Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 236 (VMSB-236) "Black Panthers"
United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On January 1, 1943 Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 236 (VMSB-236) in the U.S. Marine Corps (UMSC) was formed at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave in California. Nicknamed "Black Panthers" operated the SBD Dauntless dive bomber in the South Pacific (SoPAC).

Wartime History
On July 17, 1943 the squadron took off on training missions to practice instrument flying and dive bombing. Lost is SBD-5 Dauntless 10918 pilot Captain Leonard Mailloux (MIA) gunner Pfc Rosario Macone bailed out and survived.

On November 16, 1943 the flight echelon of VMSB-236 was transfered to Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14).

On December 1, 1943 sixteen SBDs from the squadron took off on a bombing and strafing mission against Ballale Airfield on Ballale Island and Kara Airfield on Bougainville. Lost is SBD-5 Dauntless 11002 pilot Major Earl P. Paris, Jr. (MIA) and SBD-5 Dauntless 35976 pilot 1st Lt. Earle Bunch Whiteley (MIA).

On December 16, 1943 the squadron conducts a strike against Sohano Island and Bonis Airfield on Bougainville. Returning, SBD Dauntless 1st Lt. W. A. Monfort (survived) suffered an engine failure and accidentally crashed into SBD Dauntless 35968 pilot 1st Lt. Richard C. Oughton (survived). Shot down by anti-aircraft fire over the target is SBD Dauntless pilot Lt. Quinlan (survived).

On January 10, 1944 the squadron took off with four divisions led by Major Mc Daniel on a bombing mission against Rabaul. Lost inbound due to an engine failure was SBD 06738 pilot Collins (rescued) ditched off Ghizo Island. Over the target, Rabaul was covered by clouds that prevented bombing and returning the formation instead bombed their secondary target Cape Saint George on the southeast of New Ireland.

On January 14, 1944 36 SBD Dauntless from VMSB-341 and VMSB-236 plus 18 TBF Avengers on a strike against Rabaul. The bombers were escorted by 73 fighters including F4U Corsairs and F6F Hellcats. This was the first full scale attack by land based light bombers against Rabaul. Lost is SBD Dauntless 35971 pilot 1st Lt. Billy Ray Ramsey (MIA) gunner Sgt Charlie J. Sciara (POW, died in captivity).

On May 17, 1944 the squadron took off on a bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Lost is SBD Dauntless 28161 pilot Captain John A. Anderson (MIA).

References
NARA Marine Scout Bombing Squadron Two Thirty Six (VMSB-236) War Diary January 1944
History of Marine Corps in World War II page XXX (VMSB-236 squadron summary)

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