VMF-111

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Marine Fighting Squadron 111


caption= VMF-111 Insignia
dates=*September 1, 1925 - November 26, 1945
*June 1, 1948 - October 22, 1965
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= USMC
type= Fighter squadron
role= Air interdiction
size=
command_structure= Inactive
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Rojo Diablos (1930s) [Barrow (1981): 41] Devil Dogs (WWII)
patron=
motto=
colors=5D
colors_label=Tail Code
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II
* Solomon Islands Campaign
notable_commanders= Christian F. Schilt
anniversaries=
aircraft_fighter= Vought VE-7
Boeing FB-1
Curtiss F6C-4
Curtiss F7C-1
Boeing F4B-4
Grumman F3F-2
F4F Wildcat
F4U Corsair
AF-1E Fury’s
F-8 Crusader

Marine Fighting Squadron 111 (VMF-111) was a reserve fighter squadron in the United States Marine Corps. They were a part of Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and stationed at Naval Air Station Dallas. Also known as the “Devil Dogs”, the squadron was one of the first aviation squadrons in the Marine Corps and gained national attention in the 1930s as the Marine Corps show unit. The squadron fought in World War II and was transferred to the Reserves aftterwards. They were decommissioned on October 22, 1965.

History

Early years

Marine Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2) was activated on September 1, 1925 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. The directive authorizing the formation of the squadron stated, "The primary mission of this squadron will be the training and perfecting of pursuit pilots and the testing and development of pursuit aircraft." [Barrow(1981): 10.] They were redesignated VF-9M on July 1, 1927 which was changed again to VF-5M on July 1, 1928. Because they were located so close to Washington D.C., the squadron became the "show unit" for Marine aviation. The squadron reverted back to the previous designation of VF-9M on August 1, 1930. In 1937, after a stint aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) under the command of then Captain Bull Halsey, VF-9M was again redesignated, becoming VMF-1. The squadron finally became VMF-111 on July 1, 1941 during the massive expansion of the Marine Corps that began just prior to World War II.

World War II

At the time of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, VMF-111 pilots were flying the F4F Wildcat. On March 11, 1942, the squadron landed in Samoa, its new base of operations. They spent the next year as part of the Samoa garrison and finally transitioned to the F4U Corsair in early 1943. The squadron remained in Samoa until 1944, serving as a replacement pool for other squadrons engaged in the Solomon Islands Campaign.

VMF-111 left Samoa in January 1944 for the Central Pacific and participated in raids against bypassed Japanese garrisons for the rest of the war. It was during this time that the squadron, under the command of Major William E. Classen, made the first experimental bombing run with F4U Corsairs when eight of their aircraft struck heavy anti-aircraft positions on Mili Atoll with thousand pound bombs [Dechant (1947): During this combat deployment, VMF-111 was the first squadron to use the centerline-mounted Brewster bomb rack on the F4U Corsair, proving the Corsair as a true fighter-bomber. Also, VMF-111 has the distinction of operating "Old #122," the only known U.S. aircraft of the war to fly one hundred combat missions with no mechanical problems. The aircraft received a Presidential citation for its unique service record. 154] Following the war the squadron returned to the States where it was deactivated on November 26, 1945.

Post war years

Reactivated on June 1, 1948 as part of the Marine Air Reserve, VMF-111 was stationed at Naval Air Station Dallas. They were recalled to active duty on July 23, 1950 due to the Korean War but did not see any action. Instead they assumed their WWII role of training pilots. They were released from active duty in July 1953 and remained at NAS Dallas until their deactivation on October 22, 1965 [cite paper
author =
title = The History o MAG-41
version =
publisher = Marine Aircraft Group 41
date = 2005
url = http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmaw/mag41/Header/MAG%20History/mag-41%20history.pdf
format =
accessdate = 2007-03-01] . Upon deactivation, their personnel and aircraft were turned over to VMF-112. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Marine Gunfighters
work = The Gunfighter's Page
publisher =
date =
url = http://www.cloudnet.com/~djohnson/usmc.htm
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-03-01]

quadron Aces

* George L. Hallowell

See also

* 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

;Bibliography
* cite book
last = Barrow
first = Jess C.
title = WW II:Marine Fighting Squadron Nine (VF-9M)
publisher = TAB Books Inc.
date = 1981
location = Blue Ridge Summit, PA
isbn = 0-83062-289-6
* cite book
last = Crowder
first = Michael J.
title = United States Marine Corps Aviation Squadron Lineage, Insignia & History - Volume One - The Fighter Squadrons
publisher = Turner Publishing Company
date = 2000
location = Paducah, KY
isbn = 1-56311-926-9
* cite book
last=De Chant
first= John A.
authorlink=
coauthors=
title=Devilbirds
year=1947
publisher= Harper & Brothers Publishers
location= New York
isbn=
pages=
* Tillman, Barrett. "Corsair - The F4U in World War II and Korea". Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1979. ISBN 1-55750-944-8.

;Web