Phillip Mall Oral History
Object NameRecording, Video
Transcript
Narrator
Phillip J. Mall
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateJune 12, 2019
PeriodVietnam War
MediumMTS, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Phil Mall, VSF-3. OHP.196
Object numberOHP.196
DescriptionPhillip Mall served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) as an aviator in attack squadron VSF-3 during Intrepid’s second Vietnam War deployment in 1967. The Museum recorded his oral history interview on June 12, 2019.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Mall began his interview by noting where he was born and raised. He then provided a brief summary of his service, before discussing his early interest in the military and flight. He also explained how his time in the Navy began with an NROTC scholarship.
As the interview continued, Mall began to discuss flight training. He recalled two memorable moments from flight training, explained how he entered the jet pipeline, and described his experience flying the Grumman F-11 Tiger. Mall then noted some of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk’s qualities. He also stated why he preferred the attack role over the fighter role. As the discussion on flight training continued, Mall recalled practice bombing, explained how aiming was done manually, and discussed his time in the Replacement Air Group, noting that the RAG’s purpose was to make you combat ready.
Mall was assigned to Anti-Submarine Fighter Squadron 1 (VSF-1) Detachment Alameda. This squadron became Anti-Submarine Fighter Squadron 3 (VSF-3) when it went aboard Intrepid. He explained the squadron’s VSF designation, noting that they were an attack squadron that also had a fighter mission, which resulted in the squadron standing Bear watches during the trips to and from Vietnam and escorting Intrepid’s photo planes when the ship arrived in the Tonkin Gulf. Mall then discussed the squadron’s breakdown in terms of rank; the squadron’s culture; the squadron’s skipper, Les Hofto; and the squadron’s XO, Georges Le Blanc. He also described VSF-3’s interactions with the other A-4 squadrons and noted how their VSF designation affected those interactions.
As the interview continued, Mall discussed his knowledge of and view of the Vietnam War while he was in training and serving overseas. He also recalled an experience he had in an airport terminal when he returned home; a woman insulted him because he was wearing a uniform. Mall then stated his current feelings regarding the war, before he recounted a memorable story about how he was able to catch a military flight home after arriving back in the U.S. The discussion of Mall’s return home then led to the topic of family life, and Mall provided multiple stories regarding his family.
The interview then briefly covered Mall’s recollection of the Intrepid Four, before shifting back to the topic of missions. Mall stated that, as a VSF, the squadron served as flak suppressors during alpha strikes. He also described hitting targets, noted what weapons they used, explained how they handled SAMs (surface to air missiles), and discussed road reconnaissance missions. He then recalled the interactions and relationships between the squadron’s senior and junior officers, before recounting the loss of one squadronmate, Frederick Kasch, and another squadronmate, Al Perkins, who was shot down in Haiphong Bay and recovered.
Mall was then shown a number of maps he had previously donated to the Museum. He stated that one of these maps was used for initial planning and the other maps of a different scale were used when you were into the target. He also described how they marked these maps. Mall was next shown a kneeboard card, and he explained the information that was kept on this card. After being asked about codenames on the maps, Mall recalled one of the missions they flew “zip lip.” He also recounted the story of the F-4 Phantom that landed on Intrepid. Mall then answered a question about a flight schedule he had donated, before he recalled a humorous memory regarding an event that occurred while transiting the Suez Canal.
Mall’s wife, Lois Mall, then recounted her communications with him while he was deployed and they were deciding on a name for their son. She also recalled two occasions when she was worried that something had happened to him. As the interview came to an end, Mall provided some final thoughts regarding his time on Intrepid, noting that Intrepid was a great running ship with a great crew, and that it was a great experience.
Extent: 9 video files, 31 page transcript
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