[2] They remained there and trained until 12 December 1943 when they went to Naval Air Station North Island, only to be embarked on the USS Barnes (CVE-20) a week later for transit to the Pacific Theater.

[4] The successful conclusion of the Solomon Islands campaign and the neutralization of Rabaul meant that there was an excess of Marine Fighter Squadrons available in the Pacific at this time.

[citation needed] In May 1945, the squadron returned to the United States, Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California, for reorganization and training for escort carrier duty.

[8] At the time of the surrender of Japan they were attached to Marine Carrier Group 7 (MCVG-7) aboard the USS Point Cruz (CVE-119) and were preparing for another deployment.

[citation needed] VMF-217 was briefly reactivated from 1953 to 1964 in the Marine Forces Reserve, flying the A-4 Skyhawk at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts.