Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124)
"Whistling Death / Wild Aces"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On September 7, 1942 Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124) was formed at Camp Kearney in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). In late October 1942 they received some of the first F4U Corsairs making them the first Marine squadron to receive the new fighter.

First Tour of Duty
On January 8, 1943 the squadron left San Diego aboard USS Lurline bound for the South Pacific (SOPAC) under Commanding Officer (C.O.) Major William Gise. Assigned to the 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11).

On February 12, 1943 in the morning the squadron's F4U Corsairs land on Guadalcanal. That afternoon, the squadron flew their first combat mission, logging nine hours in the air escorting a PBY Catalina on a 230 mile mission to rescue two downed pilots from Sandfly Bay off Vella Lavella.

On February 13, 1943 eleven Corsairs took off on an escort mission for nine PB4Y-1 Liberators on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping off southern Bougainville in the Buin-Shortland area. This was the first use of the Corsair on a combat misison in the South Pacific. Over the target, the formation is intercepted by Japanese Zeros and floatplanes.

On February 14, 1943 twelve Corsairs took off on an escort mission for PB4Y-1 Liberators on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping off southern Bougainville in the Buin-Shortland area. Over the target, the formation is intercepted by Japanese Zeros and floatplanes. Lost is F4U Corsair 02187 piloted by 1st Lt. Gordon Lee Lyon, Jr. (MIA) and F4U Corsair 02249 pilot 2nd Lt. Harold Ralph Stewart (MIA).

On February 27, 1943 lost is F4U Corsair 02171 pilot 1st Lt. Walter A. Franklin, Jr. (KIA).

On March 29, 1943 a joint-service fighter sweep led by Captain Tom Lanphier with eight Lockheed P-38 Lightnings from 339th Fighter Squadron (339th FS) and 70th Fighter Squadron, (70th FS) with eight U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) F-4U-1 Corsairs from VMF-124. Due to poor weather and difficulty in rendevouing, only five P-38s (Lanphier, Barber, Petit, Topoll and Moore) and one F4U Corsair piloted by Lt. Eben Dale reach the target. At dawn, they strafe the seaplane bases at Shortland and set fire to 5-7 F1M2 Pete floatplanes. Other damage reports state they claimed 8 aircraft destroyed Departing, they strafe a destroyer [sic Subchaser CH-28] east of Shortland Island, leaving it listing.

On May 13, 1943 fifteen F4U Corsairs led by Major William Gise took off from Fighter 1 on Guadalcanal at 12:10pm piloted by Major William Gise leading a scramble to intercept incoming Japanese aircraft. Over the Russell Islands, engaged in a dog fight with A6M2 Zeros from 204 Kokutai. Lost was F4U Corsair 02178 piloted by Major William Gise.

On May 14, 1943 Captain Brewer became the squadron's Commanding Officer (C.O.) and Captain Quilty Executive Officer (E.O.).

During June 1943, relieved Marine Fighting Squadron 213 (VMF-213).

On August 30, 1943 F4U Corsairs took off from Barakoma Airfield on a mission to escort B-24 Liberators on a bombing mission against Kahilli Airfield on southern Bougainville. Lost was F4U Corsair 02516 piloted by 1st Lt James L. Fowler.

Pilot Kenneth A. Walsh earned the Medal of Honor for two actions: August 15, 1943 and August 30, 1943. He was the first F4U Corsair pilot to earn the Medal of Medal.

VMF-124 participating in the Russells, New Georgia, and Vella Lavella operations. On September 7, 1943 the squadron departed the Solomons Islands and returned to the United States for reorganization and training.

Second Tour of Duty
On September 18, 1944 departed the United States aboard USS Ticonderoga CV-14 arriving at Pearl Harbor six days later.

On December 28, 1944, Marine fighter squadrons VMF-124 under the command of Lt Col William A. Millington and VMF-213 under the command of Major David E. Marshall were assigned to Air Group 4, replacing Bombing Squadron 4 (VB-4). The assignment of these two U.S. Marine Corps squadrons aboard an aircraft carrier was the first use of U.S. Marine Corps squadrons to augment carrier air groups during World War II. Both squadrons participated in actions against Lingayen, Luzon, Formosa, Tokyo, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major William Gise (May 13, 1943) †
Captain Brewer (May 14, 1943)

References
NARA VMF-124 War Diary July 1943
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page 457 (VMF-112)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 70-71 (VMF-124)
One Man's Journey by Robert M. Berg

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