Accepted in 1954, this 'Spad' has quite a record. Its first combat cruise came with VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" on board USS Midway in 1965, during which time it was part of a mission that engaged North Vietnamese MiG-17s, one of the enemy jets being shot down. After operating with VA-52 "Knightriders" aboard the carrier USS Ticonderoga in 1966-1967, it was back with VA-25, this time on USS Coral Sea for a 1967-1968 cruise. During these three deployments, it logged 219 combat missions. In February 1968 it flew the USN's last A-1 combat mission and was ferried to the NAM in 1969

29 Jun 1954: TOS USN as AD-6 and assigned to VA-55. 1956: VA-115, NAF Atsugi, Japan. 1959-1962: Unknown units. 1962: VA-145. 7/62: Redesignated A-1H. 1964 to 1967: VA-25, VA-52, VA-25 aboard USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga, USS Coral Sea for 219 combat missions over Vietnam. 20 Feb 1968: Last Navy Skyraider to fly an attack mission in South Vietnam - in support of Khe Sanh. 10 Apr 1968: Retirement ceremony at NAS Lemoore. The next day it was ferried to the NNAM by the pilot of the last combat mission.

29 Jun 1954: TOS USN as AD-6 and assigned to VA-55. 1956: VA-115, NAF Atsugi, Japan. 1959-1962: Unknown units. 1962: VA-145. 7/62: Redesignated A-1H. 1964 to 1967: VA-25, VA-52, VA-25 aboard USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga, USS Coral Sea for 219 combat missions over Vietnam. 20 Feb 1968: Last Navy Skyraider to fly an attack mission in South Vietnam - in support of Khe Sanh. 10 Apr 1968: Retirement ceremony at NAS Lemoore. The next day it was ferried to the NNAM by the pilot of the last combat mission.

29 Jun 1954: TOS USN as AD-6 and assigned to VA-55. 1956: VA-115, NAF Atsugi, Japan. 1959-1962: Unknown units. 1962: VA-145. 7/62: Redesignated A-1H. 1964 to 1967: VA-25, VA-52, VA-25 aboard USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga, USS Coral Sea for 219 combat missions over Vietnam. 20 Feb 1968: Last Navy Skyraider to fly an attack mission in South Vietnam - in support of Khe Sanh. 10 Apr 1968: Retirement ceremony at NAS Lemoore. The next day it was ferried to the NNAM by the pilot of the last combat mission.

This venerable old aircraft flew 219 combat missions over Vietnam, concluding with the last ever combat mission by a Skyraider. During one of these missions this Spad scored one of the two jet kills by the type in the conflict. She is now ennjoyering her well earned retirement on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.