Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) "Fighting Falcons"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) operated fighter aircraft from Midway and later the South Pacific (SOPAC) during World War II. Nicknamed "Fighting Falcons".

Wartime History
On December 25, 1941 fourteen F2A-3 Buffalos from VMF-221 took off from USS Saratoga (CV-3) and land at Midway Airfield as the first fighter planes based at Midway Atoll.

On June 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway the squadron took off from Midway Airfield on an intercept mission and engaged A6M2 Zeros northwest of Midway Atoll. Lost is F2A-3 Buffalo 01518 pilot Major Floyd B. Parks (MIA), F2A-3 Buffalo 01525 pilot John R. Alvord (MIA), F2A-3 Buffalo 01537 pilot 2nd Lt. John M. Butler (MIA), F2A-3 Buffalo 01548 pilot 2nd Lt. Eugene P. Madole (MIA) and F2A-3 Buffalo 01569 pilot 2nd Lt David W. Pinkerton, Jr. (MIA).

On April 7, 1943 the squadron scrambled to intercept incoming Japanese air raid including F4F Wildcat 12084 pilot 1st Lt. James E. Swett who claimed seven D3A Vals and a probable shot down and later earned the Medal of Honor and returning ditched off Florida Island and was rescued.

On June 30, 1943 the squadron took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and fly a Combat Air Patrols (CAP) as part of a dawn to dusk "Rendova Patrol" to provide air cover over the U.S. landing on Rendova Island. The formation included F4U Corsairs from VMF-221, VMF-122, VMF-121 and VMF-213.

On October 18, 1943 the squadron flew a fighter sweep over Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville. Lost is F4U Corsair 17557 pilot 1st Lt. Milton E. Schneider (MIA).

References
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page XXX (VMF-221)

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