Marine Fighting Squadron 222
Marine Fighting Squadron 222, or VMF-222, was a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron active during World War II and the postwar period.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Fighting Squadron 222, commonly designated VMF-222 and nicknamed “The Flying Deuces,” was a United States Marine Corps aviation unit rather than a commercial brand. It was commissioned at Midway Atoll on 1 March 1942, during the rapid expansion of Marine aviation in the Pacific after the United States entered World War II. The squadron was formed largely from personnel of VMF-221 and initially served within Marine Aircraft Group 22. After its formation, VMF-222 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa in Hawaii, where it remained through the first phase of the war. In late 1942 it was sent to the South Pacific, operating from bases including Munda and Bougainville. The squadron subsequently took part in operations connected with the Allied campaign to neutralize Japanese positions in the Bismarck Archipelago. After the Battle of the Green Islands, VMF-222 moved to the newly developed airfield on Green Island on 13 March 1944, operating alongside VMF-223. From there, its missions contributed to the isolation of the major Japanese bases at Rabaul and Kavieng. The squadron flew the Vought F4U Corsair and performed both fighter and fighter-bomber duties. Its wartime service extended across several areas of the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, and Okinawa. In the Philippines campaign, VMF-222 and other Marine aviation units landed on Guinan on 11 January 1945. It later operated from Samar, where its missions increasingly emphasized close air support and fighter-bomber operations. By May 1945, as the requirement for air support in the central Philippines changed, the squadron was transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on Okinawa. VMF-222 was involved in a serious operational accident on 24 January 1945 at its Philippine base. During takeoff, a Corsair flown by First Lieutenant Karl Oerth struck an irregularity in the runway and suffered a tire failure. The aircraft veered into a revetment area shared with VMF-212, destroying facilities used by intelligence, oxygen, parachute, and materiel personnel. The aircraft subsequently exploded, igniting stored .50-caliber ammunition. Fourteen people were killed and more than fifty were wounded. The event was one of the most severe aviation accidents associated with Marine aviation during the war. The squadron was credited with 53 enemy aircraft destroyed during World War II. Its wartime personnel included decorated aviators such as Donald H. Stapp, Kenneth Ambrose Walsh, and Arthur Miller. Walsh, a Medal of Honor recipient, served with VMF-222 during a later combat tour and recorded his final aerial victory while flying a Corsair with the squadron. Charles Lindbergh, serving in the region as a civilian technical adviser, also flew combat sorties with the unit in 1944, although he was not a Marine squadron member. After Japan’s surrender, VMF-222 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California and entered cadre status. Its equipment helped support the formation of VMF-912. The squadron regained flying status in January 1947 but was ultimately deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 31 December 1949. Its legacy is preserved through Marine Corps aviation histories, wartime records, unit insignia traditions, and accounts of the Pacific air campaign.
History
VMF-222 was created during the wartime expansion of the United States Marine Corps aviation arm. The squadron was commissioned at Midway Atoll on 1 March 1942 and drew much of its initial personnel from VMF-221. It was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 22 and moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii, in April 1942. After remaining in Hawaii through the early months of the Pacific war, the unit returned to the United States in September before deploying to the South Pacific. The squadron operated from Munda and Bougainville in the Solomon Islands region. Its missions combined air defense, offensive fighter operations, and attacks against Japanese positions. Following the Battle of the Green Islands, VMF-222 moved with VMF-223 to Green Island on 13 March 1944. The airfield became a base for Allied operations intended to isolate Rabaul and Kavieng rather than immediately assault those heavily defended Japanese centers. During this period, Charles Lindbergh, present as a civilian technical specialist, flew combat sorties with the squadron. In the Philippines, VMF-222 landed on Guinan on 11 January 1945 as part of the Marine aviation deployment supporting the campaign. A major tragedy occurred on 24 January when First Lieutenant Karl Oerth’s Corsair struck a runway obstruction during takeoff, blew a tire, and entered a revetment area shared with VMF-212. The crash destroyed several support sections and led to an ammunition-fed explosion. Fourteen people died and over fifty were wounded. The squadron later operated from Samar between April and June, flying primarily fighter-bomber and ground-support missions. By early May, changing operational requirements led to VMF-222’s reassignment to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on Okinawa. The squadron’s wartime record included 53 credited enemy aircraft destroyed. Its personnel included Donald H. Stapp, credited with ten confirmed aerial victories and a Navy Cross, and Kenneth Ambrose Walsh, a Medal of Honor recipient who achieved his final victory while flying with VMF-222. Captain Arthur Miller was also associated with the unit and was credited with 111 combat missions and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. After Japan surrendered, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, where it was placed in cadre status. Its equipment was used in the creation of VMF-912. VMF-222 returned to flying status in January 1947, but its postwar existence was short-lived. It was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 31 December 1949. The unit therefore has no current commercial operations, products, or active organizational presence, but remains a historical designation within United States Marine Corps aviation.
