Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232 (VMSB-232)
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 232 (VMTB-232)
"Red Devil"
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On September 1, 1925 established as VF-3M in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) at NAS San Diego equipped with th Vought VE-7. During 1926, equipped with three Boeing FB-1 biplanes, expanded to seven by the end of the year.

On April 7, 1927 departs San Diego embarked aboard USS Henderson bound for China but instead diverts to the Philippines for two months until two airfields were available at Tientsin and Hsin-Ho to support U.S. Marines in China flying photography, mapping and reconnaissance missions. On July 1, 1927 redesigned VF-10M. On July 1, 1928 redesignated VF-6M. On October 3, 1938 departs China via Guam and Hawaii then returns to San Diego at the end of the month.

On July 1, 1930 redesigned as Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10M) equipped with the Curtiss F6C-4. On July 1, 1933 redesignated Bombing Squadron 4 (VB-4M) as a light bombing squadron equipped with Boeing F4B-3 biplanes and participates in Los Angeles National Air Races and annual Fleet Exercises. During 1935, equipped with Great Lakes BG-1 dive bombers.

On July 1, 1937 redesignated as Marine Bombing Squadron 2 (VMB-2) as a lower echelon of Aircraft 2, later redesignated 2nd Marine Aircraft Group 2 (MAG-2) and Marine Aircraft Group 21 (MAG-21) and moved to Ewa Field on Oahu. In December 1940, equipped with SBD-1 Dauntless dive bombers. The squadron adopted the nickname "Red Devil" and motif of a red devil holding a pitchfork inside a diamond. On July 1, 1941 redesignated Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232 (VMSB-232) at Ewa Field.

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 the squadron suffered damaged aircraft during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. A detachment of enlisted men from squadron were embarked aboard USS Wright (AV-1) to Wake Island and participated in the Battle of Wake Island with 8 killed and the rest became Prisoners Of War (POWs).

First Tour of Duty
On August 20, 1942 in the afternoon 12 SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers plus 19 F4F Wildcats from Marine Fighter Squadron 223 (VMF-223) launched 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 based on Guadalcanal and the first dive bombing squadron.

On August 24, 1942 during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons SBD-3 Dauntless from VMSB-232 damages light cruiser Jintsu north of Malaita Island.

On August 28, 1942 the squadron took off from Henderson Field with U.S. Navy (USN) SBDs from VS-5 bomb and sink Japanese destroyer Asagiri off Santa Isabel and damage destroyers Shirakumo, Yugiri, and Amagiri preventing reinforcements including elements of the Kawaguchi Detachment from landing on Guadalcanal.

On October 12, 1942 departs the South Pacific back across the Pacific to the United States. In November 1942 arrives El Toro for reorganization and training. On June 1, 1943 redesignated as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 232 (VMTB-232). During July 1943 to Espiritu Santo. In July 1943 departs California bound for the South Pacific.

Second Tour of Duty
During September 1943 returns to Guadalcanal then Munda Airfield and supports the U.S. landing on Bougainville and strikes against Rabaul.

On December 23, 1943 the squadron flew a strike against Japanese bivouac and supply areas on southern Bougainville. Lost is TBF-1 Avenger 23871 pilot 1st Lt. Theo Lee Sparks (MIA). This Avenger was the first loss during the second tour of duty of VMTB-232.

On January 7, 1944 the squadron flew a strike against Tobera Airfield south of Rabaul. Sgt William K. Mitchell was killed in action.

On January 14, 1944 the squadron flew a bombing mission against Rabaul with other TBF Avengers and SBDs from from VMSB-232, VMSB-236, VMSB-341 and VC-40 with 76 fighters escorting. Lost is TBF-1C Avenger 24492 pilot 1st Lt. Lester V. Swenson (survived) crew rescued March 26, 1944.

On January 17, 1944 the squadron flew a bombing mission against enemy shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. Lost is TBF-1C Avenger 24363 pilot 1st Lt. Harold H. Millar, Jr. (MIA).

On January 19, 1944 the flight echelon departs for Espiritu Santo. That same day, the ground echelon embarks aboard LSTs at Munda and disembark at Bougainville to establish a camp area on Bougainville for the rest of the squadron. On January 30, 1944 the flight echelon departs for rest leave in Auckland and Sydney until February 18, 1944.

Third Tour of Duty
On February 28, 1944 the entire squadron air echelon and ground echelon move to Piva North Airfield (Piva Uncle) on Bougainville to relieve Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 143 (VMTB-143) and begins the squadron's third tour of duty.

Fourth Tour of Duty
On May 8, 1944 the flight echelon moves to Nissan Airfield (Green Island) for the squadron's fourth tour of duty. On May 15, 1944 moves to Emirau Airfield while the ground echelon remains on Espiritu Santo.

On June 15, 1944 the squadron flew a strike against Rapopo Airfield south of Rabaul. Lost is TBF-1C Avenger 24390 pilot Captain Clair V. Berdel (MIA) shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

On June 16, 1944 the flight echelon departs Emirau Airfield bound for Espiritu Santo ending the squadron's fourth tour of duty.

Fifth Tour of Duty
On October 21, 1944 the groun echelon moves to Falalop Island in Ulithi Atoll to begin preparing a camp and for the arrival of the squadron's aircraft. On November 2, 1944 the flight echelon moves to Falalop Airfield for the squadron's fifth tour of duty and provides dawn to dusk anti-submarine patrols around Ulithi Atoll and and fly combat missions against Yap and reconassiance missions over Fais and Sorol.

On November 21, 1944 on an anti-submarine patrol, two Avengers crashed including TBM Avenger 45454 piloted by 1st Lt. John A. Lagrou (MIA) and TBM Avenger 73344 pilot 1st Lt. James W. Fox (rescued).

On December 8, 1944 on an anti-submarine patrol lost is TBF Avenger 1st Lt. Thomas M. Schriver.

Sixth Tour of Duty
On April 22, 1945 the flight echelon arrives at Kadena Airfield on Okinawa and three days later begins close air support missions. During July 1945 moves to Awase Airfield on Okinawa and begins strikes against Japan until the end of the Pacific War. On November 16, 1945 deactivated.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Captain F. D. Weir (January 1, 1938–June 30, 1938)
Major Hayne D. Boyden (July 1, 1938–January 25, 1940)
Captain P. E. Conradt (January 26, 1940–June 30, 1940)
Major Ira L. Kimes (July 1, 1941–January 6, 1942)
Major Richard C. Mangrum (January 7, 1942–January 15, 1943)
Lt. Henry W. Hise (January 16, 1943–February 5, 1943)
Captain Rolland F. Smith (February 6, 1943–April 25, 1944)
Major Menard Doswell III (April 26, 1944–January 19, 1945)
Major Allan A. Feldmeier (January 20, 1945–August 15, 1945)

References
NARA VMTB-232 War History January 1, 1944–December 31, 1944 with a summary of events 1933 to 1943
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 in World War II pages 464 (VMTB-232)

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