Shortly thereafter, vmsb 231 was officially transferred back to ewa, but a majority of its personnel and all of its aircraft remained at midway. Namely four, possibly five nakajima type 97 b5n2 kate level bombers and one, possibly two mitsubishi a6m2 zero fighters. The sbd2s and ten of the squadrons pilots arrived on midway on 26 may 1942. The squadron arrived at guadalcanal on 30 august 1942, and remained there until november. He is the author of a number of books, including the marines in.
Sbd2 dauntless aircraft of us marine corps squadron vmsb 241 at midway atoll, june 4 1942, note damage sustained during attack on hiryu. There is extensive the coverage of the marines with vsmb241 prior to and at. The survivors were again in action later in the day as well as the following day where they helped sink the japanese heavy cruiser mikuma with their squadron leader major henderson diving his mortally wounded aircraft into the cruisers number 4 8. The school offers its students most of who are from lowincome families free of cost holistic education, a range of vocationbased training programmes, extracurricular activities such as. Sbd2 dauntless aircraft of us marine corps squadron vmsb 241 at midway atoll, 4 jun 1942, photo 1 of 2. Vmf221 finished the war with a score of 155 victories, 21 damaged and 16 probable kills, the second highest total of any marine corps squadron during the war. The history reader is a blog for history lovers and readers of history books. After they were taken out of the operational squadrons the vindicator served as a training aircraft until retired in 1945. Marine scout bombing squadron 244 vmsb244 was a dive bomber squadron in the united.
Sb2u3 vindicator aircraft of us marine corps squadron vmsb 241 taking off from eastern island, midway atoll, 46 jun 1942, photo 3 of 3. Classen, usmcr, recently returned from midway was the first commanding. Ships carrying ground personnel of vmsb 3, 241, and 244 formed into a convoy on 10 april and were underway for mindoro at 1500. It was a strike by vmsb241, a squadron which had been awarded a presidential unit citation for its superb performance during the crucial battle of midway in june 1942. Vindicators still remained in service at the time of the battle of midway, but by 1943, all had been withdrawn to training units. If you are even the slightest bit interested in how the us marine corps was organized during world war ii. Vmsb 241, like the fighter squadron, had divided into two striking units, the first composed of 16 sbd2s led by major lofton henderson, and the second of 11 sb2u3s commanded by major benjamin w. Sbd2 dauntless aircraft of us marine corps squadron vmsb241. The vmsb241 vindicators at midway saw the planes only combat on 4to6. Home military history marine fighting squadron vmf 221. The sbd divisions of vmsb241 headed back to midway as the sb2u3s found the japanese fleet. The vmsb241 vindicators at midway saw the planes only combat on 4to6 june 1942 during the battle of midway and henderson field was named after the squadron commanding officer who lost his life during the squadrons attack on the japanese fleet on 4 june.
Vmsb 1 and vmsb 241 were the only two usmc squadrons that fielded the marinespecific sb2u3 between march 1941 and september 1943. Pacific fleet was looking for a way to strike back at the japanese. This usmc vmsb 241 version of the sbd2 dauntless is beautifully finished and will make the perfect display piece in any aircraft collection. Their bomber counterparts of vmsb 241 attacked the japanese task. Marine dive bombing squadron vmsb243 pilots munda point, new georgia nov, 1943. Sbd2 dauntless aircraft of us marine corps squadron vmsb. Before vmsb241 arrived on the scene to harass the japanese carriers, navy grumman tbf1 avenger torpedo bombers and army martin b26 marauder medium bombers had already been there. Veterinary medical standardization board vmsb army public. Given the fact that the airplane flew with marine scout bombing squadron vmsb 241. Richard fleming, pfc george toms world war 2battle of midway midway island june 1942 fs35189 fs36440.
Pearl harbor raid december 1941 central pacific area operations 19411945 indian ocean 19411945. Hendersons group climbed to 9,000 feet to locate the enemy carriers, which were then undergoing the attack from the tbfs and the b26s. Jun 04, 2017 the marine aircraft equipped two squadrons vmsb 1 and vmsb 241, vmsb 241 suffered heavy casualties at midway as the aircraft were underpowered and were limited to glide bombing missions. The following day, flying an sb2u vindicator with vmsb 241, fleming and his gunner, private first class george a. The standards include equipment, formularies, wellness packages, clinical operations, and medical guidelines. Norris, flying the lead vindicator, began a shallow dive from approximately,500 feet, followed by 2lt george t. If your library contains just one book on voughts sb2u vindicator, make it this one. Navy collection, currently on display at the national naval aviation museum in pensacola, florida nnam. Vmsb 241 was equipped with dive bombers, 11 sb2u3 vought vindicators, and 16 sbd2 douglas dauntlesses. Photo of sbd2 dauntless bureau number 2106, one of the most historically significant aircraft in the world, and one of the most important artifacts in the u. By the end of their first month, marine pilots had already dropped over 200,000 pounds of. On march 1, 1942, while still at midway, the squadron was split in two when vmsb 241 was created and the two squadrons operated side by side, even flying the same aircraft. They lost 11 in the fighting to flak and enemy aircraft, but scored no hits in attacks on one carrier and a battleship. The victoria memorial school for the blind vmsb established in 1902 is an institution dedicated to creating a bright and sustainable future for visually impaired boys through holistic education, skill development and selfempowerment.
It was known as the chesapeake in royal navy service. The fourth annual night at the tower is a progressive cocktail and dining experience that takes you far from the traditional seated dinner gala into an immersive adventure at the beautiful museum and memorial on saturday, sept. They later operated from efate and piva and emirau while taking part in. The airborne defenders of midway warfare history network. Marine scout bombing squadron 341 vmsb 341 was commissioned at marine corps air station cherry point, north carolina, on 1 february 1943 as the senior squadron of marine aircraft group 34 mag34, a component of the third marine aircraft wing 3d maw. Following the battle, the survivors returned to vmsb 231. They were on the opposite side of the fleet from the carriers. The vought sb2u vindicator is an american carrierbased dive bomber developed for the united states navy in the 1930s, the first monoplane in this role. While at midway they were responsible for defensive patrolling, escort missions, and tactical flight training. Between the two series, over 112 books have been published thus far promoting the colorful history of military aircraft in america.
The midwaybased forces and the battle of midway digital. Umphrey and crew located 24p11, ens gaylord probst missing from the night torpedo attack made on june 3. Colonel leon m williamson, usmc entered the united states marine corps in march 1940 and reported for flight training at pensacola naval air station in april 1940. The ensuing encounter entered history books as the battle of the coral. Hq36th marines november 23, 1943 tarawa accounted for december 20, 2014. Norris knew that the nimble zero fighters were likely to slaughter his obsolete divebombers and observed that the japanese escort ships were putting up a veritable curtain of antiaircraft fire. According to the books i have read, the most commonly agreed figure for the number of japanese aircraft that vmf221 shot down over midway on the morning of june 4th is five, possibly six. Fish and wildlife service battle of midway national memorial. On january 5, 1944, they moved to midway atoll to conduct antisubmarine patrol duty. Marine aviators at the battle of midway american thinker. It was with vmsb 241 he would be part of the pivotal battle of midway in june 1942. The fourth annual night at the tower is a progressive cocktail and dining experience that takes you far from the traditional seated dinner gala into an immersive adventure at the beautiful museum and. Apr 21, 2020 the remaining personnel formed the nucleus of a new squadron, vmsb 241, which fought during the battle of midway in june 1942. Midwaybased forces and seeks to rectify their omission in the history of the battle of.
During the attack on pearl harbor, seven vindicators from the u. Toms, were shot down during a bombing run against the japanese heavy cruiser mikuma with fleming maintaining his attack run despite his aircraft being aflame. But, vmsb241, with 16 sbd2s and 11 sb2u3s, had yet to fight. The faces of midway national naval aviation museum. The stunning combat record of the douglas sbd dauntless. Their bomber counterparts of vmsb 241 attacked the japanese task force on the morning of june 4 th and scored. Original vmsb243 click on map to enlarge vmsb243 flying. A comprehensive database of all ww2 us marine corps squadrons showing designation, aircraft flown, leading aces, histories, insignia. Early naval operations1 early in january 1942 the u. Feb 21, 2020 the veterinary medical standardization board vmsb determines standards of veterinary medicine practiced within the army public health center. Friends of padre steves world, today marks the 75thanniversary of the battle of midway, the epic david versus goliath battle that ended japans chance to win world war two in the pacific. Vmsb 241 composed of 26 sbd2s under the command of major lofton r. The allimportant communications chain to australia. In the 1990s the air force legends series was launched.
Their bomber counterparts of vmsb 241 attacked the japanese task force on the morning of june 4th and scored no hits while losing 8 aircraft. Marines at midway is an account prepared by the historical section, division of public informa. Vought sb2u vindicator by steve ginter, paperback barnes. Vmsb241, like the fighter squadron, had divided into two striking units. And finally, the marine scout bombing squadron, vmsb241 with sixteen. Marine scout bombing squadron 244 was organized and commissioned as vmsb242 at midway atoll on march 1, 1942. He is the author of a number of books, including the marines in world war ii. Earning his wings of gold at pensacola he was assigned to vmsb 241 later in january 1942. After training for a few months, the squadron deployed to marine corps air station ewa, hawaii arriving there on december 31, 1943. After hendersons sbd2s made their attack and departed the area, a group of army boeing b17 flying fortress bombers struck, followed by a group of 11 sb2u3. Meanwhile, when vmsb 241 struck camp, their flight personnel moved to vmsb 3 area, joining the mechanics and pilots from that outfit who had remained to service and fly the planes.
Hendersons vmsb241 douglas sbd2 dauntless and vought sb2u3 vindicator dive bombers joined the stampede. Although his award is chronologically the first medal of honor to be awarded to a marine during the war, his performance did not become known until survivors of wake had been. The squadron was ordered to attack the japanese carriers, doing so with gusto. Us marine corps squadron database aircrew remembered site.
The following blog post by naval history and heritage command originally. This new usmc patch arrived after some anxious moments where it was not showing up in the post office system for several days. The victoria memorial school for the blind vmsb is an institution dedicated to the education, training and empowerment of visually impaired boys. By the end of their first month, marine pilots had already dropped over 200,000 pounds of bombs from their 168 sbd douglas dauntless dive bombers.
Vmsb 241 s vindicators saw combat at the battle of midway in june 1942. Jun 04, 2010 but, vmsb 241, with 16 sbd2s and 11 sb2u3s, had yet to fight. Battle of midway, killed and died, june 1942 naval history. Steve ginter founded ginter books, naval fighters series in 1980 while working in district and regional management positions for thrifty drugs. The vmsb 241 vindicators at midway saw the planes only combat on 4to6 june 1942 during the battle of midway and henderson field was named after the squadron commanding officer who lost his life during the squadrons attack on the japanese fleet on 4 june. Marine scout bombing squadron 244 was organized and commissioned as vmsb 242 at midway atoll on march 1, 1942. Lofton henderson when they took part in that historic battle. By rough count of the squadrons in these charts, there were at least 160 squadrons used by the usmc during wwii of all types. Another plane picked up capt dick blain and pfc gordon mcfreely of vmsb 241. Kimes, usmc side 2 this plaque is dedicated to those men of mag22 who in the early morning hours of 4 june 1942 were ordered into the air and vectored out to their respective targets. It was a strike by vmsb 241, a squadron which had been awarded a presidential unit citation for its superb performance during the crucial battle of midway in june 1942.