
I was discharged in August of 1962, just weeks before the Cuban missile crisis. After seeing TV coverage and reading about the events in the Milwaukee newspapers I actually called a Navy recruiter to see if I could volunteer to return to the squadron. I was told no. My Navy career seemed to be at an end about then. However in 1974 a friend, again, talked me into enlisting, this time in the 'knee-deep' Navy, the Coast Guard Reserve. They actually gave me a stripe, all I needed to do was complete the Public Affairs correspondence course. They gave me a time limit of a year, ha, I did it in a month! Suddenly I was a PA1 (Coast Guard didn't have Photomates). Unfortunately in three tries I couldn't make Chief, even though I placed 1st and 2nd on the in the country on the
service wide exams.
In 1981 I was talked into (it didn't take much convincing) transferring to a Public Affairs unit in the Navy Reserve. I made JOC first time up and had fantastic time working projects on board ships, with Marines, Seabees, a NATO joint forces landing in Norway, CICNAVEUR, the JIB at the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, commissioning of several ships including the battleships Missouri and Wisconsin (I followed the Wisconsin from mothballs to commissioning and was the first enlisted man to ship over on the Whiskey at sea...Captain Blesch made me, a Reservist, a Plankowner).
I also worked on the News Desk at CHINFO during the IOWA explosion and the first week of Operation Desert Storm. In 1993 I left the Public Affairs unit for a staff assignment with an Admiral at Great Lakes hoping that could shield me from that evil new Navy program called High Year Tenure. It
didn't and in 1996 my Navy kicked me out.
All in all after showing up at Cecil Field, a naive 18 year old, I credit the Navy adventure as laying the foundation for my 28 years as a television news photographer and 15 years as the Assignment Editor at a Milwaukee television station. (Ironically, one of the News Directors I endured was the Navigator on board the Shangri La a year or so after I left active duty). I've been the President of the Wisconsin News Photographers Association, Milwaukee Press Photographers Association and voted into the Milwaukee Press Club Media Hall of Fame. Presently I'm the Commodore of the largest Yacht Club in Wisconsin. My free time is now spent sailing, a little
travel, trying to keep up with eight grandkids and just trying to 'stir the pot a bit.'
Oh, Oh, I think Ken only wanted me to write a few lines, well I guess I just get carried away.....sort of like going on liberty with Bart.
Bruce Nason JOC [Chief Journalist PO]
My email address is: Click to email Bruce: bwnason@wi.rr.com
Click to see VFP-62 photos of Bruce : Pic #1: Circa 1960Pic #2: USS Shangri La-Pic #3 VFP-62 barracks steps--Found on "Faces of VFP-62"
- 102. James B. Linn AN to AE1 1956 to 1960. Made Blue Nose Cruise in CVA 11 1957 and Med cruise 58 - 59 Forrestal.
My email address is: Click to email Jim: blin10@embarqmail.com
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103. Gary Iverson YN3: I served in VFP-62 from 1962 to 1964, and ran the main office after my boss became very ill.
I recall that we had a fellow standing inspection during the Crisis (guns with no bullets) on the flight line. The guy got tired and crawled into the intake of the F8U. Someone seen him and covered the intake with the metal protector, and started up the engine starter; but DID NOT hook it up. The guy screamed bloody murder as he thought he was history. Moral: stay awake on duty. I'll bet this fellow still remembers that frightful early morning.
My memories are from the times, day and night, spent in the Admin office working with Cmdr Ecker and
many Top Secret photos; and descriptions of the Cuban Missile Crisis... thought we would see nuclear
missiles heading into the country at any time.
I turned down a request for the Academy and returned to SE Minnesota to marry and raise 4 boys; none
of them are in jail or are on drugs... great kids. I wore out the wife after 24 years.
I am now 68 and retired, living in NE Arkansas; lots of recreation and low taxes. A great place to retire if low taxes are important. Ask me.
Gary Iverson
Hardy, AR 72482
VFP-62 - Always the Best !!!
My email address is: Click to email Gary: giverson000@centurytel.net
Or, find me on Facebook.
- 104. My name is Edward L. Prikryl and I just found this web. I served with VFP-62 from Jan. 1963 to Jan 1965 as the squadron legal yeoman. In fact, found my picture as a member of a color guard. Noticed a get-to-gather in Sep. Will keep my eye on that date.
Thanks to being able to look in the past.
I"ve had a good life and looking for a bunch more years. I married a girl from Jacksonville, we had two children (girl and boy). My son, his wife and children live here in Orlando.
My daughter has two children and her husband is a Navy Seal. I do know Gary Iverson, Don Kuehl,
and Jerry Harvey.
