USNA Superintendent Contributes Some "Tophatters" History to the National Air and Space Museum

Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter was at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., this morning to deliver a leather flight jacket he donated to the Smithsonian.

USNA Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter gives his Tophatters flight jacket to 
Dr. Alex Spencer, curator at the National Air and Space Museum in front of a 
display featuring the VFA-14 Tophatters. (Photo by MC2 Tyler Caswell)

The jacket is from his time as commanding officer of the VFA-14 Tophatters, a U.S. Navy fighter attack squadron. VFA-14 were established in 1919, making it the oldest active squadron in the U.S. Navy.

USNA Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter talks with Dr. Alex Spencer, 
curator at the National Air and Space Museum. (Photo by MC2 Tyler Caswell)

The squadron is featured in a current display in the museum - a mock up of an aircraft carrier ready room. One of the mannequins in the display is wearing Carter's Tophatters flight suit, which he had previously donated to the museum.