Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214)
"Swashbucklers / Black Sheep"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On July 1, 1942 Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214) was commissioned at Ewa Field with two officers, twenty enlisted men, and several F2A fighters under Commanding Officer (C. O.) George F. Britt. Initially nicknamed "Swashbucklers".

Wartime History
By February 1943 the squadron deployed to the South Pacific (SOPAC) and operated from Turtle Bay Airfield on Espiritu Santo. For their first tour of duty, the squadron operated the F4F Wildcat operating from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal until September 1943.

Afterwards, equipped with the F4U Corsair and Commanding Officer (C. O.) Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington took command. The squadron was renamed "Black Sheep" (The Black Sheep) and was based at Munda Airfield on New Georgia and later Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella Island.

On August 4, 1943 F4U Corsairs from VMF-214 led by Burnett and Synar participated in a multi-service mission fighter sweep over the Central Solomons. During the air combat, Charles Lanphier claimed one victory. A confused air combat marked by mistaken identity of RNZAF P-40s for Ki-61 Tonys, F4U Corsair pilots from VMF-214 claimed three kills including the one claimed by Charlie Lanphier.

On August 28, 1943 the squadron took off from Fighter 1 on Guadalcanal on a strafing mission against Kahili Airfield (Buin) on southern Bougainville. En route to the target, the formation experienced bad weather and the formation became separated. Lost is F4U Corsair 02577 pilot 1st Lt Charles C. Lanphier (POW died May 15, 1944).

On September 30, 1943 four F4Us from VMF-214 on a mission against Kolombangara spot three ships they believed were enemy vessels. In fact, they were PT-126, PT-124 and PT-116 that fired a recognition flare. F4U pilot Alexander made a strafing attack and wounded several aboard PT-126 and was shot down by their return fire.

Known Aircraft and Losses
F4U 02566  assigned to VMF-214 then transfered to VMF-218
F4U 02608  pilot Bennett MIA October 22, 1943
F4U 02723  pilot Ashmun MIA January 3, 1943
F4U 17735  assigned to VMF-214 ultimate fate unknown
F4U 17883  assigned to VMF-214 then transferred to VMF-215
F4U 17915  pilot Boyington MIA January 3, 1943 POW survived the war
F4U 55828  pilot Alexander force landed September 23, 1943
F4U 17884  flew one mission with VMF-214, transfered to VMF-218
F4U pilot Alexander  shot down September 30, 1943

References
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page XXX (VMF-214)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 72 (VMF-214)
The Black Sheep (2000) account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?