VMA-233

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Marine Attack Squadron 233


caption= VMSB-233's WWII insignia
dates=*May 1 1942 - 1969
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= USMC
type= Attack Squadron
role= Close air support
Air interdiction
size=
command_structure= Inactive
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Flying Deadheads
Bulldogs (WWII)
Rainbow (WWII)
patron=
motto=
colors=6S cite web
title = A-4 Skyhawk USN & USMC Tail Codes
publisher = Cybermodeler Online
url = http://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/a-4/scooter02.shtml
accessdate = 2007-12-20]
colors_label=Tail Code
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II
* Battle of Guadalcanal
* Battle of Okinawa
* Battle of Balikpapan (1945)
aircraft_bomber=SBD Dauntless
TBM-3E Avenger
aircraft_attack=AD-5 Skyraider
A4D Skyhawk
aircraft_fighter=F4U Corsair
FH1 Phantom
F9F Cougar
F2H Banshee
aircraft_trainer=T2V SeaStar
anniversaries=

Marine Attack Squadron 233 (VMA-233) was an A-4 Skyhawk attack squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Flying Deadheads”, were part of the Marine Forces Reserve and were based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia until their deactivation in 1969. Originally activated during World War II, they fought in many areas of the Pacific War including the Battle of Guadalcanal as part of the Cactus Air Force, the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Balikpapan (1945). They were the only Marine Corps squadron to have three commanding officers killed during the course of the warSherrod, "History of USMC Aviation in WWII", p. 433.] and were credited with downing 8 Japanese aircraft. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron was deactivated on March 10 1946. They were reactivated as part of the Reserves but were again deactivated in 1969 and remain in an inactive status today.

History

The squadron was originally formed on May 1 1942 at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii as Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 233 (VMSB-233) flying the SBD Dauntless.Crowder "USMC Aviation Squadrons", pp. 104-105.] Sherrod, "History of USMC Aviation in WWII", p. 464.] They deployed overseas in December 1942 onboard the seaplane tender USS "Wright" and first debarked at Espiritu Santo.cite web
title = Wright
work = Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
publisher = Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy
date = 13 April 2005
url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w11/wright-i.htm
accessdate = 2007-12-20] From December 25 1942 until February 8 1943 they operated from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal as part of the Cactus Air Force.Rottman, "USMC WWII OOB", p. 459. ]

They were reorganized as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 233 (VMTB-233) on May 22 1943 but the official re-designation of the squadron did not take place until June 13, when they had returned to the United States.Rottman, "USMC WWII OOB", p. 442. ] From August until October 29 1943, the squadron again operated from Henderson Field.cite web
title = Henderson Field (Honiara Airport)
work = Pacific Wreck Database
publisher = www.pacificwrecks.org
url = http://www.pacificwrecks.com/airfields/solomons/henderson/index.html
accessdate = 2007-12-20] Following the Battle of New Georgia the squadron was moved moved to Munda in New Georgia to conduct raids that would help cut off the Japanese garrison at Rabaul. While in the New Georgia area, they also operated from Piva and Cape Torokina.

On February 14 1944, Avengers from VMTB-233 and VMTB-232 took part in a mission to sow mines in Simpson Harbor at Rabaul. The TBMs were to fly up in three groups of eight each at the slow speed of 160 knots to drop their parachute-mines, weighing 1,600 pounds a piece. The first group lost one plane. The commanding officer tried to radio the other TBFs to warn them to turn back but he couldn't make radio contact. The second group lost two planes. The third group was immediately found by searchlight and anti-aircraft guns while flying at 800 feet over the water and had five aircraft shotdown. A total of six planes and eighteen men were lost during the attack.Foster, "Hell in the Heavens", pp. 192-193. ] cite web
title = Monday, 14 February 1944
work = This month in WWII Pacific History.
publisher = www.pacificwrecks.org
url = http://pacificwrecks.com/60th/today/1944/2-44.html#14
accessdate = 2007-12-20] Four of the eighteen men survived the loss of the six TBFs that evening. Of the four, none survived captivity. One was murdered at Tunnel Hill, two died of starvation / disease / medical neglect, and a fourth was murdered by the Japanese Navy sometime in April.cite web
title = TBF-1 Avenger Bureau Number 06311
work = Pacific Wreck Database
publisher = www.pacificwrecks.org
url = http://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/avenger/06311.html
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

In April 1944, they returned to the United States and were stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California. During their time at MCAS Santa Barbara they trained as part of the Marine Corps' new escort carrier program. They were assigned to Marine Carrier Air Group 1 (MCVG-1) where they were partnered with VMF-511 on the USS "Block Island". The squadron left the West Coast on March 20 1945. During this time the squadron's commanding officer, Major Robert Vaupell, was killed in a crash in February 1945.Shettle, "USMC Air Stations of WWII", p. 149. ]

VMTB-233 saw its first action during the Battle of Okinawa on May 5 1945 when it conducted rocket and bomb runs against Japanese strongpoints in the vicinity of Naha. Their mission alternated between close air support for the Marines fighting on the ground and strikes against Sakashima Gunto, a kamikaze base complex some 175 miles southwest of Okinawa on Miyako IslandCondon "Flattops and Corsairs", pp. 97-99.]

In mid-June, the "Block Island" was relieved from the coast of Okinawa and ordered to Leyte in the Philippines. From here they supported the early stages of the Australian 7th Division invasion of Balikpapan in July 1945. They returned to Leyte on July 4 and would not see combat for the rest of the war. Still aboard the "Block Island" when WWII ended, VMTB-233's final missions were flown in support of the Japanese surrender of Formosa.

Following World War II, the squadron returned to the United States, was briefly assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 46 (MAG-46) and was finally deactivated on March 1 1946 as part of the post war draw-down of forces. They were quickly reactivated later in 1946 as part of the Marine Air Reserves flying out of Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. In October 1951 the unit was activated for the Korean War, but it did not see action during the conflict. They were officially deactivated in 1969.cite web
title = HMM-774 Mission Statement
work =
publisher = United States Marine Corps
date =
url = http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmaw/mag42/detb/774Mission.htm
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

ee 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 = Condon
first = John Pomeroy
title = Corsairs and Flattops - Marine Carrier Air Warfare, 1944-45
publisher = Naval Institute Press
year = 1998
location = Annapolis Maryland
page =
isbn = 1-55750-127-0
* 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
year = 2000
location = Paducah, KY
isbn = 1-56311-926-9
*cite book
last = Foster
first = John M.
title = Hell in the Heavens
publisher = ACE Books Inc.
year = 1961
location = New York
page =
oclc = 693131
*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.
year=2002
location = Westport, CT
publisher=Greenwood Press
id=ISBN 0-313-31906-5
*cite book
last = Sherrod
first = Robert
authorlink =
year = 1952
chapter =
title = History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II
publisher = Combat Forces Press
location = Washington, D.C.
oclc = 1261876
*cite book
last = Shettle Jr.
first = M. L.
title = United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II
publisher = Schaertel Publishing Co.
year = 2001
location = Bowersville, Georgia
isbn = 0-964-33882-3

;Web
* [http://www.skyhawk.org/4e/vma233/vma233.htm VMA-233 page @ www.skyhawk.org]