Kenneth Swanson

Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 39 (VS-39), also known as the “Hoot Owls,” was a United States Navy squadron established during World War II. Activated in 1943, VS-39 operated primarily in the Atlantic theater, tasked with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions to protect Allied shipping from German U-boat threats. The squadron flew aircraft such as the SBD Dauntless and later the Grumman TBM Avenger, conducting patrols, convoy escorts, and search-and-destroy missions. VS-39 was decommissioned in late 1945 following the end of the war, having played a significant role in securing vital sea lanes during the conflict.