On the front cover:

The Brewster F2A-1 was the first aircrafi assigned to

VMF-223 when it was commissioned on I May 1942 at the

Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Oahu, Hawaii. (USMC Photo

25414).
A HISTORY OF MARINE

ATTACK SQUADRON

By

First Lieutenant Brett A. Jones, USMC

HISTORY AND MUSEUMS DIVISION

HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS

WASHINGTON, D.C.

1978

PCN 19000413900

223
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, D.C. 20402

Stock Number 008-055-00132-3
FOREWORD

This history is one of a series being prepared by the Marine Corps History and Museums

Division to bring to light the achievements of individual squadrons while at the same time

showing the growth and development of Marine aviation. Marine Attack Squadron 223 has

a long and illustrious career of outstanding accomplishments and has produced some of the

finest aviators in the history of the Marine Corps. This work sketches the achievements and

personalities that have made VMA-22 3 such an outstanding Marine squadron.

The author, First Lieutenant (now Captain) Brett A. Jones, was a member of VMA-223

from February 1974 to July 1975 and worked closely with the History and Museums staff to

produce this monograph. First Lieutenant Jones graduated from Oklahoma State

University in December 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology. Upon

graduation he was commissioned in the Marine Corps and sent to Pensacola for flight

training. After a brief tour in Yuma he joined VMA-223.

The History and Museums Division welcomes any comments on the narrative and

particularly requests additional information or illustrations which might enhance a future

edition.

E. H. SIMMONS

Brigadier General, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret)

Director of Marine Corps History and Museums

Reviewed and Approved:

15 June 1978

In

PREFACE

This history was compiled for the purpose of providing a concise and accurate record of a

distinguished squadron's accomplishments. It is the author's belief that a thorough

knowledge of the past contributes immeasurably to the development of strong unit in -

tegrity. Just as ''Espirit de Corps" is instilled in a Marine by a thorough knowledge of

Marine Corps history, unit pride can be instilled by the awareness of unit's accomplishments.

The history of Marine Attack Squadron 223 has been one of constant endeavor. The

original ''Bulldogs'' at Guadalcanal initiated a tradition that has continued for over 30

years. It is sincerely hoped that this work will assist in the continuation of that tradition.

The History and Museums Division provided the research materials for the monograph

and the editing was done by several of the History and Museums staff members. Mr. James

S. Santelli and Major William J. Sambito initially edited the manuscript, and Lieutenant

Colonel Gary W. Parker completed the monograph for publication.

BRETT A. JONES

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps

V

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword .iii

Preface v Table of Contents vii

From Birth to Guadalcanal 1 From the Solomons to Okinawa 5

A Force in Readiness: 1946-1950 11

Entering the Jet Age 14

Vietnam 20

The Return to Garrison 27

Footnotes 31

Appendix A: Chronology 33

Appendix B: Commanding Officers 35

Appendix C: Streamer Entitlement 37

vii

A History of Marine Attack Squadron 223

From Birth to Guadalcanal—From the Solomons to Okinawa—A Force in Readiness: 1946-1950—

Entering the Jet Age—Vietnam—The Return to Garrison

From Birth to Guadalcanal

The devastating attack on Pearl Harbor by the

Japanese in December 1941 had decimated the

aircraft of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW)

leaving only 15 planes which were considered combat

worthy. Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 223 was

commissioned at the Marine Corps Air Station

(MCAS) Ewa, Oahu, Hawaii on 1 May 1942 in an

effort to help restore the combat potential of the 1st

MAW.

The squadron's immediate function was to

conduct local operations on the Hawaiian Sea

Frontier as part of the newly formed Marine Aircraft

Group (MAG) 23. Under the leadership of Captain

John L. Smith, the first commanding officer of the

"Rainbow" squadron, later to become known as the

"Bulldogs," the unit began training operations in

the Brewster F2A fighter. Captain Smith, a 28-yearold native of Lexington, Oklahoma, was to dlistinguish himself as an aviator during World War II,

and his leadership was to bring VMF-22 3 into the

spotlight in the air over Guadalcanal.

When World War II began the Marine Corps landbased squadrons in the Pacific were flying the F2A,

built by Brewster in the late 1930s. The Brewster

was powered by a Wright R-1820-24 engine which

could produce 1,200 horsepower at 2,500 revolutions

per minute (rpm); the plane could attain an airspeed

of 323 miles per hour and had a service ceiling of

34,000 feet. It was armed with four wing-mounted

.50 caliber machineguns and could carry two 100-

pound bombs. As was demonstrated in the Battle of

Midway, 4-6 June 1942, the aircraft was unable to

cope with Japanese fighters and was appropriately

dubbed the Brewster "Buffalo." It soon was

replaced by superior aircraft.'

As early as June 1942, Admiral Chester M.

Nimitz, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, had

276—044 0 - 79 - 2

1

designated all four squadrons of MAG-23 for the

defense of a beachhead on Guadalcanal. According to

the plan, the forward echelon of MAG-23, consisting

of VMF 223 and Marine Scout Bombing Squadron

(VMSB) 232 and commanded by Major Richard C.

Mangrum, would be flown to the airstrip on

Guadalcanal from a carrier. Both squadrons lacked

carrier experience; nearly all the pilots were fresh

from flight school where they had logged about 275

hours apiece in SNJ trainers. The veteran Japanese

naval pilots they would face averaged approximately

800 hours of flight time prior to the bombing of Pearl

Harbor. The VMF-223 aviators, except for Captains

Smith, Rivers J. Morrell, Jr., and Marion F. CarP,

and one veteran enlisted pilot, Technical Sergeant

John D. Lindley, were second lieutenants ranging in

age from 19 to 21 and had been in the Marine Corps

for only a few months.

The squadrons sailed tor Guadalcanal on board the

escort carrier USS Long Island (CVE 1) on 2 August

1942. Prior to departure, the Buffalo was replaced

with the new Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat. This plane

became the standard fighter for Marine pilots during

the early actions of World War II. This single-seat,

carrier fighter was powered by a Pratt and Whitney

R-1830-56' engine which produced 1,200 horsepower

at 2,500 rpm and had a maximum airspeed of 332

miles per hour with a service ceiling of 34,300 feet.

The aircraft was equipped with racks for two 250-

pound bombs, one under each wing, or the bombs

could be replaced with external fuel tanks. Six .50

caliber machineguns, three in each wing, and six

five-inch rockets completed the Wildcat's armament 2

Rivers J. Morrell, Jr., retired from the Marine Corps in

July 1959 as a brigadier general. Marion E. Carl rose to the

rank of major general and retired in June of 1973.
USMC Photo 35714

The Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter had a 1200-horsepower Pratt & Whitney engine. This land/carrier-based

aircraft was the standard navalfighter during the early Pacific war.

The Long Island and its escorts stopped at the

island of Efate, New Hebrides, where Captain Smith

traded eight of his inexperienced pilots kr better

qualified pilots from Major Harold W. Bauer's

VMF-212.' On the afternoon of 20 August, the

Long Island, accompanied by the cruiser USS Helena

(CL 50) and destroyer USS Dale (DD 353), launched

the Marine planes about 200 miles southeast of

Guadalcanal. At 1700, MAG-23 began landing at

Henderson Field, named in honor of Major Lofton R.

Henderson, a Marine aviator who was killed earlier

in the war while leading Marine dive bombers in the

Battle of Midway. "A shout of relief and welcome

went up from every Marine on the island," reported

Lieutenant Herbert L. Merillat.3 The arrival of

MAG-23 and the Rainbow squadron coincided with

the first bloody battle that Major General Alexander

A. Vandegrift's ist Marine Division fought on

Guadalcanal.

Just after midnight on 21 August 1942 firing broke

out about 3,000 yards east of Henderson Field and

the Battle of the Tenaru River had started. The

Japanese were reinforcing their command on

Guadalcanal with 900 troops of the Ichiki Detachment* via the "Tokyo Express.** The Ichiki

Detachment attacked the Marines early in the

morning and was slaughtered. Japanese intelligence

Bauer later received the Medal of Honor for action against

the enemy over Guadalcanal.

• 'These troops were from the detachment of Colonel Kiyone

Ichiki which was originally scheduled to take Midway.

* ''The Japanese destroyers and transports which transported troops from New Britian and the Northern solomons to

Guadalcanal became known as the "Tokyo Express."

2

had grossly underestimated the U.S. strength at 800-

1000 troops instead of a division. At daybreak the

pilots of VMF-223 unleashed the fury of their

Wildcats on the enemy, catching many of the

Japanese on the beach. The strafing runs were the

first shots fired in anger by the VMF-223 pilots.

At noon, about 19 hours after their arrival at

Guadalcanal, the VMF-223 pilots had their first taste

of aerial combat. Captain Smith was the first to down

an enemy Zero, but his victory was lessened by the

loss of an F4F which crash-landed on Henderson

Field after being severely shot up. The score

remained one to one for the day.

Prior to VMF-223's arrival at Guadalcanal, Rear

Admiral Raizo Tanaka, the Tokyo Expressman, had

gathered a force at Rabaul, New Britain, which he

mistakenly considered formidable enough to dislodge

the Marines from the island. The enemy had a

special naval landing force of 800 men and an Army

detachment of 700 men. This time the Japanese

would support the landing with three carriers and

three destroyers. American intelligence reported this

movement, and the carriers USS Enterprise (CV 6),

Saratoga (CV 3), and Wasp (CV 7) waited for the

enemy force about 100 miles southeast of Guadalcanal. On 24 August, the Cactus Air Force**** met

the enemy aircraft from the carrier Ryujo and the

Battle of the Eastern Solomons was underway. At

1420 the two MAG-23 squadrons augmented by five

Army P400s,** which had arrived from New

• * Cactus was Guadalcanal's code name.

'''''The P-400 was the early version of the Bell P-39

fighter equipped with a 20mm cannon, two .50 caliber and four

.30 caliber machineguns.
__l - - —. -. LtE'.

USMC Photo 52801

Wildcats on the fighter strip at Guadalcanal. Note

runway and living conditions (above), Marine aircrews use dirt and chemicals to save a burning

Wildcat set afire by a Japanese air raid on

Guadalcanal (left),

USMC Photo 50516

Caledonia; intercepted an enemy flight of 15 bombers

and 12 fighters. These Japanese aircraft never

reached Henderson Field. The Marines shot down 10

bombers and half of the fighters. Captain Carl alone

was credited with two bombers and a fighter. The

victory was not without its cost; three of Captain

Smith's pilots, Second Lieutenants Elwood R. Bailey,

Lawrence C. Taylor, and Roy A. Corry, failed to

return, and one pilot was shot down and later

recovered.

From the beginning of the war and especially after

Bataan and early New Guinea fighting, many

American aviators regarded the Zero and its pilots as

opponents of malevolent perfection. During the

Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, the enemy

gained more prowess and the U.S. fighter pilots were

acquiring a distinct inferiority complex. On 24

August the Rainbow squadron and the other units at

Guadalcanal destroyed the theory that the Zero was

invincible.

On the 26th, as VMF-223 enjoyed continued

success against enemy air raids, Captain Carl shot

down two more planes becoming the second Marine

3

Corps ace.* Aerial combat on the 29th resulted in

four enemy fighters and four enemy bombers

destroyed, and the following day another 14 enemy

aircraft were sent flaming to earth. The score

continued to favor the Rainbow pilots as the air

action over Guadalcanal increased.

Marines learned very early in the war not to

dogfight with the more maneuverable Zero. Instead,

the enemy's bombers became the primary targets.

As the bombers approached, usually 26 at a time in a

series of ''V'' formations, it was possible for the

Wildcats to dive on the bombers and destroy a few

before the Zeros jumped the Grummans. The tactics

which evolved and remained, while the Marines were

flying the F4F, were primarily hit-and-run; a direct

overhead or a high-side attack on the bombers

(avoiding their tail guns), one quick burst at an

attacking Zero, and then run. If a pilot unintentionally became entangled in a dogfight with the

faster, better climbing Zero, it was necessary to rely

on his wingman to shoot the enemy off his tail, which

is where the Zero could usually be found. This twoplane mutually protecting tactic evened the odds.

Conditions at Guadalcanal were miserable and

were continually growing worse. The field was either

'Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, a lieutenant in

1941, resigned his commission to fly with the famed "Flying

Tigers" of China. During his months with the "Tigers,"

Boyington shot down six Japanese planes. Upon his return to

the Marine Corps in September 1942, he was awarded the

distinction of being the Corps' first ace.
a bowl of black dust or a quagmire of mud. Refueling

had to be done by hand from 55-gallon drums and

radio communications from Henderson Field did not

exist beyond 20 miles. The diet for the Marines

consisted of dehydrated potatoes, Spam, or cold hash,

and sometimes Japanese rice. Malaria and dysentery

became constant companions. Sleep in mud-floored

tents was constantly interrupted by bombardments

from Japanese ships and planes. Enemy cruisers,

destroyers, and submarines often lay offshore lobbing

shells at Henderson Field.

VMF-22 3 joined other elements of MAG-23 on 2

September 1942 in intercepting a 40-plane enemy

raid. During the ensuing battle, the squadron

downed another seven enemy aircraft. On the 12th,

the island was hit with a bombardment from seven

Japanese destroyers while 42 enemy planes attempted

to obtain air superiority. The Cactus Air Force shot

down 15 of the attacking planes, but the airfield

received several hits. Meanwhile, enemy troops

attacked just south of Henderson Field. The

following day, while ground units were fighting the

Battle of Bloody Ridge, the field was attacked three

more time by aircraft. The airfield, although severely

damaged, remained firmly in Marine hands.

During the months of August and September

1942, Guadalcanal was continually augmented by

aircraft and pilots from various commands. The

carriers USS Hornet (CV 12) and the Wasp, after

receiving battle damage, sent some of their F4Fs

ashore until the flattops could be repaired. The

growing Cactus Air Force intercepted 31 Japanese

planes over Henderson Field on 27 September and 11

enemy aircraft were destroyed. The next day the

Emperor's ''Eagles'' from Rabaul in New Britain

arrived with a flight of 55 planes determined to

neutralize Marine aviation on Guadalcanal. Once

again the determined American pilots met the

enemy, this time sending 24 of the attacking planes

to a watery grave. Of those destroyed, VMF-223 was

credited with seven. The Japanese, determined to

make the island a major battleground, sought air

supremacy and control of the sea, but once again the

enemy had underestimated the air force necessary to

achieve their goal.

Captain Marion E. Carl was shot down early in

September 1942 and was listed as missing in action

for five days. His journey back to Cactus was an

adventure many pilots had to face during the war in

Pacific. Captain Carl gave the following account of

that incident:

4

Bullets began flying all over the place. The cockpit

filled up with smoke blinding me. I never did get a look at

what was on my tail before I bailed Out.

The parachute opened at 10,000 feet and I floated down

off Near Island a few miles off the coast of Guadalcanal,

about 30 miles from home. I was dunked into the ocean

400 yards off the island and started to swim to shore. I got

within hailing distance of the beach, but the current

prevented me from landing.

