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Marine Aircraft Group 93

A World War II-era United States Marine Corps aviation group responsible first for dive-bomber training and later for preparing replacement aviation personnel.

Last updated August 26, 2026

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Overview

Marine Aircraft Group 93, commonly designated MAG-93, was a United States Marine Corps aviation group formed during World War II. It was commissioned on 1 April 1944 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Bogue in North Carolina. The group was initially organized as a dive-bombing training formation, with its principal instructional mission focused on preparing Marine pilots to operate the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. MAG-93's role changed as wartime operational requirements evolved. In July 1944, the group shifted from its original emphasis on dive-bomber instruction to organizing and training replacement personnel for combat units. This change reflected the Marine Corps' need to sustain aviation formations deployed to active theaters, particularly as established operational groups and squadrons moved toward the Pacific. In August 1944, MAG-93 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake in Texas. There it assumed control of squadrons that had previously been associated with Marine Aircraft Group 33, after MAG-33 departed for service in the Pacific Theater. The group functioned primarily as a stateside training and replacement organization rather than as a front-line combat headquarters. Its subordinate or associated units included Marine Service Squadron 93, several Marine scout-bomber squadrons, and Marine Observation Squadron 351. VMSB-333, VMSB-334, VMSB-342, and VMSB-932 are identified among the units connected with the group; VMO-351 joined on 10 May 1944, while VMSB-932 was commissioned on 15 May 1944. MAG-93 remained engaged in training and replacement responsibilities for the rest of World War II. Following Japan's surrender, the Marine Corps reduced its wartime aviation establishment. MAG-93 was deactivated in October 1945 as part of the postwar drawdown and has remained inactive. Because it was a military formation rather than a commercial enterprise, it had no consumer products, commercial executives, public listing, or independent corporate ownership. Its historical significance lies in its contribution to Marine Corps aviation training and personnel replacement during the final phase of World War II.

History

Marine Aircraft Group 93 was created during the expansion of United States Marine Corps aviation in World War II. The group was commissioned on 1 April 1944 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Bogue, North Carolina. Its initial function was to provide dive-bombing instruction for Marine aviation personnel, particularly pilots learning to fly the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. The demands of the war soon required a broader and more flexible mission. In July 1944, MAG-93 was assigned responsibility for organizing and training replacement personnel destined for combat aviation units. This change placed the group within the Marine Corps' wider system for sustaining operational squadrons as casualties, transfers, and expanding deployments created continuing personnel requirements. In August 1944, MAG-93 moved from North Carolina to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas. The relocation coincided with the departure of Marine Aircraft Group 33 for the Pacific Theater. MAG-93 then took control of squadrons that had formally belonged to MAG-33, allowing the Marine Corps to preserve a stateside training and administrative structure while the operational group deployed overseas. Units associated with MAG-93 included Marine Service Squadron 93; VMSB-333, VMSB-334, and VMSB-342; Marine Observation Squadron 351, which joined the group on 10 May 1944; and VMSB-932, commissioned on 15 May 1944. These affiliations illustrate the group's connection to Marine scout-bomber, observation, and service functions during the wartime aviation buildup. MAG-93 remained in its replacement and training role for the balance of the war. After Japan surrendered, the United States reduced its wartime military establishment. The group was deactivated in October 1945 as part of that postwar drawdown. It has not been reactivated, and therefore has no current operations, leadership roster, commercial activity, or active public-facing organization.

  • 1945

    Deactivation

    [1]

    The group was deactivated in October 1945 during the postwar reduction of Marine Corps forces.

  • 1944

    Commissioning at Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Bogue

    [1]

    MAG-93 was commissioned on 1 April 1944 in North Carolina and initially assigned a dive-bomber training mission.

  • 1944

    Mission changed to replacement training

    [1]

    In July 1944, the group began organizing and training replacement personnel for Marine aviation combat units.

  • 1944

    Relocation to Texas

    [1]

    MAG-93 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake in August and assumed control of squadrons previously connected with MAG-33.

Products and positioning

A wartime Marine Corps aviation training and replacement organization, not a commercial brand.

Brand decisions

  • 1945

    Postwar deactivationOther

    Background

    The surrender of Japan was followed by a broad reduction in wartime United States military forces.

    Action taken

    The Marine Corps deactivated MAG-93 in October 1945.

    Aftermath

    The group became inactive and has not been reactivated.

  • 1944

    Shift from dive-bomber instruction to replacement trainingStrategy

    Background

    MAG-93 was initially established to train pilots for the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, but wartime personnel requirements led the Marine Corps to broaden its role.

    Action taken

    Beginning in July 1944, the group organized and trained replacement personnel for combat aviation units.

    Aftermath

    The group continued in this stateside support role for the remainder of World War II.

  • 1944

    Transfer of headquarters and subordinate-unit responsibilities to TexasStrategy

    Background

    Marine Aircraft Group 33 departed for the Pacific Theater, creating a need for a stateside group to manage the associated squadrons and training structure.

    Action taken

    MAG-93 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake in August 1944 and assumed control of squadrons previously assigned to MAG-33.

    Aftermath

    MAG-93 maintained the replacement and training function through the end of the war.

Recent events

  • 1945

    Marine Aircraft Group 93 deactivated after World War II[1]

    Other

    MAG-93 was deactivated in October 1945 during the postwar reduction of United States military forces and has remained inactive since.

  • 1944

    Marine Aircraft Group 93 commissioned at Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Bogue[1]

    Other

    MAG-93 was established on 1 April 1944 in North Carolina as a Marine Corps aviation group tasked initially with dive-bombing training.

  • 1944

    MAG-93 moved to replacement training duties[1]

    Other

    In July 1944, the group's mission changed from its initial dive-bomber training focus to organizing and training aviation replacement personnel for combat.

  • 1944

    MAG-93 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake[1]

    Other

    The group moved to Texas in August 1944 and took control of squadrons formerly associated with Marine Aircraft Group 33 after that group left for the Pacific Theater.

Sources1 sources

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