Marine Aircraft Group 32

Marine Aircraft Group 32, commonly abbreviated MAG-32, was a United States Marine Corps aviation organization established at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 1 February 1943. It was created to coordinate Marine aviation squadrons and support combat operations during World War II. Unlike a commercial brand, MAG-32 was a military unit whose identity was expressed through its designation, subordinate squadrons, operational record, aircraft, and service honors. During its early existence, the group trained at Cherry Point before moving to the West Coast in January 1944 for preparation for deployment to the Pacific. It subsequently operated from Marine Corps Air Station Ewa in Hawaii and later from Emirau in the Bismarck Archipelago. In January 1945, the group moved to the Philippines and became part of Marine Air Groups, Dagupan, alongside Marine Aircraft Group 24. This formation operated under the 308th Bombardment Wing of the United States Army Air Forces while supporting the United States Sixth Army’s campaign on Luzon. MAG-32’s operational elements also participated in the establishment of Marine Air Groups, Zamboanga, a temporary composite formation that included Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Air Warning Squadron 4. Portions of MAG-32 went ashore at Zamboanga on 10 March 1945 and began operating from an expeditionary airfield two days later. Its SBD Dauntless dive bombers arrived later that month and provided close air support for amphibious operations and ground forces. The group supported the landing of the 41st Infantry Division on Jolo Island and subsequent operations involving Parang-Cotabato, Sibago, Macajalar, and Sarangani. During the Philippines campaign, MAG-32 and MAG-24 collectively flew 8,842 combat sorties and dropped more than 19,000 bombs while supporting the Fifth Air Force and Sixth Army. These figures reflect the group’s wartime role in tactical aviation, including dive bombing, close air support, and assistance to amphibious forces. Its wartime subordinate units included Marine Scout-Bomber Squadrons 142, 243, and 244, each with its own nickname and operational history. After the defeat of Japan, MAG-32 participated in the occupation of northern China. It returned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in June 1946 and was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in April 1947. The group was subsequently associated with Marine Corps aviation activity in the postwar period, including operations involving A-4 Skyhawk and AV-8A Harrier aircraft. In the 1970s it was based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, before moving to Cherry Point. The final two Marine Corps OA-4M Skyhawks associated with MAG-32 made their last flight from Cherry Point to Naval Air Station Patuxent River on 6 July 1990. The unit is recorded as having received the Navy Unit Commendation.

Marine Aircraft Group 32 was commissioned on 1 February 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, during the expansion of United States Marine Corps aviation in World War II. Its squadrons trained at Cherry Point before the group transferred to the West Coast in January 1944 to prepare for movement to the Pacific. MAG-32 then spent several months at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii, and moved to Emirau in November 1944 as Allied forces prepared for operations connected with the liberation of the Philippines. The group reached Mangaldan in the Philippines on 27 January 1945. There it joined Marine Air Groups, Dagupan, with Marine Aircraft Group 24. The composite formation operated under the United States Army Air Forces’ 308th Bombardment Wing in support of the Sixth Army’s Luzon campaign. Elements of MAG-32 later landed at Zamboanga on 10 March 1945 and began operating from an expeditionary airfield. Two days later, the group became part of Marine Air Groups, Zamboanga, together with Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Air Warning Squadron 4. MAG-32’s SBD Dauntless aircraft arrived at the end of March 1945 and conducted close-air-support and dive-bombing missions. One of its major assignments was support for the 41st Infantry Division’s landing on Jolo Island on 9 April. Tactical air control parties directed 44 dive bombers against Japanese positions. The group also supported amphibious landings and related ground operations at Parang-Cotabato, Sibago, Macajalar, and Sarangani. Marine Air Groups, Zamboanga, was dissolved on 30 August 1945. The group’s contribution to the Philippines campaign formed part of a combined record with MAG-24: the two groups flew 8,842 combat sorties and delivered more than 19,000 bombs in support of Fifth Air Force and Sixth Army operations. MAG-32’s wartime structure included Headquarters Squadron 32, Service Maintenance Squadron 32, and Marine Scout-Bomber Squadrons 142, 243, and 244. These squadrons operated under separate commanders and carried nicknames including the Wild Horses, Flying Goldbricks, and Bombing Banshees. Following World War II, MAG-32 participated in the occupation of northern China. It returned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in June 1946 and was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in April 1947. Later references associate the group with postwar Marine aircraft operations, including A-4 Skyhawks and AV-8A Harriers. During the 1970s, the group was based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, and later moved to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The last two OA-4M Skyhawks associated with MAG-32 made their final flight from Cherry Point to Naval Air Station Patuxent River on 6 July 1990. The unit’s recorded honors include the Navy Unit Commendation.

