VAW-13 - Squadron 13 - Alameda, Calif. 1967

Updated: Oct 20, 2023

August 22, 2023

The VAW-13 were known as the “ZAPPERS”. They were called Zappers due to their electronic counter measure support. Their Mascot was the Dragon.

They were re-designated as VAW - 130 on October 1, 1968. Six detachments operated on aircraft carriers, once of which was the U.S.S. Enterprise, between November 1967 through March of 1969. VAW -13 has history stationed at ALAMEDA AND Naval AIR Station Point Mugu, in Southern California.

FINALLY, I came across an article that clearly listed the Squadron LD had belonged to while first stationed in the Bay Area of California in 1967. Low and behold, it was the “Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 13.” Many alarm bells went off while reading this. Could THIS be the connection of the 13 eyes within the Halloween Card??? Or, was it inspired by the 13 buttons on the Sailor Uniform? Perhaps it really was the Squadron 13 he belonged to?? Or both? And what about the Zappers name? Does the Z from Zappers have anything to do with what inspired him to write Z underneath the strange symbol with which he signed the Halloween Card? And IF there is a connection, would the Zodiac Killer’s Dragon Card be another clue to his identity as a nod to the Zapper Squadron 13, aboard the USS Enterprise?

AND, AN EVEN MORE CONVINCING CONNECTION BETWEEN HIS "ELECTRONIC ATTACK SQUADRON 13" AND THE ZODIAC KILLER CASE, ARE THE REFERENCES HE MAKES TO THE ELECTRONIC DETONATION OF THE BOMB THREAT WITHIN HIS DIAGRAM IN HIS Z-13 MY NAME IS LETTER.