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".

Battle of Midway
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 make glide bombing attacks from 4,000' targeting Mikuma. Lost is SB2U-2 Vindicator 2088 pilot Captain Richard E. Fleming (MIA) who was hit by anti-aircraft fire and caught fire, dropped his bomb and crashed into the sea. For his actions, he earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

The squadron had sustained 75% losses and afterwards was reorganized with new personnel at Midway Airfield,

South Pacific
During March 1943 moves to Ewa Field on Oahu and assigned to Marine Air Group 24 (MAG-24). On April 24, 1943 moves to Tafuna Airfield (Tutuila) in American Samoa and operates for eight months. On December 16, 1943 moves to Efaté in New Hebrides (Vanuatu). On February 2, 1944 departs Efate via the Solomon Islands bound for Bougainville. On February 7, 1944 arrives Piva North Airfield (Piva Uncle). On March 18, 1944 returns to Efaté. 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 Efaté then rejoins the rest of the squadron on July 8, 1944.

Philippines
On January 1, 1945 at 11:00am at Milne Bay, the ground echelon embarked aboard SS Stewart and SS McMillan that both depart the next day bound for the Philippines. On January 6, 1945 arrives Humbolt Bay and departs the next day. Meanwhile on January 11, 1945 the no. 3 echelon departed Bougainville aboard USS President Polk arrives Lingayen Gulf and lands to start establishing the squadron ashore.

On January 15, 1945 enters San Pedro Bay off Leyte and the next day departs as part of a convoy bound for Lingayen Gulf off Luzon. On January 22, 1945 at 6:30am the ground echelon enters Lingayen Gulf and anchors. On January 23, 1945 at 10:00am the ground echelon are embarked aboard LCVP landing barges and landed at the mouth of the Dagupan River in Dagupan and are transported by trucks to Mangaldan Airfield where they begin establishing a camp.

Meanwhile, on January 20, 1945 the air echelon departs Emirau Airfield aboard two R4D, 24 SBDs with drop tanks and a PBY Catalina and fly via Mokerang Airfield then onward to Owi Airfield. On January 21, 1945 at 9:00am departs Owi Airfield in bad weather and lands at Peleliu Airfield and prepares for the flight to the Philippines.

On January 25, 1945 at 7:45am the air echelon including 24 SBDs with drop tanks plus an R4D and PBY Catalina took off from Peleliu Airfield bound for the Philippines. During take off, the PBY ran into the tail of the R4D causing damage and aborts. The PBY proceeds and lands at Tacloban Airfield on Leyte at 5:50pm. The SBDs fly to northern Luzon, Over Manila Bay, SBD piloted by Hammond develops engine trouble jettisons drop tanks and rear guns and managed to make an emergency landing at Lingayen Airfield at 5:20pm. The rest of the SBDs reach Mangaldan Airfield at 5:50pm. The squadron becomes part of Marine Aircraft Groups, Dagupan under the command of Col. Clayton C. Jerome, USMC to provide close air support for the U.S. Army Sixth Army. On January 26, 1945 the squadron continues setting up camp near Mangaldan Airfield while the SBDs are prepared for combat.

On January 27, 1945 the squadron flies when eighteen SBDs fly mission no. 001 bombing and strafing San Fernando and claim a large bivouac destroyed, oil dump fire. At 11:30 a red alert was sounded, but no enemy planes were spotted. Meanwhile, the squadron's second R4D repaired from the accident at Peleliu Airfield arrives Mangaldan Airfield at 3:30pm.

On January 28, 1945 eighteen SBDs fly mission 003 against vehicles and supply pools near Clark Field claiming direct hits with two planes sustain minor damage from anti-aircraft fire.

On April 10, 1945 the ground echelon departs for Mindanao followed by th flight echelon five days later.

On August 1, 1945 decommissioned as a squadron and disbanded.

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)
Captain William E. Clasen (September 4, 1942–October 14, 1942)
Major Joseph P. Fuchs (October 15, 1942–April 14, 1943)
Major Wayne M. Cargill (April 15, 1943–October 11, 1943)
Capt William W Wood (October 12, 1945–November 15, 1943)
Major James A. Feeley (November 16, 1943–Augist 11, 1944)
Major James C. Lindsay (August 11, 1944–October 31, 1944)
Major Jack L Brushert (November 1, 1944–December 9, 1944)
Major Benjamin B Manchester III (December 10, 1944–February 19, 1945)
Major Jack L. Brushert (February 20, 1945–July 22, 1945)
Captain Armon Christopherson (July 23, 1945–August 1, 1945)

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)
NARA VMSB-241 War Diary May 1942
NARA VMSB-241 War Diary January 1945

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