VMA-133

VMA-133
Marine Attack Squadron 133
Vma133 insig.jpg
VMA-133 Insignia
Active May 1, 1943–August 1, 1945
April 15, 1958–September 30, 1992
Country United States
Branch USMC
Type Fighter squadron
Role Close air support
Air interdiction
Part of Inactive
Nickname Dragons
Flying Eggbeaters (WWII)
Golden Gaters (Vietnam Era)
Tail Code ME
Engagements World War II
Bougainville campaign (1943–45)
Philippines campaign (1944–45)
Aircraft flown
Attack A-4 Skyhawk
Bomber TBF Avenger

Marine Attack Squadron 133 (VMA-133) was a reserve A-4 Skyhawk fighter squadron in the United States Marine Corps. Originally known as VMTB-133, the squadron saw combat during the World War II campaigns on Bougainville and Philippines. Following the war they became part of the Marine Forces Reserve. The squadron, also known as the “Dragons”, was part of Marine Aircraft Group 42 of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and was based out of Naval Air Station Alameda, California. They were deactivated in 1992 as part of the post Cold War drawdown of the U.S. Military.

Contents

History

World War II

Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 133 (VMTB-133) was activated on May 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.[1] After training over the summer they left for Hawaii and arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on September 9, 1943.[2] From Ewa, the squadron was split into two sections with one heading to Johnston Atoll and the other to Palmyra Atoll for six months of anti-submarine patrols.[2] Following these tours they returned to MCAS Ewa only to leave again on June 25, 1944 heading to Torokina on the island of Bougainville. During October and November 1944 the squadron carried out strikes against targets on Bougainville and New Britain.[2]

After two months of travelling, VMTB-133 arrived at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines after the invasion to recapture the area. They remained there until April 21, 1945 when they moved to Mindanao to provide close air support for the United States Army's 24th and 31st Infantry Regiments as they cleared the island. Through June and July 1945 they continued to attack targets in the vicinity of Sarangani Bay in preparation for a planned invasion.[2]

VMA-133 A-4Fs in flight near NAS Fallon, 1982.
Crewmen loading Mk-81 bombs on to an A-4F from VMA-133.

The squadron was deactivated on August 1, 1945 at Malabang, Mindanao.[1]

Reserve years

Sometime after the war the squadron was reactivated as part of the Marine Air Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Alameda, California. They were part of Marine Aircraft Group 42 and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing however they were deactivated in 1992 as part of the post Cold War drawdown of the U.S. Military.

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. The VMA-133 has been presented with the following awards:

Streamer Award Year(s) Additional Info
Navy Unit Commendation Streamer.jpg Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with one Bronze Star
World War II
Streamer APC.PNG Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with Silver Star

Streamer WWII V.PNG World War II Victory Streamer 1941–1945 Pacific War
Streamer PL.PNG Philippine Liberation Medal Streamer 1944–1945 Philippines Campaign (1944–45)
Streamer PPUC.PNG Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Streamer 1944–1945 Philippines Campaign (1944–45)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Rottman, p.440
  2. ^ a b c d Sherrod, p.458

References

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

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • VMA-144 — Marine Attack Squadron 133 VMSB/VMTB 144 Insignia Active September 7, 1942 December 9, 1945 reactivated as reserve squadron Country …   Wikipedia

  • List of A-4 Skyhawk operators — The List of A 4 Skyhawk operators lists the counties and their air force units that have operated the Douglas A 4 Skyhawk:Military operatorsARG;Argentine Air Force * 50 A 4P (ex A 4B US Navy ) V Air Brigade, Argentine Air Force * 25 A 4C (ex US… …   Wikipedia

  • Mark 81 bomb — Mark 81 General Purpose (GP) Bomb Crewmen upload three Mark 81 general purpose high explosive bombs, with Mark 14 TRD (Tail Retarding Device) attached, aboard an A 4F Skyhawk aircraft from Marine Attack Squadron 133 (VMA 133) …   Wikipedia

  • Beyoncé Knowles — Beyoncé Knowles …   Wikipedia

  • A-4 Skyhawk — Douglas A 4 Skyhawk …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • McDonnell Douglas A-4 — Douglas A 4 Skyhawk …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Taylor Swift — This article is about the musician. For her self titled debut album, see Taylor Swift (album). Taylor Swift …   Wikipedia

  • Douglas A-4 Skyhawk — A 4 (A4D) Skyhawk A U.S. Navy A 4E of VA 164 from USS Oriskany (CVA 34) over North Vietnam in November 1967 Rol …   Wikipedia

  • Jamie Starr — Prince (2008) Prince Rogers Nelson (* 7. Juni 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) ist ein US amerikanischer Musiker, Komponist, Musikproduzent und Songwriter. Seit 1978 ist Prince im Musikgeschäft aktiv. International bekannt wurde er vor allem 1984… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • New Power Generation — Prince (2008) Prince Rogers Nelson (* 7. Juni 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) ist ein US amerikanischer Musiker, Komponist, Musikproduzent und Songwriter. Seit 1978 ist Prince im Musikgeschäft aktiv. International bekannt wurde er vor allem 1984… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”