{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-navy-uss-independence-cv-22-vf-22-fighting-22-painted-wooden-squadron-plaque-june-1943-11-inches","title":"Original U.S. WWII Navy USS Independence CV-22 VF-22 “Fighting 22” Painted Wooden Squadron Plaque - June 1943 - 11½ Inches","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an excellent original U.S. Navy WWII \u003cb\u003eVF-22 “Fighting 22” wooden squadron plaque associated with USS Independence\u003c\/b\u003e, dated \u003cb\u003eJune 1943\u003c\/b\u003e. The round plaque measures approximately \u003cb\u003e11 ½ inches in diameter\u003c\/b\u003e and is painted with a distinctive wolf insignia against a yellow circular field, together with the inscriptions \u003cb\u003eU.S.S. INDEPENDENCE - JUNE \/ 1943 \/ Fighting 22\u003c\/b\u003e. The reverse retains its original hanging hook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eU.S.S. INDEPENDENCE - JUNE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e1943\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFighting 22\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wording \u003cb\u003e“Fighting 22”\u003c\/b\u003e refers to \u003cb\u003eFighting Squadron 22, VF-22\u003c\/b\u003e. On \u003cb\u003eJune 15, 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, USS Independence was carrying \u003cb\u003eCarrier Air Group 22\u003c\/b\u003e, including \u003cb\u003eVF-22 with twelve F6F-3 Hellcats\u003c\/b\u003e, while the carrier was en route toward the Panama Canal and ultimately the Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVF-22 had been established in September 1942 and operated from Independence during 1943. Contemporary and later aviation references identify the squadron informally as \u003cb\u003e“Fighting 22,”\u003c\/b\u003e and aircraft of VF-22 are documented aboard Independence during the spring and summer of that year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe June 1943 date on this plaque is significant because Independence was still officially designated \u003cb\u003eCV-22\u003c\/b\u003e at that time. After completing shakedown operations in the Caribbean, she passed through the Panama Canal and arrived at San Francisco on \u003cb\u003eJuly 3, 1943\u003c\/b\u003e. The Navy formally redesignated her \u003cb\u003eCVL-22 on July 15, 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, distinguishing the new light-carrier type from the larger fleet carriers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependence departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor on \u003cb\u003eJuly 14, 1943\u003c\/b\u003e and soon began major Pacific operations. In late August and early September she participated with Essex and Yorktown in the raid on \u003cb\u003eMarcus Island\u003c\/b\u003e, followed by strikes against \u003cb\u003eWake Island in October\u003c\/b\u003e. She later took part in the \u003cb\u003eNovember 11 strike against Rabaul\u003c\/b\u003e and operations supporting the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its \u003cb\u003eJune 1943 date, USS Independence association, VF-22 “Fighting 22” identity, unusual painted wolf insignia, and early CV-22 period connection\u003c\/b\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45890701230149,"sku":"ONAC26MAX14","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC26MAX14__01.jpg?v=1790622753","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-navy-uss-independence-cv-22-vf-22-fighting-22-painted-wooden-squadron-plaque-june-1943-11-inches","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}