Ed Prikryl
My email address is: Click to email Ed: edprikryl@bellsouth.net
Click to see VFP-62 photos of Ed : Pic #1: Circa 1964-It'd be nice to be that skinny again?
- 105. Ken Keber: I was assigned to VFP-62 in 1967 after completing A School in Millington, Tenn. I was assigned to the Line Division and was deployed on the next cruise, a Med cruise aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, CVA-42 (1967 -1968) While deployed, VFP-62 was decommissioned and the detachment became assigned to VFP-63 based out of Miramar, Calif. Upon returning to Florida some squadron members remained with VFP-63 and reported to San Diego. I was assigned to VF-194, also in San Diego, and did a West Pac cruise on the USS Oriskany, CVA-34 (1969). There were a few of the VFP-62 /63 crew members from the Roosevelt cruise deployed on the Oriskany.
Thanks for your great work.
Ken Keber ADJ2 1966 - 1968
My email address is: Click to email Ken: mailto:Kenneth.Keber@alyeska-pipeline.com
106. Hello: I came aboard VFP-62 in 1962, made the WORLD shortest MED cruise aboard Enterprise as a AE2. I was aboard the Enterprise during Cuban Missile crisis. In 1963 made my second med cruise aboard The Big 60 from Dixie SARATOGA. VFP-62 was the start of a very good NAVY career for me. I left the squadron Dec 1965.
VFP-62 was a large squadron, for sea duty most of the chiefs never went to sea, only a few did.
I learned to be an electrician from the other AE's there. I advanced from E4 to E6 because of the excellent training I received there.
I moved from DET-62 to DET-60 in 1963. I still remember a PT who painted two Fighting Cocks on hanger bay one doors of Saratoga and did a fantastic job, made me proud that he was in our DET.
Pete Nunnley and Bill Newby live here in Pensacola. I retired form Navy in Feb 1981 as a AVCM.
I have very good memories of my tour in the Squadron.
Take care and GodBless
Lacy Forrest
My email address is: Click to email Lacy: lacy1938@suddenlink.net
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107. I reported to VFP 62, Feb 1957, as a new graduate of PH "A" school.
Being from Pennsylvania, Jacksonville, FL was an appealing assignment. Upon reporting to the squadron I was assigned to the "Photo Line". Not the first choice for a new PHGAA -- I really wanted to be a photographer.
Over the next few months the PH Leading chief saw a lot of me as I requested any assignment that would get me off the "line". The line PH1 had another plan for me, and laid it out. He was taking a few weeks of leave and upon his return he wanted me fully checked out on every camera configuration on both the F2H-2P Banshee and F9F-8P Cougar aircraft. I conceded and learned as much as I could and really began to love the work. So much so that I volunteered for a fall cruise on the Saratoga for a six week north Atlantic exercise with a detachment of Banshees.
1958 had another opportunity for a "Sara" detachment of Cougars. This cruise was a 9 month summer cruise to the Med. Then a 6 month summer Med Cruise in 1959 on the FDR with F8U-1P Crusaders.
I would have to say that VFP 62 set my course for the love of the Navy that had seen me through the next 40 years as a naval air reservist with the major portion of that time as an aircrew photographer. It continues on today as I introduce the public to life in the Navy as a tour guide on the USS Blueback, SS 581
Daryl "Flip" Phillippi PH1
VFP-62 Feb. 1957 - Oct. 1959
My email address is: Click to email Daryl: darl_p@juno.com
Click to see VFP-62 photos of Daryl : Pic #1: L:R Ken Tuel, Daryl Cannes 1958Pic #2: Det 43-58 Daryl 5th from left-Pic #3 USS Saratoga Daryl 4th from left-Pic #4 Daryl on right-Pic #5 Daryl on left-Pic #6 Aboard Saratoga Det--Found on "Faces of VFP-62"
108. Capt. Mo Hayes: I reported to VFP-62 in September 1964 from the Crusader RAG (VF 174), at Cecil Field, following a year at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
I was soon scheduled to become OinC of Det 42 on the FDR, and subsequently deployed to the Med as such in 1965.
Shortly after return from that deployment I became Executive Officer of the squadron in "66, then in "67 relieved Norm Youngblood as C.O.
As you know, In early '68 we decommissioned the squadron.
[Webmaster's Message: Mo's biography is on "VFP-62 Skippers" Page. Email the webmaster for contact information.]
109. Bruce G. Wall: I was attached to VFP-62 in 1960, 61 & 62. I was a AM3 & AM2 during that time. I did a Med Cruise on the Independence. I also was part of the Cuban missile crises.
