page_title: Majuro Airfield
hierarchical_section_title: Majuro Airfield
caption_attribution_description: U.S. Marine Corps Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bombers of Marine scout-bombing squadron VMSB-231 taxi on the airstrip at Majouro, Marshall Islands, prior to launching on attack against Japanese installations on Mili Atoll (6°7'60N 171°55'0E). Mili was bombed for eighteen months by US aircraft. All supply lines were cut off, and of the originally 5,100 strong Japanese garrison only 2,500 survived, dying mainly from starvation. It was the first Pacific island to surrender on 22 August 1945. Redesignated from Marine Scouting Squadron Two (VMS-2) in July 1941, VMSB-231 aircraft flew to Midway in December 1941, and in March 1942 some elements returned to Hawaii. The remaining personnel formed the nucleus of a new squadron, VMSB-241, which fought during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Following the battle, the survivors returned to VMSB-231. The squadron arrived at Guadalcanal on 30 August 1942, and remained there until November. Subsequently, the squadron served in the Marshalls, where for a brief time it flew F4U Corsairs under the designation VMBF-231. The squadron was redesignated VMTB-231 in August 1945.
context_page_description: Majuro Airfield or Naval Air Facility Majuro is a former World War II airfield on the island of Delap in the Marshall Islands.
context_section_description: Majuro Airfield or Naval Air Facility Majuro (NAF Majuro) is a former World War II airfield on the island of Delap in the Marshall Islands.
caption: SBDs of VMSB-231 taxiing on Majuro Airfield in 1944
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