Marine Fighting Squadron 321 (VMF-321) "Hell’s Angels"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Wartime History
During World War II, Marine Fighting Squadron 321 (VMF-321) was nicknamed "Hell’s Angels" and operated in the South Pacific (SoPAC). Equipped with the F4U Corsair and later the FG Corsair.


Pilots from VMF-321 with F4U Corsair parked at Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella

Wartime History
During February 1943 Major Gordon H. Knott became the Commanding Officer (C.O.).

During October 1943 Major Edmund F. Overend became the Commanding Officer (C.O.) who would claim 3 aerial victories in air combat. Previously, he claimed 5.3 victories flying with the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers".

On December 24, 1943 the squadron arrives at Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella Island. The squadron's air echelon operates from Torokina Airfield and later Piva South Airfield (Piva Yoke) on Bougainville.

On January 20, 1944 the squadron took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville on a mission to escort B-25 Mitchells on a bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Over the target, intercepted by Japanese Zeros and a dog fight began that resulted in the loss of lost of three planes: F4U Corsair 02402 pilot Captain Marion R. McCown, Jr., F4U Corsair 17914 pilot 1st Lt. Roger H. Brindos (POW, executed March 4-5, 1944) and F4U Corsair 55835 pilot 1st Lt. Robert W. Marshall (MIA).

On January 23, 1944 four Corsairs on a mission to escort SBD Dauntless over Rabaul. Inbound, F4U Corsair 50166 experienced mechanical trouble and and turned back towards base before the engine began to sputter and ditched into the sea at roughly 20-30 miles off the tip of Cape Saint George and was later rescued later that day by PBY Catalina piloted by Lieutenant B. Smith from VP-14.

On May 5, 1944 ditched F4U Corsair 02270 pilot 2nd Lt. James A. Vittitoe (survived) into shallow water near Quoin Hill off Efaté Island.

During October 1944, Major Justin M. Miller became the Commanding Officer (C.O.).

During March 1945, Major William P. Bolandbecame the Commanding Officer (C.O.).

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Maj. Gordon H. Knott (February 1943–September 1943)
Maj. Edmund F. Overend (October 1943–October 1944)
Maj. Justin M. Miller (October 1944–March 1945)
Maj. William P. Boland (March 1945–August 1945)

References
VMF-321 War Diary
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) pages XXX (VMF-321 squadron summary)

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