VMF-216

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Marine Fighting Squadron 216


caption= VMF-216 insignia
dates= *September 16, 1943 - March 10, 1945
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= Bulldogs
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II
* Battle of Guam
* Battle of Iwo Jima
anniversaries=

Marine Fighting Squadron 216 (VMF-216) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Known as the “Bulldogs”, they flew the F4U Corsair and participated in numerous combat engagements in the Pacific Theater. They were deactivated on March 10, 1945 and remain in an inactive status today.

History

Marine Fighting Squadron 216 was formed at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California in January 1943 but was not officially commissioned until September 16, 1943 with Major Rivers J. Morrell, Jr. in command. Initially training in FM-1 Wildcats, they transitioned to the Vought F4U-1 Corsair and operated roughly 18 of these aircraft at any one time.

VMF-216 was the first squadron to land at the recently-opened airstrip at Torokina on December 10, 1943. By this time they had at least partially transitioned to the F4U-1A Corsair, featuring a bubble canopy.

On August 4, 1944, VMF-216 joined VMF(N)-534, VMF-217, and VMF-225 on Guam following the invasion of the island by United States forces. Following this, they were based on the Essex Class aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) starting in early February 1945 and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. They remained aboard until "Wasp" retired to the west coast for overhaul of battle damage. The squadron was deactivated on March 10, 1945.

See also

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

References

;Notes

;Bibliography

* 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 = Condon
first = John Pomeroy
title = Corsairs and Flattops - Marine Carrier Air Warfare, 1944-45
publisher = Naval Institute Press
date = 1998
location = Annapolis Maryland
page =
isbn = 1-55750-127-0
*cite book
title=U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’
author=Rottman, Gordon L.
date=2002
publisher=Greenwood Press
id=ISBN 0-313-31906-5
*cite book
last = Sherrod
first = Robert
authorlink =
coauthors =
year = 1952
chapter =
title = History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II
publisher = Combat Forces Press
location = Washington, D.C.
id =

;Web
* [http://guykemper.com/ Memorail website for VMF-216 pilot killed during the war]

External links

* [http://www.vmf216.com/ VMF-216's memorial website]