I was just about to give up when a native boy paddled

Out in a canoe, grabbed me, and hauled me aboard more

dead than alive.

After being taken ashore, the native gave Captain

Carl a drink of coconut milk and then brought the

aviator from the island to a native village on

Guadalcanal where he was fed and housed for the

night.

The natives agreed to take me to headquarters the next

morning. Before we got Out of the village, a Japanese

party began heading for it. I went into the jungle and hid.

Early the next morning we started home. Two native

police and a large group of native villagers accompanied

me. On the way I found a deserted radio shack and spent

four hours trying to get it going.

We went a short way further on when we encountered

large groups of natives fleeing in our direction. They told

us there were 2,000 Japanese between us and the U.S.

headquarters and that it was impossible to get through

them.

Captain Carl was then taken to the hut of an

educated native who had studied medicine. The man

had a small launch and agreed to take the young pilot

up the coast to headquarters.

We planned to leave at three-thirty that day, but the

engine wouldn't start. I was a former aeronautical

engineer so I spent all the rest of the day taking it apart

and finally got it running. We left at dawn and had no

trouble arriving.

Captain Carl's first question when he arrived was

"What's Smitty's score?'' He grimaced when he

was told that Major John L. Smith, his dosest

competitor, had shot down a total of 16' planes and

pulled ahead of Captain Carl during the five days that

he was missing. "Ground him for five days,

General," Captain Carl said to Brigadier General

Roy S. Geiger, commander of the 1st MAW. "That

will give me a chance to catch up.' '4

Keeping records was one of the last priorities

during the autumn of 1942. Even the original name

of the island, "Guaduncanar," was changed,

probably due to a misprint or mispronunciation that

stuck.' It was not possible to say who was flying from

Guadalcanal at any given time. An example of this

occurred on 3 October 1942, when a Japanese air

attack was met by 29 fighters; 15 were from the

Navy's Fighter Squadron (VF) 5, five from VMF-
223, and nine from VMF-224 (including two pilots

on temporary duty from VMF-2 12). With the units

becoming so entangled, almost anybody could be

your wingman.

The action in the skies over Guadalcanal during

September and early October cost the lives of five

VMF-223 second lieutenants: Zennith A. Pond,

Noyles McLennan, Richard A. Haring, Willis S.

Lees Ill, and Charles Kendrick.6 After the first week

of October, the Japanese air raids ceased. The uneasy

calm lasted until 1220 on the 11th when radar at

Henderson Field reported two flights of unidentified

aircraft at 138 miles heading toward Guadalcanal.

The aircraft at Guadalcanal were scrambled, induding 16 planes from VMF-223, and they intercepted the invading force of 34 bombers and 29

Zeros. Seven bombers and four Zeros were destroyed

and the remaining enemy aircraft had to turn back

when they were unable to locate Henderson Field

because of a low overcast which blanketed the island.

This enemy armada, which had the mission of

destroying the airfield, was only the air portion of a

large invading force. Two cruisers and six destroyers

were steaming toward Guadalcanal carrying a

landing force complete with heavy artillery and

tanks. U.S. intelligence had located this task force

and "search and destroy'' ships were en route to

intercept the enemy convoy. The American warships

surprised the Japanese at Cape Esperance and dealt

them a devastating and costly defeat.

After less than two months of combat, MAG-23

packed its equipment, readied its aircraft, and

departed Guadalcanal on 13 October 1942 bound for

California. The Rainbow squadron had, during its

short time at Henderson Field, written a new chapter

in Marine Corps aviation. VMF-223 had been the

first Marine fighter squadron to arrive iii the

Solomons. Major John L. Smith had led his pilots on

multiple combat missions during which the squadron

accounted for 83 Japanese aircraft destroyed. For his

action during this period, Major Smith was awarded

the Medal of Honor. Also during the struggle for

Guadalcanal, Captain Carl earned his second Navy

Cross for extraordinary heroism in aerial combat.

Captain Carl's first award of the Navy Cross came

during the Battle of Midway. These two men, Smith

and Carl, contributed greatly to the success of

Marine aviation in Guadalcanal by downing a total of

37 1/2 enemy aircraft, 19 and 18 1/2 respectively.

The final tally of enemy aircraft destroyed by the

Cactus Air Force between 20 August and 12 October

5

USMC Photo 11984

Major John L. Smith, USMC, who was credited

with downing 19 Japanese aircraft and subsequently

received the Medal of Honor.

was an impressive 111 1/2. In recognition of this

achievement, those units supporting the 1st Marine

Division on Guadalcanal and neighboring Tulagi

received the Presidential Unit Citation.

From the Solomons to Okinawa

Marine Fighting Squadron 223 arrived at San

Diego on 17 October 1942 and remained in MAG23, which was also arriving from Guadalcanal. VMF223's personnel were given leave from 16 November

to 4 January 1943, then the squadron began

reorganizing and training. On 26 January Major Carl

became the new commanding officer of VMF-22 3.

On 27 May 1943, for reasons unknown, the

Rainbow squadron changed its nickname and became

the VMF-22 3 "Bulldogs." The change in nickname

was followed the next month by a change in squadron

aircraft.

During June, VMF-223 received 18 VoughtSikorsky F4U-1 Corsairs to augment its inventory of

F4F Wildcats and North American SNJ trainers.

The F4U was a single seat, low-wing monoplane

powered by a single Pratt and Whitney 2,000-

horsepower engine. Capable of climbing to over

35,000 feet, the Corsair was the first American
fighter to reach speeds in excess of 400 miles per

hour.7 The "U-birds," as they were called, became

the standard fighter for Marines during the

remainder of World War II. Because of the sound and

effectiveness of the diving Corsair, the Japanese

name for this plane meant ''Whistling Death.''

On 22 June, First Lieutenant Alexander H.

Edwards was engaged in mock aerial combat with

Major Carl and made a tight left turn which stalled

his F4U causing his plane to go into an inverted spin.

Lieutenant Edwards noticed that he was in a spin at

5,500 feet and bailed out at 3,300 feet when he was

unable to get his Corsair under control. After he had

bailed out, the plane came out of the spin and crashed

about eight miles east of El Toro. Except for a bruised

nose and a bruised ego, the young pilot escaped

uninjured.

On 18 July 1943, the squadron terminated flight

operations at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), USMC Photo A707812

El Torn and completed final preparations for Left to right: Major John L. Smith, Lieutenant

redeployment to the Pacific. During the previous six Colonel Richard C. Mangrum, and Captain Marion

months of training, the squadron had operated with E. Carl, three giants of Marine aviation.

about 50 aircraft, mostly F4Us and SNJs. Aside from

a few minor ground accidents, only one aircraft loss

occurred during this period.

On 19 July, the Bulldogs traveled by train to the

Naval Air Station (NAS), Alameda, California, and

boarded the seaplane tender USS Wright (AV 1) on

the evening of 20 July. Seven days later, the

squadron arrived at MCAS, Ewa, headquarters of the

4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing (4th

MBDAW). During operations from Ewa, Second

Lieutenant Phillip R. Aikins was killed when his F4U

crashed into a mountain peak about eight miles

northeast of the air station.

The training and combat air patrols over Hawaii

came to an end on 1 August 1943, and the squadron

was underway to Midway Island. The squadron's

aircraft with some enlisted men and pilots made the

trip by ship while 36 officers and men packed the

remainder of the squadron's equipment in transport

aircraft for the flight to Midway. On 5 August, the

entire unit was on Midway as a part of MAG-22

where it was immediately divided into two sections.

One section, under Major Carl, operated from Sand

Island while the executive officer, Major Robert P.

USMC Photo A 140897 Keller, took charge of the second section operating

Major General Marion E. Carl led VMF-223 in from Eastern Island.

World War II against the Japanese and is credited The Bulldogs completed their training on Midway

with downing 18 1/2 enemy airplanes. on 18 October 1943. During its short stay, the unit

6
—4

USMC Photo 306513

The Chance Vought-Sikorsky F4U-1 which became the standard fighter for Marines during World War II and

continued in use during the Korean War.

had lost four F4Us and one pilot. Three of the accidents were the result of engine failures encountered

while over water. Between 18 and 21 October, the

entire squadron was airlifted back to Oahu where it was reassigned to MAG-23. Immediately, the

squadron began assembling its equipment for another

transfer. On 30 October, the entire unit sailed from

Hawaii on board the escort carrier USS Breton (CVE

23). On the 10th day at sea, 14 Corsairs were

catapulted from the Breton with Espiritu Santo, New

Hebrides as the destination. On 11 November, the

aircraft took off for the Marine Corps Air Base,

Quoin Hill, Efate, New Hebrides. Meanwhile, the

remainder of the squadron had shifted from the

Breton to the auxilary transport USS Tyton (APH 1)

and was en route to Quoin Hill. On 18 November,

VMF-223 joined MAG-12, 2d MAW at Quoin Hill.

After routine training was completed on 28

November, the squadron was airlifted to Barokoma

Field, Vella Lavella Island. VMF-223 was in combat

once again.

The first major aerial contact with the enemy

occurred on 23 December 1943. A 48-plane fighter

sweep over Rabaul located about 15 enemy fighters

off the coast of New Ireland. The Bulldogs scored

four kills and three probables. Throughout the

remainder of the month, Japanese opposition con7

tinued in the skies over Rabaul, but by 4 January

1944, enemy resistance had dwindled considerably

and VMF-223 secured flight operations. The final

score for this campaign was 14 Japanese fighters

destroyed, 10 probables, and four damaged. Only one

VMF-223 pilot, First Lieutenant Bernard E. Sahl,

became a casualty when he failed to return from a

flight on Christmas Day 1943.

On 4 January 1944, the squadron began

preparations for a move to Bougainvile in the

Northern Solomons. The ground echelon embarked

on board the minesweeper USS Chandler (DMS 9)

and sailed on 19 January arriving at Torokina,

Bougainville on the 25th. The aircraft remained at

Barokoma Field while the flight personnel flew to

Sidney, Australia, for a short rest period.

The ground echelon prepared for the arrival of the

squadron aircraft and helped to service the VMF-215

Corsairs at Piva "Y" Airfield on Bougainville. On

20 January, the squadron was reassigned from

MAG-12, 2d MAW to MAG-24, 1st MAW. The

flight echelon returned from Australia and on 17

February rejoined the rest of the squadron at Piva

"Y" strip on Bougainville. The squadron now,

however, had a new commanding officer. On 4

February, Major Carl was reassigned to Headquarters Squadron, MAG-12 and Major Robert P.
74

Kellert assumed command of the Bulldogs. Combat

operations began immediately as the Bulldogs

harassed the enemy ground units with strafing attacks destroying numerous trucks and barges on

Bougainvile.

On 25 February 1944, Major Harlan E. Stewart

was killed during a strafing mission. While diving on

a target, Major Stewart's aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire and crashed just offshore about three

miles from Piva "Y" strip.

Shortly before dawn on 8 March, the enemy hit

the Piva ''Y'' strip with a heavy artillery barrage

which destroyed the ready room, two vehides, one

F4U, and damaged two other Corsairs. The shelling

killed Private First Class John W. Carter and caused

Major Keller to be hospitalized with a shrapnel

wound in the hip.

Enemy shellings became so intense that on 13

March, all 20 aircraft assigned to the squadron were

flown to Green Island for dispersal. Two days later,

the ground echelon embarked on board an 1ST and

sailed for Green Island. For its action at Piva airstrip,

the squadron received a letter of commendation from

Major General Ralph J. Mitchell, Commander,

Aircraft, Solomon Islands, for devotion to duty and

tireless effort in maintaining operations from the

airstrip during hostile shellings.

On 14 March 1944, the squadron was assigned to

MAG-14, 1st MAW. Two weeks later, the flight

personnel flew to Efate Island where those pilots with

three combat tours departed for duty in the U.S., and

the remaining pilots left for rest and recreation

(R&R) in New Zealand and Australia. The ground

personnel, meanwhile, remained on Green Island

servicing the planes of VMF-114. The pilots rejoined

the ground echelon on 7 May 1944, relieving VMF114.

For the next two months, the Bulldogs operated

from Green Island flying escort, air-sea rescue cover,

and strafing missions. The action over Rabaul again

was costly to the squadron. Five pilots, First

Lieutenants Raymond P. Mumme, James W. Lizer,

Charles F. Inman, and Second Lieutenants John C.

Perkins, Jr., and Lawrence W. Pingree, were lost

between 12 May and 16June.8 Right operations on

Green Island were secured on 18 June and the flight

echelon left for Turtle Bay, Espiritu Santo Island.

Eighteen pilots who had completed a third combat

'Robert P. Keller rose to the rank of lieutenant general

before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1974.

8

USMC Photo 55429

Marines bore sighting an F4U on Guadalcanal

using their homemade apparatus constructed of

coconut logs.

tour rotated to the U.S. while the remaining 18 pilots

departed for Sidney for R&R. The ground personnel,

on board the SS President Tyler, departed Green

Island on the 24th bound for Bougainville where they

serviced planes for Marine Observation Squadron

(VMO) 251. The squadron was also reassigned to

MAG-24, 1st MAW.

The pilots returned to Espiritu Santo on 6 July

and, with a number of new pilots assigned, began

training in gunnery and tactics. With 20 new F4Us,

the ffight echelon left Espiritu Santo and joined the

remainder of the squadron on 1 August. While

operating from the Piva "North" airstrip, VMF-223

began flying missions over New Ireland, Rataval,

Rabaul, Duke of York Islands, and Cape Lambert on

New Britain. Warehouses, huts, and personnel were

bombed and strafed as the squadron continued in the

campaign of attrition against the Japanese on Gazelle

Peninsula, New Britain, and on Bougainville. Using

every conceivable technique of ordnance delivery the

Bulldogs bombed and strafed enemy bivouac areas,

supply dumps, villages, and coastal installations

throughout the Northern Solomons and Bismarck

Islands. On 8 December 1944, combat operations

were secured and preparations were made for yet

another move. Although the action of this tour was

not as intense as the Bulldogs had encountered

previously, another pilot, Second Lieutenant Hadley

V. Baker, was killed when his plane was hit by

antiaircraft fire.

After more than three weeks of preparation, the

transfer began. The flight echelon took off on 8

January for Samar in the Philippines Islands and after

brief stops at Emirau, Hollandia, Owi, and Peleliu,
276—044 0— 79 — 3 9
the planes landed at Guiuan Strip, Samar. The

remainder of the squadron made the trip by surface

vessel arriving on 12 January 1945.

Living and operating conditions at Guiuan airstrip

were poor even by Western Pacific standards. The

runway was still being constructed and there was

inadequate space provided for the proper dispersal of

aircraft. Five planes were damaged while taking off

and landing, due partly to the limited runway

available and partly to pilot error. In spite of the

miserable operating conditions, VMF-223 flew

combat sweeps over Southern Luzon, Lingayan,

Cebu, Mindanao, Negros, and other islands in the

Philippines.

