VMSB-244

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Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 244

VMSB-244 Insignia
Active March 1, 1942June 10, 1946
Country United States
Branch USMC
Type Dive Bomber squadron
Role Reconnaissance
Air Interdiction
Close air support
Part of Inactive
Nickname Bombing Banshees
Engagements World War II
* Bougainville campaign (1943-45)
* Philippines campaign (1944–45)
Aircraft flown
Bomber SBD Dauntless
SB2C Helldiver

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 244 (VMSB-244) was a dive bomber squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Bombing Banshees”, fought in World War II in the Pacific Theater as part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. They were deactivated shortly after the end of the war.

Contents

[edit] History

VMSB-244 was commissioned on March 1, 1942. The squadron arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California on June 14, 1942 as part of Marine Aircraft Group 24. They remained at MCAS Santa Barbara until January of 1943 when they moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii.

In May 1945, as the campaign on Mindanao wound down, the squadron replaced its SBD Dauntless aircraft with the SB2C Helldiver and shortly thereafter VMSB-244 became the only squadron of MAG-24 to remain active.

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[edit] References

Books
  • 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. OCLC 1261876. 
  • Shettle Jr., M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-964-33882-3. 
Web
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