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| image_size = 175
| image_size = 175
|caption= VMF-216 insignia
|caption= VMF-216 insignia
|dates= *September 16, 1943 - March 10, 1945
|dates= *Sep 16, 1943 - Mar 10, 1946
Jul 1, 1946 - Dec 21, 1972
|country= [[United States]]
|country= [[United States]]
|allegiance= [[United States|United States of America]]
|allegiance= [[United States|United States of America]]
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|battles= '''[[World War II]]'''<br/>* [[Battle of Guam (1944)|Battle of Guam]]<br/>* [[Battle of Iwo Jima]]
|battles= '''[[World War II]]'''<br/>* [[Battle of Guam (1944)|Battle of Guam]]<br/>* [[Battle of Iwo Jima]]
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
|aircraft_fighter= [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|F4F Wildcat]]<br/>[[Vought F4U Corsair|F4U Corsair]]<br/>[[Grumman F6F Hellcat]]
}}
}}


'''Marine Fighting Squadron 216''' (VMF-216) was a fighter squadron of the [[United States Marine Corps]] during [[World War II]]. Known as the “Bulldogs”, they flew the [[F4U Corsair]] and participated in numerous combat engagements in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]]. They were deactivated on March 10, 1945 and remain in an inactive status today.
'''Marine Fighting Squadron 216''' (VMF-216) was a [[United States Marine Corps Reserve|reserve]] fighter squadron of the [[United States Marine Corps]] that was based out of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. Known as the “Bulldogs”, VMF-216 participated in numerous combat engagements in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]] during [[World War II]] to include the [[Battle of Guam (1944)|Battle of Guam]] and the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]]. The squadron was decommissioned shortly after the end of the war but was reactivated in 1946 as part of the Marine Air Reserve. The squadron remained in the Reserve until being decommissioned on December 21, 1972.


==History==
==History==
===World War II===
Marine Fighting Squadron 216 was formed at [[Marine Corps Air Station El Centro]], [[California]] in January 1943 but was not officially commissioned until September 16, 1943 with Major Rivers J. Morrell, Jr. in command. Initially training in [[FM-1 Wildcat]]s, they transitioned to the [[Vought]] [[F4U Corsair|F4U-1 Corsair]] and operated roughly 18 of these aircraft at any one time.
Marine Fighting Squadron 216 was formed at [[Marine Corps Air Station El Centro]], [[California]] in January 1943 but was not officially commissioned until September 16, 1943 with Major Rivers J. Morrell, Jr. in command.{{sfn|Sherrod|1952|pp=462}} Initially training in [[FM-1 Wildcat]]s, the squadron transitioned to the [[Vought]] [[F4U Corsair|F4U-1 Corsair]] and operated roughly 18 of these aircraft at any one time.


VMF-216 was the first squadron to land at the recently opened [[Torokina Airfield]] on December 10, 1943. By this time they had at least partially transitioned to the F4U-1A Corsair, featuring a bubble canopy.
VMF-216 was the first squadron to land at the recently opened [[Torokina Airfield]] on December 10, 1943.{{sfn|Tillman|2014|pp=109}} By this time VMF-216 had at least partially transitioned to the F4U-1A Corsair, featuring a bubble canopy.


On August 4, 1944, VMF-216 joined [[VMF(N)-534]], [[VMF-217]], and [[VMF-225]] on [[Guam]] following the [[Battle of Guam (1944)|invasion]] of the island by United States forces. Following this, they were based on the [[Essex class|Essex Class]] [[aircraft carrier]] [[USS Wasp (CV-18)]] starting in early February 1945 and participated in the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]]. They remained aboard until ''Wasp'' retired to the [[West Coast of the United States|west coast]] for overhaul of battle damage. The squadron was deactivated on March 10, 1945.
On August 4, 1944, VMF-216 joined [[VMF(N)-534]], [[VMF-217]], and [[VMF-225]] on [[Guam]] following the [[Battle of Guam (1944)|invasion]] of the island by United States forces. Following this, they were based on the [[Essex class|Essex Class]] [[aircraft carrier]] [[USS Wasp (CV-18)]] starting in early February 1945. Flying from the ''Wasp'' on February 16, 1945 as part of [[Task Force 58]], VMF-216 took part in fighter sweeps against military airfields in the vicinity of [[Tokyo]]. Led by their commanding officer, Maj George E. Dooley, VMF-216 Corsairs strafed and bombed airfields at [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]] and [[JMSDF Tateyama Air Base|Tateyama]].{{sfn|Condon|1998|pp=27-28}}. Following the carrier raids on Tokyo, the squadron provided [[close air support]] for Marine assault forces during the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]]. The squadron remained aboard until ''Wasp'' retired to the [[West Coast of the United States|west coast]] for overhaul of battle damage. On March 13, 1945, VMF-216 was relieved and began transit back to the United States via [[Guam]] and [[Hawaii]].{{sfn|Condon|1998|pp=49}} The squadron was decommissioned on March 10, 1946 at [[Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara]].{{sfn|Rottman|2002|pp=442}}