Second Lieutenant Kenneth G. Pomasl was

reported missing in action on 23 January 1945. On

the afternoon of the 29th, he returned to the base by

way of Baybay, Burauen, and Tacloban. The

following is an account of his adventure:

On the day he became lost from his flight of four

aircraft, he flew around until he was low on gas. Letting

down through the overcast, he found himself over land,

which later turned out to be Mactan Island off Cebu. He

made a power landing in the water, one-half mile from

land, and got Out of the plane. After inflating his rubber

boat, he climbed in and secured his backpack and shoes,

which he had removed in the water, to the raft. Almost

immediately, three native canoes came out to him, and

Lieutenant Pomasi was transferred to one of the canoes

while his rubber raft was placed on another. The Japs

from Mactan Island started shooting at the party and

everyone went into the water. Lieutenant Pomasi did not

see his native friends after this. His raft which had fallen

into the water, drifted into shore, and soon a Japanese

soldier paddled out in it. When he came within two

hundred feet of Pomasl he began to aim a rifle, but the

pilot fired first with his .45. After exchanging several

more shots the Jap paddled back to shore and was seen no more. Lieutenant Pomasl waited until after dark before

swimming into shore. When he landed on the shore, he

had been in the water for more than seven hours. He went

into the jungle which came down almost to the water's

edge, and finding a place to his liking remained there all

that night and the next day and the following night. He

had a canteen full of water but no food, and he was

plagued with mosquitoes. At noon of the second day after

his landing, the 25th of January, he set Out walking

northward for awhile, but the coral hurt his feet (he had

lost his shoes with the raft) and he reversed his direction,

moving south and west. After about three-fourths of a

mile, he broke into a clearing around which huts were

built. Soon after he was discovered by the Filipinos who

took him into the jungle again, and built a couch on

which he could lie. They brought him food (eggs, boiled

chicken,) and he was able to make himself understood by

one of the natives who spoke a little English. That night

he was transferred to a smaller island, Santa Rosa, where

10

he was hospitably treated. A native nurse washed his

flying suit and dressed the coral cuts on his feet. On the

27th he was taken to Tingu Island, and early that day the

Filipinos took him in a sailboat to Baybay, then to where

he was able to contact American Army forces. He went

from there to Burauen where he spent the night and the

following day he returned.9

Operations from Guiuan strip were characterized

by many missions during which the pilots had great

difficulty finding suitable targets. The few good

targets remaining were protected from air attacks

because they were located among the civilian

communities. The Corsairs of VMF-223 continued

hitting the enemy lines of communications, his

harbors, and escape routes. They kept his airfields

useless by repeated attacks and steadily diminished

his supply of motor transport equipment. From

February through April 1945, the squadron flew

missions in support of the Army's Operation

VICTOR. This operation was a series of hard-fought

battles aimed at driving the well-fortified Japanese

Out of the Philippines. During this period, four more

Bulldogs were killed in action: First Lieutenant

Glenn J. Amo, and Second Lieutenants Milton H.

Thompson, Roy C. Pratt, and Robert Huxham.

Preparations for another move started in May

1945. The advance echelon embarked on board an

LST and sailed for the squadron's new home in

Okinawa where it joined MAG-14, 2d MAW.

Meanwhile, the remaining pilots flew familiarization

hops in the new F4U-4s which the squadron had

received during May. The new Corsair had changed

little in appearance, but it did have a larger engine

giving the plane a maximum speed of 446 miles per

hour, or 41 miles per hour faster than the F4U-1.

The advance echelon reached the island of Okinawa

on the morning of 29 May and began unloading

equipment. On 11 June, 30 VMF-223 planes landed

at Kadena Airfield, Okinawa, and operations began

two days later.

On 21 June, 10 days after Second Lieutenant Alvin

H. Perry was killed when his aircraft was hit by

ground fire, the squadron was able to record its first

enemy aircraft shot down since February 1944. The

following narrative describes that action:

Four F4Us flown by First Lieutenant Martin T.

Tiernan, John C. Groot, Arthur C. Evans, and Second

Lieutenant Roy A. McAlister, Jr., participated in a

successful interception of enemy fighters while flying a

barrier combat air patrol between Yokoate and Kikai

Islands at 1830, 21 June 1945. After a routine and

negative mission, the planes were vectored to reported

enemy aircraft 10 miles northwest of Tokuno Shima.

Flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet, on a general heading
II-I

3 '.&.Z

USMC Photo 78262-A

A flight of Marine Corsairs returning from a mission somewhere in the Pac/ic. VMF-223 flew the famed

Corsair during WWII.

of 180 degrees, Lieutenant Tiernan spotted a formation of

fighter planes composed of three four-plane divisions

heading approximately north at 8,000 feet. Thinking that

they were Army P-47s, the four F4Us went down in a

recognition run. The sun which was low in the west

obscured the wing markings until the planes were within

200 yards. At that time the formation was discovered to

be an enemy flight of 12 Tojos. The Japanese planes

were flying with all 12 nearly abreast with two divisions in

the center and a section on either wing.

Lieutenant Tiernan and his wingman immediately

attacked the right section. Tiernan closed to within 50

yards at an indicated airspeed of 280 knots before shooting

the enemy wingman down with one short burst which hit

the cockpit. . . . He was turning to get the section leader

when he noticed tracers coming past his right wing, and

he pulled up as Lieutenant Groot closed to 50 yards and

shot the plane down with two short bursts . . . Both

enemy planes went down in increasingly steeper dives,

smoking, and crashed into the water.

at the same time Lieutenant's Evans and

McAlister were attacking the section which was flying on

Tojo—a single-engine Japanese fighter armed with four .50

caliber guns with a few equipped with two wing or cowling

mounted 40mm cannons.

11

the left wing of the formation. Both pilots followed the

tactics which Lieutenant Tiernan and Groot used, and

each accounted for a plane.

None of the enemy planes showed any disposition

to fight, and scattered at the initial contact, jettisoning

what appeared to be bombs of approximately 250 pounds

in size.

The remaining eight planes were able to reach a large

cloud bank laying east of Yokoate Island, at which time

contact was broken off. Had he (Lieutenant Tiernan)

instructed his flight to attack when he first sighted the

enemy, he feels certain that at least four other planes

might have been accounted for. In view of the regrettable

losses due to over zealous pilots who have shot down

friendly planes, it is considered that Lieutenant Tiernan

showed excellent judgment. When it became apparent

that the enemy had managed to escape in the weather, the

flight returned without incident . . In the initial interception by this squadron, using F4U4s, the pilots expressed keen satisfaction with the new

plane. . . . The F4U-4 proved it could outclimb, outdive,

and outfly the Tojo, and since the enemy aircraft did not

stay to find out, it is thought that the Tojo pilots shared

this opinion)0

By the end of June 1945, operations on Kadena

had ceased and VMF-223 was ordered to Awase
Airfield on the eastern coast of Okinawa. Early July

saw the Bulldogs conducting strikes against

Sakishima Gunto and fighter sweeps over Kyushu,

the southernmost island of Japan. Now for the first

time, squadron pilots saw the homeland of Japan and

China when they escorted units of the U.S. fleet

north along the Chinese coast. Virtually no enemy

planes rose to challenge U.S. supremacy of the air.

Although the Japanese pilots were unable to knock

down VMF-22 3 aircraft, three pilots were lost during

July. First Lieutenant William V. Everett failed to

return from a fighter sweep over Kyushu on 16 July.

On the 2 3d, Second Lieutenant Otto A. Mittelstadt

crashed after apparently becoming disoriented when

his division flew into a cloud bank. The following

day, Second Lieutenant Ward B. Kindlesparger, Jr.,

was killed as the result of a mid-air collision with

First Lieutenant Guy M. Oliver. Both planes exploded upon impact, and although Lieutenant Oliver

managed to bail Out safely, no trace of Lieutenant

Kindlesparger was found.

On 15 August 1945, official word was received

that the war was over. The squadron, however,

continued to fly combat air patrol in the event some

of the more fanatical Japanese tried to make one last

effort against the Americans.

During a defensive patrol on 16 August, a division

of Corsairs sighted what appeared to be a "Wolf

Pack" of Japanese submarines in formation. After

the flight received permission to attack from the

central fighter director on Okinawa, the planes dived

on the submerged targets. Before any ordnance was

expended, the "submarines" began spouting water

and the target was then recognized as a group of

whales. The pilots pulled out and departed the area

thankful they had not embarrassed themselves

further by attacking the defenseless whales.

The month of August had begun with the men of

VMF-223 enthusiastically preparing for the invasion

of the Japanese home islands. When peace became a

reality, the Bulldogs expected to be called upon to

serve as part of the occupational forces assigned

throughout Japan. As time passed and no orders

were received, the officers and men of VMF-223

realized that their job was done.

The Bulldogs continued to conduct combat air

patrols supporting minesweeping operations north

and west of Amami 0 Shima. The Marines remained

on alert for some attempt by the enemy to strike

against the arsenal developing on Okinawa. All

observations, however, indicated an acceptance of

12

the surrender and a recognition of the cessation of

hostilities. The squadron gradually adopted a peacetime routine which included air shows to

demonstrate U.S. air power, surveillance missions,

and an active athletic program for the men. Training

hops became the primary flight activity. Fighter

tactics continued to be emphasized and extended

navigational training flights were made over Japan.

Constant construction and repair of squadron

facilities was required as several typhoons hit

Okinawa. One typhoon, with winds of 110 knots,

remained in the area for an entire day. The camp area

was totally destroyed and a majority of the aircraft

received damage to the control surfaces.

On the morning of 15 December 1945, two pilots,

Second Lieutenants Arthur J. Halenkamp and

Stanley K Kazorski were killed in a mid-air collision

four miles north of le Shima. Another accident

occurred on 14 January 1946 during a familiarization

hop. Second Lieutenant George Jackson, a new pilot

in the squadron, accidentally went into an inverted

spin and crashed near the village of Suga, Tiara.

Lieutenant Jackson and a civilian woman on the

ground were killed in the crash and three other

civilians were injured.

On 24 January 1946, after more than three years of

involvement in the war, VMF-223 ceased flght

operations and began preparing for transfer to the

United States. The squadron had earned two

Presidental Unit Citations, one at Guadalcanal and

the other at Okinawa. The first commanding officer,

Captain John L. Smith, had won the Medal of Honor

for his actions over Guadalcanal. Six pilots had

become air aces winning two Navy Crosses, three

Distinguished Flying Crosses, and six Air Medals.

The Bulldogs were returning home as a proven

combat unit.

A Force in Readiness: 1946-1 950

On 3 February 1946, the flight echelon of VMF223 boarded the escort carrier USS Cape Gloucester

(C\TE 109) and sailed for San Diego on 6 February.

After a brief stop at Guam from 9 through 14

February, the ship continued on to NAS, North

Island, San Diego, arriving on 28 February. The rear

echelon, meanwhile, had embarked on board the

escort carrier USS Prince William (CVE 31) and

began its journey home on 12 February. By 2 March,

the squadron was located at the Marine Corps Air

Depot (MCAD), Miramar, San Diego, and was

reassigned to MAG-33, Marine Air West Coast.
Before the unit became comfortable at Miramar,

word was received to prepare for a move to MCAS,

El Toro. On 11 March, the squadron was at El Toro

and was able to resume its flying.

Although the Bulldogs experienced postwar attrition in personnel, they did receive some personnel

from Marine Torpedo Bomber Squadron (VMTB)

233, VMF-511, and Carrier Aircraft Service Detachment (CASD) 10 when these units were deactivated

in March 1946. Fulfilling its primary mission of

training personnel for carrier and land-based

operations in the Pacific, VMF-223 conducted flight

training which included familiarization, gunnery,

night flying, section and division tactics, navigation,

instruments, and field carrier landing practice.

Flight operations were plagued by numerous

aircraft accidents. Although some of the accidents

were caused by material failure, most were the result

of pilot error. On 20 June 1946, a Corsair crashed

while landing at El Toro. It appeared as though the

pilot, after touching down, reached for the flap lever

and by ndstake, pulled the wheels lever, retracting

the landing gear.

August 1946 was an exceptionally bad month for

the squadron. Three planes were either destroyed or

seriously damaged while landing or taking off. On 23

August, an aircraft was destroyed when the pilot

tried to abort a takeoff and skidded off the runway.

On the 26th, an aircraft was taxied into a truck that

was being used in construction work on the runway.

The next day, a plane swerved off the runway

because of faulty brakes. The Corsair then ran into a

ditch, sheared off both wheels, and flipped over.

During the autumn of 1946, the squadron continued to train. Five pilots qualified for carrier

landing on board the USS Shangri-La (CV 38) in

September. On 10 OctOber, a pilot "spun in" during

field carrier landing practice when he lost control in

the turbulent air which is often encountered when

there is not enough interval between landing aircraft.

Five days later, 13 pilots went on board the USS

Rendova (CVE 114) for carrier qualifications. During

the short cruise, one aircraft crashed into the catwalk

when the pilot failed to level his wings upon touchdown.

As another form of training, the Bulldogs, along

with planes from the Army and the Navy, participated in the first large-scale postwar amphibious

exercise. From 21 through 27 November, the

squadron flew support missions for the Army's 2d

Infantry Division at San Clemente Island and on the

USMC Photo A707811

Major Michael R. Yunck led the squadron from 10

June 1947 to 6March 1948.

mainland near Oceanside, California. On 12 January

1947, VMF-223 participated in its third air show

since arriving at El Toro. This show, a function of

National Preparedness Week, gave the Bulldogs a

chance to show their skills in gunnery, glide bombing, and rocket firing.

The squadron was next involved in flying

simulated air support for a mock amphibious landing

on 13 March. This exercise was followed on 22

through 24 March by Operation CONFUSION.

During this operation, VMF-223 remained in an

alert status and was scrambled to intercept and

"attack" convoys of a U.S. task force operating off

the coast of southern California.

On 9 June 1947, VMF-223 was converted into a

transitional training unit with the mission of training

transport and bomber pilots in the Corsair. On 10

June, Major Michael R. Yunck took command. *The

syllabus was divided into two phases: the first phase

was conducted in the SNJ trainer and the second

phase in the Corsair. Unfortunately, the squadron

continued to average an accident per month as new

pilots attempted to master the fighter aircraft.

During the months that followed, the Bulldogs

were involved in intensive training. By September

1947, 74 pilots had completed training and were

13

'Yunck, who retired in 1967 as a colonel, was a World War

II ace and the winner of two silver Stars. In 1963 he was selected

as the second recipient of the Alfred A. Cunningham trophy as

the Marine aviator of the year. Colonel Yunck was critically

wounded in Vietnam while flying as a co-pilot in a helicopter,

and as a result of these wounds his right leg was amputated.
transferred to tactical squadrons. On 3 October,

VMF-223 ceased to function as a fighter transition

unit and to the joy of all squadron members, the

Bulldogs once again resumed operations as a VMF.

The change in mission assignment did not, unfortunately, stop the pilots from having accidents.

On a flight from Litchfield Park, Arizona to El Paso,

Texas on 19 December, eight Corsairs strayed from

the intended course and ran low on fuel. While

approaching Carlsbad, New Mexico, one of the pilots

reported a low fuel warning light and headed into the

nearest field, Carlsbad municipal airport. As the pilot

circled to land, the engine began to sputter.

Assuming that he was out of fuel, the pilot attempted

to make a downwind emergency landing on the

4,000-foot strip. During the approach he found

himself high and fast, a logical situation to expect

when attempting to land downwind. When the

Corsair finally touched down, there was only 1,500

feet of runway remaining. The pilot immediately

applied both brakes but the aircraft continued off the

runway. After hitting a pole that sheared off the left

wing and crushing a fence, the F4U came to rest.

Throughout January and February 1948, the

squadron flew simulated close air support missions

for the lst Marine Division units undergoing am- phibious training in the Aliso Canyon area. For 33

days the Bulldogs operated under simulated combat

conditions from the newly designated Marine Corps

Auxiliary Airfield, Camp Pendleton.

An operational readiness inspection was conducted

by the 1st MAW* on 8 March. The inspection

consisted of three parts: The first part required the

squadron to plan and conduct a mass attack on a

designated target; next, the pilots demonstrated their

skills in flying close air support; and the final phase

included gunnery, navigation, bombing, rocket

firing, instrument flying, and field carrier landings.

When the scores were announced at the conclusion

of the inspection, VMF-223 received the highest

score of all MAG-33 squadrons.

VMF-223 was detached from MAG-33 on 7 June

1948 and reassigned to MAG-14, 2d MAW, located

at MCAS, Cherry Point, North Carolina. The flight

echelon, consisting of three ffights of eight F4Us

landed at Cherry Point on 10 June without a mishap.

On 1 August, Marine "Fighting" Squadron 223 was

redesignated Marine "Fighter" Squadron 223 and

was reassigned to MAG-li.

'On 1 October 1947, Marine Air West Coast was

redesignated the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

14

The squadron immediately undertook a rigorous

schedule of field carrier landing practice in

preparation for the upcoming carrier qualifications.

On 23 August, 10 pilots flew to Norfolk, Virginia

where they joined other fleet pilots on board the

escort carrier USS Palau (CVE 122) for a three-day

qualification cruise. The training was completed

without an accident, but one veteran pilot, Captain

William E. Cannon, died of disease. On the 23d,

Captain Cannon reported to the dispensary with

symptoms of polio, and when the pilots returned

from carrier qualifications, they learned their friend

had died of respiratory poliomyelitis.

Extensive field carrier landing practice and tactical

air exercises were the primary operational commitments during the remainder of the summer.

Flight training was temporarily interrupted on 28

August when the squadron was directed to evacuate

all aircraft because of an approaching hurricane.

Twenty planes were immediately launched for

Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained for five days.

After a month of training at Cherry Point, the

squadron made another deployment, this time to

Barin Field, Alabama, located near Pensacola,

Florida. Arriving on 17 October 1948, the pilots

immediately began field carrier landing practice.

Before the first day of this deployment was over, the

squadron had an accident. First Lieutenant Dwayne

E. Adams crashed during takeoff and was killed.

After returning to Cherry Point, the squadron

hardly had time to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday on 10 November before it was again preparing for

another short cruise. On 15 November a detachment

of aircraft departed for Norfolk and boarded the

carrier USS Saipan (CVL 48). Before the flight

returned on 18 November, each pilot had qualified

with at least 10 carrier landings. During this training

period, the commanding officer, Major Richard W.

Wyczawski, made the 17,000th landing on board the

Saipan.

During November and December, the squadron

began its fixed gunnery training syllabus. By the

holidays, most of the pilots had completed this phase

of training and were given leave. One pilot who did

not take leave, Captain John Callahan, the squadron

flight officer, was killed on the morning of 24

December 1948, when his F4U crashed into Little

Lake about seven miles west of Cherry Point.

After the turn of the year, the members of VMF223 began preparing for their next deployment. On

15 February 1949, 24 aircraft departed for the Naval
Air Station, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The

Bulldogs, for the next three and a half weeks, participated in maneuvers with U.S. naval units in the

Caribbean. After completing this training, the unit

departed for home arriving at Cherry Point on 14

March.

Routine training kept the Bulldogs busy until 14

July when the unit deployed to MCAS, Edenton,

North Carolina. While deployed the pilots became

proficient in carrier flight procedures by conducting

simulated shipboard operations from Edenton and

Fenterss Field, a deactivated Navy field near Oceana,

Virginia. Returning to Cherry Point on 30 July, the

squadron immediately began preparation for another

short cruise. On 7 August, the squadron boarded the

carrier USS Franklin D, Roosevelt (C\TB 42) at

Norfolk for nearly two weeks of training at sea.

For the men of VMF-223, arriving back at Cherry

Point meant performing the necessary maintenance

on the planes, packing the squadron equipment, and

saying goodby to their families. The unit was about

to leave for an extended cruise to the Mediterranean.

On 31 August 1949, the squadron journeyed to

NAS, Quonset Point, Rhode Island where it boarded

the carrier USS Leyte (CV 32). The Leyte sailed for

the British colony of Gibraltar on 6 September and

after extensive maneuvering to avoid a hurricane

docked on 15 September. One week later the ship

sailed again, this time for Malta where the pilots flew

air support for a 21st Marines Battalion Landing

Team (BLT) exercise. During one phase of the

training, squadron aircraft were making simulated

attacks on a carrier when an external fuel tank broke

loose from one of the Corsairs and narrowly missed

the ship. As a result, future ''attacks'' on ships of

the Sixth Fleet were limited to 15 degree dives and

250 knots.

For the five and a half months the squadron was

embarked on board the Leyte, VMF-223 showed its

presence throughout the Mediterranean. The

following is a chronological listing of the squadron's

movement while deployed with the Sixth Fleet:

September 1949 Malta, Sardinia, France

October 1949 Malta, Greece, Cyprus

November 1949 Greece, Italy, Sicily

December 1949 Sicily, Italy

January 1950 North Africa, Gibraltar

The Bulldogs departed Gibraltar on 17 January

1950, after having conducted extensive training and

support missions throughout the Mediterranean.

After unloading at Norfolk, the squadron proceeded

to Cherry Point arriving on 29 January 1950. Finally

home, the Bulldogs of VMF-223 were confident that

they were a force in readiness capable of carrying out

their mission anywhere in the world.

Entering the Jet Age

Shortly after returning from duty in the

Mediterranean, VMF-22 3 underwent an almost total

changeover in personnel. Since practically all the

unit's experienced pilots had been transferred, the

Bulldogs faced a major training program in order to

regain their proficiency as a combat ready force. The

squadron concentrated on basic air work, air-to-air

gunnery, and rocket firing. By the end of spring

1950, the pilots of VMF-223 had achieved good

proficiency, and tactics and dive bombing were being

emphasized in training.

In early May 1950, the squadron learned that it

would receive the McDonnell F2H Banshee to

replace the F4U-4s. Operations were then centered

on preparing and training for the new aircraft. On 16

May 1950, Major Thomas G. Bronleewe took

command of the squadron. * Flight operations were

interrupted on 25 June 1950 when the unit was put

on alert in response to North Korea's surprise invasion of South Korea. All aircraft were scrambled

kr combat air patrols on 25 and 26 June, but the alert

was cancelled on the 27th and the unit resumed its

normal training schedule.

The squadron was informed on 5 July 1950, that it

would immediately begin receiving the new Grumman F9F Panther aircraft instead of the F2Hs.

By 23 July the Bulldogs possessed 12 F9F-2 jet

aircraft. The Panther was a single-seated fighter and

could be either carrier or land based. Powered by a

Pratt and Whitney engine with 5,750 pounds of

thrust, the aircraft's primary mission was the

destruction of opposing aircraft. The F9F could carry

four fuselage-mounted 20mm guns, up to six 500-

pound bombs, and two six-shot rocket packs. The

total ordnance capacity was 3,465 pounds." Because

of the ejection seat in the jet, all pilots had to go to

the Naval Air Material Center at Philadelphia for

training in the ejection seat.

On 1 September 1950, VMF-223 was tranferred

from MAG-il to MAG-14 at Cherry Point. The

operating strength of the squadron was increased as

numerous reservists were assigned for training.

15

'Bronleewe went on to a distinguished career and commanded MAG-32 when it deployed for the Cuban crisis in

1962.
- - —

______

1

USMC Photo 530003

A VMF-223 Grumman F9F-4 Panther jet set for takeoff at Cherry Point, North Carolina, The Panther was a

land- and carrier-based, low-wing monoplane with the primary mission of destroying enemy aircraft.

Major John M. Winkler, USAF, joined the unit on 2

October to become the first Air Force representative

to be assigned to VMF-223 under the pilot exchange

program.

The squadron was placed on alert on 19 November

and again on 6' December. With each alert, the

Bulldogs made final preparations in expectation of

movement orders to Korea. With no change in the

squadron's status, the Bulldogs resumed normal

training and prepared for possible combat. The

syllabus for the new jets consisted of familiarization

flights, section and division tactics, instruments,

rocket firing, gunnery, night radar-controlled

bombing, and occasional ground-controlled intercept

flights with Marine Air Control Group 1.

The next phase of training for the pilots was carrier

qualifications, and from 11 to 23 February 1951, 18

aircraft were deployed to NAS, Cecil Field,

Jacksonville, Florida, for field carrier landing

practice. The Bulldogs returned to Jacksonville on 7

May for the final period of field carrier landing

practice before actual qualifications at sea. During

this training, the unit had its first accident in the new

jets. A squadron F9F had just become airborne when

it was struck in the rear by a Navy F2H maneuvering

over the field for a landing. The Panther pilot

brought his jet in for a crash landing and suffered a

back injury when the disabled aircraft hit a stump

after skidding off the runway.

On 19 June the squadron went on board the USS

16

Franklin D. Roosevelt for carrier qualifications. In

addition to the qualifications, the Bulldogs flew

simulated combat missions in support of the Ninth

Secretary of Defense Joint Civilian Orientation

Cruise on 2 July. For its outstanding performance of

duty while deployed with the Roosevelt, the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Altantic,

lieutenant General Leroy P. Hunt, presented the

squadron with a Letter of Appreciation. On 4 July,

VMF-22 3 left the ship at Norfolk and returned to

Cherry Point.

After one month on dry land, it was back to sea for

the Bulldogs. This time it was on the carrier USS

Tarawa (CV 40) which the squadron boarded on 3

August while it was moored at NAS, Quonset Point.

The squadron was soon involved in Air Defense

Exercise FOX during which the unit defended the

task force against land-based aggressor aircraft. Upon

returning to Cherry Point on 12 August, VMF-223

immediately departed for the Army's Camp Pendleton in Virginia in support of Operation CAMID

N, a combined cadet/midshipman exercise. The

hard work and the constant deployment of VMF-223

was rewarded in August when the unit was given the

Commanding General, 2d MAW's Semi-Annual

Efficiency Trophy for the period of January through

June1951.

The Bulldogs did not rest long before they were off

again on another deployment to NAS, Norfolk and

participation in Operation LANT FLEX 52. On 14
September, the entire complement of 24 F9Fs was

hoisted on board the USS Saipan bound for Roosevelt

Roads. By 1 October, VMF-223 was flying extensive

close air support missions for 2d Marine Division

units involved in the fleet exercise. On 30 October

1951, the squadron boarded the USS Midway (CVB

42) and sailed for North Carolina. While the unit was deployed on board the Midway, the Bulldogs conducted fighter sweeps and air combat patrol missions

until the task force arrived off Camp Lejeune. The

pilots then returned to flying close air support as the

2d Division units stormed ashore on Onslow Beach.

The training missions were completed on 17

November and VMF-223 returned home to Cherry

Point.

With the squadron back in garrison, mechanics

worked many hours performing maintenance on the

aircraft. Even with this extra effort by the maintenance department, aircraft availability decreased

and the tempo of operations was reduced until March

1952 when the unit received a complement of F9F-4s

to replace the older jets. On 19 March the Bulldogs

flew the new jets to Roosevelt Roads in support of 2d

Marine Division units involved in Operation

ANGLEX 52. The exercise provided excellent

training for the pilots and flight operations were

completely successful.

An accident occurred in mid-April which

restricted the use of the F9F-4s. During a routine

gunnery hop, a pilot felt heavy vibrations which

seemed to be coming from the engine of his jet. The

pilot returned to the field and when he was on final

approach, the engine quit. The plane crashed approximately 1,000 feet short of the runway. The pilot

was not injured, but the jet was destroyed. A subsequent investigation revealed that four other

squadron aircraft had similar defects in the engines.

Permission was obtained to return the remaining

aircraft to Cherry Point on 19 April, and nine days

later all F9F-4s were grounded until a modification

was made on the engines.

Throughout this period, pilots scheduled for

assignment to Korea received first priority for

training, including field carrier landing practice at

Edenton. In addition to the routine training, the

squadron provided dose air support on 13 June for

Operation TRAEX I-PHASE II at Camp Lejeune

and participated in an air show for the Commandant

of the Marine Corps, General Lemuel C. Shepherd,

Jr., at Camp Lejeune on 1 July.

August 1952 found the unit involved in supporting

amphibious training at Onslow Beach. This exercise,

Operation PHIBEX 1-53, was the first simulated

atomic threat training for the squadron. By late

September VMF-223 was again bound for Roosevelt

Roads, this time with 21 planes in support of

Operation TRAEX IT-PHASE I. After a successful

deployment, the detachment returned to Cherry

Point on 28 October. The final exercise of the year

for the Bulldogs was on 10 November 1952. During

Operation TRAEX Il-PHASE II, held at Onslow

Beach, the squadron participated in its first joint

amphibious/helicopter assault. For the Bulldogs the

year ended on a sad note; Captain Douglas F.

Hollingsworth and Second Lieutenant Harold G.

Brown were killed when their planes collided while

they were on a cross-country flight.

After the turn of the new year, the squadron began

preparing for a carrier deployment to the Caribbean.

For two and a half weeks in January, VMF-223 was

at NAS, Oceana, Virginia for field carrier landing

practice. On 16 February 1953, 26 squadron Panthers departed for Naval Auxilary Air Station,

Mayport, Florida, where the jets were hoisted on

board the attack carrier USS Bennington (CVA 20).

The ground echelon was already on board having

joined the ship at Norfolk. The carrier left Florida on

the 24th and headed for Cuba. The squadron cruised

the Caribbean as part of the force in readiness until it

returned to Cherry Point on 10 May. The Panthers

hardly had time to cool before the squadron boarded

the attack carrier USS Antietam (CVA 36) at

Norfolk for a short deployment. This time the unit

participated in a demonstration for observers from

the Armed Forces Staff College and the Industrial

College of the Armed Forces.

17

New landing techniques using the canted deck

carrier were tested and demonstrations were given of

the effectiveness of accurate ordnance delivery in

dose air support. Returning to Cherry Point on 30

May 1953, the squadron resumed training pilots

bound for Korea.

Marine Fighter Squadron 223's role as a training

squadron ended on 7 August 1953 when the unit

boarded naval shipping at Morehead City, North

Carolina and sailed for Japan. On 11 September the

squadron arrived at Yokosuka, Japan and then

proceeded to NAS, Atsugi where it was assigned to

MAG-il, ist MAW. The Bulldogs conducted

normal training operations, including close air

support for Marine ground units at Camp Fuji, until

May 1954.
1..

I

'kL

USMC Photo A346121

Boston Red Sox baseball star Ted Williams receives a check out on a new instrument panel with other Marine

Corps fighter pilots. Captain Williams was called to active duty for the Korean War.

Later that month a small detachment of F9Fs was

undergoing aerial gunnery training at Nigato Air

Force Base when an overly zealous pilot continued

his run on a towed target until it was too late to avoid

a collision. Fortunately, there was no injury to the

pilot and only minor damage to the jet as the incident

was followed by a normal landing. Another accident

occurred on 16 June when the right landing gear on

one of the Panthers collapsed on landing roll-out.

The aircraft left the runway and collided with a

number of bomb trailers. The accident resulted in

substantial damage to the plane and destroyed 33

bomb trailers. Luckily, the pilot escaped serious

injury.

During the squadron's tour of duty in Japan, two

famous baseball players were members of the outfit.

Ted Williams, the well-known left fielder of the

Boston Red Sox, was a Bulldog pilot and Jerry

Coleman, a player with the New York Yankees, also

served with VMF-223.

The squadron continued flight operations until it

left Japan on 22 September 1954. At that time,

VMF-223 was reassigned to MAG-15, Air FMFPac

at MCAS, El Toro, California. On 1 December 1954,

the designation of the Bulldogs was changed from

Marine Fighter Squadron to Marine Attack

Squadron 223. The purpose of the change was to

emphasize the role of attack aviation in the Marine

Corps and the dual capability inherent in the aircraft.

18

rations continued at a steady pace throughout

the spring of 1955. On 4 March, the squadron's first

''Plane Captain of the Month'' award was presented.

This was an incentive for the enlisted men and

carried special significance and prestige because the

recipient was chosen by the squadron pilots.

From the end of June through September 1955, the

Bulldogs conducted extensive training in close air

support which included participation in Operations

MARLEX and FIREAX at Camp Pendleton. Over

1,500 hours were flown during the three-month

period which included three deployments to Marine

Corps Air Facility (MCAF), Mojave. The following

month, the training routine was interrupted as 12

squadron pilots flew to North Carolina and back in

four days. After returning to El Toro on 20 October,

VMA-223 departed for Mojave and began conducting ordnance missions which included air-to-air

gunnery, dive bombing, and strafing. When the

squadron returned to El Toro, it had accumulated

1,452 sorties and 2,072 flight hours during October.

Rumors of a carrier deployment to the Far East

sparked the Bulldog's training schedule in early

1956. On 10 February, 16 pilots, including an attached Air Force exchange pilot, carrier qualified on

board the USS Wasp (CV 18). The remainder of the

squadron pilots completed qualifications later in the

month. By March word was received that VMA-223

would go on board the Wasp in April for sea duty. In
ARINE5O .. 4

USMC Photo A195035

The North American FJ-4B Fury was used by

VMA -223 as an attack aircraft.

late March, some 22 officers and enlisted men of the

unit journeyed to North Island, San Diego for a one

day sea cruise. This was "ladies day" on board the

aircraft carrier, and the Marines took their wives on a

tour of the ship pointing out the duties that pilots and

crews perform. The Bulldogs conduded preparations

for embarkation on 22 April 1956 and boarded the

Wasp.

During the 48,000-mile cruise which took the

Bulldogs to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, Hong

Kong, and Japan, the squadron operated as a unit of

Carrier Air Group 15. While in Guam, VMA-223

participated in Armed Force Day observances and in

the Philippines the squadron took part in commissioning ceremonies at the Navy's new air base at

Cubi Point. The Bulldogs received an Air FMFPac

Aviation Safety Award for the period of April

through June 1956 in recognition of their accidentfree operations.

The six-month tour ended in late October 1956

when the ship, with VMA-223 on board, arrived at

NAS, Alameda. At 1344 on 31 October, a voice

called El Toro tower, "This is Marine 6218 over

Long Beach at 22,000 feet with a flight of 19 F9F

aircraft." The call came from Major Victor E.

Allen, commanding officer of the Bulldogs, who led

the flight which brought the squadron home.'2

Flight operations were again underway by early

November as the squadron resumed a rigorous

training schedule. Combat readiness was the keynote

of future operations, and the unit participated in

many simulated combat exercises. Typical of VMA223's activities was the unit's participation in an

exercise on 27 June during which 24 F9Fs from

MCAF, Mojave supported the 4th Marine Corps

Provisional Atomic Exercise Brigade at the Nevada

test site.

19

In mid-August 1957, VMA-223 received the first

delivery of the North American FJ-4B Fury jets. By

autumn, the squadron was operating with two different models of the Fury. The FJ-4 was used for

training, while the FJ-4B, a newer version, was used

as an attack aircraft to carry out the mission of the

squadron. Powered by a Wright engine which

generated 7,800 pounds of thrust, the Fury could fly

above 40,000 feet and was capable of speeds in excess

of 600 knots. With external fuel tanks, this singleseat, high-performance jet had an operational range

of more than 1,300 miles.'3

Upon acquisition of the new aircraft, the squadron

began a new training syllabus for all its pilots. Flight

time was divided between routine flights at El Toro

and special weapons training at China Lake. Pilots of

VMA-223 completed their first air-to-air refueling

with the Furys in January 1958 and soon every pilot

was qualified in this new phase of tactical jet

operations.

For the next two years, Marine Attack Squadron

223 remained at El Toro conducting training with

occasional deployments to NAS, Fallon and other

bases in the local area. Operations were focused on

the attack mission of the squadron. Conventional airto-ground deliveries and close air support using

napalm, 2.75-inch rockets, and 20mm cannon played

an important role in the training syllabus.

From 17 to 29 January 1960, the Bulldogs

deployed to MCAS, Yuma, Arizona, a base which

had recently been acquired from the Air Force. The

squadron concentrated on training in special weapons

delivery, conventional bombing, and air-to-ground

rocketry. Close air support tactics were practiced

with simulated strikes flown at 29 Palms and Camp

Pendleton. On 3 June the unit was presented with its

fourth AirFMFPac Quarterly Aviation Safety

Award. After deployment to MCAS, Yuma and

NAS Fallon during July and August 1960, the

squadron won its fifth such award. This award read

in part: "This achievement denotes a high degree of

leadership and supervision, the employment of sound

maintenance techniques, effective training programs,

and excellent air discipline."4

In mid-January 1961, VMA-223 began receiving

light attack aircraft to replace the squadron's FJ-4

fighter aircraft. The new aircraft assigned was the

Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk, later redesignated the A4B. This single-seated lightweight attack bomber was

much smaller but superior in performance to many

operational jet fighters. Designed on a completely
4

USMC Photo A149220

An A4D-2N (later known as the A-4C) Sky hawk belonging to VMA -223 parked at MCAS El Toro.

functional basis with emphasis on simplification of

structure and equipment and powered by a Wright J65 turbojet engine which produced 7,700 pounds of

thrust, the A-4B was superb for the attack role. Two

2Omm cannons were mounted in the wing roots and a

number of attachment points under the wings and

fusciage could accommodate rockets, torpedoes,

missiles, and a wide variety of bombs)' The Skyhawk

could fly faster over greater distances than any other

aircraft of its type. On 15 October 1955, the Skyhawk

established a new world's speed record over the 500-

kilometer closed circuit at Edwards AFB with a speed

of 615.163 mph. Additionally, since the jet was small

enough to fit standard aircraft carrier elevators

without the need for folding wings, it was ideally

suited for carrier operations.

Training again became paramount as the pilots

adjusted to their new jet aircraft. As the aviators

became accustomed to the characteristics of the

Skyhawk, the combat capabilities of the unit increased. The Bulldogs demonstrated their expertise

in May 1962, when they participated in Operation

ESAX, a close air support exercise held at 29 Palms.

rating from El Toro, the squadron flew as many

as 55 sorties a day providing close air support for

ground units and assisting in the training of tactical

air control parties from Camp Pendleton.

While the Bulldogs were involved in firing Builpup

missiles at ground targets at China Lake in June

1962 ,the squadron reached its 12,000th accident-free

20

hour. The squadron then turned its attention to the

art of in-flight refueling. Working with the Lockheed

KC-130 Hercules refuelers of VMGR-352, in-flight

refueling missions continued until all pilots were

qualified. The remainder of the summer was spent

training at El Toro with an occasional deployment to

MCAS, Yuma. On 2 November, VMA-223

deployed on board the USS Hancock (CVA 19) for

day and night carrier qualifications which ended on

12 November.

Marine Attack Squadron 223 set a Marine Corps

record in December by earning 39 Navy "E's" for

"Efficiency" in ordnance competition at MCAS,

Yuma. The "E" certificates, awarded to individuals

for accuracy in bombing and strafing, were won by all

but two of the squadron pilots who took part in the

competition.

In preparation for a deployment to the Far East in

March 1963, VMA-223 spent the first week of

February at Yuma practicing conventional and

nuclear weapons delivery and helicopter escort.

Upon their return to El Toro, the Bulldogs made

their final preparations prior to departing for Japan.

The squadron left California on 30 March 1963 on

Military Air Transport Service (MSTS) C-135

aircraft and relieved El Toro-bound VMA-211. All

squadrons planes and equipment were exchanged

with VMA-211, and on 2 April the Bulldogs were

assigned to MAG-12, 1st MAW.

During its tour at MCAS, Iwakuni, the squadron
ti.

V4?

•41

-

'I

USMC Photo A148572

An A-4E jet from VMA-223 is being towed to the after part of the flight deck of the USS Valley Forge (LPH8)

made several deployments to Okinawa and the

Philippines where the Bulldog pilots concentrated on

rocket firing, bomb and napalm delivery, and nuclear

loft bombing. For the one year the unit was in Japan,

it was ready for combat assignment with the 1st

MAW, but fortunately peace prevailed and 30 March

1964, VMA-223 exchanged places with El Torobased VMA-121. Again the squadrons swapped both

aircraft and equipment. On 2 April 1964, the unit

was reassigned to MAG-15, 3d MAW. Flight

operations at El Toro were resumed on 14 April.

In early June VMA-223 received the new A-41E

Skyhawks. The A-4E, the newest in the A-4 series,

had an increased payload and operational range and

was powered by a Pratt and Whitney engine which

produced 8,500 pounds of thrust. Deployments to

NAS, Fallon and MCAS, Yuma enabled the

Bulldogs to become proficient quickly in the new jet.

The squadron also sent detachments to various

aircraft carriers to keep the pilots current in carrier

qualifications. In April 1965, six pilots from VMA223 set an impressive record while on board the USS

Yorktown (CVS 10). With only four Skyhawks, the

pilots made 1,200 carrier landings without a mishap.

The squadron safety record was now one of the most

envied in the Marine Corps. During fiscal years 1957

through 1964, VMA-223 earned 17 quarterly safety

21

awards. This was truly an admirable record that was

to be improved in the future.

Vietnam

On 1 September 1965, VMA-223 departed NAS,

North Island on board the helicopter carrier USS

Valley Forge (LPH 8). The Bulldogs arrived at

MCAS, Iwakuni, Japan on 15 September where they

were assigned to MAG-13, 1st MAW. The squadron

remained in Japan training until 15 December.

Then, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel

Alexander Wilson, it joined MAG-12 at Chu Lai,

Vietnam, relieving VMA-311 which returned to

Japan after operating in Vietnam since 1 June 1965.

Before the day had ended, VMA-223 had flown its

first combat mission in Vietnam.

Marine Attack Squadron 223 was involved initially

with Operation HARVEST MOON which had

begun on 8 December. HARVEST MOON was a

coordinated USMC/Army of the Republic of

Vietnam (ARVN) operation conducted midway

between Da Nang and Chu Lai about 15 miles inland.

For the Marines, this was the largest operation since

their arrival in Vietnam. Major participating ground

units were 2d Battalion, 7th Marines; 2d Battalion,

1st Marines; 3d Battalion, 3d Marines; 1st Battalion,
5th ARVN Regiment; 11th ARVN Ranger Battalion; and the 1st Battalion, 6h ARVN Regiment.

Aviation units induded fixed-wing aircraft from

MAGs -11 and -12 and helicopters from MAGs -16'

and -36'. By the time HARVEST MOON ended on

20 December, all the Bulldog pilots had flown with

MAG-12 flights and considered themselves combat

veterans.16

From 1800 on 24 December until 2400 on the

25th, a 30-hour Christmas cease-fire was observed by

American forces. During this period, air operations

were limited to fixed-wing helicopter escort and

helicopter logistical and administrative flights.

Besides flying a few of these missions, the VMA-223

personnel spent that time improving the defensive

positions in the squadron area and adding a personal

touch to the working and living spaces.

The weather, for flying purposes, was generally

good in January but during Operation MALLARD,

January 10-13, it tested the pilots' instrument

capabilities. With the assistance of ground control

radar, TPQ-10, the pilots were able to deliver their

bombs without visual contact with the target. The

rainy weather also had its effect on the airfield

facilities. By 16 January so much of the northern

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22

portion of the 8,000-foot runway was undermined

that the Seabees had to begin extensive repairs.

Meanwhile, air operations from Chu Lai continued.

With the absence of half the runway, the pilots were

forced to use jet-assisted takeoffs (JATO) and

MOREST (arrested) landings.

On 3 February, VMA-223 established a new

record for the number of sorties flown by a MAG-12

squadron in a 24-hour period. Launching its first

sortie at 0837, the squadron flew 59 combat sorties

and two test hops before the last sortie was recovered

exactly 18 hours and 37 minutes later. The Bulldogs

gained the spotlight again on the 19th when First

Lieutenant Durwood K. Schnell returned from a

mission to discover that his flight represented the

20,000th combat flight hour for Chu Lai-based

aircraft.

During the entire month of February, VMA-223

and other MAG-12 units supported Operation

DOUBLE EAGLE which was conducted in two

phases. Phase I began 28 January in the area 20 miles

southeast of Quang Ngai City and involved four

USMC infantry battalions and supporting units.

Although the fighting was sporadic, Marine air and

ground units accounted for 312 enemy killed during

five days of operations.

During PHASE lIthe Marines swept the Quang

Ngai area and then turned their attention to Tam Ky

which was about 25 miles north of Chu Lai. Here the

Marine air-ground team accounted for another 125

enemy dead.

On 3 March, eight USMC/ARVN infantry

battalions teamed up and conducted Operation

UTAH. VMA-223 and other MAG-12 squadrons

pounded the enemy for five days during which they

delivered over 186'tons of ordnance while the friendly

ground units advanced. The result of this air-ground

effort was 586' members of the 21st North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Regiment killed. By the end of

March, the squadron had accumulated a monthly

flight time of more than 1,000 hours.

Although runway facilities were limited while the

Seabees were making the necessary repairs, and

many flights were conducted in less than favorable

weather conditions, the squadron continued the high

tempo of operations without a single aircraft accident.

