Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 351
A former United States Marine Corps Reserve fighter and attack squadron that served in the Pacific during World War II and later operated several generations of naval aircraft.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 351, abbreviated VMFA-351, was a United States Marine Corps aviation squadron whose lineage extended from its activation as Marine Observation Squadron 351 in March 1943. Although it ultimately carried the VMFA designation associated with Marine fighter-attack units, the squadron passed through several different names and aircraft roles during its existence. It served first as a World War II observation and fighter unit, later became part of the Marine Air Reserve, and was eventually disestablished after a short final period operating the F-4 Phantom. The squadron was formed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, during World War II. In 1944 it moved to Bogue Field and joined Marine Aircraft Group 51. It trained for a proposed carrier-based mission against German V-1 flying-bomb sites under Operation Crossbow and Project Danny. That operation was cancelled before the squadron could conduct the planned attacks, and the unit relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Mojave in September 1944. Late in 1944 the squadron began carrier qualification work aboard USS Ranger. During this phase it was temporarily redesignated Marine Observation Squadron (Carrier Variable Squadron) 351. After qualification, it embarked aboard USS Commencement Bay and was redesignated Marine Fighting Squadron 351 in February 1945. Equipped with F4U Corsairs, VMF-351 supported Allied operations in the East China Sea, including aerial cover for minesweeping and bomber missions. It took part in the Battle of Okinawa after embarking aboard USS Cape Gloucester. Air-to-air engagements were limited during the later part of the Pacific war, and the squadron was credited with three enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial combat. It returned to the United States and was deactivated on 9 November 1945. The unit was reactivated on 1 July 1946 as part of the Marine Air Reserve and was based at Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia. During the Korean War, its personnel were dispersed to reinforce other units, reducing VMF-351 to paper status. It resumed operations in July 1951 after receiving new personnel. The squadron's postwar history was marked by successive changes in aircraft and mission. It became Marine Attack Squadron 351 in 1958 after converting to the AD-4 Skyraider, then reverted to the VMF designation in 1962 when it transitioned to the FJ-4 Fury. In 1965 it moved to the F-8 Crusader and shared aircraft with Naval Air Reserve squadrons VF-672 and VF-673. A 1970 reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve made the squadron an independent unit. Following the reduction of United States force levels after the Vietnam War, it was deactivated on 22 May 1976. It was reactivated in 1977, converted to the F-4 Phantom, and received the VMFA-351 designation. This final incarnation was short-lived: the squadron was decommissioned the following year. VMFA-351 is therefore a historical Marine Corps aviation unit rather than an active military organization or commercial brand.
History
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 351 originated as Marine Observation Squadron 351 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on 1 March 1943. The unit moved to Bogue Field in May 1944 and was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 51. Its wartime training included preparation for Operation Crossbow and the associated Project Danny, a proposed carrier-based Marine operation against German V-1 launch sites. The plan was abandoned, and the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Mojave in September 1944. In December 1944, the unit conducted carrier qualification aboard USS Ranger. It was temporarily designated VMO(CVS)-351 during this stage. After qualifying, it embarked aboard USS Commencement Bay and became Marine Fighting Squadron 351 in February 1945. Flying F4U Corsairs, the squadron provided aerial protection for minesweeping and bombing missions in the East China Sea. It also participated in the Battle of Okinawa after operating from USS Cape Gloucester. Because major air-to-air engagements were uncommon late in the Pacific war, the squadron's recorded aerial victories totaled three enemy aircraft. It returned to the United States and was deactivated on 9 November 1945. The squadron returned to service on 1 July 1946 as part of the Marine Air Reserve, operating from Naval Air Station Atlanta. During the Korean War, its pilots and ground personnel were transferred to other organizations to strengthen those units, leaving VMF-351 at paper strength. It resumed normal operations in July 1951. In 1958, conversion to the AD-4 Skyraider led to redesignation as Marine Attack Squadron 351. The unit reverted to VMF-351 in 1962 when it transitioned to the FJ-4 Fury. In 1965 it began operating the F-8 Crusader and shared aircraft with Naval Air Reserve squadrons VF-672 and VF-673. The 1970 Naval Air Reserve reorganization made the squadron independent. It was deactivated on 22 May 1976 during the post-Vietnam reduction of United States military forces. The unit returned in 1977, converted to the F-4 Phantom, and was redesignated VMFA-351. This final reactivation lasted only briefly; the squadron was decommissioned in 1978. It has not been an active Marine Corps squadron since that time.
