Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, commonly designated VMFA-323 and known as the Death Rattlers, is an active United States Marine Corps aviation squadron. It is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California and operates within Marine Aircraft Group 11 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its identifying tail code is WS, and its radio callsign is Snake. The squadron is a military organization rather than a commercial brand, but its name, insignia, aircraft markings, combat record, and long operational history form a recognizable institutional identity within Marine Corps aviation. The unit was commissioned as Marine Fighting Squadron 323, or VMF-323, on 1 August 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Its Death Rattlers nickname is traditionally linked to an incident in which three fighter pilots killed a large rattlesnake and displayed its skin in the squadron ready room. The new squadron trained with the F4U Corsair and moved through California training bases before deploying to the Pacific in 1944. In April 1945, 24 aircraft launched from USS White Plains and flew to Kadena airfield for combat during the Battle of Okinawa. The squadron subsequently claimed 124 Japanese aircraft destroyed without losing an aircraft in aerial combat during that campaign, and twelve of its pilots became aces. After the Second World War, VMF-323 conducted peacetime training from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and appeared in the 1949 film Sands of Iwo Jima. The Korean War brought a renewed operational role. Operating first from USS Badoeng Strait and later from bases in Japan and Korea, the squadron supported major campaigns including the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, the Chosin Reservoir, and other ground operations. It also participated in the June 1952 attack on the Sui-ho Dam. In 1952 the unit was redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 323, or VMA-323. It left Korea in 1953 after an extended overseas deployment, recording substantial combat flying time and suffering personnel losses, including pilots killed in action and captured as prisoners of war. During the postwar period, the squadron moved through several generations of aircraft, including the F9F Panther and Cougar, FJ-4 Fury, F8U Crusader, F-4 Phantom II, and eventually the F/A-18 Hornet. Its designation became Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 in 1964. The squadron supported the evacuation of American citizens during the 1965 Dominican Crisis and deployed to Vietnam from October 1965 through 1969, flying combat missions from Da Nang and Chu Lai. Its first aircraft loss in that war occurred when its executive officer was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over North Vietnam. VMFA-323 undertook its only F-4 carrier cruise in 1979–1980 aboard USS Coral Sea. During the Iranian hostage rescue attempt known as Operation Eagle Claw, the squadron prepared to conduct combat missions and then maintained air operations around the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman after the mission failed. It later supported freedom-of-navigation activity near Libya and flew suppression-of-enemy-air-defense and combat-air-patrol missions during Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it supported Operation Southern Watch, followed by Operation Iraqi Freedom during a deployment aboard USS Constellation in 2002–2003. The squadron transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1982 and remains an active carrier-capable Marine fighter-attack unit. It has also absorbed a training role following the planned deactivation of VMFAT-101 in 2023, operating a Fleet Replacement detachment during the transition period. Under the 2025 Marine Corps aviation plan, VMFA-323 is scheduled to begin transitioning to the F-35C Lightning II in fiscal year 2029 and complete that transition no later than fiscal year 2030.

VMFA-323 was commissioned as VMF-323 on 1 August 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Equipped initially with F4U Corsairs, it trained at bases including El Centro and Camp Pendleton before moving to the Pacific. In July 1944 the squadron departed for the theater aboard USS Long Island and spent several months conducting training from island bases. The unit entered combat during the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945. On 9 April, 24 aircraft launched from USS White Plains and arrived at Kadena airfield. Combat missions began the next day and continued until Japan's surrender. The squadron's wartime record included 124 claimed Japanese aircraft destroyed without an aircraft loss in the campaign, while twelve pilots became aces. After the war, VMF-323 returned to training duties at El Toro and was later represented in the 1949 film Sands of Iwo Jima. The Korean War reopened the squadron's combat role. Initially operating from USS Badoeng Strait with Marine Aircraft Group 33, VMF-323 supported operations around the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, the Chosin Reservoir, and other major campaigns. Captain Vivian M. Moses became the first Marine aviator killed in Korea when he was lost near Kosong on 11 August 1950. In 1951 the squadron moved among Japanese and Korean bases, including K-1, K-16, K-18, and K-6, using austere forward locations for rearming and refueling. It also operated from USS Sicily and participated in the attack on the Sui-ho Dam in June 1952. In June 1952 the unit was redesignated VMA-323. Its aircraft complement combined F4U-4Bs with more heavily armored AU-1 attack aircraft. The squadron left Korea in July 1953 after the longest overseas service of any Marine fixed-wing attack squadron in that conflict. The postwar period brought successive aircraft changes, including the F9F Panther, F9F Cougar, FJ-4 Fury, and F8U Crusader. It deployed to the western Pacific in 1957 and flew armed patrols near the Quemoy and Matsu islands. The squadron received the F-4 Phantom II in 1964 and adopted its present VMFA-323 designation that year. It provided air cover during the Dominican Crisis in 1965, then deployed to Da Nang beginning on 25 October 1965 as the United States expanded combat operations in Vietnam. The squadron flew from Da Nang and Chu Lai until 1969. Its executive officer was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over North Vietnam, reportedly the only Marine F-4 lost to a SAM during the war. VMFA-323 made its only F-4 carrier cruise in November 1979 aboard USS Coral Sea. During the 1980 Iranian hostage rescue attempt, it prepared for possible missions against Iranian aircraft and subsequently maintained continuous protective operations around U.S. naval forces after the rescue attempt failed. The deployment lasted 102 consecutive days at sea and resulted in recognition for the unit. In 1982 the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet. In 1985–1986 it again deployed aboard Coral Sea, operating in the Mediterranean and participating in the air operations associated with Operation El Dorado Canyon against Libya. The squadron supported Operation Southern Watch in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001. It deployed aboard USS Constellation in November 2002, initially supporting Southern Watch and then flying Operation Iraqi Freedom sorties into Baghdad. In May 2005, two of its F/A-18Cs collided over Iraq, killing two officers. VMFA-323 remained part of the Marine Corps' active carrier aviation structure and, after VMFAT-101 was deactivated in October 2023, assumed a Fleet Replacement detachment training function. The 2025 aviation plan calls for a future transition from the F/A-18C to the F-35C Lightning II beginning in fiscal year 2029.

