A History of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232

By Maj William J. Sambito USMC

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, the Checkerboard squadron, enjoys a fine reputation among Marine aviators. This volume, one of a new series of brief histories on famous aviation squadrons, is offered as a tribute to the pilots and crewmen who have contributed so significantly to Marine aviation. The history of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 is a narrative account of the famed Checkerboard squadron in action. VMFA-312 saw its first action in the skies over Okinawa during World War II, and later the squadron was used extensively throughout the Korean conflict. The Checkerboards were one of the first Marine squadrons in Vietnam and today maintain their combat proficiency by constant training and hard work. VMFA-312 is a proud squadron with a rich and deep heritage and has passed along its traditions to the pilots and crewmen who presently fly Marine aircraft with the Checkerboard markings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barakaldo Books
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781839747717

Book preview

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© Barakaldo Books 2020, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

A HISTORY OF MARINE FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON 232

BY

MAJOR WILLIAM J. SAMBITO, USMC

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A Curtiss F6C-4 Hawk belonging to Marine Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10M), the forerunner of VMFA-232, on the line at NAS North Island in August 1931. The Red Devil insignia which has survived through the years is clearly visible on the vertical stabilizer. (USMC Photo 530812).

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HISTORY AND MUSEUMS DIVISION

HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS

WASHINGTON, D.C.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 6

FOREWORD 7

PREFACE 8

Early Developments 9

World War II 15

Reactivation 21

The Jet-Age 25

Combat and the Far East 28

Appendix A—CHRONOLOGY 33

Appendix B—COMMANDING OFFICERS 35

Appendix C—STREAMER ENTITLEMENTS 37

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 40

FOREWORD

This history, which traces Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 from 1925 to the present, is one in a series of Marine squadron histories in which we hope to bring to light the achievements of individual squadrons and relate them to the general development of Marine aviation.

The author, Major William J. Sambito, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Colby College, Maine, and is an experienced helicopter pilot who served with HMM 262 and-165 during the Vietnam War. After attending the Armed Forces Staff College in January 1975, he was assigned to the History and Museums Division.

Major Sambito has been a major contributor to the series of squadron histories. He was also the author of A History of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 and A History of Marine Attack Squadron