Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241)
"Sons of Satan"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On March 1, 1942 commissioned as Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241) at Midway Airfield equipped with SBD Dauntless dive bombers and SB2U Vindicators. Nicknamed "Sons of Satan".

Wartime History
On June 4, 1942 at the start of the Battle of Midway the squadron's SBD Dauntless dive bombers led by Major Lofton R. Henderson and eleven SB2U Vindicators led by Major Benjamin W. Norris took off from Midway Airfield on a dive bombing mission against the Japanese fleet off Midway Atoll. Their take off was filmed by John Ford and later appeared in The Battle of Midway (1942). Flying faster than the Vindicators, the Dauntless formation climbed to 9,000' and sighted the Japanese fleet at 7:55am including at least two enemy carriers. Henderson's formation circled to 8,500' in preparation for initiating a glide bombing attack from 4,000'. At roughly 8,000' the formation was intercepted by Japanese A6M2 Zeros. As lead aircraft, SBD 2129 pilot Major Lofton R. Henderson was one of the first targeted by Zeros and hit by gunfire causing his left wing burst into flames from enemy anti-aircraft fire, but he continued his attack until his plane crashed. After Henderson was shot down, Captain Glidden took command of the rest of the formation and attacked despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and Zeros. Although the Marines claimed one of the carriers was burning and smoking heavily, they claimed three direct hits and two near misses. From the Japanese side, three SBDs from VMSB-241 likely scored near misses against Kaga at 8:30 and four near misses against Hiryū at 8:50am. Possibly, one of the SBDs (misidentified as a fighter by the Japanese) strafed Hiryū and killed four crew.

Meanwhile, the SB2U Vindicators led by Major Benjamin W. Norris reached the Japanese fleet roughly 15 minutes later roughly 165 miles off Midway Atoll and were intercepted by three Zeros with one shot down by rear gunners. Arriving over the opposite end of the Japanese fleet, the Vindicators made shallow glide bombing attacks against Haruna and claim several near misses but fail to cause any damage. Returning, Vindicators were intercepted by Zeros with one shot down.

In the day's strikes, the squadron lost eight dive bombers including SBD 2129 pilot Major Lofton R. Henderson (MIA) and SBD 2148 pilot 2nd Lt Harold G. Schlendering (survived) gunner PFC Edward Oliver Smith (MIA). Three SB2U-2 Vindicators were lost with one pilot later rescued by PT Boat.

On June 5, 1942 at 6:30am the remaining planes took off took off to bomb "two enemy battleships (one crippled) bearing 268° , 170 miles". The formation included six SBDs led by Captain Marshall A. Tyler and six SB2Us led by Captain Richard E. Fleming that quickly spotted a large oil slick and followed to it to the warships. The SBDs made dive bombing attacks from 10,000' targeting Mogami and scored six near misses. Meanwhile, B-17s at high altitude bombed but their bombs landed astern missing. The SB2Us glide bombing attacks from 4,000'. Lost is SB2U-2 Vindicator 2088 pilot Captain Richard E. Fleming (MIA) who was damaged and crashed into Mikuma. For his actions, he earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

In total, the squadron sustained 75% looses and afterwards was reorganized with new personnel and remained at Midway Airfield until March 1943 when assigned to Marine Air Group 24 (MAG-24).

On April 24, 1943 arrives Tutuila and operates for eight months. On December 16, 1943 moves to Efate. On February 2, 1944 departs Efate via the Solomon Islands to Bougainville. On February 7, 1944 arrives Piva Airfield. On March 18, 1944 returns to Efate. On May 13, 1944 the flight echelon arrives Emirau Airfield and continues to fly bombing missions against Rabaul. On June 18, 1944 the ground echelon arrives Munda Airfield on New Georgia. Meanwhile, the flight echelon returns to Efate then rejoins the rest of the squadron on July 8, 1944.

During January 1945 arrives Luzon. On April 10, 1945 the ground echelon departs for Mindanao followed by th flight echelon five days later. On August 1, 1945 decommissioned.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Captain Hewis H. Delano, Jr (March 1, 1942–April 10, 1942)
Captain Leo R. Smith (April 11, 1942–April 16, 1942)
Major Lofton R. Henderson (April 17, 1942–June 4, 1942) †
Captain Marshall A. Tyler (June 4, 1942–September 3, 1942)

References
The Battle of Midway (1942) directed by John Ford includes footage of this SB2U taking off on June 4, 1942
History of Marine Corps in World War II (1952) pages 48 (photo 35), 58-62 (June 4-5, 1942 map), 465 (VMSB-241 squadron summary)
Marines At Midway (1948) pages 19, Strikes by Marine Air Group 22 (map), 40 (photo)

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