===Reserve Years===
VMF-216 was reactivated on July 1, 1946 at [[Naval Air Station Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. The squadron was mobilized for a year during the [[Korean War]] beginning on October 22, 1951. In 1958 it moved to [[Naval Air Station Whidbey Island]] and continued training until finally being decommissioned on December 21, 1972.{{sfn|Tillman|2014|pp=109}}
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⚫
==References==
==Citations==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


⚫
==References==
;Bibliography
;Bibliography

{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
⚫
* {{cite book
⚫
| last = Crowder
⚫
| first = Michael J.
| title = United States Marine Corps Aviation Squadron Lineage, Insignia & History - Volume One - The Fighter Squadrons
⚫
| publisher = Turner Publishing Company
⚫
| year = 2000
| location = Paducah, KY
| isbn = 1-56311-926-9
⚫
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
| last = Condon
| last = Condon
Line 69: Line 66:
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|last = Rottman
⚫
|first = Gordon L.
|title=U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’
|title=U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’
|author=Rottman, Gordon L.
|year=2002
|year=2002
|publisher=Greenwood Press
|publisher=Greenwood Press
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| location = Washington, D.C.
| location = Washington, D.C.
}}
}}
⚫
* {{cite book
⚫
| last = Tillman
| first = Barrett
| title = US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II
⚫
| publisher = Osprey Publishing
⚫
| year = 2014
| location = Oxford, United Kingdom
| isbn =
⚫
}}
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


Revision as of 13:39, 18 March 2022

Marine Fighting Squadron 216
VMF-216 insignia
Active
  • Sep 16, 1943 - Mar 10, 1946
Jul 1, 1946 - Dec 21, 1972
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeFighter squadron
RoleAir interdiction
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Bulldogs
EngagementsWorld War II
* Battle of Guam
* Battle of Iwo Jima
Aircraft flown
FighterF4F Wildcat
F4U Corsair
Grumman F6F Hellcat

Marine Fighting Squadron 216 (VMF-216) was a reserve fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was based out of Washington. Known as the “Bulldogs”, VMF-216 participated in numerous combat engagements in the Pacific Theater during World War II to include the Battle of Guam and the Battle of Iwo Jima. The squadron was decommissioned shortly after the end of the war but was reactivated in 1946 as part of the Marine Air Reserve. The squadron remained in the Reserve until being decommissioned on December 21, 1972.

History

World War II

Marine Fighting Squadron 216 was formed at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California in January 1943 but was not officially commissioned until September 16, 1943 with Major Rivers J. Morrell, Jr. in command.[1] Initially training in FM-1 Wildcats, the squadron transitioned to the Vought F4U-1 Corsair and operated roughly 18 of these aircraft at any one time.

VMF-216 was the first squadron to land at the recently opened Torokina Airfield on December 10, 1943.[2] By this time VMF-216 had at least partially transitioned to the F4U-1A Corsair, featuring a bubble canopy.

On August 4, 1944, VMF-216 joined VMF(N)-534, VMF-217, and VMF-225 on Guam following the invasion of the island by United States forces. Following this, they were based on the Essex Class aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) starting in early February 1945. Flying from the Wasp on February 16, 1945 as part of Task Force 58, VMF-216 took part in fighter sweeps against military airfields in the vicinity of Tokyo. Led by their commanding officer, Maj George E. Dooley, VMF-216 Corsairs strafed and bombed airfields at Yokosuka and Tateyama.[3]. Following the carrier raids on Tokyo, the squadron provided close air support for Marine assault forces during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The squadron remained aboard until Wasp retired to the west coast for overhaul of battle damage. On March 13, 1945, VMF-216 was relieved and began transit back to the United States via Guam and Hawaii.[4] The squadron was decommissioned on March 10, 1946 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara.[5]

Reserve Years

VMF-216 was reactivated on July 1, 1946 at Naval Air Station Seattle, Washington. The squadron was mobilized for a year during the Korean War beginning on October 22, 1951. In 1958 it moved to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and continued training until finally being decommissioned on December 21, 1972.[2]

See also


Citations

  1. ^ Sherrod 1952, pp. 462.
  2. ^ a b Tillman 2014, pp. 109.
  3. ^ Condon 1998, pp. 27–28.
  4. ^ Condon 1998, pp. 49.
  5. ^ Rottman 2002, pp. 442.

References

Bibliography
  • Condon, John Pomeroy (1998). Corsairs and Flattops - Marine Carrier Air Warfare, 1944-45. Annapolis Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-127-0.
  • 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.
  • Tillman, Barrett (2014). US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing.
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