Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112) "Wolf Pack"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On March 1, 1942 formed in San Diego as Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112) in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). Nicknamed "Wolf Pack".

Wartime History
On January 31, 1943 eight Wildcats from VMF-112 led by led by Lt James Secrest with 1st Lt Jefferson DeBlanc, Lt. Lynch, Lt. Maas, Lt Hughes and SSgt Feliton took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal to escort SBD Dauntless dive bombers on a mission against Japanese transports off Kolombangara Island. Lost are F4F "Impatient Virgin" 03520 pilot 1st Lt Jefferson J. DeBlanc (survived) and F4F Wildcat 11983 pilot SSgt James A. Feliton (survived).

On February 1, 1943 Wildcats from VMF-112 intercepted A6M2 Zeros west of Savo Island as the Japanese withdrew to the northwest. During the dog fight, Wildcats shot down A6M2 Zero pilot Chiba (MIA) and A6M2 Zero 6544 pilot Tanaka (MIA).

On June 5, 1943 crash landed is F4U Corsair 02499 pilot 2nd Lt. Chester E. Longshore (survived).

On December 31, 1944 both VMF-123 and VMF-112 were assigned to USS Bennington (CV-20) for their third combat tour and flew combat missions over Iwo Jima, Japan and Okinawa until June 16, 1945.

References
NARA Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF-112) War Diary October 15, 1942–February 13, 1943
NARA Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF-112) War Diary February 14, 1943–April 30, 1943
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page 456 (VMF-112)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 69 (VMF-112)

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