When the commanding officer of VMA-223,

Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Sinclair, returned from

a mission on 29 April, he was met at the airfield by
V.

Ii

USMC Photo A370858

A Skyhawk from VMA-223 being loaded with napalm at Chu Lai, Vietnam. VMA-223, as part of MAG-12,

worked out of Chu Lai in support of III MAF operations in South Vietnam.

Colonel Leslie E. wn, the commanding officer of

MAG-12. The reason for the greeting was to

congratulate the Bulldog leader for flying the

squadron's 10,000th accident-free hour. Lieutenant

Colonel Sinclair attributed the safety record to the

professional attitude of the maintenance crews,

ordnance teams, ground crews, and the pilots.

Captain James R. Shea and First Lieutenant

Harvey F. Crouch, Jr., were on alert status on 6'May

when the word came to launch. Within minutes the

pilots were airborne and on their way to the target, a

friendly outpost 30 miles south of Chu Lai under

attack by VC forces. Naval gunfire was lifted as the

A-4s arrived over the target 15 minutes later. The

heavily armed jets orbited the target until a forward

'Colonel Brown was promoted to lieutenant general in 1975

and became the Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U. S. Marine

Corps and later, in 1977, Commanding General, FMFPac.

23

air controller (FAC) in a light observation plane

reported that he had had spotted about 40 Viet Cong

in trench lines only 150 meters from the ARVN

forces. The Skyhawks immediately began hitting the

trenches with napalm. After expending all their

bombs, the pilots began spraying the area with 2Omm

fire. By the time the two Bulldogs pulled off target,

20 VC had been killed, 19 structures destroyed, and

the enemy attack came to an abrupt end.

On 14 May the JATO bottles were put away and

replaced by a bi-directional catapult system. This

catapult was powered by two jet engines, the same as

those in the Phantom jet fighter, and could launch an

aircraft either north or south. For all practical

purposes, Chu Lai was an aircraft carrier, minus the

water.

During the afternoon of 3 June 196, a VMA-223

plane was shot down and the pilot killed while attacking VC troops in the open approximately 75

fliiles south of Chu Lai in II Corps. Captain Ralph W.
Caspole, flying the lead position in a two-plane

section, had expended his Mark-77 napalm bombs

and was strafing with 20mm fire when his jet burst

into fire as he was pulling out of a run. The A-4

crashed near the target area and the wingman plus

two other Skyhawks of VMA-223, which were

diverted to provide rescue cover, orbited the area

while helicopters searched for the downed pilot. The

rescue operations were terminated after it was apparent the pilot had not survived the crash.'7

On 16 June, a squadron section standing alert duty

was once again scrambled. The flight, led by Captain

Lynn A. Hale, launched at about 0350 to provide

emergency dose air support for a U. S. Marine

reconnaissance patrol of 18 men. The patrol, which

was on Hill 488 in Quang Tin Province, was being

overrun by an estimated regiment of NVA. By the

time Captain Hale and his wingman arrived on

target, another flight that was on station providing

support had just expended its ordnance and was

departing. Captain Hale, aware of the four enemy .50

caliber guns in the area, began the attack depending

on the illumination from flares to locate the enemy.

The Skyhawks made repeated runs flying low over

the mountainous terrain delivering their ordnance

with extreme accuracy while under fire from the

enemy machineguns. With their ammunition expended and the enemy advance apparently stalled,

the ffight returned to base. Shortly after sunrise the

section was again scrambled to assist the Marine

patrol. Once again the duo attacked the enemy

allowing the patrol to move to safety. For his actions

during these missions, Captain Hale was awarded the

Distinguished Flying Cross.

While eight large-unit operations were conducted

in July 1966, the majority of VMA-223's missions

supported Operation HASTINGS just south of the

DMZ. Operation HASTINGS, which began on 7

July, was the largest Marine/ARVN offensive

operation to date, involving seven USMC and five

ARVN battalions. The enemy consisted of three

regiments of the 324B NVA Division. Before the

first NVA attack could be launched, ground units

supported by Skyhawks, Phantoms, and numerous

flights of helicopters hit the enemy and drove them

back across the DMZ. When HASTINGS ended on

3 August, the enemy toll was 824 killed and 14 captured. The air-ground team had done its job well.'8

Personnel shortages became a problem during

August. Squadron members who had completed

their overseas tours rotated back to the United States

24

and replacements were not arriving fast enough to

keep the unit at combat strength. This did not seem

to hamper the Bulldogs' performance. During the

month each pilot averaged 32 sorties and 41 hours of

flight time as the squadron accumulated a total of

1,100 flight hours.

In September 1966, VMA-223 reached its low

point in personnel strength with only 18 aviators, 6

ground officers, and 132 enlisted men assigned.

Considering the unit had 32 officers and 184 enlisted

men in June, this was a significant reduction. Even

with this reduced number of personnel, the squadron

logged 925 sorties and 1,216 flight hours while

receiving a bomb damage assessment (BDA) of 238

structures either destroyed or damaged, 30 secondary

explosions, 26 enemy killed, 18 storage bunkers

destroyed, 5 bridges either damaged or destroyed,

and numerous supply routes hit. The only damage to

the squadron's jets was one hit by small arms fire

through the right wing of First Lieutenant Robert

Tieken, Jr.'s A-4 and a small arms hit in the tail

section of an A-4 piloted by Captain James S.

Harmon.

On 21 September the command suffered seven

casualties when Chu Lai came under mortar attack.

The enemy barrage of 25-30 rounds began at 0117

and lasted only five minutes. The initial rounds

impacted short of the runway, but the subsequent

rounds fell in a pattern progressing across the runway

towards the group command post, and into the

enlisted men's living area. All casualties sustained

multiple wounds from shell fragments. Corporal

Wayne E. Bostwick was seriously wounded and

treated at the U. S. military hospital at Da Nang and

subsequently evacuated to the United States. The

other men wounded, Sergeant Richard E. Hicks,

Corporals Willie P. Deloatch, and Dennie L.

Peterson. Lance Corporals Michael C. Ransom, and

Douglas H. Wood, and Private First Class Dietmar

H. Fouche were treated at Chu Lai and returned to

duty within five days.

Also during the month of September, Captain

Charles A. Dixon flew the squadron's 15,000th

accident-free hour. Additionally, Second Lieutenant

David A. Marshall flew his 100th combat mission on

the 16th to become one of the first Marine second

lieutenants of the Vietnam War to accomplish this

feat in fixed-wing tactical aircraft.

The monsoon season in October and November

brought continuous torrential rains and high winds

to Vietnam which severely curtailed flight
—r

- 1L.

operations. The Bulldogs managed to fly 1,000 hours

in October and they were able to destroy numerous

enemy tunnels, structures, and personnel in

November.

On 1 December the Bulldogs were able to leave the

monsoon rains and combat operations. Under the

command of Lieutenant Colonel Leonard C. Taft,

VMA-223 exchanged places and aircraft with VMA121 at Iwakuni, Japan, and once again came under

the control of MAG-15.

While assigned to MAG-15, a detachment was

sent to NAS, Cubi Point for participation in the close

air support exercise MUD PUPPY II. At the same

time the Bulldogs at Iwakuni provided support for

Operation HAPPY FACE. During this annual

operation at MCAS, Iwakuni, orphans from the area

were brought on board the base for a day of fun, food,

and gifts while many of the men worked the concessions or became volunteer fathers for the day.

Despite adverse weather, the squadron managed to

deploy some A-4s to NAS, Naha, Okinawa for live

ordnance training. The final deployment before

returning to the war zone was to Cubi Point for

participation in MUD PUPPY HI. Then on 1 March

1967 VMA-223 was back at Chu Lai, Vietnam

much refreshed after its brief tour in Japan.

It was not long before the enemy officially

welcomed VMA-223 back into country. On 6'March

Chu Lai was hit by approximately 60 rounds of 82mm

mortar fire. The majority of the rounds fell in the

company grade officers living area, but only minor

injuries were suffered.

On 15 March the Bulldogs lost an aircraft. An A4, piloted by Captain Stanley P. Krueger, was hit by

ground fire and the pilot's only course of action was

to head out to sea and eject. An Air Force SAR

helicopter quickly arrived and returned the uninjured

Captain Krueger to safety.

Combat missions continued during the spring of

1967 in support of Ill Marine Amphibious Force

ground units and the Seventh Air Force. in May the

tempo of operations increased and the squadron

responded by flying 1276 sorties in 1645 flight hours

establishing a new record for an A-4 squadron.

Unfortunately, this accomplishment was not without

its cost.

On 10 May, while Major Carmine W. Depietro

and Captain Stephen W. Lind pounded the enemy in

the Dong Ha area killing 25 NVA soldiers, Major

Robert L. Snyder, a MAG-1 2 staff officer flying with

the Bulldogs, was also in the Dong Ha area. As he

USMC Photo A421611

A VMA -223 pilot launches from the hot pad at

Chu Lai in March 1967. The A-4E is armed with

four, 19-shot 2.75 rocket pods. The centerline pod is

an auxiliary fuel tank.

was about to roll in on target, his plane was hit by a

surface-to-air missile (SAM); the plane was destroyed and Major Snyder was killed. Three days

later, Captain George A. Kinser was rescued by a

helicopter approximately three miles northwest of

Dong Ha after ejecting from his A-4 which had been

disabled by enemy ground fire. In all, two aircraft

were destroyed and seven others damaged due to

enemy action during May 1967.19

The June monthly total of 938 sorties and 1,149

flight hours reflected the decline in enemy activity

which followed large scale assaults of the previous

month. For Major Martin A. Yarnell and Captain

Henry E. Lecy, the situation on 16 June did not seem

any different than they had experienced in May.

While standing the alert duty, a call came to launch

in support of a Marine unit which was in heavy

contact with Viet Cong forces 25 miles southwest of

Da Nang. Two Marine positions 150 meters apart

were under attack. The Marines in one position were

fighting hand-to-hand with the VC while the second

position was under heavy automatic weapons fire.

Using white smoke, the tactical air controller,

airborne, put the Skyhawk pilots directly on

target—a tree line with fighting holes and trenches

that protected the VC weapons. Carrying 250- and

500-pound bombs, the two jets rolled in on the

enemy positions. The VC responded with automatic

weapons fire in an attempt to stop the attacking

planes. At almost tree-top level, the Bulldog pilots

dropped their ordnance right on top of the enemy. By

the time the A-4s had expended their ammuntion,

the Marines on the ground were able to repulse the

remaining VC forces.

The squadron ended the month and fiscal year

with an impressive total of 24,535 consecutive ac25
cident-free flight hours of which 14,736'hours were

flown in a combat environment. On the basis of its

continuing performance and impressive safety

record, VMA-223 was selected by MAG-12 as the

group's nominee for the Commandant's Aviation

Efficiency Trophy for fiscal year 1967.

During the month of July, the squadron operated

almost exclusively in support of Ill MAF ground

units deployed in the I Corps area. Ground

operations were light compared to May and parts of

June, but the steady pace of air operations on all 31

days of the month saw the squadron amass a total of

1,423 flight hours and 1, 106'sorties. This total placed

VMA-223 as the high squadron in MAG-12 for the

third consecutive month.

During August combat operations continued

primarily in support of ground operations throughout

the I Corps area, although 65 sorties were flown

north of the DMZ against enemy artillery and antiaircraft positions which were influencing 3d Marine

Division operations. On 13 August 1967, Captain

Wesley R. Phenegar, attached to Headquarters and

Maintenance Squadron 12, was flying a VMA-223

aircraft when the jet developed engine trouble and

crashed killing the pilot.

During the autumn months, VMA-223 continued

providing support to ground units in RVN as well as

striking enemy targets north of the DMZ. With the

exception of a few .50 and .30 caliber hits, the A-4

pilots managed to evade fire. On 20 November the

squadron received its third consecutive CNO

Aviation Safety Award. The Bulldogs commanding

officer., Lieutenant Colonel Arthur W. Anthony, Jr.,

attributed this accomplishment to the skill,

dedication, and professionalism of the unit's

maintenance personnel.

Upon completion of normal operations on 1

December 1967, VMA-223 was officially relieved at

Chu Lai by VMA-211. The Bulldogs, having accumulated 15,414 combat sorties and 19,826'combat

flight hours, left Vietnam for another tour at Iwakuni

with MAG-15. This time their respite was to last

more than four months.

From Japan the squadron sent two small detachments to NAS Cubi Point and one to Okinawa. The

first deployment to the Philippines, from 10-15

December, consisted of 5 pilots, 16'enlisted men, and

4 planes which provided air support for the 9th

Marine Amphibious Brigade's Special Landing Force

on Operation BLT LEX 1-6g. The exercise also

included the training of tactical air control parties in

26

utilizing "in-country'' procedures for effective

control of Marine air. Again, from 9-24 January

1968, the Bulldogs had a detachment at Cubi Point.

This deployment was for the express purpose of

training newly joined pilots in conventional ordnance

delivery.

In addition to the training received during these

deployments, the pilots practiced aerial refueling,

tactics, and instrument flying. After a deployment to

Naha Air Base, Okinawa, from 3-16 March, the

Bulldogs prepared for the return to Vietnam. On 17

April, the advance party, consisting of 7 officers and

42 enlisted men, departed MCAS, Iwakuni and

arrived the following day at Chu Lai. The squadron

aircraft were flown to Vietnam on the 22d while the

remainder of the squadron personnel boarded

VMGR-152 's KC-130s. On the morning of 23 April,

VMA-223 with 29 aviators, 4 ground officers, and

224 enlisted men was again in Vietnam.

Flight operations, consisting primarily of close air

support missions, were conducted as the Bulldogs

provided assistance for operations of the 82d and

lOist Airborne Divisions, 1st Air Cavalry Division,

1st Korean: Marine Brigade, as well as Marines in I

Corps. In total, the squadron supported 12 ground

operations and flew direct air support missions into

North Vietnam hitting artillery sites that were

threatening elements of the 3d Marine Division.

On 1 May 196, Lieutenant Colonel Erin D. Smith

relieved Lieutenant Colonel Anthony as commanding officer. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Colonel

Smith's tour did not begin the way a new skipper

would like. On 6 May, Captain Manuel A. Guzman

was involved in a mid-air collision with an A-4E

during a close air support mission in the A Shau

Valley. Captain Guzman, leading a two-plane

section, was passing through 10,000 feet over the

target when his jet collided with another A-4 which

was departing the target area. Captain Guzman lost

control of his jet and had to eject immediately, while

the pilot of the other Skyhawk was able to reach the

coast before having to eject. Both pilots were rescued

by helicopter. Then on 24 May, Captain Steven J.

Driscoll was shot down by .50 caliber fire while

attacking an enemy gun position 30 miles northwest

of Chu Lai. Once again the pilot successfully ejected

and was rescued by helicopter.

