The squadron, also known as the "Flying Deadheads", were part of the Marine Forces Reserve and were based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia until their decommissioning in 1969.

They were the only Marine Corps squadron to have three commanding officers killed during the course of the war[2] and were credited with downing 8 Japanese aircraft.

[3][4] They deployed overseas in December 1942 on board the seaplane tender USS Wright and first debarked at Espiritu Santo.

The TBMs were to fly up in three groups of eight each at the slow speed of 160 knots to drop their parachute-mines, weighing 1,600 pounds a piece.

The third group was immediately found by searchlight and anti-aircraft guns while flying at 800 feet over the water and had five aircraft shot down.

During their time at MCAS Santa Barbara they trained as part of the Marine Corps' new escort carrier program.

Their mission alternated between close air support for the Marines fighting on the ground and strikes against Sakashima Gunto, a kamikaze base complex some 175 miles southwest of Okinawa on Miyako Island.

[3] Still aboard the Block Island when WWII ended, VMTB-233's final missions were flown in support of the Japanese surrender of Formosa.