I was in the det that first went down to photo the Cuban Isles. [Webmaster's Note: Bruce is referring to the Bay of Pigs invasion which happened in April 17-18, 1961.] I was a AMS2 at that time, I remember the planes painted completely with paint used to paint the ship by the ships sidecleaners. The only task that I had was to make sure all the camera windows were masked off. When they finished painting the A/C I made sure that all masking was completely off the Camera windows.
I'm 71 now and have been retired from the Navy since 1980. I think we were aboard the Independence, but not sure. I went to the Med on the Independence before the Missile Crisis. I left the Navy while in VFP-62 in 1964 for a short time. Lost contact with all squadron members, because when I reupped I went into the VP Navy.
Bruce G. Wall
My email address is: Click to email Bruce: azbudone@gmail.com
110. Jimmy Horgan I was a PH-3. First, congrats on the terriffic web site. Got a lot of smiles after viewing the site. I was with Fightin Photo from 12/66-5/19/68. Joined with det-42, second to last of the 62 detachments, and after seeing Ken Keber's submission of our det cruise photos, I really had to write. I actually begged to go on the cruise as an extra having no sea-duty under my belt, and due to get out Jan. 68. I extended for the duration of the cruise and was released when we returned to Mayport.
We had some of the greatest officers, namely Dave Sjuggerud, Ed Andrews, Otto Erz, Ensign Johanson. Would like to send out warm hellos to all of them in addition to Terry Mulligan, Bob Vickers, Rich Crawford, Jim Rios, Warrant Officer Billy Kensler, PH-2 Peters, Rich Bregoli, John Cooner (The Kentucky Colonel). John C. Woody, Kenny Cates, Jimmy Clayton, Parrachute Rigger Brown, Chief Sunday, Rodney Vowell, and any whose names I've forgotten after all these years.
A great tribute to the honor of Capt. Dave Sjuggerud, God I wish I could have saluted him when he made Captain. Y'all on the detachment remember the "atta boy" awards he gave to the guys when they did a great job getting those old RF-8's off the catapults as scheduled. He's the guy that made you proud to be in the Navy & especially in VFP-62. His memorium actually made me cry to think that he was living so close to me when he died & I never had the chance to see him again. Had a great conversation with his wife not too long ago. She is fine, has a great family with very succussful sons. Mr. Sjuggerud introduced her to me in Italy when she came to the Med to meet up with him & get married in France.
Ah the memories..... A special tip of the hat to him for the experience he had on a landing on the FDR when his tailhook snapped after grabbing the #3 wire and went over the angle deck. He recovered by hitting the afterburner and barely skimmed over the water, and ultimately flew into Sigonella to await the airframes crew to install a new hook. Standing Ovation when he arrived back at the ready room.
I'd love to hear from anyone that remembers me. I'm in South Fl., near Ft.Laudrdale.
Thanks again for the great site. Your the Best.
My email address is: Click to email Jimmy: jhorgan1221@aol.com
Click to see VFP-62 photos of Jimmy : Greece circa 66-67.
111. Jack Covington: Ken, I just came across this site and these pages take me back to my days with VFP-62. I have a few photos taken around the barracks area. I reported in December 1966 fresh out of basic as a "PSI" , waiting on AE school. I was in the squadron six or seven months before going over to NAS JAX for school. I did make two carrier qual cruises one on the FDR to Rossevelt Roads, and then one on Independence (CVA62). Don't remember much other than Chuck Pugh was the guy I was assigned to help. He was a plane captain and I was his gopher as such. I owe him a lot for watching after me while on the flight deck. Anyways, I'll try and post some photos as soon as I figure out how to do it. Great site you have going here.
Jack Covington ( I was a AEAN )
My email address is: Click to email Jack: covja@suddenlink.net
112.I saw your address in the Legion magazine. I was an AE on the Tarawa 1953/1954 part of the detatchment of VC 62. Do you have any knowledge of those who served on that ship at that time? Or anyone who served in VC 62 at the same time? I was stationed at Jacksonville NAS in VC 62 1953/1954 and then in FASRON 51 at Sanford NAS in 1955/1956.
I was originally from Tavares, FL, but now live in Wildwood, FL.
Gerry McCormic
My email address is: Click to email Gerry: germccorm@live.com
Contributions to this page are welcome.
--Email a current photo and it will be included by your writeup.
Email the Webmaster
Click this link - Email VFP-62 Webmaster to send a comment, correction, or contribution to this page.
Click for VC/VFP-62 Buddy Finder: Database of Registered Shipmates
106. Hello: I came aboard VFP-62 in 1962, made the WORLD shortest MED cruise aboard Enterprise as a AE2. I was aboard the Enterprise during Cuban Missile crisis. In 1963 made my second med cruise aboard The Big 60 from Dixie SARATOGA. VFP-62 was the start of a very good NAVY career for me. I left the squadron Dec 1965.
