The squadron, also known as the "Black Panthers", was part of the Marine Forces Reserve for a short time following World War II and were based at Naval Air Station Anacostia, Washington, D.C. until their decommissioningt.

The squadron conducted the first dive bombing attack against Bougainville and was credited with downing 4 Japanese aircraft during the course of the war.

[1] VMSB-236 was discommissioned on 1 August 1945 at Mindanao, Philippines two weeks before the surrender of Japan[2] The unit was reactivated as part of the reserves but were again deactivated in the late 1960s.

In April 1943 they moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii for follow on training and eventually joined the war landing at Guadalcanal on 4 September 1943.

[3] In January 1945 the squadron moved to Luzon in the Philippines and became part of Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) at an airfield in Mangaldan near Lingayen Gulf.