VMF-452

Marine Fighting Squadron 452
	VMF-452 Insignia
Active	- December 31, 1949
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Fighter squadron
Role	Air interdiction; Close air support
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	“Sky Raiders”
Engagements	World War II; * Battle of Okinawa
Commanders
Notable; commanders	George C. Axtell
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F4U-4 Corsair

Marine Fighting Squadron 452 (VMF-452) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was commissioned and fought during World War II. Known as the “Sky Raiders”, they flew the F4U Corsair, and the Grumman TBF Avenger, fell under the command of Marine Carrier Group 5 (MCVG-5) and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. The squadron is best known for being aboard the USS Franklin (CV-13) when she was severely damaged by Japanese kamikaze planes of the coast of Okinawa on March 19, 1945. VMF-452 was deactivated on December 31, 1949 and has remained in an inactive status since.

History

VMF-452 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California.

On February 7, 1945, the squadron departed San Francisco on board the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13). From there they sailed to Pearl Harbor and then moved west to join up with Task Force 58 which was heading to support the invasion of Okinawa. On March 18 they flew their first combat missions against airfields on Kyūshū Island. The following day, the Franklin was attacked by a Japanese Yokosuka D4Y Judy dive bomber. Both of its two 500-pound bombs stuck the Franklin. 33 members of VMF-452 were killed in the ensuing devastation and the squadron was no longer combat effective. They transferred to the USS Bunker Hill and set sail for the United States.

Upon returning to the California, the squadron was sent to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro to refit and rearm in April 1945. They remained there until the end of the war.

Notable former members

Norwood Russell Hanson

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. VMF-452 was presented with the following awards:

Ribbon	Unit Award
	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
	World War II Victory Medal
	National Defense Service Medal

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Notes

References

Bibliography

Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945s. 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.

Web

List of VMF-452 members killed onboard the USS Franklin on March 19, 1945

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