• 2025

  F-35C transition planned

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  The Marine Corps aviation plan scheduled the squadron's F-35C transition for fiscal years 2029–2030.

• 2023

  Fleet Replacement training role

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  After VMFAT-101 was deactivated, VMFA-323 assumed Fleet Replacement detachment training responsibilities.

• 1982

  F/A-18 transition

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron transitioned from the F-4 Phantom II to the F/A-18 Hornet, its principal aircraft for the modern era.

• 1965

  Vietnam deployment

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  VMFA-323 arrived at Da Nang on 25 October and began combat operations in Vietnam.

• 1964

  Present designation adopted

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  The unit became Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 and began operating the F-4 Phantom II.

• 1952

  Redesignated VMA-323

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron changed from a fighter designation to Marine Attack Squadron 323 and operated both F4U-4Bs and AU-1 aircraft.

• 1950

  Korean War operations begin

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  VMF-323 began combat operations from USS Badoeng Strait in support of United Nations forces in Korea.

• 1945

  Combat debut at Okinawa

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron entered combat during Operation Iceberg and the Battle of Okinawa after flying from USS White Plains to Kadena.

• 1943

  Squadron commissioned

  [1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  VMF-323 was established on 1 August at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, beginning training on the F4U Corsair.

An active Marine Corps carrier aviation squadron positioned around expeditionary fighter-attack capability, operational readiness, and a distinctive Death Rattlers identity.

• Fighter aircraft · 1943

  F4U Corsair

  The Corsair was VMF-323's initial combat aircraft and the platform used during its training and Second World War operations, including the Battle of Okinawa.

• Attack aircraft · 1952

  F4U-4B and AU-1 Corsair

  During the Korean War, the squadron operated a mixed fleet of F4U-4Bs and armored AU-1 aircraft for fighter and ground-attack missions.

• Fighter-bomber · 1964

  F-4 Phantom II

  The F-4 Phantom II became the squadron's principal aircraft after the 1964 designation change and supported operations in the Dominican Crisis, Vietnam, the western Pacific, and the Persian Gulf.

• Carrier-based multirole fighter · 1982

  F/A-18C Hornet

  VMFA-323 transitioned to the F/A-18 in 1982. The aircraft supported the squadron's later carrier deployments, air-defense missions, combat patrols, strike operations, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Carrier-based stealth multirole fighter

  F-35C Lightning II

  The F-35C is the squadron's planned next-generation aircraft. The 2025 aviation plan calls for transition to begin in fiscal year 2029 and finish no later than fiscal year 2030.

• 2003Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq · Persian Gulf

  A deployment aboard USS Constellation began under Operation Southern Watch and shifted to Operation Iraqi Freedom, including sorties into Baghdad during the opening night of the war.

  Outcome. The squadron completed its carrier deployment in support of both operations.

  Source
• 1986Operation El Dorado Canyon

  Mediterranean · Libya

  VMFA-323 flew suppression-of-enemy-air-defense and combat-air-patrol missions during U.S. operations against Libya and associated freedom-of-navigation activity.

