VMF-215
Encyclopedia
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps
that was activated and fought during World War II
. Known as "The Fighting Corsairs", they fought in many areas of the Pacific War
, including the Battle of Bougainville. During their four-and-a-half month tour, the squadron was credited with shooting down 137 enemy aircraft, fourth most in Marine Corps aviation history
.
Following the surrender of Japan
, the squadron was deactivated on November 13, 1946 . The squadron was reactivated in the Marine Forces Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Olathe
, Kansas
until its deactivation on January 30, 1970.
, California
prior to deploying and during this time transitioned from the SBD Dauntless
dive bomber to the F4F Wildcat
.
The squadron departed the United States on February 23, 1943, and first arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa
, Hawaii
. During their time at MCAS Ewa they again transitioned aircraft, this time receiving the F4U Corsair
. The squadron departed Hawaii on May 12 for Midway Atoll
where they stayed for two months flying combat air patrol
s and escorted allied shipping in the area. In mid-June 1942 they left Midway for the South Pacific
.
VMF-215 arrived on Espiritu Santo
on July 1, 1942, and by the end of the month was taking part in fighter sweeps against Japanese bases in the northern Solomon Islands
. On August 14, an F4U Corsair from VMF-215 was the first plane to arrive at the newly captured airfield
on Munda
where they began operating immediately to cover the landings on Vella Lavella
. Shortly thereafter the squadron pulled back to the rear for rest and relaxation.
The squadron’s second combat tour began with their being based at Vella Lavella. From here they covered the landings at Empress Augusta Bay
on Bougainville
beginning on November 1, 1943. By January 27, 1944 the squadron was operating from an airfield at Cape Torokina
on Bougainville and from here the squadron began taking part in the air strikes against the Japanese garrison at Rabaul
, the Japanese naval base at Kavieng
, New Ireland
and against Japanese shipping near the Bismarck Archipelago
. During this time VMF-215 established 4 new Marine records in the South Pacific by downing 137 Japanese planes in 18 weeks, 87 planes shot down in one month, 106 planes destroyed in a single 6-week tour and 10 aces
in one squadron.
As action in the Solomons drew down the squadron was sent to Turtle Bay
where it was not deactivated but existed only on paper for a few weeks. They were reformed on May 7, 1944 and were sent to Emirau on August 5, 1944. From there they moved to Guadalcanal
on their way back to the United States where they eventually arrived on October 20, 1944. Upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
, California the unit was deactivated on November 6, however they were quickly reactivated on November 21 and became a carrier training replacement unit. Following the end of World War II, the squadron was deactivated on November 13, 1945.
VMF-215 was later brought back as a squadron in the Marine Forces Reserve and were based out of Naval Air Station Olathe in Kansas. They were never recalled to active duty and were decommissioned for the last time on January 30, 1970.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
that was activated and fought during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Known as "The Fighting Corsairs", they fought in many areas of the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, including the Battle of Bougainville. During their four-and-a-half month tour, the squadron was credited with shooting down 137 enemy aircraft, fourth most in Marine Corps aviation history
United States Marine Corps Aviation
United States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
.
Following the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
, the squadron was deactivated on November 13, 1946 . The squadron was reactivated in the Marine Forces Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Olathe
Naval Air Station Olathe
Naval Air Station Olathe is a former United States Navy base located in Gardner, Kansas. On its grounds at one point was Olathe Air Force Station...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
until its deactivation on January 30, 1970.
History
The squadron was activated on March 1, 1942, as Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 244 (VMSB-244). On September 14 of that same year they were re-designated Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 242 {VMSB-242} only to be changed again the next day to its final name, Marine Fighting Squadron 215. They trained at Marine Corps Air Station Santa BarbaraMarine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara
'Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located in Goleta, California north of Los Angeles during World War II...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
prior to deploying and during this time transitioned from the SBD Dauntless
SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was largely replaced by the SB2C Helldiver...
dive bomber to the F4F Wildcat
F4F Wildcat
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that began service with both the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy in 1940...
.
The squadron departed the United States on February 23, 1943, and first arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa
Marine Corps Air Station Ewa
Marine Corps Air Station Ewa was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located west of Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The base was hit during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and later served as the hub for all Marine aviation units heading into combat in the Pacific Theater...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. During their time at MCAS Ewa they again transitioned aircraft, this time receiving the F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
. The squadron departed Hawaii on May 12 for Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
where they stayed for two months flying combat air patrol
Combat air patrol
Combat air patrol is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft.A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile...
s and escorted allied shipping in the area. In mid-June 1942 they left Midway for the South Pacific
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
.
