Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 132 (VMSB-132)
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 132 (VMTB-132)
"Crying Red Asses"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On July 1, 1941 VMB-1 was redesignated Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 132 (VMSB-132) at Quantico, Virginia. Nicknamed "Crying Red Asses". Commanding Officer (C. O.) Major Joseph Sailer, Jr. On October 15, 1942 departs from NAS San Diego aboard USS Mumu across the Pacific and twelve days later arrives at Nouméa on New Caledonia. Attached to 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11).

Wartime History
Between October 29, 1942 until November 17, 1942 squadron air echelon was transported by air to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. On November 17, 1942 the ground echelon embarked aboard USS Barnett (APA-5) at Nouméa and were transported to Guadalcanal, with a small contingent remaining at Nouméa as the squadron's rear echelon.

On December 1, 1942 nine SBD Dauntless dive bombers led by Major Sailer on a mission to dive bomb Japanese warships including a light cruiser and two destroyers off Guadalcanal. Returning at night, SBD-3 Dauntless 06662 pilot Captain William F. Spang crashed on landing and was killed. His gunner (identity unknown) survived the crash.

On December 7, 1942 lost is SBD-3 06689 pilot Major Joseph Sailer, Jr. (MIA).

On December 16, 1942 in the morning, four SBDs took off on a mission to attack a group of transports reportedly unloading on the southeastern coast of the Russell Islands. No transports were located but during the return trip a two masted schooner was found in Hooper Bay off the northwest coast of Pavuvu and the formation dive bombed with all bombs missing the vessel. Afterwards, all four SBDs returned safely. Later that night at 9:05pm another SBD strike took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal led by Lt. McEniry as one of seven SBDs against Japanese shipping off Munda and Munda Airfield on New Georgia. The formation was led by Lt. McEniry with Lt. Skinner, Lt. Jackson Lt. Simpson, TSgt Humprey and SSgt Wallof with two pilots from VMSB-142. Over the target, Lt. Jackson and Lt. Christen became separated from the formation and spotted a destroyer or light cruiser off Munda and were targeted by heavy anti-aircraft fire Lost is SBD-3 Dauntless 03258 pilot Captain Frank L. Christen (POW/MIA) gunner Pfc Glenn Shattuck (MIA). The rest of the formation landed safely at on December 17, 1943 at 12:30am.

During late December 1942 relieved by Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 233 (VMSB-233).

On June 2, 1943 lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 10338 pilot Lt. Kenneth H. Dieffenback (rescued) on a training flight. Afterwards, twenty SBDs took off on a search mission to locate the downed plane and crew. Blown off course by a tropical storm and lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 06962 pilot MGUN Kenneth L. Gordon (KIA) while attempting to land. Also lost was SBD-4 Dauntless 10697 pilot MSgt Howard Harvey Hicks (MIA).

On July 17, 1943 lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 10586 pilot 1st Lt. Edward H. Hughes (MIA) against Japanese ships off southern Bougainville.

On October 26, 1943 the squadron returned to the United States and was reorganized at El Toro and Santa Barbara. On October 14, 1944 redesignated Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 132 (VMTB-132).

Commanding Officers (C. O.)
Major Joseph Sailer, Jr. 1942–December 7, 1942 (MIA)

References
NARA Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 War Diary October 13, 1942 to April 30, 1943 page 16
TogetherWeServed - Sailer, Joseph, Jr., Maj (photo)
History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) pages 457-458 (VMTB-132 squadron summary)
Dauntless Marine Joseph Sailer Jr. Dive-bombing Ace (1997) by Alexander S. White biography of Joseph Sailer

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