Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1)
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On July 7, 1941 organized as the Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1) in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) under the command of Lt Col Louis E. Woods at Quantico with Headquarters Squadron (HQ Squadron) and 1st Marine Air Group (1st MAG). On August 20, 1941 Col. Roy S. Geiger becomes commanding officer (C.O.).

Wartime History
On December 10, 1941 departs for San Diego arriving eleven days later. The Wing's fighter squadrons were placed under 1st Interceptor Command, bombing squadron with Naval Scout Force. In March 1942 reorganized into five Marine Air Groups (MAG) including Marine Air Group 23 (MAG-23), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11)

On August 20, 1942 the forward echelon of MAW-1 arrives at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. On March 13, 1943 the Marine Air Group 21 (MAG-21) transfers from MAW-2 to MAW-1 and moves to Russell Islands and becomes the first aviation units to arrive. MAW-1 participates in New Georgia, Vella Lavella, Treasury. The forward echelon became AirNorSols for Bougainville campaign then conducts missions against bypassed bases in the Bismarck Sea area. SCAT was part of MAW-1 and performs large scale evacuations of wounded from South Pacific and delivery of supplies by air. In December 1944 moves to Leyte to provide close air support for the U.S. Army until the end of the Pacific War.

On September 3, 1942 Brigadier General Roy S. Geiger, commanding officer (C.O.) arrives on Guadalcanal with the command echelon of the wing.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Lt Col Louis E. Woods (July 7, 1941–August 19, 1941)
Col Roy S. Geiger (August 20, 1941–April 20, 1943)

References
Also listed as 1st Marine Air Wing (1st MAW) or spelled Marine Air Wing One.
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) pages 437-438 (1st MAW)

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