VMF-215

During its four-and-a-half month tour, the squadron was credited with shooting down 137 enemy aircraft, fourth most in Marine Corps aviation history.

[3] The squadron was reactivated in the Marine Forces Reserve and based out of Naval Air Station Olathe, Kansas until being decommissioned again on 30 January 1970.

[5] The squadron trained at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California[6] prior to deploying and during this time transitioned from the SBD Dauntless dive bomber to the F4F Wildcat.

The squadron departed Hawaii on 12 May for Midway Atoll where they stayed for two months flying combat air patrols and escorting Allied shipping in the area.

[7] VMF-215 arrived on Espiritu Santo on 1 July 1943, and by the end of the month was taking part in fighter sweeps against Japanese bases in the northern Solomon Islands.

[7] On 14 August, an F4U Corsair from VMF-215 was the first plane to arrive at the newly captured Munda airfield where they immediately began operating to cover the landings on Vella Lavella.

The award ceremony of members of VMF-215 at Vella Lavella Island in November 1943. Commanding officer and Marine Corps flying ace , Robert G. Owens Jr. is second from left.
The Original pilots of VMF-215 aboard AV-9 Pocomoke as she carries them between San Diego and Pearl Harbor, February 1943.US Navy Photo 80-G-38595
The first fighter plane to land on Munda was a VMF-215 Corsair flown by Maj Robert G. Owens, Jr., on 14 August 1943.