VA-75 (U.S. Navy)

Operational history

• 24–26 October 1944: The squadron participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. On 24 October VT-18’s TBMs 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. On 25 October, the squadron’s planes were part of a Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked a Japanese carrier force in the Battle off Cape Engaño. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during that engagement. On the 26th, squadron planes participated in an attack on the Japanese surface force which was retiring from the Battle off Samar.
• September–December 1946: The squadron participated in shakedown cruise in the Caribbean and a goodwill cruise to South America for the inauguration of Chile’s President Gabriel González Videla.

  Home port assignments

• NAS Alameda – 20 Jul 1943
• NAAS Monterey – 28 Oct 1943*
• NAAS Hollister – Nov 1943*
• NAS Hilo – Feb 1944*
• NAS Kaneohe Bay – Jun 1944*
• NAS Alameda – 20 Dec 1944
• NAS Astoria – 25 Jan 1945
• NAS San Diego – 22 Apr 1945
• NAS Quonset Point – 14 Nov 1945

Aircraft Assignment

• TBF-1 Avenger – Jul 1943
• TBM-1 Avenger – Sep 1943
• TBM-1C Avenger – Nov 1943
• TBM-3 Avenger – Feb 1945
• TBM-3E Avenger – 22 Apr 1945
• TBM-3Q Avenger – 6 May 1946
• AD-3 Skyraider – 18 Apr 1949