Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 231 (VMSB-231)
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 231 (VMTB-231)
"Ace of Spades"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On July 1, 1941 Marine Scouting Squadron 2 (VMS-2) was redesignated Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 231 (VMSB-231) at Ewa Field on Oahu. Assigned to Marine Air Wing 2 (MAW-2), Marine Air Group 21 (MAG-21) equipped with SB2U-3 Vindicators. During World War II, the squadron was nicknamed "Ace of Spades".

Wartime History
On December 5, 1941 squadron's planes were embarked aboard USS Lexington (CV-2) with seven spare SB2U-3 left at Ewa Field. They would be transported to Midway Atoll then land at Midway Airfield as reinforcements. On December 7, 1941 while enroute, the delivery was aborted due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On December 10, 1941 the planes returned to Ewa Field.

On December 17, 1941 seventeen SB2U-3 Vindicators from Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 231 (VMSB-231) led by a PBY Catalina from Patrol Wing 1 (PatWing 1) took off from Ewa Field with an extra fuel tank on a ferry flight to Midway Airfield completing the longest mass flight by single-engine aircraft then on record logging a duration of 9 hours, 45 minutes flying 1,137 miles. Operating from Midway Airfield, the squadron began flying regular patrols. On March 1, 1942 some personnel returned to Ewa Field while the majority of the squadron's personnel and all aircraft remained at Midway Airfield and were attached to newly formed VMSB-241 and remained at Midway Airfield. and between June 4-6, 1942 participated in the Battle of Midway.

On June 30, 1942 all planes and personnel at Midway Airfield returned to Ewa Field and transitioned to operate the SBD Dauntless was was assigned to Marine Air Group 23 (MAG-23). During late August 1942 embarked aboard USS Kitty Hawk (AKV-1) and steamed for the South Pacific. On August 28, 1942 off Efate the planes were transfered by crane aboard USS Long Island (AVG-1) and the next day launched and land on Espiritu Santo.

On August 30, 1942 twelve SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers from VMSB-231 took off from Espiritu Santo escorted by nineteen F4F Wildcats from Marine Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224) led by Major Robert E. Galer on a ferry flight northward to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal at 2:30pm as part of the first sizable aircraft reinforcements to reach the "Cactus Air Force".

On September 20, 1942 at 6:5pm SBD-3 Dauntless 03293 piloted by Captain Rubin Iden and SBD-4 Dauntless 03294 pilot 2nd Lt. John W. Zuber took off on a reconnaissance mission. Returning, the pair became lost and ditched into Lake Tegano on eastern Rennell Island. Both ditched with Captain Rubin Iden killed in the landing. On September 24, 1942 the other three crew were rescued by U.S. Navy (USN) PBY Catalina from Patrol Squadron 91 (VP-91).

During August 1945, returned to the United States and redesignated Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 231 (VMTB-231).

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major C. J. Chappell, Jr. (July 1, 1941–February 28, 1942)
Major Raymond C. Scollin (March 1, 1942–March 10, 1942)
Major Charles J. Schlapkohl (March 11, 1942–June 20, 1942)
Major Leo R. Smith (June 21, 1942–September 18, 1942)

References
NARA United States Marine Corps, Headquarters, Marine Aircraft Group 23 "Report of action of the forward echelon of Marine Aircraft Group 23 (VMF-223, VMF-224, VMSB-231 & VMSB-232), with Enterprise Flight 300 (6 pilots of VS-5 & 5 pilot of VB-6), VF-5, VS-3, VT-8 and the 67th Fighter Squadron, USA, attached, for the period 31 August to 15 September 1942." September 17, 1942 page 1-9
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) pages 33 (Marine Corps Aviation, 6 December 1941), 34 (VMSB-231 at Ewa), 35 (VMSB-231 aboard USS Lexington), 464 (VMSB-231 summary)

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