page_title: VMA-124
section_title: Squadron aces
hierarchical_section_title: VMA-124 / Squadron aces
caption_attribution_description: A Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo 150076) of Marine attack squadron VMA-124. VMA-124 was a squadron in the Marine Forces Reserve based at Naval Air Station Memphis, Tennessee (USA). Official NMNA text: "A-4E Skyhawk painted in the markings of the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron that hangs in the Flight Leader position of the diamond formation in the Blue Angel Atrium. Accepted by the U.S. Navy on 30 August 1963, this aircraft is the 1,466th production Skyhawk, and first served with Attack Squadron (VA) 43 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia. It was the first of many tours with East Coast attack squadrons, its service including stints with VA-72, VA-81, and VA-44 during which it deployed in the carriers Independence (CVA-62), Forrestal (CVA-59), and Shangri-La (CVA-38). In 1967, the demands of the Vietnam War shifted the museum's aircraft to the Western Pacific, a brief stint with VA-195 at NAS Lemoore, California, followed by assignment to VA-94 in December 1967. The following year, the aircraft flew combat missions over Vietnam from the deck of Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), and in 1969 it logged more missions from Oriskany (CVA-34) while serving in VA-195. The aircraft's last combat service was destined to be from land. After joining Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 in December 1970, it deployed with the squadron to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Naha, Okinawa, in 1971, and was soon in country flying missions from Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. The aircraft finished its service with VA-127 at NAS Lemoore and arrived at the museum in 1990. Although it never itself flew with the team, BuNo 150076 is marked with the bureau number (154180) of an aircraft once flown by the Blues."
context_page_description: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 124 was a flying squadron in the Marine Forces Reserve based out of Naval Air Station Memphis flying the A-4 Skyhawk. They were part of Marine Aircraft Group 42 and were decommissioned on 19 June 1999. The squadron was the first Marine squadron to fly the F4U Corsair during World War II and also one of the first Marine squadrons to be based on an aircraft carrier. They were known as the “Wild Aces” and ended World War II with 78 air-to-air victories against Japanese aircraft.
context_section_description: The following members of VMF-124 were credited with at least 5 enemy aircraft shot down during World War II:
  William E. Crowe
  Howard J. Finn
  Wallace E. Sigler
  Kenneth A. Walsh
caption: An A-4E of VMA-124
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