• 1990

  Final OA-4M Skyhawk flight

  [1]Marine Aircraft Group 32en.wikipedia.org

  The last two MAG-32 OA-4M Skyhawks flew from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to Naval Air Station Patuxent River on 6 July.

• 1947

  Deactivation

  [1]Marine Aircraft Group 32en.wikipedia.org

  MAG-32 was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in April.

• 1946

  Return from occupation service

  [1]Marine Aircraft Group 32en.wikipedia.org

  After participating in the occupation of northern China, the group returned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in June.

• 1945

  Philippines campaign

  [1]Marine Aircraft Group 32en.wikipedia.org

  MAG-32 arrived at Mangaldan in January and supported operations on Luzon, Zamboanga, Jolo, and neighboring islands.

• 1944

  Deployment to the Pacific

  [1]Marine Aircraft Group 32en.wikipedia.org

  The group moved from the United States to Hawaii and then Emirau as part of preparations for Pacific operations.

• 1943

  MAG-32 commissioned

  [1]Marine Aircraft Group 32en.wikipedia.org

  Marine Aircraft Group 32 was established at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 1 February.

A Marine Corps aviation command responsible for organizing aircraft squadrons and supporting expeditionary, close-air-support, bombing, and occupation operations.

• dive bomber and close-support aircraft

  SBD Dauntless

  The SBD Dauntless was the principal combat aircraft identified with MAG-32 during its 1945 Philippines operations. The group used the type for dive bombing and close air support, including attacks directed by tactical air control parties during amphibious and ground operations.

• light attack aircraft

  A-4 Skyhawk

  A-4 Skyhawks were associated with MAG-32 during its postwar Marine aviation service, particularly during the group’s 1970s period at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

• vertical and short takeoff attack aircraft

  AV-8A Harrier

  The AV-8A Harrier was among the aircraft associated with MAG-32 in the postwar period. Its vertical- and short-takeoff capability reflected the Marine Corps emphasis on expeditionary tactical aviation.

• two-seat trainer and tactical support aircraft

  OA-4M Skyhawk

  The OA-4M Skyhawk was the final aircraft type specifically mentioned in connection with MAG-32. The last two aircraft made their final flight from Cherry Point to Patuxent River in July 1990.

• 1945Philippines campaign

  Philippines

  MAG-32 supported the liberation of the Philippines through operations from Mangaldan, Zamboanga, and expeditionary airfields. Its missions included close air support, dive bombing, and support for amphibious landings.

  Outcome. The group contributed to Allied operations across Luzon, Jolo, and several other islands before the end of the war.

  Source
• 1945Occupation of northern China

  Northern China

  After Japan’s surrender, MAG-32 participated in the occupation of northern China as part of its postwar military duties.

  Outcome. The group later returned to the United States in 1946 before its 1947 deactivation.

  Source

• 1945

  Formation of composite operating groupsStrategy

  Background

  The Philippines campaign required Marine aviation units to operate in temporary composite formations alongside other Marine groups and air-warning units.

  Action taken

  MAG-32 joined Marine Air Groups, Dagupan, and later Marine Air Groups, Zamboanga, to coordinate aviation support for Army and Marine ground operations.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement enabled the group to support multiple island landings and close-air-support missions during the 1945 campaign.

  Source

1. 1Marine Aircraft Group 32en.wikipedia.org