- 1978
Final decommissioning
[1]The reactivated squadron was decommissioned approximately one year after its return to service.
- 1977
Final reactivation as VMFA-351
[1]The unit was reactivated, transitioned to the F-4 Phantom, and adopted the VMFA-351 designation.
- 1976
Post-Vietnam deactivation
[1]The squadron was deactivated on 22 May during the reduction of United States force levels after the Vietnam War.
- 1965
Transition to the F-8 Crusader
[1]VMF-351 replaced the FJ Fury with the F-8 Crusader and shared aircraft with Naval Air Reserve units VF-672 and VF-673.
- 1962
Return to the VMF designation
[1]The squadron transitioned to the FJ-4 Fury and resumed the VMF-351 designation.
- 1958
Redesignation as VMA-351
[1]The unit became Marine Attack Squadron 351 after transitioning to the AD-4 Skyraider.
- 1946
Reactivation in the Marine Air Reserve
[1]VMF-351 was reactivated on 1 July and based at Naval Air Station Atlanta.
- 1945
Pacific combat service
[1]After carrier qualification and redesignation as VMF-351, the squadron flew F4U Corsairs in support of minesweeping, bombing, and Okinawa operations.
- 1945
World War II deactivation
[1]The squadron returned to the United States and was deactivated on 9 November.
- 1944
Assignment to MAG-51 and wartime relocation
[1]The squadron moved to Bogue Field, joined Marine Aircraft Group 51, trained for the cancelled Project Danny operation, and later relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Mojave.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps aviation unit focused at different times on observation, carrier aviation, fighter missions, attack operations, and fighter-attack training and deployment.
Carrier-based fighter
F4U Corsair
The Corsair was the squadron's principal combat aircraft during its World War II deployment. VMF-351 used it for air cover, support of minesweeping and bombing missions, and operations connected with the Battle of Okinawa.
Attack aircraft · 1958
AD-4 Skyraider
The AD-4 Skyraider prompted the squadron's 1958 change from VMF-351 to VMA-351. Its adoption reflected the unit's postwar emphasis on attack aviation rather than exclusively fighter operations.
Jet fighter · 1962
FJ-4 Fury
The squadron operated the FJ-4 Fury after transitioning away from the Skyraider in 1962. The aircraft change accompanied the return to the VMF fighter-squadron designation.
Supersonic fighter · 1965
F-8 Crusader
The F-8 Crusader became the squadron's aircraft from 1965. VMF-351 shared aircraft with Naval Air Reserve squadrons VF-672 and VF-673 during this period.
Fighter-bomber · 1977
F-4 Phantom
During its final reactivation in 1977, the squadron transitioned to the F-4 Phantom and was redesignated VMFA-351. The unit was decommissioned in 1978.
Marketing campaigns
- 1945Battle of Okinawa
Pacific theater
Flying F4U Corsairs from USS Cape Gloucester, the squadron supported Marine and Allied operations during the Battle of Okinawa.
Outcome. The squadron completed its wartime combat service with three credited aerial victories before returning to the United States.
- 1945East China Sea operations
East China Sea · Pacific theater
The squadron provided aerial cover for minesweeping activity and bomber strikes in the East China Sea area during its World War II combat tour.
Outcome. Operations contributed air protection to Allied maritime and strike missions.
Brand decisions
1977
Final transition to the F-4 PhantomGeneration changeBackground
After deactivation in 1976, the squadron was reactivated during a brief final period of service.
Action taken
It converted to the F-4 Phantom and was redesignated VMFA-351.
Aftermath
The unit was decommissioned the following year.
1965
Transition to the F-8 CrusaderGeneration changeBackground
The squadron moved from the FJ Fury to a more advanced jet fighter.
Action taken
VMF-351 transitioned to the F-8 Crusader and shared aircraft with VF-672 and VF-673.
Aftermath
The squadron continued its Marine Air Reserve fighter role through the subsequent reserve reorganization.
1958
Transition to the AD-4 SkyraiderGeneration changeBackground
The Marine Air Reserve squadron was re-equipped with the AD-4 Skyraider.
Action taken
It adopted the Marine Attack Squadron designation VMA-351.
Aftermath
The unit's formal identity shifted from a fighter squadron to an attack squadron until its later transition to the FJ-4 Fury.
Sources1 sources
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