VMSB-245

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Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 245

VMSB-245 Insignia
Active September 15, 1943 - November 17, 1945
Country United States
Branch USMC
Type Dive Bomber squadron
Role Reconnaissance
Air Interdiction
Close air support
Part of Inactive
Nickname Red Mousie Squadron
Engagements World War II
Aircraft flown
Bomber SBD Dauntless

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 243 (VMSB-243) was a dive bomber squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Red Mousie Squadron”, fought in World War II. They were deactivated on November 17, 1945, shortly after the end of the war.

Contents

[edit] History

VMSB-245 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on September 15, 1943. [1] After training for a few months, the squadron deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii arriving there on December 31, 1942. On January 5, 1944, they moved to Midway Atoll to conduct anti-submarine patrol duty. They returned to MCAS Ewa on April 1, 1944.[2]

On May 5, 1944, the squadron left Hawaii onboard the USS Copahee headed for Majuro where they arrived on May 15. Later in the same month, they moved to Makin Atoll from which they conducted combat operations against bypassed Japanese garrisons in the Marshall Islands from June 1 until October 29, 1944. Late October saw the squadron move back to Majuro where they continued carrying out strikes. March 1945 saw the squadron move again, this time to Ulithi where they remained until the end of the war. [3]

VMSB-245 was deactivated on November 17, 1945. [4]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Rottman(2002): 443.
  2. ^ Sherrod (1952): 446.
  3. ^ Sherrod (1952): 446.
  4. ^ Rottman(2002): 443.

[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