Alan Bean came to the squadron in late 1964, I believe, after being selected to become an astronaut. A few years later, he was a member of the Apollo 12 crew and became the fourth person to walk on the moon. Quite an accomplishment. I think he has retired to his native Texas and -- last I knew -- was making a name for himself as an artist. I remember the fellow at right -- but, alas, not his name!

It's a tough job, but somebody has to be the astronaut. VA-172's LT Alan Bean assists Miss Greater Jacksonville with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

This is a nice aerial shot of four A-4 Skyhawks from VA-172. I don't know who the pilots of these aircraft were, but the photo was taken 9 April 1960 and processed by the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) photo lab.













Back to Galey Media's Military Gallery.