Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 235
A decommissioned United States Marine Corps fighter-attack squadron known as the “Death Angels.”
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 235, designated VMFA-235 and nicknamed the “Death Angels,” was a United States Marine Corps aviation unit that operated fighter and attack aircraft from 1943 until its decommissioning in 1996. Although its final designation identified it as a Marine fighter-attack squadron, the unit went through several earlier roles and names as Marine aviation doctrine, aircraft technology, and operational requirements changed. The squadron was commissioned on 1 January 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, as Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 235, or VMSB-235. During the Second World War it flew Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft in the South Pacific. Its combat service included Operation Cartwheel, the Battle of Bougainville, and operations around Rabaul. The unit was decommissioned on 10 November 1944 after approximately 8,000 hours of flying operations. Its wartime record included very limited casualties; the unit’s most notable personnel association was Joseph McCarthy, who served as its intelligence officer until July 1944 and flew eleven missions as a rear gunner. The squadron returned to active service in September 1950 as part of Marine Aircraft Group 15 at El Toro. It initially operated the F4U Corsair, later converting to the F9F Panther in 1952 and the FJ Fury in 1954. In 1957 it moved to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. These transitions reflected the postwar shift from propeller-driven aircraft to jet-powered naval aviation. During the Vietnam War, the unit was redesignated VMF(AW)-235 and deployed to Vietnam on 1 February 1966 with the Vought F-8E Crusader. From February through November 1966, it flew more than 6,000 combat sorties in support of over twenty-two major operations. It returned to Vietnam in February 1967 and remained there until May 1968. The unit was the last active-duty Marine Crusader squadron. After leaving Vietnam, it moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii and was redesignated VMFA-235 on 6 September 1968. It then operated the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. In November 1989, VMFA-235 converted to the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, its final aircraft type. Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the squadron deployed to Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain in support of Operation Desert Shield. It was described as the first fighter squadron in theater and later flew more than 2,800 sorties during Operation Desert Storm in support of coalition operations. The unit received the Phoenix Award for its performance during the deployment, an honor described in the reference material as a highly prestigious Department of Defense award. The squadron returned to Hawaii after its Gulf deployment, later moved to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in 1994, and was attached to Marine Aircraft Group 11. In 1996 it relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. VMFA-235 was decommissioned on 14 June 1996 and has not operated as an active Marine Corps squadron since then. Its historical identity is therefore that of a military aviation unit rather than a commercial brand, with its “products” understood as aircraft platforms and operational capabilities rather than consumer offerings.
History
VMFA-235 originated during the Second World War as VMSB-235, a Marine scout-bombing squadron commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on 1 January 1943. Equipped with Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft, the squadron deployed to the South Pacific and participated in Operation Cartwheel, the Battle of Bougainville, and combat operations around Rabaul. It was decommissioned on 10 November 1944 after about 8,000 flying hours. The wartime record cited for the unit records only one casualty, caused by an aircraft ground-loop during landing. Joseph McCarthy, who later became a United States senator, served as the squadron’s intelligence officer until July 1944 and flew eleven missions as a rear gunner. The unit was reactivated in September 1950 as part of Marine Aircraft Group 15 at El Toro. It flew the F4U Corsair before moving through successive generations of jet aircraft: the Grumman F9F Panther beginning in September 1952 and the North American FJ Fury beginning in March 1954. In 1957, the squadron relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The Vietnam period marked a major expansion of the squadron’s combat role. Redesignated VMF(AW)-235, it deployed to Vietnam on 1 February 1966 with the F-8E Crusader. Between 2 February and 15 November 1966, the squadron flew more than 6,000 combat sorties supporting over twenty-two major operations. It returned to Vietnam on 15 February 1967 and remained deployed until 11 May 1968. The squadron was the last active-duty Marine Crusader unit. After the Vietnam deployment, it moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. On 6 September 1968, the unit received the VMFA-235 designation and began operating the F-4 Phantom II. The designation signaled its fighter-attack role and remained in use through the remainder of its service. In November 1989, VMFA-235 transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet, giving it a multirole platform suitable for air combat, strike, and close-support missions. The squadron’s final major combat period followed Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. On 22 August 1990, it deployed to Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain in support of Operation Desert Shield. The squadron was identified as the first fighter squadron in theater. During Operation Desert Storm, it flew more than 2,800 sorties in support of coalition forces and received the Phoenix Award for outstanding performance. After approximately seven months of operations, it redeployed to Marine Corps Base Hawaii. VMFA-235 moved to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in 1994 and was attached to Marine Aircraft Group 11. It relocated again to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in 1996, but was decommissioned on 14 June of that year. The unit therefore ended its service as an F/A-18 Hornet squadron, leaving a record spanning World War II scout bombing, postwar jet operations, extensive Vietnam combat, and Persian Gulf air operations.
- 1996
Final relocation and decommissioning
[1]The unit moved to MCAS Miramar and was decommissioned on 14 June 1996.
- 1994
Moved to El Toro
[1]The squadron moved to MCAS El Toro and was attached to Marine Aircraft Group 11.
- 1991
Operation Desert Storm combat operations
[1]The squadron flew more than 2,800 sorties in support of coalition forces and received the Phoenix Award.
- 1990
Deployed to Bahrain
[1]VMFA-235 deployed to Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain on 22 August 1990 for Operation Desert Shield.
- 1989
Transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet
[1]The squadron converted to the F/A-18 Hornet in November 1989.
- 1968
Redesignated VMFA-235
[1]On 6 September 1968, the squadron adopted the VMFA-235 fighter-attack designation and was equipped with the F-4 Phantom II.
