VMFA-334

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 334
	VMFA-334 Insignia
Active	August 1, 1943 - October 10, 1944; May 31, 1952 - December 30, 1971;
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Attack
Role	Close air support; Air interdiction; Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Deactivated
Nickname(s)	Falcons; Death Dealers (WWII)
Tail Code	WU
Engagements	Vietnam War
Aircraft flown
Bomber	SBD Dauntless
Fighter	F9F Panther; FJ Fury; F-8 Crusader; F-4J Phantom II

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 334 (VMFA-334) was a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron. Known as the “Falcons”, they were part of Marine Aircraft Group 15 and Marine Aircraft Group 33. They participated in action during World War II and the Vietnam War and were decommissioned in 1971.

History

Early years

Squadron logo during WWII when they were VMSB-334

Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 334 (VMSB-334) was activated on August 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point flying the Douglas SBD Dauntless. The squadron traveled around the United States for a year training until they were deactivated on October 10, 1944, a day that many other scout bomber squadrons were deactivated.

Post World War II years

Marine Attack Squadron 334 (VMA-334) was reactivated on May 31, 1952 at Marine Corps Air Station Miami as part of the general increase in the United States military brought on by the Korean War. At this time they were equipped with the F6F Hellcat, later with the F4U Corsair, then the F9F Panther. Less than two years later, on January 23, 1954, the squadron transitioned to the FJ Fury and was redesignated Marine Fighter Squadron 334 {VMF-334}.

VMF-334’s first overseas deployment came in early 1957 when they were sent to Naval Air Station Atsugi for more than a year. They returned to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in January 1958 where they became the first West Coast squadron to transition to the F8U-1 Crusader.

A F-8 Crusader from VMF-334 on the ramp at MCAS El Toro in 1966.

Vietnam War

The Falcons were redesignated Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 334 (VMFA-334) on August 1, 1967 and again transitioned airframes to the F-4J Phantom II. The Falcons departed MCAS El Toro on August 20, 1968. The squadron arrived at Da Nang Air Base on September 1. Initial combat operations began immediately. VMFA-334 relocated to Chu Lai early in 1969. VMFA-334 remained in Vietnam until September 1969 when they were relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. From there they flew air support over the US Navy intelligence ship the USS Pueblo, which had been attacked and captured by North Korea.

In March 1971 they returned to MCAS El Toro and were deactivated on December 30, 1971.

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Notes

References

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

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.

Web

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