VMF-215 arrived on Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
on July 1, 1942, and by the end of the month was taking part in fighter sweeps against Japanese bases in the northern Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. On August 14, an F4U Corsair from VMF-215 was the first plane to arrive at the newly captured airfield
Munda Airport
Munda Airport is an airport in Munda on New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands .-History:A Japanese directive in late October 1942 called for an air base to be built at Munda Point, about 150 miles northwest of Guadalcanal and Henderson Field....
on Munda
Munda (Solomon Islands)
Munda is the largest settlement on the island of New Georgia in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, and consists of a number of villages...
where they began operating immediately to cover the landings on Vella Lavella
Vella Lavella
Vella Lavella is an island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It lies to the west of New Georgia, but is considered one of the New Georgia Group...
. Shortly thereafter the squadron pulled back to the rear for rest and relaxation.
The squadron’s second combat tour began with their being based at Vella Lavella. From here they covered the landings at Empress Augusta Bay
Battle of Empress Augusta Bay
The Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, on 1–2 November 1943—also known as the Battle of Gazelle Bay, Operation Cherry Blossom, and in Japanese sources as the Sea Battle of Bougainville Bay Shore —was a naval battle fought near the island of Bougainville...
on Bougainville
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
beginning on November 1, 1943. By January 27, 1944 the squadron was operating from an airfield at Cape Torokina
Cape Torokina
Cape Torokina is a promontory at the north end of Empress Augusta Bay, along the central part of the southeastern coast of Bougainville, in Papua New Guinea....
on Bougainville and from here the squadron began taking part in the air strikes against the Japanese garrison at Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
, the Japanese naval base at Kavieng
Kavieng
Kavieng is the capital of the Papua New Guinean province of New Ireland and the largest town on the island of the same name. The town is located at Balgai Bay, on the northern tip of the island. As of 2000, it had a population of 10,600....
, New Ireland
New Ireland (island)
New Ireland is a large island in Papua New Guinea, approximately 7,404 km² in area. It is the largest island of the New Ireland Province, lying northeast of the island of New Britain. Both islands are part of the Bismarck Archipelago, named after Otto von Bismarck, and they are separated by...
and against Japanese shipping near the Bismarck Archipelago
Bismarck Archipelago
The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea.-History:...
. During this time VMF-215 established 4 new Marine records in the South Pacific by downing 137 Japanese planes in 18 weeks, 87 planes shot down in one month, 106 planes destroyed in a single 6-week tour and 10 aces
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
in one squadron.
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay may refer to:*Turtle Bay, Manhattan, a neighborhood in New York City*Turtle Bay , a bay in the Houtman Abrolhos island chain in Western Australia*Turtle Bay Exploration Park, California*A bay within the Caneel Bay resort on St...
where it was not deactivated but existed only on paper for a few weeks. They were reformed on May 7, 1944 and were sent to Emirau on August 5, 1944. From there they moved to Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
on their way back to the United States where they eventually arrived on October 20, 1944. Upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
, California the unit was deactivated on November 6, however they were quickly reactivated on November 21 and became a carrier training replacement unit. Following the end of World War II, the squadron was deactivated on November 13, 1945.
VMF-215 was later brought back as a squadron in the Marine Forces Reserve and were based out of Naval Air Station Olathe in Kansas. They were never recalled to active duty and were decommissioned for the last time on January 30, 1970.
Notable members
- Robert M. HansonRobert M. HansonRobert Murray Hanson was a Marine Corps aviator who shot down 25 Japanese planes from the South Pacific skies. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor.-World War II flying ace:...
- 25 kills and Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient - Donald N. Aldrich – 20 kills
- Harold L. Spears – 15 kills
- A. Roger Conant - 6 kills, 3 probables
- Harold A. "Hap" Langstaff Jr. - 3 kills
Unit awards
A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. VMF-215 was presented with the following awards:| Ribbon | Unit Award |
 |
Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... |
 |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was... |
 |
World War II Victory Medal World War II Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of... |
 |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... with one Bronze Star |
See also
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons