If you have a story, scans of aircraft, bases, ships, unit personnel, insignia or operations that you would like to see posted on these pages please contact the webmaster at the. Cordova, being killed, though his radar intercept officer,1st lt. Vmfa232 red devils f4j 1976 model squadron nostalgia llc. Marine fighter attack squadron232 vmfa232 the history of the marine corps oldest and most decorated active fighter attack squadron began on sept. Proving highly adaptable, it was also adopted by the united states marine corps and the united states air force, and by the mid1960s. Vmfa 542 cruise book 19661967 vmfa 542 cruise book 19671968 vmfa 542 cruise book 19681969 two f4bs of vmfa542 over vietnam in january 1969 as a result of the build up of american involvement in the vietnam war, vmfa542 was ordered to japan in april 1965, followed by redeployment to the republic of vietnam a few weeks later. A history of marine fighter attack squadron 115 cruise books now online 1944 santa barbara, california. Originally equipped with vought ve7s, the squadron received three of the new boeing fb1s in the first part of 1926, allowing them to operate one division of modern aircraft while retaining the older ve7s for training purposes. One of these aircraft was shot down by a mig21 over north vietnam. Vmfa 232 command chronology covering oct72 dated 1011972 document no. Our leadership constantly reminded us that we were the marine. Jerome, took to the skies in a vought ve7sf single seat biplane with a shining.
Marine corps fa18s with marine fighter attack squadron 232 over the skies of iraq on july 19, 2015. In 1967 the red devils were redesignated vmfa232 when they began flying the mcdonnell douglas f4b phantom ii. We are members past and present of the world famous red devils of vmfa232. F4j phantom ii vmfa333 fighting shamrocks, aj201 155526 1972 their sep. Thorsen joined the oldest and most decorated squadron in the marine corps, the vmfa232 red devils in southern california, as it prepared for deployment to vietnam. For details regarding museum location, parking, and directions, see directions and parking. Professionally converted for accurate flowingtext e book format reproduction, this unique history traces marine fighter attack squadron 232 from 1925 to the present, is one in a series of marine squadron histories in which we hope to bring to light the achievements of individual squadrons and relate them to the general development of marine aviation. In combat, thorsen felt angst when he saw the sky darken around him from antiaircraft artillery explosions high above the ho chi minh trail. Vmf232 flew the f4u corsair and f6f hellcat until march 1953 when they entered the jet age and transitioned to the f9f panther. I have the red devil cruise book and periodically go through it, brings back a lot of memories even smells sometime. Phantom in the sky is the story of a radar intercept officer rio in the back seat of the supersonic phantom jet during the vietnam wara unique, tactical perspective of the guy in back, or gib, absent from other published aviation accounts. Usmc f4 phantom ii vmfa314 black knights 19621982 squadron history series, no. Science fiction fans of stargate, firefly and star trek will find great. It was also during the buildup phase that the grey ghosts fired the first aim7f sparrow missile from an f4n aircraft.
F4j phantom vmfa232 aircraft, fighter planes, aircraft. I am still amazed at how young everyone was, it only shows what good training can do. We are members past and present of the world famous red devils of vmfa 232. The history of vmfa323 was written to provide an account of important events cover. Reserve your copy usmc f4 phantom ii vmfa314 black. I sure hope some kind soul puts together a livery for that squadron, as i always thought their hornets were. Marine wing headquarters squadron 1 marine aircraft group 12. A history of marine fighter attack squadron 232 by usmc. If you have a story, scans of aircraft, bases, ships, unit personnel, insignia or operations that you would like to see posted on these pages please contact the webmaster at the mailbox below. Death rattler fighter pilots employed their new jets in an intense series of airtoair and airtoground training exercises, as. I found a spiral notebook tonight though where i had thumbnailed out the entire book i published a couple years ago. Fix, fly, fight vmfa232 maintainers keep fa18 mission. The squadron is based at marine corps air station iwakuni, japan and falls under the command of marine aircraft group 12 mag12 and the 1st marine aircraft wing 1st maw.
This proved to be the first time in history that an entire carrier battle groups maritime superiority was provided exclusively by marine corps fighter units, namely vmfa531 and vmfa323. At vmfa232 there was more pride in our squadrons rich history and reputation. Our products honor america and her us navy,marine corps, army, air force and coast guard heroes. The history of marine fighter attack squadron 232 is a narrative account of the red devil squadron in action since its beginning in 1925.
Marine fighter attack squadron 232 vmfa232 is a united states marine corps fa18. Vmfa451 spent the remaining six years leading up to deactivation on the east coast, making periodic deployments that included exercises in norway. The only last in vmfa232s history occurred on 1 september 1973, as the red devils became the last marine squadron to leave southeast asia. Includes official vmfa232 and mc websites, vmfa232 drc deployment readiness coordinator name and contact, vmfa232 facebook pages, vmfa232 groups and more. The history of the marine corps oldest and most decorated active fighter attack squadron began on sept. The red devils of vmfa232 are currently deployed with the special purpose marine. The history of the marine corps oldest active fighter squadron began on 1 september 1925, at naval air station san diego, california. The most complete selection of manned and unmanned space flight logos anywhere. The only last in vmfa232s history occurred in september 1973 as the red devils became the last. Marine fighter attack squadron 115 marine aircraft group 31. History of marine all weather fighter attack squadron 232 vmfaaw 232 looking for information on this and other units that served or supported the air war in sea. The mcdonnell douglas f4 phantom ii is a tandem twoseat, twinengine, allweather, longrange supersonic jet interceptor and fighterbomber originally developed for the united states navy by mcdonnell aircraft. Estell, who leads the squadron as this book goes to print. Capt cummings picked them up on radar at 19 miles, despite the vpaf jets being at low altitude, and the shamrocks wingman, capt scotty dudley.
This history, which traces marine fighter attack squadron 232 from 1925 to the. Vmfa232 red devils marine fighter attack squadron usmc. The brief history shows the early structure of the squadron from its fledgling start as vf3m when it was flying primitive ve7s to the present day vmfa232 flying phantom f4js. Hanson awards as the marine fighter attack squadron of the year in 1974. The squadrons record of exceptional performance is recognized by numerous citations and awards. How a vmfa333 f4 phantom ii scored the only usmc mig. Commanding general assistant wing commander sergeant major subordinate units. They were the last marine corps squadron to rotate out of southeast asia in 1973. Marine corps fa18c hornet with marine fighter attack squadron vmfa 232 red devils departs the runway at marine corps air. Military aviation history minus a few it appears to be a full grumman. A history of marine fighter attack squadron 232, 1978. The uip for marine fighter attack squadron 232 is an allinclusive resource of official unit information. My dad flew the f4 and fa18 with the vmfa333 fighting shamrocks out of mcas beaufort. Looking for information on this and other units that served or supported the air war in sea.
Colley, thomas a, i served with vmfa 232 in 7273 in the ordnance shop for gy broy. Thorsen joined the oldest and most decorated squadron in the marine corps, the vmfa232 red devils in southern california, as it. Cruise book year 19661967 da nang, iwakuni, chu lai. Freeman library is open to the public monday friday, 10 am 5 pm, except for state holidays. The most recent first for vmfa232 occurred in march 1994, when the red devils became the first fa18 squadron to tactically deploy and operate out of mcb camp pendleton. This is the online ticketing and reservations system for virginia museum of fine arts. Ryan franzen, an fa18c hornet pilot with marine fighter attack squadron vmfa 232 red devils, 3rd marine aircraft wing, reunites with his family during a homecoming ceremony at marine corps air station miramar, calif. Support the marine air ground task force commander by providing supporting arms coordination, conducting multisensor imagery, and destroying surface targets and enemy aircraft day or night. Marine fighter attack squadron 115 has received the following awards. The brief history shows the early structure of the squadron from its fledgling start as vf3m when it was flying primitive ve7s. A vought f4u1 corsair top, from the planes of fame air. During their time operating out of thailand, the squadron lost three f4j phantoms and two crewman.
The oldest active fighter squadron in the marine corps, vmfa232, better. Red devils put face to marine corps fighter pilots at. This is a membersenthusiasts website, not connected to the u. The red devils spent six months deployed as part of the unit deployment program. They returned from the western pacific in late july 1996, and from there, wound down a 57year history. Vmfa232 can trace its lineage back to vf3m, which was commissioned on september 1, 1925, at naval air station san diego, california. Mals 12 mwss171 vmfa 242 vmgr 152 vmfa121 marine aircraft group 24. Vmfa115 history 19432012 if you want the long version, here is the history book in its entirety covering the years 1943 through the end of 1986. Marine fighter attack squadron 232 red devils cruise.
The earliest known representation of the red devil and vmf 232 are embroidered onto this feltbacked patch for an authentic vintage feel. The squadron returned to iwakuni, japan, as a force in readiness while participating in numerous training deployments and exercises. Their tail code is vk and their radio call sign is combat. The expansion and transformation of the vmfas 12acre campus was designed by londonbased architect rick mather, in partnership with smbw, a richmond architectural firm. History of the museum on may 1, 2010, vmfa completed a fouryear expansion project, which added more than 165,000 square feet to the museums previous 380,000 square feet.
My dad served with vmfa334 from 19681969, any one who might have known a sgt. Holmbergs book this is the 3rd pattern used while flying f8us at beaufort circa 1957. The reading room offers tables and chairs for research, and four public computers, which can access the internet, all of the librarys subscription electronic resources, and the museums collections database. I do not wish to go back but a reunion would be great. From august 1942 to august 1945, first flying the sbd1 dauntless, then flying the grumman tbm avenger, and designated marine torpedo bombing squadron 232 vmtb232. It was there that its first skipper, second lieutenant clayton c. Marine fighter attack squadron 121 vmfa121, also known as the green knights, is a united states marine corps aircraft squadron operating the f35b lightning ii. Vmfa232s storied history begins in 1925 at naval air station nas san diego when the squadron first adorned their vought ve7sf biplanes with the red devil insignia. Locate books or other materials you need to do your art research. Phantom in the sky is the story of a radar intercept officer rio in the back. Todays vmfa115 marines may look back on the squadrons proud history of accomplishment, and look forward to an even more promising future for the squadron and marine aviation. Book is loaded with photographs from front to back, also contains a history of the red devils. This is a history of marine fighter attack squadron 232 vmfa232.