I was with VMF(AW)-122 at Beaufort, SC when the mobilzation was ordered. I came back from a weekend pass to find the whole base lit up like high noon. That was Monday at 0400. I got to sleep 42 hours later, staying behind to coordinate avionics spare parts inventory and resupply. In the meantime, anything that wasn’t a part of the buildings went out on R4Qs(Flying Boxcars), R4Ds(DC-3) and R5Ds.
The squadron had gotten brand new F8U-2NEs in August and was scheduled for a shakedown mission to Rota, Spain when the manure hit the ventilators. Those brand new planes came back from Key West with holes; blackened gun ports and greased rocket racks. When we asked how come, the answer was “photographic missions”. Right!
I was discharged on schedule on 31 December 1962.
I've never heard about that part!