We had entered Ulithi Lagoon as part of the Third Fleet under Admiral William F. Halsey. We would leave Ulithi Lagoon as part of the Fifth Fleet under Admirals Raymond Spruance and Marc A. Mitscher. Admiral Mitscher was a pilot's Admiral. He had been a Naval Aviator since the beginning of his career. He understood a pilot's mind and needs. Admiral Halsey had been a surface Officer until late in his career, when he went through Flight Training. He was a good Officer, but not the pilot's Admiral that Mitscher was.

 Admiral Mark A. Mitscher

McBrayer and Bayers, together with their combat teams were transferred to the USS Yorktown (The Fighting Lady). 1 February 1945 the Commanding Officer of the USS Yorktown, in accordance with a secret dispatch, commissioned Bombing Fighting Squadron VBF-3. This split the personnel of VF-3 into two groups. For the upcoming tour, the missions of both Squadrons would be the same. This division, however, marked the introduction of the concept of Navy Fighter Bomber Squadrons.

 

During the January operation, the Commanding Officer of VF-3, LCDR W. L. Lamberson had been killed in action. A replacement for Lamberson and a Commanding Officer for Bombing Fighting Three had to be named. LCDR "Fritz" Wolfe had been transferred from VF-11 aboard the Hornet.

 

LCDR Bayers was named CO of the VF-3, and LCDR Wolfe was named CO of VBF-3. LCDR McBrayer was named Wolfe's Executive Officer.

 

Everyone seemed reasonably happy with the reorganization of the group, and with the new Commanding Officers. In addition, the Squadron members were a bunch of great fellows. We were welcomed aboard, and it wasn't long before we felt like true members of the organization, in marked contrast to the time spent with VF-81 aboard the Wasp. At last we had found a home.

 

We had good leaders. Bayers and McBrayer had the experience of this tour added to that of their previous tour in 1942-43. Fritz Wolfe was a Navy Trained pilot who had served a tour with Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers in China. The younger members of the squadrons had considerable combat under their belts, and felt that under Admiral Mitcher, they would fight the kind of war for which they had been trained.

 

The only "fly" in the ointment was the initial "B" in VBF-3. We all felt we were still primarily Fighters and wanted the initials changed to read VFB-3 (Fighting Bombing Three). But, as usual, the decision of the top brass was final and the designation VBF-3 stuck.

 

The Navy Information Office had filmed a movie on board the Yorktown, during previous operations. It told the story of operations at sea and in battle, of the Yorktown, and earlier Air Groups. The movie was entitled "The Fighting Lady." When the film was previewed aboard the Yorktown, it was interesting to see and hear some of the ships personnel who were still aboard, like Dick Trip the SO.