VA-52 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as U.S. Navy Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-884 on 1 November 1949, and called to active duty on 20 July 1950. It was redesignated VF-144 on 4 February 1953, and VA-52 on 23 February 1959. The squadron was nicknamed the Bitter Birds from about 1951–1953, and the Knightriders from about 1960 onward. Its insignia evolved through several versions and variations from 1951 to the 1980s. VA-52 was decommissioned on 31 March 1995.
History
1950s
On 20 July 1950, VF-884 (the previous name of VA-52) was called to active duty as a result of the Korean War. On the 28th, the squadron reported for active duty at NAS San Diego. In the later part of March 1951, VF-884 aircraft conducted their first combat operations, flying close air support missions along Korea’s eastern coast from .
VF-884's first Commanding Officer, LCDR. G. F. Carmichael, died after parachuting from his F4U which had been hit by enemy ground fire on 24 May 1951. Later, on 4 October 1951, LT. E. F. Johnson was attacked and shot down by enemy MiG-15 aircraft. This was the first VF-884 and CVG-101 aircraft shot down by enemy aircraft. LCDR. Bowen, VF-884's third Commanding Officer, was listed as missing in action when his aircraft crashed near Pyongyang, North Korea on November 8, 1951. On 4 February 1953: VF-884 was redesignated VF-144 during its second combat tour in Korea aboard . In this change, the reserve squadron number was replaced by an active squadron number. On 21 February 1953: VF-144 completed the last line period of its second combat tour in Korea. Its primary missions had been close air support of ground troops, interdiction of enemy main supply routes, and the destruction of military supplies, vehicles and troops.
On 18 August 1958, the squadron returned to NAS Miramar following 's first major deployment. The cruise took the squadron from Virginia to California, via Cape Horn, transferring Ranger from the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific Fleet. The squadron's mission was changed to attack and it was redesignated VA-52 on 23 February 1959.
1960s
From 13 July to 1 August 1964, VA-52 aircraft participated in Yankee Team operations in South Vietnam and Laos, involving aerial reconnaissance to detect Communist military presence and operations. Other missions included weather reconnaissance and Search and Rescue. Between the 2nd and 4 August 1964, during a Desoto Patrol mission (intelligence collection missions begun in 1962), was attacked by three motor torpedo boats off the coast of North Vietnam. Following this incident the squadron flew 44 sorties in support of the destroyers on the Desoto Patrol. On the 4th of August, During the night, two destroyers on Desoto Patrol, and USS Maddox, believing themselves under attack by North Vietnamese motor torpedo boats, called for air support. Several A-1H Skyraiders from the squadron, along with several F-8 Crusaders, were launched from . Commander George H. Edmondson and Lieutenant Jere A. Barton reported gun flashes and bursts of light at their altitude which they felt came from enemy antiaircraft fire. Following this, on 5 August 1964, four VA-52 A-1Hs, piloted by Commander L. T. McAdams, Lieutenant Commander L. E. Brumbach and Lieutenant (jg)s R. E. Moore and P. A. Carter, participated in Operation Pierce Arrow, retaliatory strikes against North Vietnam. Along with other aircraft from CVG-5, they struck the Vinh oil storage facilities and destroyed about ninety percent of the complex. The four aircraft returned with no battle damage. Between 6–29 October 1964: The squadron conducted rescue combat air patrol missions in support of "Yankee Team" operations.On 7 February 1966, LTJG. Harvey M. Browne was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during rescue missions in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 April 1966, CDR. John C. Mape was killed in action, becoming the third VA-52 commanding officer to be lost in combat action. The squadron soon completed its second combat tour of duty in Vietnam on the 21st of April, having participated in Operation Rolling Thunder, designed to interdict the enemy's lines of communication into Laos and South Vietnam.