Photo Gallery: Page 10
Black Cat Mascot

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VP-12 Squadron CO, Commander Clarence Orville Taff and black cat mascot "Yardbird". VP-12 was the original Black Cat Squadron, and was based at Guadalcanal starting in December of 1942. Many other squadrons would follow in their footsteps.
(Mrs. Warren S. Pittman collection) (Source: "Black Cat Raiders of WWII" by Richard C. Knott)

 


The following photos are from the VP-12 squadron tour book. The quality is very poor due to my copy being a multiple-generation photo copy. If anyone has a clearer copy, PLEASE let me know.

 

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Yardbird (the VP-12 mascot) as a young cat,  being held up for the camera.


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A VP-12 crew member takes a cat nap with Yardbird napping on his lap.


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The VP-12 logo is seen on the shirts and jackets of these original Black Cat crewmen, with Yardbird climbing on the shoulder of the man whose shirt reads "Guadalcanal - Henderson Field".


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A young Yardbird on the prowl.


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Yardbird personalizes a signpost on the island of Guadalcanal.

 

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