This Date in Naval Aviation History

19 January 1920:

The Commandant NAS Pensacola reported that in the future no student would be designated a Naval Aviator or given a certificate of qualification as a Navy Air Pilot unless he could send and receive 20 words a minute on radio telegraph. (ed. Oh how the times have changed – eh?  – SJS)

19 January 1972:

Lieutenants Randall Cunningham and William Driscoll in an F-4 of VF-96 off Constellation shot down a MiG-21, the first enemy aircraft downed since 28 March 1970, when Lieutenants Jerome Beaulier and Steven Barkley in an F-4 of VF-142 off Constellation downed a MiG-21. The 19 January action occurred during a protective reaction strike in response to earlier AAA and SAM firings from the area which had menaced an RA-5C reconnaissance plane and its escorts. This accounted for the Navy’s 33rd MiG shot down in the Vietnam war since the first on 17 June 1965, downed by Commanders Louis Page and John Smith in an F-4 of VF-21 off Midway.  (ed. This was their first MiG – the second would come 8 May 72 and the remaining three on 10 May 72. – SJS)