VMSB-245

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 245
VMSB-245 Insignia
Active	September 15, 1943 - November 17, 1945
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Dive Bomber squadron
Role	Reconnaissance Air Interdiction Close air support
Part of	Inactive
Nickname	Red Mousie Squadron
Engagements	World War II
Aircraft flown
Bomber	SBD Dauntless

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 243 (VMSB-243) was a dive bomber squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Red Mousie Squadron”, fought in World War II. They were deactivated on November 17, 1945, shortly after the end of the war.

History

VMSB-245 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on September 15, 1943.^[1] After training for a few months, the squadron deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii arriving there on December 31, 1942. On January 5, 1944, they moved to Midway Atoll to conduct anti-submarine patrol duty. They returned to MCAS Ewa on April 1, 1944.^[2]

On May 5, 1944, the squadron left Hawaii onboard the USS Copahee headed for Majuro where they arrived on May 15. Later in the same month, they moved to Makin Atoll from which they conducted combat operations against bypassed Japanese garrisons in the Marshall Islands from June 1 until October 29, 1944. Late October saw the squadron move back to Majuro where they continued carrying out strikes. March 1945 saw the squadron move again, this time to Ulithi where they remained until the end of the war.^[2]

VMSB-245 was deactivated on November 17, 1945.^[1]

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

1. ^ ^{a b} Rottman(2002): 443.
2. ^ ^{a b} Sherrod (1952): 446.

References

Books

• 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. OCLC 1261876. 

• Shettle Jr., M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-964-33882-3. 

Web