Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) "Fighting Corsairs"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
This squadron was originally formed as a scout bomber squadron. During September 1942 redesignated as fighter squadron in Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12). Equipped with the F4U Corsair (and later the FG Corsair) and nicknamed "Fighting Corsairs".

First Tour of Duty
During early 1943 based in Hawaii and Midway before arriving at Espiritu Santo.

On July 24, 1943 the flight echelon were flown aboard a R4D from SCAT to Guadalcanal. Meanwhile, the ground echelon remained on Espiritu Santo.

On July 25, 1943 eight F4U Corsairs fly their first Rendova Patrol over Rendova. Lost is F4U Corsair piloted by Major Reynold G. Tomes and due to engine trouble ditched off Segi and was rescued.

On July 30, 1943 fifteen F4U Corsairs from VMF-215 took off on a fighter sweep and escort mission for B-24 Liberators on a bombing mission against Kahilli Airfield on Bougainville. After take off, one Corsair aborted the mission. The formation diverted due to weather over Ballale Airfield. Returning, shot down is F4U Corsair 02375 pilot Captain Jack Arnold Nichols (MIA).

By January 1944 the ground echelon was at Torokina Airfield on Bougainville Island. On January 6, 1944 the squadron's flight echelon moved to Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella Island to relieve VMF-223 with missions flown northward to Torokina Airfield to refuel then fly missions further north to Rabaul and other targets.

On January 14, 1944 at 6:05am the squadron took off from Barakoma Airfield and flew to Torokina Airfield landing at 7:15am to stage for a mission. At 8:40am F4U Corsair pilot 2nd Lt. John J. Knight Jr. and F4U Corsair pilot 1st Lt. E. J. Hernan took off Torokina Airfield to investigate an explosion on Gonnango Island that proved to be negative and returned at 9:20am. At 10:10am the squadron took off again from Torokina Airfield on a mission to escort SBD Dauntless dive bombers and TBF Avengers on a bombing mission against Rabaul. During take off, F4U Corsair 17899 pilot Captain G. S. Stidger (KIA) crashed and was killed. Fitzgerald's plane was hit by a P-40 landing and damaged. Smith's plane had a mechanical failure and aborted the mission. At 11:15am rendezvoused with the bombers and proceeded on a direct course to Rabaul. Over the coast of New Ireland, the formation was intercepted by 60-70 Zeros and a dog fight unfolded to and from the target. VMF-215 claimed 19 shot down and 6 probables. Lost is F4U Corsair 17722 piloted by 2nd Lt. John James Knight Jr. (MIA) who was captured and became a Prisoner Of War (POW) transported to Rabaul and died in captivity. Damaged by gunfire, F4U Corsair 17896 pilot 2nd G. Kross returned and bailed out at Torokina and was hospitalized with shrapnel injuries and shock. The rest of the squadron returned to land by 5:30pm.

On January 24, 1944 lost returning from a mission against Rabaul is F4U Corsair 02285 piloted by Major Robert G. Owens (survived).

For his actions between November 1, 1943 and January 24, 1944, VMF-215 pilot 1st Lt. Robert M. Hanson earned the Medal of Honor.

On January 27, 1944 the flight echelon and entire squadron moved from Barakoma Airfield via SCAT transport to Torokina Airfield and operated on a day on, day off schedule with Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212).

On January 30, 1944 the squadron escorts B-25 Mitchells on a bombing mission against Rabaul. Lost is F4U-1A Corsair 55927 pilot 1st Lt. John J. Fitzgerald (MIA) who was captured and became a Prisoner Of War (POW) and died in captivity.

On February 3, 1944 lost was F4U-1A Corsair 56039 piloted by1st Lt. Robert Murray Hanson.

Second Tour of Duty
During March 1944, the squadron was reorganized and returned to Bougainville for another tour of duty operating from Piva South Airfield (Piva Uncle, Fighter, Piva 2) on Bougainville Island.

On April 29, 1944 a pair of FG Corsairs led by Major James K. Dill accidentally strafed PT-347 and PT-350. Shot down by defensive fire was FG-1A Corsair 13307 (MIA).

On September 3, 1944 lost was F4U Corsair 56260 piloted by Patet (MIA).

During October 1944, VMF-215 ended their second tour of duty. In total, VMF-215 claimed 137 enemy aircraft shot down.

For the remainder of the Pacific War, VMF-215 was a training squadron.

On April 17, 1945 lost is F4U Corsair 49668 pilot 2nd Lt. William H. Holden (rescued) ditched on a training mission southeast of Oahu.

References
NARA Marine Fighting Squadron 215 War Diary July 1943
NARA Marine Fighting Squadron 215 War Diary January 1944
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page XXX (VMF-215)

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