Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) "Rainbow / Bulldogs"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On May 1, 1942 commissioned as Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) at Ewa Field on Oahu. Nicknamed "Rainbow" later nicknamed "Bulldogs".

Wartime History
Assigned to Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 23 (MAG-23) equipped with the F2A Buffalo tasked with conducting local patrols of the sea frontier off Hawaii. After the Battle of Midway, the squadron, reequipped with the F4F Wildcat. On August 2, 1942 embarked aboard USS Long Island (CVE-1) bound for the South Pacific (SoPAC) via Efaté where the squadron traded eight inexperienced pilots for better qualified pilots from Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) then continued on the carrier bound for Guadalcanal.

On August 20, 1943 in the afternoon the squadron took off from USS Long Island (CVE-1) roughly 20 miles southeast of Guadalcanal and at 5:00pm began landing at Henderson Field. As they landed, the U.S. Marines in the area cheered them as the first planes to be land based on Guadalcanal. On August 21, 1942 at dawn, the squadron began supporting the Marines during the Battle of the Tenaru strafing Japanese forces in the area. At noon, they engaged in air combat with Captain Smith claiming a Zero shot down.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On December 13, 1943 a pair of Corsairs led by Captain David H. Pepper took off from Torokina Airfield on a strafing mission against Ballale Island. Damaged by anti-aircraft fire is F4U-1 Corsair 17452 pilot 1st Lt. George A. Davis ditched and survived unhurt. On December 14, 1943 Davis was rescued by PBY Catalina commanded by Lt(jg) F. A. Tanner from VP-14.

PARTIAL HISTORY

During March 1944 the squadron moves to Nissan Airfield (Green) on Nissan Island (Green).

During January 1945 the squadron moves to Guiuan Airfield on Samar Island.

On July 21, 1945 twelve Corsairs from Marine the squadron strike Funauki on Iriomote Jima.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Captain John L. Smith

References
NARA Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) War Diary December 1-31, 1943
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page XXX (VMF-223)
A History of Marine Attack Squadron 223 (1978) by 1st Lt. Brett A. Jones is a historical overview of VMF-223

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