Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an excellent original U.S. Navy WWII VF-22 “Fighting 22” wooden squadron plaque associated with USS Independence, dated June 1943. The round plaque measures approximately 11 ½ inches in diameter and is painted with a distinctive wolf insignia against a yellow circular field, together with the inscriptions U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE - JUNE / 1943 / Fighting 22. The reverse retains its original hanging hook.

This is an excellent wooden wall plaque measuring 11 ½” in diameter, painted with the insignia of a hungry wolf on a yellow circular background, with the text over and under him reading:

U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE - JUNE
1943

Fighting 22

The wording “Fighting 22” refers to Fighting Squadron 22, VF-22. On June 15, 1943, USS Independence was carrying Carrier Air Group 22, including VF-22 with twelve F6F-3 Hellcats, while the carrier was en route toward the Panama Canal and ultimately the Pacific.

VF-22 had been established in September 1942 and operated from Independence during 1943. Contemporary and later aviation references identify the squadron informally as “Fighting 22,” and aircraft of VF-22 are documented aboard Independence during the spring and summer of that year.

The June 1943 date on this plaque is significant because Independence was still officially designated CV-22 at that time. After completing shakedown operations in the Caribbean, she passed through the Panama Canal and arrived at San Francisco on July 3, 1943. The Navy formally redesignated her CVL-22 on July 15, 1943, distinguishing the new light-carrier type from the larger fleet carriers.

Independence departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor on July 14, 1943 and soon began major Pacific operations. In late August and early September she participated with Essex and Yorktown in the raid on Marcus Island, followed by strikes against Wake Island in October. She later took part in the November 11 strike against Rabaul and operations supporting the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.

This example is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its June 1943 date, USS Independence association, VF-22 “Fighting 22” identity, unusual painted wolf insignia, and early CV-22 period connection. Because official Navy records place VF-22 aboard Independence during June 1943, the wording on the plaque fits precisely with the documented composition of Carrier Air Group 22 before the ship’s redesignation as CVL-22 the following month.