  Outcome. The squadron supported the air operation from its Mediterranean deployment aboard USS Coral Sea.

  Source
• 1980Operation Eagle Claw support

  Persian Gulf · Gulf of Oman · Iran

  While embarked aboard USS Coral Sea, the squadron prepared to fly combat missions connected with the attempted rescue of American hostages in Iran. After the operation failed, it maintained protective sorties around U.S. naval forces as they departed the region.

  Outcome. The squadron returned after 102 consecutive days at sea and received a Presidential Unit Citation for the deployment according to the reference material.

  Source
• 1965Vietnam War

  South Vietnam · North Vietnam

  VMFA-323 deployed to Da Nang in October 1965 and conducted combat missions from Da Nang and Chu Lai through 1969.

  Outcome. The squadron completed a multi-year combat deployment but suffered aircraft and personnel losses.

  Source
• 1950Korean War

  Korean Peninsula · Japan

  The squadron supported the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, Sui-ho Dam attack, and other operations from carriers and austere Korean airfields.

  Outcome. VMF-323/VMA-323 remained deployed until July 1953 and recorded extensive combat flying time.

  Source
• 1945Operation Iceberg and the Battle of Okinawa

  Okinawa · Pacific theater

  VMF-323 flew combat operations from Kadena after deploying aircraft from USS White Plains. Its reported campaign record included 124 Japanese aircraft destroyed without an aircraft loss and twelve pilot aces.

  Outcome. The squadron completed the campaign as one of the most successful Marine fighter units in the battle.

  Source

• 2025

  Planned transition to the F-35CGeneration change

  Background

  The Marine Corps aviation plan calls for continued modernization of carrier-based fighter-attack squadrons.

  Action taken

  VMFA-323 is scheduled to begin F-35C Lightning II transition in fiscal year 2029 and complete it by fiscal year 2030 at the latest.

  Aftermath

  If executed as planned, the transition will replace the squadron's F/A-18C-era capability with a fifth-generation carrier aircraft.

  Source

• 2023

  Assumption of Fleet Replacement responsibilitiesStrategy

  Background

  VMFAT-101 was deactivated on 1 October 2023, creating a requirement for continued Hornet-related replacement training.

  Action taken

  VMFA-323 assumed Fleet Replacement detachment training responsibilities through the planned fiscal year 2027 period.

  Aftermath

  The squadron expanded beyond operational carrier aviation to include a formal training function.

  Source

• 1982

  Transition to the F/A-18 HornetGeneration change

  Background

  The Marine Corps was modernizing its tactical aviation fleet with a multirole carrier-capable aircraft.

  Action taken

  VMFA-323 transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet.

  Aftermath

  The Hornet became the squadron's principal operational aircraft and supported later carrier deployments and combat operations.

  Source

• 1964

  Adoption of the F-4 Phantom IIGeneration change

  Background

  The squadron required a modern supersonic platform for fighter and attack missions.

  Action taken

  VMFA-323 adopted the F-4 Phantom II and its current Marine Fighter Attack Squadron designation.

  Aftermath

  The Phantom supported the squadron through Vietnam and later carrier operations until the Hornet transition.

  Source

• 1952

  Change from fighter to attack designationStrategy

  Background

  The squadron's Korean War mission increasingly combined fighter operations with close air support and ground attack.

  Action taken

  It was redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 323 and operated a mixed complement of F4U-4Bs and AU-1s.

  Aftermath

  The VMA-323 designation remained in use until the unit adopted its present VMFA designation in 1964.

  Source

• 2025

  Marine aviation plan schedules VMFA-323 F-35C transition[1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  The 2025 Marine Corps aviation plan schedules VMFA-323 to begin transitioning to the F-35C Lightning II in fiscal year 2029 and finish no later than fiscal year 2030.

• 2023

  VMFA-323 assumed Fleet Replacement training responsibilities[1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Following the deactivation of VMFAT-101 on 1 October 2023, VMFA-323 took on Fleet Replacement detachment training responsibilities, planned to continue through fiscal year 2027.

• 2005

  Two VMFA-323 aircraft collided over Iraq[1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Two F/A-18C aircraft assigned to VMFA-323 collided over south-central Iraq during a sortie launched from USS Carl Vinson. The squadron's executive officer and another officer were killed.

• 2003

  VMFA-323 conducted combat sorties during Operation Iraqi Freedom[1]VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  During its deployment aboard USS Constellation, the squadron shifted from Operation Southern Watch to Operation Iraqi Freedom and flew sorties into Baghdad during the opening phase of the war.

1. 1VMFA-323en.wikipedia.org
2. 23rd Marine Aircraft Wing: VMFA-3233rdmaw.marines.mil