Fighter Squadron 17 (VF-17) "The Jolly Rogers"
U.S. Navy (USN)

Background
U.S. Navy fighter squadron that served in World War II in the South Pacific (SoPAC) flying the F4U Corsair. Nicknamed "The Jolly Rogers" with the motif of the Jolly Rogers pirate flag with a black rectangle with a skull and crossbones.

Wartime History
On October 26, 1943 at 11:30am thirty-four Corsairs took off from Espiritu Santo on a flight to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. On October 27, 1943 the squadron moves to Ondonga Airfield on western New Georgia. That same day the squadron flew three Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions over the Treasury Islands with nil results to cover the U.S. landing on Mono Island.

On November 1, 1943 at 8:45am Corsairs led by Halford for a two hour Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over Empress Augusta Bay on western Bougainville and returning strafe Ballale Airfield. Later that same afternoon at 3:45pm Corsairs led by Lt(jg) John H. Keith flew another two hour Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over Empress Augusta Bay. Returning, they strafe Ballale Airfield and encounter intense anti-aircraft fire. Lost is F4U Corsair 17661 pilot Lt(jg) John H. Keith (MIA).

On November 21, 1943 six Corsairs flew a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over Empress Augusta Bay on western Bougainville and returning strafed targets of opportunity around Buin on southern Bougainville. Lost is F4U Corsair 17804 pilot Lt. Charles A. Pillsbury (MIA).

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Tom Blackburn

References
The Jolly Rogers: The Story of Tom Blackburn and Navy Fighting Squadron VF-17 (1997)

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