VMA-217

Marine Attack Squadron 217 (VMA-217) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was activated and fought during World War II. Known as “Max’s Wild Hares”, they fought in many areas of the Pacific War including the Battle of Iwo Jima. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron was deactivated on March 10, 1946. They were briefly reactivated as part of the Reserves but were again deactivated in 1964 and remain in an inactive status today.

Marine Attack Squadron 217
VMF-217’s WWII Insignia
Active1946-1964
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeFighter squadron
RoleAir interdiction
Close air support
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)“Max’s Wild Hares”
Tail Code7Z
EngagementsWorld War II
* Battle of Iwo Jima
Aircraft flown
AttackA-4 Skyhawk
FighterF4F Wildcat
F4U Corsair
F6F Hellcat

History

VMF-217 was activated at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California on September 15, 1942.[1] The squadron did the majority of its training on the F4F Wildcat as there was a shortage of F4U Corsairs.[2] They remained there and trained until December 12, 1943 when they went to Naval Air Station North Island, only to be embarked on the USS Barnes (CVE-20) a week later for transit to the Pacific Theater. The squadron arrived on Espiritu Santo on January 5, 1944, and soon moved to Bougainville on January 28, 1944. Two days later the squadron began striking the bypassed Japanese garrison at Rabaul.[3] The flight echelon returned to Espiritu Santo on March 19, 1944 and remained until June 1, 1944 when they embarked on the USS Santee (CVE-29), USS Cetus (AK-77) and a few other ships for a voyage to Guam.[4]

Insignia on Jeep, 1944

The successful conclusion of the Solomon Islands campaign and the neutralization of Rabaul meant that there was an excess of Marine Fighter Squadrons available in the Pacific at this time.[5]

Beginning on August 7, 1944, the squadron commenced strikes against the island of Rota. All personnel from VMF-217 were ashore on Guam by August 20, 1944.[6]

On February 16, 1945, the squadron took part in a raid on Tokyo as part of Task Force 58. Taking off from the USS Wasp (CV-18) they, along with their sister squadron VMF-216, participated in an attack on the airfields at Yokosuka and Tateyama.[7] After the Tokyo bombing, the squadron went to Iwo Jima to provide close air support for the Marines on the ground during the battle.

In May 1945, the squadron returned to the United States, Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California, for reorganization and training for escort carrier duty. It was here that the squadron began training on the F6F Hellcat because all of the available F4U Corsairs were needed for anti-Kamikaze duty.[8] At the time of the surrender of Japan they were attached to Marine Carrier Group 7 (MCVG-7) aboard the USS Point Cruz (CVE-119) and were preparing for another deployment. The squadron was deactivated at Naval Air Station San Diego on March 10, 1946.

VMF-217 was briefly reactivated from 1953 to 1964 in the Marine Forces Reserve, flying the A-4 Skyhawk at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts. In 1955, they were redesignated VMA-217. After deactivation, its assets were transferred to VMA-322.[9]

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. VMA-217 has been presented with the following awards:

RibbonUnit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
  Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star
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See also

Notes
  1. Rottman USMC WWII OOB, p. 442.
  2. Shettle USMC Air Stations of WWII, p. 65.
  3. Sherrod History of Marine Aviation in WWII, p. 462.
  4. Sherrod History of Marine Aviation in WWII, p. 462.
  5. Crowder USMC Aviation – The Fighter Squadrons’', p. 76.
  6. Sherrod History of Marine Aviation in WWII, p. 462.
  7. Condon ‘’Flattops and Corsairs’’, p. 27-8.
  8. Shettle USMC Air Stations of WWII, p. 74.
  9. "VMA-217". www.skyhawk.org. Retrieved 2007-11-23.

References
Bibliography
  • Crowder, Michael J. (2000). United States Marine Corps Aviation Squadron Lineage, Insignia & History - Volume One - The Fighter Squadrons. Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 1-56311-926-9.
  • Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
  • Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
  • Shettle Jr., M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co. ISBN 0-9643388-2-3.
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