VFP-62
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| Light Photographic Squadron 62 | |
|---|---|
| Active | |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Inactive |
| Nickname | Fightin Photo |
| Engagements | Cuban Missile Crisis Vietnam War |
Light Photographic Squadron 62 (VFP-62) was a photographic reconnaissance squadron in the United States Navy. They are best known as the squadron who took the first low-level photos of the Soviet missile bases in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962. The squadron flew the F-8 Crusader. At the time, it was commanded by US Navy Commander William Ecker.
In 2000, the movie Thirteen Days (film), produced by Kevin Costner, showed the actions of Ecker and the other members of VFP-62 during the Missile Crisis.
[edit] Unit awards
On November 26, 1962, VFP-62 was awarded the first peacetime Navy Unit Commendation personally by President John F. Kennedy.
