VMB-433

Marine Bombing Squadron 433 (VMB-433) was a United States Marine Corps medium bomber squadron during World War II. Nicknamed the 'Fork-tailed Devils", the squadron flew PBJ medium bombers which were the naval version of the B-25 Mitchell. The squadron participated in combat operations in the Pacific Theater and was quickly deactivated after the war.

Marine Bombing Squadron 433
VMB-413 insignia
ActiveSeptember 15, 1943- November 30, 1945
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeBomber
RoleAerial interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)"Fork-Tailed Devils"
Tail CodeDT
EngagementsWorld War II
Aircraft flown
BomberPBJ

History

VMB-433 was commissioned on September 15, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The squadron also received initial training at Marine Corps Air Station Edenton and Marine Corps Air Facility Peterfield Point, North Carolina. Upon completion, the squadron joined MarFAirWest on 27 January 1944 and continued their training syllabus at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California.

By May 26, 1944 the ground echelon was underway, bound for the Northern Solomons. The following day the flight echelon departed, arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on June 1, 1944. After staging through Palmyra, Canton, Funafuti and Espiritu Santo, the squadron arrived at Green Island on July 14, 1944 for temporary duty with Marine Aircraft Group 14. One month later, the squadron had redeployed, and both echelons were operating at Emirau with Marine Aircraft Group 61. On 16 August 1945, VMB-433 departed Emirau for Titcomb Field at Malabang in the Philippines, arriving there just as the war ended. VMB-433 was decommissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California on November 30, 1945 following the squadron's return to the United States.

During the course of the war the squadron had 17 Marines killed in action and lost 3 aircraft, 1 to mechanical issues and 2 to combat.

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. VMB-433 was presented with the following awards:

Streamer Award Year(s) Additional Info
American Defense Service Streamer with one Bronze Star 1941 World War II
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with two Bronze Stars

World War II Victory Streamer 1941–1945 Pacific War
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See also

Notes

    References
    Bibliography
    • Carey, Alan C. Leatherneck Bombers:Marine Corps B-25/PBJ Mitchell Squadrons in World War II. Schiffer Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-7643-1501-3
    • Rottman, Gordon L. U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle: Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939-1945. Greenwood Press, 2002. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
    • Sherrod, Robert. History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press, 1952. ISBN 0-933852-58-4.
    Web
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