Not all the losses that befell the squadron in May

occurred in the skies over Vietnam. On 13 May,

after a night combat mission, Corporal Arthur L;

Waldorf was critically burned in a flash fire which
USMC Photo A26453

A Skyhawk in flight over South Vietnam VMA -223 flew the A -4Efor six years from 1964-19 70.

occurred during refueling operations on the flight

line. Corporal Albert J. Faung, seeing Corporal

Waldorf engulfed in flames, rushed to him, tore off

his burning clothing, and helped him to a nearby

water barrel. Corporal Waldorf was evacuated to

Japan, but died from his injuries on 22 May. Corporal Faung was awarded the Navy and Marine

Corps Medal for his heroic attempt to save Waldorf

from the flames.

The series of mishaps that plagued the unit during

May continued on into June. On 6'June a Skyhawk

was taxiing into the line when the left brake failed.

The plane veered to the right and ran off the taxiway

hitting a passenger boarding ramp with the right

wing tip. The nose and main gear then sank into soft

sand and the aircraft overturned. The pilot, Captain

Charles B. Coltrin, was uninjured, but the jet was

seriously damaged. On 25 June, Captain Coltrin was

again in the cockpit attacking an automatic weapons

position near Khe Sanh when his Skyhawk was hit by

.50 caliber fire. Captain Coltrin ejected safely and was

recovered by helicopter.

On 24 June Major Ralph K. Park's aircraft settled

back onto the runway after takeoff rupturing the

centerline fuel tank. The aircraft slid down the

runway leaving a trail of flames behind it; approaching the end of the runway Major Park ejected.

Major Park suffered a fractured ankle and first and

second degree burns and the Skyhawk received major

damage and was transferred to the rework facility in

Japan.

27

Tn an effort to reduce Communist influence around

its base, VMA-223 launched an aggressive civic

action program. In June 196, the men of the

squadron donated $480 to establish a scholarship

fund for children of the Dong Cong School at Chu

Lai. The Bulldogs also devoted many off-duty hours

to the construction and repair of school facilities.

The rash of aircraft mishaps seemed to come to an

end in June, and for the next three months the

squadron operated with the same degree of success

they had enjoyed prior to May. During this period of

July through October 196, VMA-223 averaged

over 1,000 hours a month of accident-free flight time.

A few Skyhawks received hits from small arms fire,

but none were seriously damaged nor were any of the

pilots injured. The Bulldog's missions kept them

primarily over RVN, but in July they flew 120

missions against targets in North Vietnam.

Although unit strength remained relatively

constant, the squadron lost six combat-experienced

pilots in August through normal rotation or

assignment to forward air controller (FAC) billets.

Replacements were equal in number, but five of the

six new pilots lacked combat experience. In response

to the buildup of enemy forces in the Chu Lai area

and the increasing threat of ground attack, the

VMA-223 Ground Defense Company, led by

Captain Jon M. Zayachek, conducted tactical

briefings, test fired and zeroed its weapons and

fortified its defensive positions. The defense company
was alerted during two nights in August, but there

were no fire incidents or contact with the enemy.

hi October, monsoon rains caused many missions

to be cancelled, however, the Bulldogs still managed

to fly 890 hours. While the majority of the flight time

was in support of small unit operations, the squadron

did take part in the following large-scale operations.2°

Operation Unit

MAUI PEAK 7th Marines/5lst ARVN Regiment

SCOTLAND II 4th Marines/2d ARVN Regiment

LANCASTER II 26th Marines

NEVADA EAGLE .. . U.S. Army's Americal Division

All hopes of salvaging the squadron's safety record

was lost on 1 October 1968. A single-plane groundcontrolled bombing mission flown by First

Lieutenant David I. Habermacher, Jr., came to an

abrupt end when the A-4 crashed on takeoff. Due to a

blown tire the plane lifted off on the extreme left side

of the runway. The right main gear struck an

arresting gear engine and the left gear struck a

revetment. As the aircraft began to settle, Lieutenant

Habermacher safely ejected. The Skyhawk hit the

ground and burst into flames completely destroying

the jet.

On 15 October 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Smith

ended his tour as commanding officer and Major

I.eonard T. Preston, Jr., became the number one

Bulldog. Unfortunately, his tour did not begin very

well either. On 21 October, Captain David A.

Weliman landed at Chu Lai just after dark. With his

attention focused primarily on watching the runway

ahead of him, Captain Wellman did not notice that he

was on the right edge of the runway until just before

the right wing of his jet struck the arresting gear

revetment. As the aircraft continued up the runway,

the wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot

suffered an injured shoulder, and the A-4 was

destroyed.

During November, VMA-223 flew 1,110 hours

and 1,035 sorties of which 1,070 hours and 997

sorties were flown in support of combat operations.

The Bulldogs flew 75 more sorties than any other

squadron in MAG-12 during the month. The

squadron also exceeded, by 275 sorties and 202

hours, the previous November high for a MAG-12

Vietnam-based squadron. More than 1,433 tons of

aviation ordnance were expended, and air operations

were conducted all 30 days of the month.

In December it was business as usual for the

members of VMA-223. The mission flown by the

pilots cost the enemy 185 bunkers, 243 struc28

tures,and 5 gun sites. The 1,723 tons of explosives

dropped also accounted for 43 secondary fires and 28

secondary explosions. The following month was

nearly identical for the Bulldogs with approximately

the same results.

Later in January, a squadron A-4, piloted by

Captain Michael P. Green, was shot down while

flying close air support for units of the lst Marine

Division near Thuong Duc. Captain Green received

several hits from enemy small arms fire, but he

managed to get the crippled Skyhawk out over the

ocean before he ejected. A U. S. Navy boat picked

him up and returned him, uninjured, to Chu Lai.

February 1969 was another record month for the

men of VMA-223. The squadron flew 965 sorties,

177 more than any other MAG-12 unit, and set a

new record for the month of February. The previous

record for that month was set in 1968 by VMA-121

when it flew 908 sorties. Also during the month, the

squadron reached 30,000 hours flown in support of

combat operations since it first arrived in Vietnam.

March was another successful month for the unit

as it continued pounding the enemy with the same

results it had had in the previous few months. The

squadron personnel took a few minutes out of their

schedule on 10 March when the MAG-12 commander, Colonel Thomas H. Nichols, Jr., visited the

unit to congratulate First Lieutenant Dennis R.

Grose on completing VMA-223's 25,000th combat

sortie.

On 21 March 1969, the squadron provided

assistance for Marine units under attack, but this

time the help came from the men on the ground

rather than the pilots in their Skyhawks. During the

early morning hours, the VC rocketed the Chu Lai

complex. Several rockets impacted in the line area of

VMA-211 and VMA-311. In a valiant attempt to

save the aircraft of these squadrons from further

damage, a number of men from VMA-223 assisted

the neighboring squdrons in pushing aircraft to more

secure areas. During this period, five Bulldogs:

Master Sergeant John D. Simmerman, Staff Sergant

Stanley I. Spawn, and Lance Corporals Edwin D.

Montgomery, Kenneth R. Moore, and Robert D.

Shepard, distinguished themselves and were awarded

the Bronz.e Star for their courage and dedication.

Throughout the months of March-September the

Bulldogs continued flying without an accident and

conducted air operations every day for seven consecutive months.

On 10 April Major Preston relinquished command
of the squadron to Lieutenant Colonel Merrill S.

Newbil. During Newbill's tour as commanding

officer VMA-223 again lead the other squadrons in

MAG-12 in sorties and flight time.

Lieutenant Colonel Newbili completed his tour as

commanding officer 27 September and was replaced

by Lieutenant Colonel James W. Lazzo. The

squadron closed out a fairly quiet September with 588

flight hours logged, but the Bulldogs now had accumulated a very respectable total of 11,400 accidentfree hours.

Between 1 October and 31 December 1969, bad

weather and the enemy's avoidance of large-scale

engagements decreased the number of Bulldog

commitments to the point that the unit averaged only

515 hours and 420 sorties per month. During this

three-month period, VMA-223 supported three

major operations in I Corps:

GENEVA PARK 84 sorties

IRON MOUNTAIN 111 sorties

VICTORY DRAGON 187 sorties

President Richard M. Nixon, on 16' December

1969, announced his intention to withdraw 50,000

men from Vietnam. This was the third such

reduction in U. S. strength, and MAG-12 began

preparations to leave Vietnam.21

On 14 January 1970, VMA-223 launched 10

sorties as Lieutenant Colonel Lazzo led his Bulldogs

on their final day of combat operations. The men

then set about the task of packing equipment and

preparing the jets for the long trans-Pacific flight

home. On 28 January, having expended more than

34,260 tons of ordnance and flying 32,068 sorties in

38,375 hours during the Vietnam deployment

VMA-22 3 was on its way home.

Accompanied by F-4 Phantoms from VMFA-542,

20 VMA-22 3 Skyhawks in four five-plane divisions

led by Lieutenant Colonel Lazzo, departed from Chu

Lai on Operation KEY WALLOP, the largest transPacific flight to date. The grueling flight, which

spanned more than 8,000 miles, required more than

20 hours of flight time per aircraft. Rest and

maintenance stops were made in the Philippines,

Guam, Wake Island, and Hawaii and inflight

refueling was accomplished along the way with

Marine KC-130s. On 8 February 1970, after nearly 5

'The first reduction in U. S. strength, 25,000 men, was

announced on 8 June 1969 followed three months later, on 17

September, by the announcement of another reduction of

40,500 men.

1/2 years in the Far East, VIvIA-223 arrived at El

Toro, and for this squadron at least, Vietnam had

become history.

The Return to Garrison

Marine Attack Squadron 223 was assigned to

MAG-33, 3d MAW, El Toro and placed in a cadre

status upon its return to the United States. During

March the squadron had only 6' officers and 22

enlisted men, and their 20 A-4s had been transferred

to VMA-214, the Black Sheep squadron.

On 31 July, while still in a cadre status, the

squadron received its first replacement aircraft, an A4F. The A-4F was 2.3 feet longer and had a 1,150

pound increase in takeoff weight over the A-4E. This

newest A-4 also had a larger wheel base, an increased

fuel capacity to 870 gallons, more advanced avionics,

wing-lift spoilers for improved crosswind performance, and nose wheel steering.22 Twelve additional A-4Fs were acquired from August to

December 1970. On 1 September VMA-223 joined

MAG-1 3 at El Toro.

During the first six months of 1971, VMA-223

faced the usual problems associated with building and

training a reconstituted squadron. One of the most

serious of these problems was the lack of experienced

personnel. Most of the aviators assigned to the

squadron were fresh out of flight training. The few

available staff noncommissioned officers worked long

hours training the enlisted men and providing the

pilots with ready aircraft. In spite of these difficulties,

the squadron was able to increase its total flight hours

from 891 for the last half of 1970 to 2,543 for the first

six months of 1971.

On 28 February, the squadron made its first

movement since returning from Vietnam. With

eight aircraft, VMA-223 deployed to MCAS Yuma,

Arizona, for two weeks of training. During this

training cycle, new pilots were introduced to conventional weapons delivery while the more experienced pilots had the opportunity to regain their

proficiency.

On 25 May, after 21 months of command,

lieutenant Colonel Lazzo was relieved by Major

Alfonso Oseguera. The squadron then began

preparations for its second deployment. On 1 June,

18 pilots, 108 enlisted men, and eight Skyhawks

departed for NAS Faflon, Nevada, for three weeks.

After an annual administrative and material inspection in July 1971, the unit deployed to MCAS

Yuma. Training was conducted in nudear weapons

29
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USMC Photo A331747

A-4Es of Marine Attack Squadron 223 parked on a ramp at NAS Cubi Point while en route back to the United

States

delivery and advanced tactical conventional weapons

procedures. On 3 January 1972, the Bulldogs

returned to El Toro.

During the early months of 1972, VMA-223

conducted routine flight operations centered around

nuclear and conventional weapons delivery, SATS

operations, and instrument refresher training.

Preparations for a permanent move to MCAS Yuma

were initiated during March and on 1 June the move

began. By the third week in June, the squadron's

relocation was completed.

Though severely handicapped by personnel

shortages, the squadron continued to prepare pilots

for combat should the need arise. The transition to a

peacetime environment had been completed successfully. During the period of July through

December 1972, the unit flew more hours than any

other 3d MAW tactical squadron. The Bulldogs

continued training and in May 1973, with only 72

hours notice, VMA-223 deployed to NAS Fallon

with 16 jets for a training readiness exercise. The

30

following month the squadron was again put to the

test; this time it was a nudear weapons acceptance

inspection. On both occasions the squadron

demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and

successfully completed the requirements that were

placed upon it.

In October the Bulldogs added another dimension

to their aerial abilities. The high thrust of the A-4

was similar to many of the aircraft possessed by

Communist countries, and it soon became an invaluable asset in training fighter aircrews in com -

bating aircraft of this type. Consequently, the VMA223 pilots acquired the role as aggressors for air

combat maneuvering (ACM) training. A detachment was sent first in October to Nellis AFB where

the squadron pilots proved to be extremely skilled

competitors when opposing fighters from the USAF

Fighter Weapons School.

Later in the month, the pilots went to NAS

Miramar where they opposed Navy fighters from

VF-1 and -2. The Bulldogs' ACM reputation was
a-

-t

further enhanced during February 1974 when the

unit was selected to evaluate an air combat

maneuvering range for the Marine Corps. From 11

through 22 February, the squadron flew ACM

missions involving dissimilar types of aircraft. The

efforts of the ground personnel and the aggressiveness of the aviators contributed significantly to

the successful evaluation of the ACM range.

Throughout the remainder of 1974 and 1975, the

officers and men of the Yuma-based VMA-223

continued flight operations and intensive training.

From 20-23 January 1976 the Bulldogs had a live

firing air-to-air gunnery exercise, and at the end of

April the squadron participated in a live Sidewinder

missile shoot. The experience gained from these

exercises became evident when VMA-22 3 topped all

squadrons in the 3d MAW bombing competition

held during May 1976. The Bulldogs won first place

in both team and individual pilot competition.

From on 2 3-31 July 1976, a transpac flight of all 17

aircraft was conducted from MCAS Yuma to MCAS

Iwakuni, Japan. The termination of the transpac

operation resulted in the change of administrative

and operational control from the 3d MAW to the 1st

MAW and assignment to MAG- 12.

While deployed overseas VMA-223 worked as

adversary aircraft against the Navy's F-14 Tomcats

at NAS Cubi Point, P.1., and flew in support of

Operation MULTIPLEX, a Japanese Air SelfDefense Force exercise. The squadron also participated in Exercise COPE THUNDER III at Clark

AFB, P.1., and from 14 October to 3 November

supported MAG-lO in the major amphibious

operation KANGAROO II! BEACH UNK in

Australia. Capping off the year the squadron flew on

board the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) for carrier

qualification.

VMA-22 3 constantly maintains its alertness and

readiness and has proven its worth from Guadalcanal

to Vietnam. It stands ready to answer the call of its

country anytime, anywhere.

A VMA-223 Skyhawk injlight, The Bulldogs are stationed at MCAS Yuma.

USMC Photo A707810

31

NOTES

From Birth to Guadalcanal

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this section is

derived from Robert Sherrod, History of Marine Corps

Aviation in World War Ii, (Washington: Combat Forces Press,

1952), hereafter, Sherrod, Aviation; and Marine Fighting

Squadron 223 War Diaries, August 1942 - June 1943 hereafter,

VMF-223 War Diary and date.