- 1966
First Vietnam deployment
[1]As VMF(AW)-235, the squadron deployed to Vietnam with F-8E Crusaders and flew more than 6,000 combat sorties during the deployment period.
- 1957
Relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
[1]The unit moved to MCAS Beaufort as its postwar jet-era operations continued.
- 1954
Transitioned to the FJ Fury
[1]The squadron converted to the FJ Fury in March 1954.
- 1952
Transitioned to the F9F Panther
[1]The squadron began operating F9F Panther aircraft in September 1952.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps expeditionary fighter-attack squadron organized for tactical aviation, air support, and strike operations across the Pacific, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf theaters.
World War II scout bomber
Douglas SBD Dauntless
The SBD Dauntless was the squadron’s principal aircraft during its World War II service as VMSB-235. The aircraft supported Marine scout-bombing missions in the South Pacific, including operations connected with Bougainville and Rabaul.
Propeller-driven fighter
Vought F4U Corsair
After its 1950 reactivation, the squadron operated the F4U Corsair. This period represented its postwar return to active Marine aviation before conversion to successive generations of jet aircraft.
Jet fighter · 1952
Grumman F9F Panther
The squadron transitioned to the F9F Panther in September 1952 as part of its movement into postwar jet operations. The aircraft provided the unit with a faster platform for Marine fighter missions.
Jet fighter · 1954
North American FJ Fury
Beginning in March 1954, the squadron operated the FJ Fury. Its use continued the unit’s transition from propeller-powered aircraft to carrier- and land-based jet fighter capability.
Supersonic fighter · 1966
Vought F-8E Crusader
The F-8E Crusader was used during the squadron’s Vietnam deployments in 1966–1968. VMF(AW)-235 conducted thousands of combat sorties with the aircraft and was identified as the last active-duty Marine Crusader squadron.
Fighter-bomber · 1968
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Following its 1968 redesignation as VMFA-235, the squadron operated the F-4 Phantom II. The platform supported the unit’s fighter-attack role after its Vietnam-era Crusader service.
Multirole fighter-attack aircraft · 1989
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
The F/A-18 Hornet was the squadron’s final aircraft type. VMFA-235 transitioned to the Hornet in November 1989 and used it during the Persian Gulf deployment, including Operation Desert Storm, before the squadron was decommissioned in 1996.
Marketing campaigns
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Persian Gulf
Operating F/A-18 Hornets, the squadron flew more than 2,800 sorties in support of coalition forces during the air campaign against Iraq.
Outcome. VMFA-235 received the Phoenix Award for outstanding performance during the deployment.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield
Bahrain · Persian Gulf
After Iraq invaded Kuwait, VMFA-235 deployed to Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain on 22 August 1990. It was described as the first fighter squadron in theater.
Outcome. The squadron continued into combat operations during Operation Desert Storm and redeployed to Hawaii after about seven months.
- 1967Vietnam War deployment, 1967–1968
Vietnam
The squadron returned to Vietnam on 15 February 1967 and remained deployed until 11 May 1968, continuing combat operations with the Crusader.
Outcome. The unit left Vietnam and subsequently moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.
- 1966Vietnam War deployment, 1966
Vietnam
VMF(AW)-235 deployed to Vietnam with F-8E Crusaders and flew over 6,000 combat sorties from February through November 1966 in support of more than twenty-two major operations.
Outcome. The squadron completed the deployment and returned to Vietnam for a second tour the following year.
- 1943Operation Cartwheel
South Pacific
As VMSB-235, the squadron participated in the Allied South Pacific campaign known as Operation Cartwheel while flying SBD Dauntless aircraft.
Outcome. The squadron continued operations in the South Pacific and was later decommissioned in November 1944.
- 1943Battle of Bougainville
Bougainville · South Pacific
The World War II squadron supported Marine and Allied operations during the Battle of Bougainville.
Outcome. The unit remained active in South Pacific operations through 1944.
- 1943Rabaul operations
Rabaul · South Pacific
The squadron conducted operations in and around Rabaul during its World War II deployment.
Outcome. The operations formed part of the squadron’s wartime South Pacific service.
Brand decisions
1996
Decommissioning of VMFA-235OtherBackground
After a final relocation to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the squadron’s service period came to an end.
Action taken
The United States Marine Corps decommissioned VMFA-235 on 14 June 1996.
Aftermath
The squadron ceased active operations and has remained a historical, decommissioned Marine aviation unit.
1989
Conversion to the F/A-18 HornetGeneration changeBackground
The squadron required a modern multirole fighter-attack aircraft for expeditionary Marine operations.
Action taken
VMFA-235 transitioned from the F-4 Phantom II to the F/A-18 Hornet in November 1989.
Aftermath
The Hornet became the squadron’s final aircraft and was used during its Persian Gulf combat deployment.
1968
Adoption of the VMFA-235 fighter-attack designationStrategyBackground
After its Vietnam service with the F-8 Crusader, the squadron moved to a new organizational and aircraft role.
Action taken
On 6 September 1968, VMF(AW)-235 was redesignated VMFA-235 and equipped with the F-4 Phantom II.
Aftermath
The squadron retained the VMFA-235 designation until its decommissioning in 1996.
1952
Transition to the F9F PantherGeneration changeBackground
The reactivated squadron was moving from propeller-driven Marine aviation toward postwar jet operations.
Action taken
It began operating F9F Panther aircraft in September 1952.
Aftermath
The transition was followed by another conversion to the FJ Fury in 1954.
Sources1 sources
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