Marine Fighter Squadron 123
A former United States Marine Corps aviation squadron known as the Flying Eight Balls, which served as a fighter unit in World War II and later as a Marine Forces Reserve attack and training unit.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Fighter Squadron 123, originally designated VMF-123 and later redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 123 (VMA-123), was a United States Marine Corps aviation unit active from World War II through 1965. Its nickname, the “Flying Eight Balls,” reflected the squadron’s distinctive identity within Marine aviation. The unit was commissioned on 7 September 1942 at Camp Kearney, California, and initially equipped with Grumman F4F Wildcats. A significant share of its original pilots came from the experienced Marine fighter squadron VMF-121, allowing the new organization to build combat readiness comparatively quickly. The squadron deployed to the South Pacific in early 1943. It departed the United States aboard SS Lurline on 8 January, reached Noumea later that month, and subsequently moved through Efate and Espiritu Santo before arriving at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal on 3 February. VMF-123 flew its first combat mission the following day. During the Solomon Islands campaign, the squadron transitioned from the F4F Wildcat to the Vought F4U Corsair, becoming the last of the Marine fighter squadrons in the theater to complete that change. From Munda in the Central Solomons and from positions in the Russell Islands, it conducted operations connected with the fighting around Vella Lavella and the continuing contest for air superiority against Japanese forces based on Bougainville. Its final South Pacific mission was flown in November 1943, after which the squadron returned to the United States in December. After a period of rest and refitting, VMF-123 began a second major combat tour aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington. The squadron embarked on 31 December 1944 with VMF-112 and remained on the cruise until 16 June 1945. During this deployment it supported operations at Iwo Jima, participated in carrier strikes against the Japanese home islands including attacks on the Tokyo area, and took part throughout the Okinawa campaign. The deployment was costly: seven squadron pilots were killed in action and five were permanently listed as missing in action. Following its return, the squadron operated from Marine Corps Air Station El Centro and trained with VMTB-623 for a projected invasion of Japan. It was expected to deploy aboard USS Saidor, but Japan’s surrender ended those plans. The wartime unit was deactivated on 10 September 1945. The squadron was later reactivated within the Marine Forces Reserve at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos. When the Korean War began, it was called to active duty on 23 July 1950. Rather than deploying to combat, it served primarily as a training organization for replacement Marine pilots preparing to fly Corsairs in Korea. In the postwar period, the unit transitioned from propeller-driven aircraft to jets. Its later identity as VMA-123 reflected its attack-squadron role rather than its original fighter designation. The squadron was ultimately decommissioned at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos on 31 October 1965. It is therefore a historical military aviation unit rather than a commercial brand, product company, or currently operating airline.
History
VMF-123 was commissioned at Camp Kearney on 7 September 1942 and received 18 Grumman F4F Wildcats in December of that year. Many of its first pilots transferred from VMF-121, an established Marine fighter squadron. The unit left the United States aboard SS Lurline on 8 January 1943, reached Noumea on 22 January, and moved through Efate and Espiritu Santo before arriving at Guadalcanal’s Henderson Field on 3 February. Its first combat mission followed on 4 February. During the Solomon Islands campaign, VMF-123 moved to Munda in August 1943 and flew its first mission from that airfield on 14 August. Its operations were closely connected with the fighting around Vella Lavella, where Japanese aircraft from Bougainville challenged Allied control of the air. In September, the squadron divided between Munda and an airfield in the Russell Islands. It flew its last South Pacific mission in November and returned to the United States on 14 December 1943. The unit also completed its transition from the F4F Wildcat to the Vought F4U Corsair during this period. On 31 December 1944, VMF-123 embarked aboard USS Bennington with VMF-112 for another combat deployment. The cruise lasted until 16 June 1945 and included participation in the Battle of Iwo Jima, carrier strikes against the Tokyo area, and the Okinawa campaign. Seven pilots were killed in action and five were listed as permanently missing. After returning home, the squadron operated from Marine Corps Air Station El Centro and trained for the anticipated invasion of Japan alongside VMTB-623. A planned deployment aboard USS Saidor did not occur because the war ended. The wartime organization was deactivated on 10 September 1945. In the late 1940s, the squadron was reactivated as part of the Marine Forces Reserve at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos. It was called to active duty on 23 July 1950 following the outbreak of the Korean War, but did not deploy to combat. Instead, it trained replacement Corsair pilots destined for the conflict. The squadron later moved into the jet era and was redesignated as an attack squadron, becoming VMA-123. Its reserve service ended with decommissioning at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos on 31 October 1965.
- 1965
Final decommissioning
[1]VMA-123 was decommissioned at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos on 31 October.
- 1950
Korean War activation
[1]The reserve unit was called to active duty on 23 July and trained replacement Corsair pilots rather than deploying to combat.
- 1945
Iwo Jima, Tokyo, and Okinawa operations
[1]During its Bennington deployment, the squadron participated in operations at Iwo Jima, strikes against Tokyo, and the Okinawa campaign.
- 1945
Wartime deactivation
[1]The squadron was deactivated on 10 September after Japan's surrender.
- 1944
Bennington combat deployment
[1]The squadron embarked aboard USS Bennington on 31 December for its major 1945 combat cruise.
- 1943
Arrival at Guadalcanal
[1]The squadron reached Henderson Field on 3 February and flew its first combat mission the next day.
- 1943
Operations from Munda
[1]VMF-123 began missions from Munda in August and supported air operations around Vella Lavella and the Central Solomon Islands.
- 1942
Commissioning of VMF-123
[1]The squadron was commissioned on 7 September at Camp Kearney and equipped with F4F Wildcats later that year.
Products and positioning
A historical United States Marine Corps aviation squadron specializing first in fighter operations and later in attack and replacement-pilot training.
Carrier-capable fighter aircraft
Grumman F4F Wildcat
The F4F Wildcat was the squadron's initial aircraft. VMF-123 received 18 Wildcats in December 1942 and used the type during its early deployment and combat operations in the Solomon Islands.
Fighter-bomber aircraft
Vought F4U Corsair
VMF-123 transitioned from the Wildcat to the Corsair during its Solomon Islands service. The aircraft formed the core of the squadron's later World War II operations and was also associated with its Korean War-era replacement-pilot training role.
Jet attack aircraft
Jet aircraft
After the Korean War period, the squadron transitioned to jet aircraft as part of its postwar Marine Forces Reserve service. The available reference identifies this transition but does not specify the individual aircraft types.
Marketing campaigns
- 1950Korean War replacement-pilot training
United States and Korean War theater
After being called to active duty, the squadron supported the Korean War by training replacement Corsair pilots rather than conducting its own combat deployment.
Outcome. The unit continued its reserve and training function after the war before transitioning to jet aircraft.
- 1945Iwo Jima campaign
Pacific Theater
During its cruise aboard USS Bennington, VMF-123 participated in air operations supporting the Battle of Iwo Jima.
- 1945Okinawa campaign
Pacific Theater
The squadron participated throughout the Okinawa campaign as part of the Bennington carrier deployment.
- 1943Solomon Islands campaign
South Pacific
VMF-123 flew combat missions from Guadalcanal, Munda, and the Russell Islands. It supported operations around Vella Lavella and fought for air control against Japanese aircraft operating from Bougainville.
Outcome. The squadron completed its South Pacific operations and returned to the United States in December 1943.
Brand decisions
1950
Training mission during the Korean WarStrategyBackground
The Marine Forces Reserve squadron was called to active duty after the outbreak of the Korean War.
Action taken
Instead of deploying as a combat squadron, it trained replacement Corsair pilots bound for the war.
Aftermath
The squadron remained associated with training and later transitioned to jet aircraft in the postwar period.
1943
Transition from Wildcat to CorsairGeneration changeBackground
The squadron was the last of the Marine fighter squadrons in the Solomon Islands to transition from the Grumman F4F Wildcat.
Action taken
VMF-123 adopted the Vought F4U Corsair for its subsequent combat operations.
Aftermath
The Corsair became the squadron's principal aircraft during its later World War II service and its Korean War-era training role.
Recent events
- 1965
VMA-123 decommissioned at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos[1]
Other
The unit was permanently decommissioned on 31 October 1965 after its postwar reserve and training service.
- 1950
Squadron called to active duty during the Korean War[1]
Other
The Marine Forces Reserve squadron was activated on 23 July 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean War and supported the conflict indirectly by training replacement Corsair pilots.
- 1945
Wartime squadron deactivated after Japan's surrender[1]
Other
After returning to the United States and preparing for a planned invasion of Japan, the squadron was deactivated on 10 September 1945 when the war ended.
- 1944
VMF-123 deploys aboard USS Bennington[1]
Other
The squadron embarked with VMF-112 aboard USS Bennington on 31 December 1944 for a combat cruise supporting operations at Iwo Jima, Tokyo, and Okinawa.
- 1943
VMF-123 begins combat operations in the Solomon Islands[1]
Other
After arriving at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, the squadron flew its first combat mission on 4 February 1943 and subsequently operated from locations including Munda and the Russell Islands.
- 1942
VMF-123 commissioned at Camp Kearney[1]
Other
The United States Marine Corps commissioned the squadron on 7 September 1942, establishing the unit that later became associated with the VMA-123 designation.
Sources1 sources
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