Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 132 (VMSB-132)
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 132 (VMTB-132)
"Crying Red Asses"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On July 1, 1941 Marine Bombing Squadron 1 (VMB-1) was redesignated Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 132 (VMSB-132) at Quantico, Virginia under the command of Major Albert D. Cooley. Nicknamed "Crying Red Asses". On October 15, 1942 departs NAS San Diego aboard USS Mumu and twelve days later arrives at Nouméa on New Caledonia. Attached to 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11).

Wartime History
Between October 29, 1942 until November 17, 1942 squadron air echelon was transported by air to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. On November 17, 1942 the ground echelon embarked aboard USS Barnett (APA-5) at Nouméa and were transported to Guadalcanal, with a small contingent remaining at Nouméa as the squadron's rear echelon.

On December 1, 1942 nine SBD Dauntless dive bombers led by Major Sailer on a mission to dive bomb Japanese warships including a light cruiser and two destroyers off Guadalcanal. Returning at night, SBD-3 Dauntless 06662 pilot Captain William F. Spang crashed on landing and was killed. His gunner (identity unknown) survived the crash.

On December 7, 1942 six SBDs took off from Henderson Field on a mission to dive bomb Japanese destroyers off New Georgia. Lost is SBD-3 Dauntless 06689 pilot Major Joseph Sailer, Jr. (MIA).

On December 16, 1942 in the morning, four SBDs took off from Henderson Field on a mission to attack a group of transports reportedly unloading on the southeastern coast of the Russell Islands. No transports were located but during the return trip a two masted schooner was found in Hooper Bay off the northwest coast of Pavuvu and the formation dive bombed with all bombs missing the vessel. Afterwards, all four SBDs returned safely. Later that night at 9:05pm another SBD strike took off from Henderson Field led by Lt. McEniry as one of seven SBDs against Japanese shipping off Munda and Munda Airfield on New Georgia. The formation was led by Lt. McEniry with Lt. Skinner, Lt. Jackson Lt. Simpson, TSgt Humprey and SSgt Wallof with two pilots from VMSB-142. Over the target, Lt. Jackson and Lt. Christen became separated from the formation and spotted a destroyer or light cruiser off Munda and were targeted by heavy anti-aircraft fire Lost is SBD-3 Dauntless 03258 pilot Captain Frank L. Christen (POW/MIA) gunner Pfc Glenn Shattuck (MIA). The rest of the formation landed safely at on December 17, 1943 at 12:30am.

In late December 1942 relieved by Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 233 (VMSB-233). During January 1943 the ground echelon arrives on Espiritu Santo.

On January 21, 1943 lost on a training flight is SBD-4 Dauntless 06796 pilot 1st Lt. Walter A. Eck (MIA).

On March 6, 1943 the squadron flew individual anti-submarine patrols off Guadalcanal and Russell Islands. SBD piloted by Lt. R. E. Kelly was jumped by three Zeros roughly 15 miles southeast of the Russell Islands and his gunner, SSgt Robert H. Bahner claimed one shot down at 1:55pm.

On June 2, 1943 lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 10338 pilot Lt. Kenneth H. Dieffenback (survived) on a training flight. Afterwards, twenty SBDs took off on a search mission to locate the downed plane and crew. Blown off course by a tropical storm and lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 06962 pilot MGUN Kenneth L. Gordon (KIA) while attempting to land. Also lost was SBD-4 Dauntless 10697 pilot MSgt Howard Harvey Hicks (MIA).

On June 22, 1943 the flight echelon returns to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal for their third tour of duty while the ground echelon remains on Espiritu Santo. On June 23, 1943 on standby status.

On June 24, 1943 conducts searches and covers a task force.

On June 25, 1943 twenty-five SBDs led by Captain J. H. McEniry plus twenty-four TBF Avengers escorted by thirty-two F4F Wildcats against Lambeti Plantation on New Georgia. Over the target, experienced fairly accurate anti-aircraft fire.

On June 26, 1943 the squadron was on standby status with no flights.

On June 27, 1943 the squadron conducts sector searches and task force coverage.

On June 28, 1943 seventeen SBDs from VMSB-132 led by Capt. McEniry plus twelve TBF Avengers escorted by twenty-four F4F Wildcats on a strike against Vila Airfield on Kolombangara in conjunction with a Navy strike on Munda Airfield. The weather was very bad the area was covered by clouds and returning via Munda Airfield circling until a break in the weather was found and dive bombed despite anti-aircraft fire with all planes returning safely.

On June 29, 1943 the squadron was on standby status and did not fly.

On June 30, 1943 twelve SBDs led by Captain J. H. Stock plus eighteen TBFs with fighter escort strike Vila Airfield on Kolombangara. Lost is SBD Dauntless 10822 pilot 1st Lt. Robert H. McArdle (MIA), SBD-3 Dauntless 4550 pilot 1st Lt. G. B. Herlihy (survived, returned to duty on July 6, 1943) and SBD-5 Dauntless 10814 pilot Captain J. H. Stock (survived), SBD-4 Dauntless 06966 pilot 1st Lt. McGuckin (survived), SBD-3 Dauntless 06636 pilot 1st Lt S. K. Otterson, SBD Dauntless 06951 pilot 1st Lt. R. D. Bachtel (survived).

On July 6, 1943 eighteen SBDs from VMSB-132 led by Captain J. H. McEniry plus eighteen TBF Avengers strike Enogai Inlet. One SBD aborts due to engine trouble and one did not bomb. Due to bad weather the formation split up and over the target the SBDs bombed from 5,000' in glide bombing attacks then returned to conduct strafing runs and all returned safely.

On July 9, 1943 the squadron performs sector searches negative results. Eighteen SBDs from VMSB-132 escorted by sixteen F4U Corsairs on a strike against Enogai Inlet led by Captain Janson with the first section of the first division and third division. Meanwhile, the Captain T. R. Roberts led the second section of the first division and second division against Bauroko Harbor. Both targets were bombed then strafed and all returned safely.

On July 17, 1943 lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 10586 pilot 1st Lt. Edward H. Hughes (MIA) against Japanese ships off southern Bougainville.

On October 26, 1943 the squadron returned to the United States and was reorganized at El Toro and Santa Barbara.

On October 14, 1944 redesignated Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 132 (VMTB-132).

On May 21, 1945 embarked aboard USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109). On June 29, 1945 arrived Leyte Gulf and operated in the East China Sea during July 1945 and August 1945 until the end of the Pacific War.

Commanding Officers (C. O.)
Major Albert D. Cooley (July 1, 1941–February 28, 1942)
Captain Joseph Sailer, Jr. (March 1, 1942–December 7, 1942) †
Major Louis B. Robertshaw (December 8, 1942–May 26, 1943)
Major Russell D. Rupp (May 27, 1943–September 26, 1943)
Lt. William H. Cohron (September 27, 1943–September 30, 1943)
Major Claude J. Carlson (October 1, 1943–October 21, 1943)
Major Otis V. Calhoun, Jr. (October 22, 1943–October 26, 1944)
Captain Henry W. Hise (October 27, 1944–September 2, 1945)

References
NARA Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 War Diary October 13, 1942 to April 30, 1943
NARA Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 War Diary June 1, 1943 to August 31, 1943
History of Marine Corps in World War II (1952) page 457-458 (VMTB-132/VMSB-132 squadron summary)
TogetherWeServed - Sailer, Joseph, Jr., Maj (photo)
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) pages 457-458 (VMTB-132 squadron summary)
Dauntless Marine Joseph Sailer Jr. Dive-bombing Ace (1997) by Alexander S. White biography of Joseph Sailer

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