Marine Fighting Squadron 115 (VMF-115)
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On July 1, 1943 organized as Marine Fighting Squadron 115 (VMF-115) in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) at Santa Barbara in California.

Wartime History
On March 4, 1944 arrives Espiritu Santo. On April 18, 1944 departs for Bougainville. On April 20, 1944 the ground echelon arrives Emirau Airfield. On May 2, 1944 the flight echelon arrives Emirau Airfield.

On November 26, 1944 a request by General Douglas MacArthur was made to Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to loan a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) night fighter squadron for the defense of Leyte in exchange for a P-61 night fighter squadron. On the recommendation of Admiral Halsey, Nimitz also offered Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12).

On December 1, 1944 the squadron flies their last missions from Emirau Airfield and was ordered to prepare for a move and departs the next day in transit to Leyte.

On December 3, 1944 F4U Corsairs the squadron plus Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12) led by a PBJ Mitchell arrived flying via Hollandia and Peleliu arrive at Tacloban Airfield on Leyte. On December 5, 1944 begins flying four plane patrols over Dulag.

During early January 1945 moves to Tanauan Airfield on Leyte.

During March 1945, supports the U.S. landings on Mindanao. In April 1945, covers the Bongao, Sanga Sanga and Jolo landings then supports the landings at Dumaguete on Negros. For the remainder of the Pacific War, conducts routine sorties against targets on Mindanao.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major John S. MacLaughlin Jr. (July 1, 1943–July 16, 1943)
Major Joseph J. Foss (July 17, 1943–September 20, 1944)
Major John H. King Jr. (September 21, 1944–May 29, 1945)
Major John S. Payne (May 30, 1945–August 17, 1945)
Major Thomas M. Coles (August 18, 1945–September 2, 1945)

References
NARA VMF-115 War Diary December 1944
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page 456 (VMF-115)

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