Composite Squadron 40 (VC-40)
U.S. Navy (USN)

Background
Composite Squadron 40 (VC-40) was part of the U.S. Navy (USN) in the South Pacific (SoPAC) during World War II.

Wartime History
PARTIAL HISTORY

On September 16, 1943 six Avengers from VC-40 took off from Fighter One on Guadalcanal on a bombing mission against Ballale Island. Lost is TBF-1 Avenger 23909 pilot Lt(jg) Roland D. Hahn (MIA) when its bomb which exploded prematurely under the plane, blowing off one of the wings and crashed into the sea southeast of Ballale Island.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On January 1, 1944 Composite Squadron 40 was assigned to Commander Air Group 40 (CAG-40) under Commander Air South Pacific (ComAirSoPac). The squadron was based at Munda Airfield on New Georgia equipped with 13 TBF Avengers with 14 pilots and 13 SBD Dauntless dive bombers with fifteen pilots plus 2 A-V(S) officers and one flight surgeon. The squadron operated as part of the strike command and provided aircraft and pilots for TBF and SBD pools.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On January 14, 1944 nine SBDs from VC-40 took off from Munda Airfield on a dive bombing mission against Rabaul. Pilots from other squadrons flew 3 TBFs and 5 SBDs assigned to VC-40 on the same mission. Two of the SBDs flown by pilots of other squadrons were lost: SBD-5 Dauntless 36230 plot 1st Lt. Harold R. Tuck (POW) and SBD-5 Dauntless 35971 pilot 1st Lt. Billy Ray Ramsey (MIA).

Commanding Officer (C.O.)
LtCdr J. H. Pennoyer

References
NARA Composite Squadron Forty War Diary January 1944 pages 1-6
(Page 4) "January 14, 1944. 4. Operations: 9 VSB [SBD] pilots engaged in bombing attack on enemy shipping in Simpson Harbor, New Britain. Pilots from other squadrons flew 3 TBD's and 5 SBD' of VC-40 on same mission. Two of the SBDs flown by pilots of other squadrons were lost when they collided over Rabaul."

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