Did you know that there was another air force squadron nicknamed the ‘Dam Busters’. No, neither did I. But it would seem that US Air Force Squadron VA-195 became known as this in an operation during the Korean War. Navy pilot James Sanderson died recently in Virginia Beach and, according to his obituary:
Vice Admiral Sanderson served 39 years active duty in the U.S. Navy. He had destroyer duty with the USS Mansfield, and USS Bauswell as an ensign gunnery officer. He was an accomplished aviator, he received his wings in May of 1950. He flew over 100 combat missions on the USS Princeton over N. Korea from the Sea of Japan and the Gulf of Wonsan. His first Korean War combat sortie was Close Air Support of First Marine Division at Chosen Reservoir, North Korea. He was one of eight torpedo pilots that destroyed the flood gates of Hwachon Reservoir Dam, North Korea (Air Wing 19). Squadron VA-195 became known as the “Dam Busters.”
It doesn’t say whether the torpedoes bounced or not. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
Dambusters Blog 