VMFA-212
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| Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 | |
|---|---|
 VMFA-212 Unit insignia Courtesy of www.military-graphics.com |
|
| Active | March 1, 1942 - March 11, 2008 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Part of | Inactive |
| Nickname | "Lancers" Hell Hounds (WWII) The Musketeers (WWII) Devil Cats (Korea) |
| Motto | "Train to Fight, Fight to Win!" |
| Tail Code | WD |
| Engagements | World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal * Philippines campaign (1944–45) * Battle of Okinawa Korean War * Battle of Chosin Reservoir * Attack on the Sui-ho Dam Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Desert Storm Operation Southern Watch Operation Noble Eagle Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
LtCol Harold "Indian Joe" Bauer |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | AD-1 Skyraider |
| Fighter | F4F Wildcat F4U-4 Corsair F-4 Phantom II F/A-18 Hornet |
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 212 (VMFA-212) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Known as the "Lancers", the squadron was last based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). Due to a re-organization within Marine aviation, the squadron was placed in a cadre status in 2008.[1]
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[edit] Mission
Support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by destroying surface targets and enemy aircraft, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations.
- Conduct sea and air deployment operations.
- Conduct fire support.
- Conduct close air support.
- Conduct interdiction operations.
- Conduct joint suppression of enemy air defenses.
- Conduct air to air operations.
- Coordinate battle space maneuver and integrate with firepower.
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 was activated as Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212), the "Hell Hounds", at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii on March 1, 1942. Deploying in May to the South Pacific in their F4F Wildcats, the squadron was stationed at Tontouta on the island of New Caledonia, and later moved up to the island of Efate. As prepartions for the invasion of Guadalcanal increased, the squadron operated a detachment at Espiritu Santo until the arrival of VMO-251 ensured that the island was provided with adequate aerial defense. During the early part of the Guadalcanal campaign, VMF-212 sent detachments to operate with Cactus Air Force squadrons deployed to Henderson Field until the entire squadron was committed to the battle in mid-October. The squadron acquired an enviable record by destroying 64 1/2 enemy planes including that of Toshio Ohta, a Japanese ace. Of this number, LtCol Harold "Indian Joe" Bauer, the squadron's first Commanding Officer, was credited with 11 kills and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor.
The squadron returned to the United States in November of 1942 and remained on the West Coast until June of 1943 when they sailed for Midway Atoll. The squadron remained on Midway for two months and then returned to Espiritu Santo. By August of 1943, VMF-212 was back in the Solomon Islands where they participated in the campaigns to retake Vella Lavella and Bougainville. From October 20 through November 27 1943 the squadron was based out of Barakoma and supported operations in the Treasury Islands, Choiseul and Bougainville. By December of 1943 they moved to Torokina and remained there until they moved again on January 20, 1944 this time to Piva. Another move came on March 20 when they transited to Green Island and later back to Vella Lavella. 212 remained in the vicinity of the Solomons and Bismarck Islands for the remainder of 1944 running fighter sweeps against the Japanese garrison on Rabaul and providing close air support for ground forces on Bougainville. On January 8, 1945, VMF-212 landed on Samar and provided close air support for United States Army troops during the campaign to retake the Philippenes. During this time they flew over Mindoro, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It was also during this time that the squadron was a part of one of the worst aviation accidents of the war. At 0940 AM on January 24, 1945, while taking off, 1stLt Karl Oerth of VMF-222 hit a lump in the runway, blew a tire and his Corsair careened wildly into his own squadron's revetment area, which was shared with VMF-212. It completely wiped out the tents housing the intelligence, oxygen, parachutes and materiel departments. Many men attempted to rescue the pilot but while they were making this brave effort the plane exploded and set off all its .50 cal ammunition. 14 men were killed and over 50 wounded during this incident[2]. In June of 1945 the squadron arrived at Okinawa on the USS Hillsborough County (LST-827) and conducted operations from there until the end of the war[3]. During the duration of World War II, VMF-212 was credited with shooting down 132 1/2 enemy aircraft[4]
[edit] Korean War
VMF-212 was one of the first squadrons sent to Far East at the outbreak of the war. They remained in Japan until Marines were able to capture Kimpo Airfield after the Battle of Inchon. The squadron finally touched down in Korea on September 18, 1950 and were flying their first strikes by the 20th of September. The squadron was later moved to Yonpo Airfield in North Korea as the United Nations' forces continued their advance in the early winter of 1950. After the Chinese counterattack in late November of 1950, VMF-212 aircraft flew almost continuous close air support missions supporting the 1st Marine Division as they fought they way out of encirclment during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. After the fighting at Chosin, the squadron was ordered to operate from the USS Bataan (CVL-29) where they remained until March 5, 1951.
[edit] The Vietnam War & the 1980s
In April 1965, the squadron, now known as the "Lancers" sailed aboard the USS Oriskany to the coast of Vietnam to augment the power of the Naval Air arm at Yankee Station. The Lancers flew missions in North and South Vietnam. Later, in April of 1972, the squadron deployed from Hawaii to Da Nang, South Vietnam in an effort to blunt the massive North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam. VMFA-212 earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its effort in Vietnam.
From 1974 until 1987, VMFA-212 deployed numerous times to Japan and the West Coast earning the CNO Aviation Safety Award, the Robert M. Hanson Award, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. During October 1988, VMFA-212 completed its seventh and final rotation in the UDP as an F-4 Phantom squadron. With the last F-4 sorties flown in August of 1988, over 23,000 accident-free hours had been accumulated. The F/A-18C Hornet was received at this time.
[edit] The Gulf War & the 1990s
In December 1990, the squadron deployed to Bahrain in support of Operation Desert Shield. From there, they flew air interdiction and close air support missions in support of coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm after January 17, 1991. On August 13, 1996 the Lancers took off for the final time from NAS Miramar enroute to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. After a successful six month cycle the Lancers became a permanent resident of MCAS Iwakuni.
[edit] The Global War on Terror
Due to a re-organization within Marine aviation, the squadron was placed in a cadre status in 2008.
[edit] Squadron aces
The following members of VMF-212 were credited with shooting down at least five Japanese aircraft and earned the right to be called an Ace. The numbers after their name represents the number of enemy aircraft they were credited with shooting down.
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[edit] MIA information
In May 2008, a team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command found the wreckage of an F4U Corsair (BuNo 55908) and the remains of 1stLt Allan S. Harrison III in the vicinity of Warangoi, Papua New Guinea.[1] 1stLt Harrison was shot down by a Japanese aircraft on February 11, 1944 while taking part in a raid on the Japanese garrison at Rabaul.[1]
[edit] See also
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
[edit] References
- Notes
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ a b c LtGen John Castellaw (2007). "2007 Marine Aviation Plan". . Headquarters Marine Corps Retrieved on 2007-11-18.
- ^ JOHN GALLE'S 212 HISTORY PAGE (English). Retrieved on December 16, 2007.
- ^ Sherrod History, p. 460-461.
- ^ Sherrod History, p. 430.
- ^ List of WW2 Marine Aces. www.Acepilots.com.
- Bibliography
- Crowder, Michael J. (2000). United States Marine Corps Aviation Squadron Lineage, Insignia & History - Volume One - The Fighter Squadrons. Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 1-56311-926-9.
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
- Web
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