Marine Fighting Squadron 216 (VMF-216) "Bulldogs"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On January 1, 1943 organized as Marine Fighting Squadron Two Sixteen (VMF-216) at El Centro. Nicknamed "Bulldogs". Commissioned September 16, 1943 in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and departs the same day aboard USS Long Island (CVE-1) bound for Pearl Harbor then onward to the South Pacific (SoPAC) assigned to Marine Aircraft Wing Two (MAW-2), Marine Aircraft Group Twelve (MAG-12).

First Tour of Duty
On November 6, 1943 the squadron arrives at Espiritu Santo in New Hebrides (Vanuatu). The ground echelon was stationed Quoin Hill Airfield on Efaté. On November 23, 1943 the flight echelon flew north to relieve VMF-211 in the Russell Islands in the Solomon Islands.

On December 10, 1943 at 5:45am seventeen F4U Corsairs from VMF-216 took off from Ondonga Airfield on a flight north to Torokina Airfield on western Bougainville as the first operational squadron based at the new airfield. One plane took off later at 8:50am, and landed at 10:10am. One plane piloted by Lt. Harkins was unable to take off due to engine trouble. At 2:15pm seven Corsairs from the squadron took off from Torokina Airfield on their first Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over Empress Augusta Bay with no sightings and nil contacts then landed safely at 4:45pm. At 5:30pm ten Corsairs took off from Torokina Airfield on a flight back to Ondonga Airfield. During the return flight, F4U Corsair 17736 piloted by Lt. Marshall returned due to the loss of his accessory compartment cowling and landed at Torokina Airfield and spent the night. At 6:00pm seven Corsairs took off Torokina Airfield on a flight back to Ondonga Airfield landing at 8:50pm with one taking off late returned to Torokina Airfield.

On December 13, 1943 the squadron fly their first direct air support mission to support U.S. Marines on the ground striking Hellzapoppin Ridge on Bougainville.

On December 19, 1943 three Corsairs from the squadron fly cover for a mission over Rabaul. Lost is F4U-1A Corsair 17806  pilot Captain Lawrence M. Faulkner (MIA) and F4U-1A Corsair 17845  pilot 1st Lt. Guy Harmon Kemper (MIA). Damaged in air combat, F4U-1A Corsair 17736  pilot 1st Lt. Robert Marshall sustained tail damage in a dog fight with Zeros and returning force landed at Torokina Airfield and was written off.

On December 27, 1943 lost is F4U-1A Corsair 17734  pilot 2nd Lt. Frank G. Putnam (MIA) on a fighter sweep over Rabaul. Last seen at the start of the air combat then failed to rejoin the formation afterwards.

Second Tour of Duty
The squadron's second tour of duty they operated from Piva South Airfield (Piva Yoke) on western Bougainville.

On March 23, 1944 lost is FG-1A Corsair 13248 pilot 1st Lt. Bernard J. Basch  lost over Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville.

Third Tour of Duty
The squadron's third tour of duty was on Guam as the first squadron to operate land base. The squadron flew missions against Rota and Pagan.

Fourth Tour of Duty
During December 1944 returned to Oahu for carrier training. On February 5, 1945 the flight echelon embarked aboard USS Wasp (CV-18) at Ulithi Atoll. Flying from the aircraft carrier, the squadron supported the landings on Iwo Jima and flew missions over Okinawa and Japan. Afterwards, returned to Pear Harbor.

On March 26, 1945 departs for the United States aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12). Stationed at NAS Santa Barbara for remained of the Pacific War.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Captain William P. Addington (January 1, 1943–January 26, 1943)

References
NARA VMF-216 War Diary December 1-31, 1943 (Action Reports) pages 1-52
(Page 6) "December 10, 1943... Flight Echelon - Seventeen planes took off from Ondonga at 0545 for Torokina, landing at 0700. One plane got off at 0850, and landed at Torokina at 1010. One plane, Lt. Harkins, remained at Ondonga due to engine trouble."
NARA VMF-216 War Diary January 1944
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page 462 (VMF-216)
VMF-216.com website of VMF-216 Association
Thanks to VMF-216.com and Robert Marshall for additional information

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