VMR-216

VMF-216 "Bull Dogs" came into existance at El Centro Marine Corps Air Station, California, in January of 1943 but was not officially commissioned until September 16, 1943 with Major Rivers J. Morrell, Jr. in command. Initially training in FM-1 Wildcats, they transitioned to the Vought F4U-1 Corsair and operated roughly 18 of these aircraft at any one time during the war.

VMF-216 was the first squadron to land at the recently-opened airstrip at Torokina on December 10th of 1943. By this time they 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 US forces. Following this, they were based on the Essex Class aircraft carrier Wasp starting in early February of 1945. They remained aboard until Wasp retired to the west coast for overhaul of battle damage.