Carrier Air Group 19 was commissioned in August, 1943. It took part in the WW II battles at Leyte Gulf, Guam, Palau, Morotai, and landings on Leyte. It participated in carrier strikes on the Carolina Islands and the Philippines, Bonin, Formosa, Luzon, and Okinawa. CVG-19 received the Presidential Unit Citation for its participation in these engagements while embarked aboard USS Lexington (CV-16).

CVG-19 has also served aboard Antietam (CV-36), Boxer (CV-21), Princeton (CV 37), Oriskany (CVA-34), Yorktown (CVA-10), and Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31).

The Navy first organized the squadrons embarked aboard carriers into Air Groups in 1938, with the Air Group carrying the name of the carrier; the Lexington Air Group served aboard USS Lexington. In 1942 Air Groups were numbered, carrying the same number as their carrier; CVG-9 was embarked aboard USS Essex (CV-9). Today, Air Groups are called Air Wings, but the commander is still referred to as (CAG) Commander Air Group. CVG-19 was re-designated Carrier Air Wing 19 (CVW-19) 20 December 1963. Air Groups are task organizations and can be composed of different squadrons and be embarked aboard different carriers, depending on operational requirements.

This patch was worn by pilots of VF-192 in 1954 during filming of “The Bridges at Toko-Ri.”

$ 38