My introduction to Southeast Asia came during 1963.  I was embarked aboard USS Coral Sea CVA-43 under orders, as I would later learn, to take up station off the coast of Vietnam.        I was a member of Attack Squadron 155 Silver Foxes of Carrier Air Wing 15.  VA-155 was one of two squadrons of A-4E Skyhawk II to comprise the Light Attack component of the air wing.  As the Coral Sea and her Battle Group arrived on station, it was obvious that we had arrived in considerable force.  The demonstration of such a presence off the coast of Vietnam was being denied here at home... we weren't suppose to be there, so they said.  John F. Kennedy was President... then that horrific event as or beloved president fell to the assasins bullet, and our trust was bestowed on our new President and Commander-in-Chief, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Let me relax and drop back a few months  to June.  I was nearly 28 and just getting myself married to the lady who remains my wife to this day.  I was assigned at Naval Air Station- Lemoore while my wife, Jackie, was off to begin medical School at the University of Southern California.  Life was good as I awaited orders to report to Naval Post Graduate School - Monterey.  Little was I expecting to trade that ticket for a trip to a place called Vietnam.   Back to Vietnam: During those early days it was clear, down where the rubber meets the road, that the mission of Coral Sea and her planes was becoming more active, made certain as we began loosing planes as our combat role was expanded.  Coral Sea and her Battle Group remained on station until May of 1964 when releaved by USS Ranger cva-61and her lovable gang... said with affection and great respect... then we were free to head for home.           I would return to Vietnam for an additional four tours.  Once more with Coral Sea and the same squadron and air wing.  Then it was a tour embarked in USS Constellation again with VA-155 and Carrier Air Wing 15.  Then it was home to transition to flying the A-7 Corsair II of Attack Squadron 147 Argonauts and deployment aboard Ranger.    My final tour was another transition to flying the mighty F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron 96 Fighting Falcons then to embark in Constellation.  That would end my direct particioation in Vietnam.   Oh yes, I did get around to attending the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey between deployments.  Then it was on to a training command at NAS Fallon after my advancement in grade to Commander.   There was a tour aboard the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.  Then it was on to various staff assignments and advancement in grade to Captain during 1978.  That got me back to California and Deputy Commanding Officer of Carrier Air Wing 9 at NAS Lemoore.  I wrapped up my Naval career at NAS Miramar.          PS: John McCain, friend and former classmate at the United States Naval Academy was flying a Skyhawk when he was hit by a SAM and had to eject. He was captured and remained a POW until February of 1973. (5I/2 years).  He was actually a year behind me at the academy... Class of 1958.   Above:  A-4E Skyhawk II of VA-155 Silver Foxes preparing to launch off USS Coral Sea off the coast of Vietnam... 1964    Attack Squadron 155 Embarked in USS Coral Sea CVA-43 Lt. Don Teller/A-4E Skyhawk II       A-4C BuNo 149574 from the ‘Blue Tail Flies’ of VA-153 launches from USS Coral Sea on 24 March 1965. The aircraft carries Mk 84 2000-lb bombs as well as the normal 300-gallon fuel tank. This aircraft was brought down by AAA northwest of Thanh Hoa three months later on 25 June while being flown by CVW-15 CAG, and ex-VA-153 CO, Cdr Peter Mongilardi. The latter failed to eject from the jet and was killed, thus becoming the first CAG to be lost in action in the Vietnam War. (PH1 James F Falk)           Respectfully, Captain Donald L Teller United States Navy Retired   Grateful aknowledgement to Wally-T for the design of this page. Thank you, Don  aka  TellerUSNA     USS Coral Sea           Brief History            On-Line Pics         Navy Pics