page_title: VMF-222
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: VMF-222 / History
caption_attribution_description: U.S. Marines of Marine fighter squadron VMF-222 Flying Deuces relaxing in between strikes on a Vought F4U-1 Corsair on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, in April 1944.
context_page_description: Marine Fighting Squadron 222 was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was activated and fought during World War II. Known as “The Flying Deuces”, they fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 and fought in many areas of the Pacific War, including the Philippines campaign and the Battle of Okinawa. During the war, the squadron was credited with shooting down 53 enemy aircraft and was the sister squadron to VMF-215. They were deactivated on December 31, 1949.
context_section_description: VMF-222 was commissioned on March 1, 1942, at Midway Atoll.  They were originally formed from members of VMF-221 and were part of Marine Aircraft Group 22.  The squadron was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii in April 1942 and remained until September 1942 when they returned to the United States.  They then were sent to the Solomon Islands, operating from bases on Munda and Bougainville. 
  Following the Battle of the Green Islands, on March 13, 1944, VMF-222 landed on the newly constructed airfield on Green Island along with VMF-223.  From here they participated in the allied effort to isolate the Japanese bases on Rabaul and Kavieng.  In May and June of that year Charles Lindbergh, while in the area as a civilian technician, flew combat sorties with the squadron.
  On January 11, 1945, the squadron, along with other from MAG-14, landed on the island of Guinan in the Philippines.
  
  Between April and June 1945, VMF-222 operated from Samar in the Philippines. These missions were in a fighter-bomber capacity. 
  It was during this time that the squadron was a part of one of the worst aviation accidents of the war.  At 0940 AM on January 24, 1945, while taking off, 1stLt Karl Oerth hit a lump in the runway, blew a tire, and his Corsair careened wildly into his own squadron's revetment area, which was shared with VMF-212. It completely wiped out the tents housing the intelligence, oxygen, parachutes, and materiel departments. Many men attempted to rescue the pilot but while they were making this brave effort the plane exploded and set off all its .50 cal ammunition.  14 men were killed and over 50 wounded during this incident.
  By early May 1945 the need for air support in the central Philippines had decreased and VMF-222, was transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on the island of Okinawa.
  Following the surrender of Japan the squadron was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and placed in a cadre status while its gear was used to form the new VMF-912.  They regained their flying status in January 1947 but were deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina on December 31, 1949
caption: An F4U-1 of VMF-222 on Bougainville, April 1944.
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