World War II VMFA-211

wreckage of capt elrod s f4f-3 after japanese captured wake island

in november 1941, vmf-211 embarked 12 of 24 f4f-3 wildcats , 13 of 29 pilots aboard uss enterprise movement wake island, scene of squadron s heroic battle. on december 8, 1941 japanese attacked wake, destroying 7 of aircraft on ground. on next 2 weeks, remaining 5 planes repelled numerous attacks , inflicted great losses on enemy.

during course of defense, marine ground forces , vmf-211 caused loss of @ least 4 enemy warships, including first major japanese naval vessels sunk during pacific war. squadron credited 8 aircraft destroyed. after loss of last aircraft, squadron became ground unit , fought until surrender of atoll. first marine airman awarded medal of honor in world war ii vmf-211 s henry t. elrod. planned operation reinforce wake island deemed dangerous fleet command, , on december 23 wake island overrun numerically superior enemy.

vmf-211 f4u-4s on coral sea in 1952

the squadron s rear echelon @ marine corps air station ewa lost 1 of twelve f4f-3s during attack on pearl harbor, , lone survivor lost when transferred navy. in february 1942, squadron commanded future medal of honor recipient harold w. bauer. rebuilding personnel , aircraft became available, squadron, under command of major luther s. moore deployed in may 1942 palmyra atoll in south pacific , adopted name avengers in memory of squadron members killed or captured on wake island. when first deployed, vmf-211 equipped brewster f2a-3 , not until july sufficient numbers of grumman f4f-4 wildcats became available re-equip squadron. pacific campaign continued squadron transitioned f4u corsair remainder of war. vmf-211 participated in treasury-bougainville campaign, battle of bismarck sea, northern solomon, battle of leyte gulf , southern philippine campaigns.