1. Jane's Alithe World's Aircraft 1942, compiled and edited

by Leonard Bridgman, (New York: MacMillan Co., 1943) p.

156c., hereafter, Jane's Aircraft and date.

2. Ibid. p. 185c.

3. Sherrod, Aviation, p. 79.

4. The Tampa Tribune, 1 October 1942, p. 12.

5. Flight Jacket, (MCAS El Toro, California) 3 August

1962, p. 5, hereafter, Flight Jacket and date.

6. USMC World War II Casualty Report, Case History

Cards, (HistRefSec, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).

From the Solomons to Okinawa

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this section is

derived from Sherrod, Aviation; VMF-223 War Diaries, July

1943 - August 1945; and VMA-223 Squadron History File

(HistRefSec, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter VMA-223

HistFile.

7.Jane'sAircraft, 1943- 1944, p. 234c.

8. USMC Casualty Report, op. cit.

9. VMF-223 WarDiary, January 1945.

10. Ibid., June 1945.

A Force in Readiness: 1946 to 195C

Material in this section is derived from VMF-223 Muster

Rolls, February 1946 - 15 December 1949; Flight Jacket,

February 1946 - June 1948; Windsock, (MCAS Cherry Point,

North Carolina), July 1948 - January 1950. All material is

located in HistRefSec, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC.

33

Entering the Jet Age

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this section is

dervied from VMA-223 Unit Diaries, 1950-1960; Flight

Jacket, May 1950- April 1965.

11.Jane'sAircraft, 1949- 1950, p. 228c.

12. Flight Jacket, 6 November 1956, p. 1.

13. Jane's Aircraft, 1957-1958, pp. 343-344.

14. Flight Jacket, 20 September 1960, p. 2.

15.Jane'sAircraft, 1957-1958, pp. 285-286.

Vietnam

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this section is

derived from 1st MAW Command Chronologies, Informational Services Office Appendix, June 1965 - December

1969; MAG-12 Command Chronologies, June 1965 - June

1969; VMA-223 Command Chronologies, June 1965 - February 1970. All chronologies are located in HistRefSec,

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC.

16. Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Operation of the Marine

Forces in Vietnam, December 1965, (HistRefSec,

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC)p. 8. hereafter, Marines in Vietnam.

17. 1st MAW SitRep msg 03223Z, dtd 3Jun66, cited in 1st

MAW Command Chronology, Daily SitRep Appendix, June

1966.

18. Marines in Vietnam, August 1966, p. 3.

19. Marinesin Vietnam, May 1967. p. 11.

20. Marines in Vietnam, October 1968, p. 27.

21. LtGen Keith B. McCutcheon, "Marine Aviation in

Vietnam 1962-1970,'' Naval Review 1971 (Annapolis: U.S.

Naval Institute, 1971) p. 153.

The Return to Garrison

Material in this section is derived from VMA-223 Command

Chronologies, January 1970 - June 1974.

22. McDonnell Douglas "News" Market Intelligence

Report, Oct 66, p. 2.

APPENDIX A

CHRONOLOGY

1 May 1942 Activated as Marine Fighting Squadron 223,

MAG-23, 2d MAW, FMF at NAS Barbers

Point, Territory of Hawaii.

2 Aug 1942 Departed Pearl Harbor.

22 Aug 1942 Arrived at Guadalcanal and assigned to 1st

MAW.

18 Dec 1942 Redesignated VMF-223, MAG-23, Service

Group, Marine Aircraft Wing Pacific, FMF.

13 Oct 1942 Departed Guadalcanal.

17 Oct 1942 Arrived at San Diego, California and redesignated

VMF-223, MAG-23, 1st MAW, FMF.

19 Jul 1943 Departed San Diego.

27 Jul 1943 Arrived at Pearl Harbor and assigned to MAG-22,

4th Marine Base Defense Air Wing.

1 Aug 1943 Arrived Naval Operating Base, Midway Island.

18 Aug 1943 Redesignated VMF-223, MAG-22, FMF.

13 Nov 1943 Arrived at Efate, New Hebrides and assigned to

MAG-12, 2d MAW.

19 Jan 1944 Departed Efate.

25 Jan 1944 Arrived at Bougainville, British Solomon Islands

and assigned to MAG-24, 1st MAW.

14 Mar 1944 Departed Bougainville.

16 Mar 1944 Arrived at Green Island, British Solomon Islands

and assigned to MAG-14, 1st MAW.

24 Jun 1944 Reassigned to MAG-24, 1st MAW.

12 Jan 1945 Arrived at Samar, Philippine Islands.

23 May 1945 Reassigned to MAG-14, 2d MAW.

22 Jun 1945 Arrived at Okinawa Shima and assigned to MAG24, 1st MAW.

11 Feb 1946 Departed Okinawa.

28 Feb 1946 Arrived at Marine Corps Air Depot Miramar, San

Diego, California and assigned to MAG-33,

Marine Air West Coast.

15 Mar 1946 Relocated to MCAS El Toro, California.

1 Oct 1947 Redesignated VMF-223, MAG-33, 1st MAW,

FMF.

8 Jun 1948 Relocated to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina

and assigned to MAG-14, 2d MAW.

1 Aug 1948 Squadron designation changed from Marine

Fighting Squadron 223, MAG-14 to Marine

Fighter Squadron 223, MAG-li.

5 Sep 1949 Embarked on board the USS Leyte and sailed from

Quonset, Rhode Island to Gibraltar and France.

Oct 1949 - Port calls at Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Sicily,

Jan 1950 and North Africa.

29 Jan 1950 Returned to MCAS, Cherry Point.

4Sep 1950 Redesignated VMF-223, MAG-14, 2d MAW,

Air FMFLant.

Reassigned to MAG-il.

Departed Morehead City, North Carolina on

board the USS Deuel for Far East deployment.

Arrived at Yokosuka, Japan and assigned to

MAG-li, 1st MAW, Air FMFPac at NAS

Atsugi.

30 Sep 1954 Relocated to MCAS El Toro and assigned to

MAG-15, Air FMFPac.

1 Dec 1954 Redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 223.

12 Sep 1955 Redesignated VMA-223, MAG-15, 2d MAW,

Air FMFPac.

23 Apr 1956 Embarked on board the USS Wasp and sailed from

San Diego for a deployment to the Far East.

4 Nov 1956 Returned to MAG-15, MCAS El Toro.

30 Mar 1963 Departed El Toro for Far East tour.

2 Apr 1963 Arrived at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and assigned to

MAG-12, 1st MAW, FMFPac.

2 Apr 1964 Returned to MCAS El Toro and assigned to

MAG-15, 3d MAW, Air FMFPac.

1 Sep 1965 Departed San Diego on board the USS Valley

Forge for Far East deployment.

15 Sep 1965 Arrived at Iwakuni, Japan and assigned to MAG13, 1st MAW, FMFPac.

16 Dec 1965 Deployed to Chu Lai, RVN and assigned to MAG12, 1st MAW, FMFPac.

4 Dec 1966 Departed RVN for Iwakuni, Japan and assigned to

MAG-15(Rein), 9th MAB, FMFPac.

1 Mar 1967 Returned to Chu Lai, RVN and rejoined MAG12(Rein).

3 Dec 1967 Deployed to Iwakuni, Japan and rejoined MAG15(Rein).

23 Apr 1968 Returned to Chu Lai, RVN and rejoined MAG12.

28 Jan 1970 Departed Chu Lai, RVN on trans-Pac flight to

California.

8 Feb 1970 Arrived MCAS El Toro and assigned to MAG-33,

3d MAW, FMFPac.

1 Jun 1972 Relocated to MCAS Yuma, Arizona and assigned

to Marine Combat Crew Readiness Training

Group 10, 3d MAW.

23 Jul 1976 Deployed to Iwakuni, Japan and assigned to

MAG-12, 1st MAW.

21 Jul 1953

7 Aug 1953

11 Sep 1953

35

APPENDIX B

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Capt John L. Smith 1 May 1942 - 31 Dec 1942

lstLt Conrad G. Winter 1 Jan 1943 - 13 Jan 1943

Capt Howard K. Marvin 14 Jan 1943- 25 Jan 1943

Maj Marion E. Carl 26 Jan 1943 - 3 Feb 1944

Maj Robert P. Keller 4 Feb 1944- 2 Jul 1944

Maj David Drucker 3 Jul 1944 - 13 Oct 1944

Maj Robert F. Flaherty 14 Oct 1944 - 30 Mar 1945

Maj RobertW. Teller 31 Mar 1945 -16 Apr 1945

Maj Howard E. King 17 Apr 1945 -23 Jul 1945

Maj Julius W. Ireland 24 Jul 1945 - 27 Feb 1946

Maj James M. Johnson 28 Feb 1946-21 May 1947

Maj Arthur F. O'Keefe 22 May 1947-8 Jun 1947

Maj Michael R. Yunck 10 Jun 1947 -6 Mar 1948

Maj George F. Bastian 7 Mar 1948 - 5 May 1948

LtCol Nathan T. Post, Jr 6 May 1948- 14 Jul1948

Maj Richard W. Wyczawski 15 Jul 1948 - 24 Mar 1949

Maj George F. Vaughan 25 Mar 1949- 1 May 1949

Maj Darrell D. Irwin 2 May 1949- 15 May 1950

Maj Thomas G. Bronleewe, Jr 16 May 1950 - 19 Mar 1951

Maj Robert R. Baker 20 Mar 1951 -9 Apr 1951

LtCol Frank E. Hollar 10 Apr 1951- 15 Jul 1951

LtCol Hoyle R. Barr 16 Jul 1951 -8 Jul 1953

LtCol Honore G. Dalton 9 Jul 1953 - 20 Jan 1954

LtCol Arvid W. Blackmun 29 Jan 1954- 14 Jun 1954.

Maj James M. Burns 15 Jun 1954- 31 Aug 1954

LtCol John McGuckin 1 Sep 1954 - 4 Nov 1954

Maj Robert B. Laing 5 Nov 1954-20 Sep 1955

Maj Victor E. Allen 21 Sep 1955 - 4 Dec 1956

LtCol Willard C. Lemke 5 Dec 1956- 22 May 1958

Maj Ernest A. Buford, Jr 23 May 1958-21 Oct 1958

LtCol Dave E. Severance 22 Oct 1958 -9 Nov 1959

Maj Boris J. Frankovic 10 Nov 1959- 1 Aug 1960

Maj Marvin R. Stout 2 Aug 1960 - 12 Nov 1961

LtCoI Norman L. Hamm 13 Nov 1961 - 30 Mar 1964

LtCol Lawrence H. Brandon 31 Mar 1964 - 30 Sep 1964

LtCol Tolbert T. Gentry 1 Oct 1964- 15 Apr 1965

Maj Harold C. Colvin 16 Apr 1965 - 15 Jul 1965

LtCol Roy C. Gray, Jr 16 Jul 1965 -27 Sep 1965

LtCol Alexander Wilson 28 Sep 1965 - 2 Apr 1966

LtCoI Robert B. Sinclair 3 Apr 1966- 26 Nov 1966

LtCol Leonard C. Taft 27 Nov 1966 - 25 Mar 1967

LtCol Claude E. Deering 26 Mar 1967 - 26 Sep 1967

LtCol Arthur W. Anthony 27 Sep 1967 - 30 Apr 1968

LtCol Erin D. Smith 1 May 1968- 15 Oct 1968

Maj Leonard T. Preston, Jr 16 Oct 1968- 10 Apr 1969

LtCol Merrill S. Newbill 11 Apr 1969 - 27 Sep 1969

LtCol James W. Lazzo 28 Sep 1969-25 May 1971

Maj Alfonso Oseguera 26 May 1971 - 31 May 1972

LtCol Donald W. Dane 1 Jun 1972- 7 Jun 1973

37
Ma) Martin J. Lenzini .8 Jun 1973 - 20 Jun 1974

Ma) Ronald E. Merrihew 21 Jun 1974 - 27 Jun 1975

LtCol John A. Rooke 28 Jun 1975-23 Apr 1976

LtCol Gordon 0. Booth 24 Apr 1976- 12 Aug 1977

Major Phillip R. Hemming 13 Aug 1977- 22 Aug 1977

LtCol Robert H. Melville 23 Aug 1977- 31 July 1978

Major Phillip R. Hemming 1 Aug 1978 - 10 Sep 1978

LtCol Samuel D. Turner, Jr 11 Sept 1978 -

38
APPENDIX C

STREAMER ENTITLEMENT

PRESIDENT UNIT CITATION STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS

Guadalcanal, 22 Aug - 13 Oct 1942

Okinawa, 25 Jun - 14 Jul 1945

Vietnam, 16 Dec 1965 - 1 Dec 1966 and 1 Mar - 15 Sep 1967

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS

Vietnam, 16 Dec 1965 - 15 Apr 1966

Vietnam, 15 Sep-i Dec 1967

Vietnam, 24 Apr - 31 Mar 1969

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER STAR

Capture and defense of Guadalcanal, 21 Aug - 13 Oct 1942

Treasury- Bougainville operation, 13 Nov - 15 Dec 1948

Consolidation of the northern Solomons, 17 Feb 1944 - 11 Jan 1945

Consolidation of the southern Philippines, 10 Mar - 11 Jun 1945

Okinawa Gunto operation, 25 Jun - 14 Jul 1945

WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER

1 May 1942- 31 Dec 1946

NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE STREAMER WITH ASIA AND EUROPE CLASP

Okinawa, 2 Sep 1945 - 11 Feb 1946

Europe, 6 Sep 1949 - 17 Jan 1950

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

27 Jun 1950 -27 Jul 1954

1 Jan 1961 - 15 Aug 1974

KOREAN SERVICE STREAMER

Japan, 11 Sep 1953 -27 Jul 1954

VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER STARS

Vietnam Defense Campaign, 16 Dec - 24 Dec 1965

Vietnamese Counteroffensive Campaign, 25 Dec 1965 - 30 Jun 1966

Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase II, 1 Jul - 4 Dec 1966 and 1 Mar - 31 May 1967

Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase III, 1 Jun -2 Dec 1967

Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase IV, 23 Apr - 30 Jun 1968

Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase V, 1 Jul - 1 Nov 1968

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI, 2 Nov 1968- 22 Feb 1969

Tet 69/Counteroffensive, 23 Feb - 8 Jun 1969

Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969,9 Jun - 31 Oct 1969

Vietnam, Winter-Spring 1970, 1 Nov 1969- 7Feb 1970

PHILIPPINE LIBERATION STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

10 Mar - 11 Jun 1945

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL CITATION STREAMER

12 Jan - 15 May 1945

VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM

16 Dec 1965 - 4 Dec 1966, 1 Mar 1967 - 20 Sep 1969

VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER

21 Sep 1969 - 7 Feb 1970

39

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1979 0—276—044

On the back cover.'

The squadron insignia for VMF-223 shows the "Fighting

Bulldog."