Bombing Squadron THREE (VB-3)

Established as Bombing Squadron THREE B (VB-3B) on 1 July 1934. Redesignated Bombing Squadron FOUR (VB-4) on 1 July 1937. Redesignated Bombing Squadron THREE (VB-3) on 1 July 1939. Redesignated Attack Squadron THREE A (VA-3A) on 15 November 1946. Redesignated Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34) on 7 August 1948. Redesignated Attack Squadron THIRTY FIVE (VA-35) on 15 February 1950. The second squadron to be assigned the VA-35 designation.

Insignia. There is no record of official approval for the diving black panther insignia used by VB-3B. However, by mid–1935, the design appeared in Navy documents as Bombing THREE’s insignia. The diving black panther design has been carried on through the various redesignations of the squadron and is the present insignia for VA-35. It was officially approved for VA-35 by CNO on 1 Oct 1957.

Insignia. US made, schiffli embroidery on wool.

Deployments.
2 Apr 1940-21 Jun 1940, CV 3 USS Saratoga, Saratoga Air Group, Vought SB2U-2 Vindicator, Hawaii
8 Dec 1941-Jan 1942, CV-3 USS Saratoga, Saratoga Air Group, Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, Hawaii
Apr 1942-Apr 1942, CV-6 Enterprise, Enterprise Air Group, Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, Pacific Ops
30 May 1942-Jun 1942, CV-5 Yorktown, Yorktown Air Group, Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, Battle of Midway
7 Jul 1942-21 Sep 1942, CV-3 Saratoga, Saratoga Air Group, Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, SoPac
12 Nov 1942-26 Jul 1943, CV-3 Saratoga, Saratoga Air Group, Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, SoPac
24 Oct 1944-27 Mar 1945, CV 10 USS Yorktown/CV-16 USS Lexington, CVG-3, Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver Pacific Ops

Stations.
NAS San Diego, CA. 14 Apr 1935
Ford Island (NAS Pearl Harbor), TH. Jan 1942
NAS Kaneohe, TH. Feb 1942
NAS Ewa, TH. Jun 1942
NAS Kaneohe, TH. Sep 1942
Nandi Field, Fiji Islands. Nov 1942
Tontouta Airfield, New Caledonia. Dec 1942
NAS Sand Point, WA. Sep 1943
NAS Whidbey Island, WA. Oct 1943
NAS Pasco, WA. 2 Feb 1944
NAS Alameda, CA. 5 Apr 1944
NAS Puunene, TH. 22 Apr 1944
NAS Hilo, TH. 7 Jun 1944
NAS Kahului, TH. 22 Jul 1944
NAS Seattle, WA. 28 Mar 1945
NAS Wildwood, NJ. 7 May 1945
NAAS Oceana, VA. 19 Jul 1945