This September the Tophatters turn 79!

79 years ago, in september 1919 the Air Detachment, Pacific Fleet was formed at North Island, California. Part of it was soon to be designated Torpedo squadron Five (early 1920) and this unit is the direct ancestor of Fighting One and today VF-14 Tophatters. This september, the men and women who have served in this elite Naval unit during the almost eight decades have a chance to get together to celebrate their squadron's 79th anniversary.

You can find more info about this year's reunion by checking out the Alumni Pages on our site.

Join those who served in this fine unit from the diving Eagle days (VF-1 in the twenties) to the High Hat that is the symbol of today's excellence. Join in celebrating the oldest active duty naval aviation squadron in existence - the Fighting Fourteen (VF-14) Tophatters - the oldest and boldest!

The High Hat was devised back in 1927 as a new unit emblem replacing the diving eagle by LCDR Gerald F. "Gerry" Bogan - an insignia both eye catching and symbolic of the best. The CO's vision was right and the "High Hats" soon became a topnotch organization. Today, decades later, thay still are.

related items on this site:
Command History, Alumni Pages

if you like the "79 years of duty" poster you can download here a 800x1200 version (227k)