VMR-152

Marine Transport Squadron 152
VMR-152 insignia
Active
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Cargo Transport
Role	Assault support
Part of	Inactive
Tail Code	WC
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal * New Georgia Campaign * Bougainville Campaign Korean War * Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Aircraft flown
Transport	R4D Skytrain R5D Skymaster R4Q Flying Boxcar

Marine Transport Squadron 152 (VMR-152) was an air transport of the United States Marine Corps that was responsible for the movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies. The squadron flew fixed-wing cargo aircraft to include the R4D Skytrain and the R4Q Flying Boxcar. The squadron saw combat during World War II and the Korean War with their most notable contributions coming during the early stages of the Battle of Guadalcanal and during the Marine breakout during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The squadron was decommissioned in the late 1950s.

Mission

Provide air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies.

History

World War II

The squadron was originally formed as VMJ-1. On July 7, 1941 they were redesignated VMJ-152 at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico. They moved to San Diego a few months later and shipped out to the South Pacific on October 10, 1942. They joined Marine Aircraft Group 25 and the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command on October 25, 1942 an immediately began flying missions in support of Marines engaged in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Following this they made numerous supply drops during the New Georgia Campaign in 1943. The squadron was redesignated again to VMR-152 on June 3, 1944. In 1944, the squadron was flying in support of the Battle of Bougainville and would be based on Bougainville for the remainder of the war. From here the squadron also supported allied forces during the Philippines Campaign (1944–45) and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron flew in support of the 1st Marine Division during their occupation of Northern China from 1945 - 1947. Following their China duty the squadron returned to the United States where they were based at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

U.S. Marines unloading an VMR-152 R5D-2 at Chunchon, Korea, 1950.

Korean War

During the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a four-engined R5D-2 transport, especially configured to carry a complete tactical air direction center (TADC), controlled all support aircraft as they reported on station, and assigned them to the various forward air controllers, as appropriate for the missions requested.

See also

United States Marine Corps portal

• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
• List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons

Notes

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

Bibliography

• Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5. 
• Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press. 

Web

External links

• Marine Corps Air Transport Association