Otto Krueger (XO/CO)- A4 Skyhawks USS Ranger and Enterprise - Off Vietnam
Otto Krueger had a long and successful navy career that spanned over 30 years and three of this nations wars. Just a few highlights for now but quite a career.

Growing up in the mountains of Colorado he enlisted in the Navy in 1943. He attended the Naval Academy in 1945, and went direct to Pensacola Florida following graduation in 1949, Earning his wings in 1950, he was then transferred to West Coast to F4U Corsairs. While there the Navy was switching over to F9F-2s and he flew these on a tour of duty off Korea in 1951 on USS Princeton.

He had subsequent tours with VX-5 ( nuclear weapons delivery tactics development) in 1953-'54 and then was stationed at NAS Denver, and on to the USS Valley Forge in 1957 as Catapult Officer/Flight Deck/ Aircraft Handling Officer. Next it was to the Avaition Safety School at the University of Southern California, and back to Jax to A-4s in fall '59.

VA-106 tours to North Atlantic (NATO) and Mediterranean followed in the USS Shangri-La. To Naval War College as student & staff 1961 to 1964, then to Lemoore & VA-94 in A-4s as the Vietnam War commenced.

Otto made two Vietnam tours in A-4s from Ranger & Enterprise (XO/CO) in back-to- back cruises, then two more as Air Boss on Ticonderoga., 1966-1968. He commanded VA-125 ( A-4 RAG) at NAS Lemoore in 1968 -1969 before attending Harvard University 1969 - 1970 on a Fellowship at Center for International Affairs. Then assignment to London for 3 years.

Watch the page for updates to come. Like Alan Bedford he also flew Panthers in Korea but the focus will be on the Vietnam War period.

work in progress.
Contacts are being made for several stories. Otto Krueger will be the first and there will be profiles with an American helicopter pilot, inquiries have been on an RVN (republic of South Vietnam pilot) who flew A-37 tactical aircraft another who flew Skyraiders. A counterpart from the North may be a possibility.

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