RF-8A Crusader VFP-62 146871/GA-910 BLUE MOON

RF-8A BuNo 146871 / GA-910 of VFP-62 flown by Cdr. William B Ecker CO during operation "Blue Moon". VFP-62 deployed from NAS Cecil Field to NAS Key West, FLorida during operation "Blue Moon", the low-level reconnaissance missions flown over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. On October 23, 1962, Commander Ecker led the first low-level reconnaissance flight over Cuba and (together with his wing man, Lieutenant Bruce Wilhelmy, and four other VFP-62 pilots) took the first close-up photos of the Soviet missile bases in Cuba. During this mission, they both flew RF-8 Crusader aircraft.

After the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Ecker received the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) for his service. The unit he commanded, VFP-62, received the Navy Unit Commendation. This Navy Unit Commendation was the first one awarded for a peacetime operation and it was personally presented by President John F. Kennedy in a ceremony on November 26, 1962.