- 1949
Deactivation
[1]VMF-222 was deactivated at MCAS Cherry Point on 31 December.
- 1947
Flying status restored
[1]After its postwar cadre period, the squadron regained flying status in January.
- 1945
Philippines deployment
[1]The unit landed on Guinan on 11 January and later operated from Samar in fighter-bomber and air-support roles.
- 1945
Transfer to Okinawa
[1]VMF-222 transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on Okinawa as central Philippine air-support requirements declined.
- 1944
Operations from Green Island
[1]VMF-222 arrived at Green Island on 13 March after the Green Islands operation and supported the isolation of Rabaul and Kavieng.
- 1942
Squadron commissioned
[1]VMF-222 was commissioned at Midway Atoll on 1 March and formed largely from personnel of VMF-221.
- 1942
Deployment to Hawaii and the South Pacific
[1]The squadron moved to MCAS Ewa in April and later deployed to South Pacific bases including Munda and Bougainville.
Products and positioning
A wartime Marine Corps fighter and fighter-bomber squadron identified by its VMF designation and the “Flying Deuces” nickname. Its operational role centered on air combat, ground attack, and close air support in the Pacific theater.
Marketing campaigns
- 1945Philippines campaign
Guinan · Samar · Philippines
The squadron deployed to Guinan and later Samar, conducting fighter-bomber and air-support missions during the Philippines campaign.
Outcome. VMF-222 remained active in the Philippine theater until reassignment to Okinawa.
- 1945Battle of Okinawa operations
Okinawa
After its transfer to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, VMF-222 supported Marine aviation operations from Okinawa.
Outcome. The unit remained associated with Okinawa operations until the end of the war.
- 1944Green Island and Rabaul isolation operations
Green Island · Rabaul · Kavieng
From Green Island, VMF-222 supported the Allied strategy of isolating Japanese bases at Rabaul and Kavieng.
Outcome. The squadron continued offensive fighter and ground-attack missions in the Southwest Pacific.
- 1942Solomon Islands operations
Solomon Islands · South Pacific
VMF-222 operated from Munda and Bougainville as part of Marine Corps air operations against Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands region.
Outcome. The squadron continued its Pacific deployment and later moved to Green Island for operations against the Rabaul and Kavieng area.
Brand decisions
1945
Shift to fighter-bomber and air-support operationsStrategyBackground
During its Samar deployment, the squadron’s missions were conducted primarily in a fighter-bomber role as operational requirements in the Philippines evolved.
Action taken
VMF-222 emphasized ground support and fighter-bomber missions before being transferred to Okinawa.
Aftermath
The unit continued Pacific combat operations with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
1945
Postwar cadre reorganizationStrategyBackground
Following Japan’s surrender, the Marine Corps reorganized aviation assets and reduced the squadron’s immediate operational status.
Action taken
VMF-222 moved to MCAS Miramar and entered cadre status while its equipment supported the formation of VMF-912.
Aftermath
The squadron later regained flying status in 1947 but was deactivated in 1949.
Recent events
- 1949
VMF-222 deactivated[1]
Other
After regaining flying status in 1947, the squadron was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on 31 December 1949.
- 1945
Fatal runway accident at the squadron’s Philippine base[1]
Other
On 24 January, a Corsair accident during takeoff caused an explosion in a shared revetment area, killing 14 people and injuring more than 50 others.
- 1945
VMF-222 lands on Guinan during the Philippines campaign[1]
Other
VMF-222 deployed with other Marine Aircraft Group 14 units to Guinan in the Philippines on 11 January, continuing combat operations in the archipelago.
- 1945
Transfer to Okinawa[1]
Other
As the need for air support in the central Philippines declined, VMF-222 transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on Okinawa in early May.
- 1944
VMF-222 begins operations from Green Island[1]
Other
Following the Battle of the Green Islands, the squadron arrived at the newly constructed Green Island airfield on 13 March and supported Allied efforts against Japanese bases in the Rabaul and Kavieng area.
- 1942
VMF-222 commissioned at Midway Atoll[1]
Other
The United States Marine Corps commissioned Marine Fighting Squadron 222 on 1 March 1942, forming the unit primarily from personnel transferred from VMF-221.
Sources1 sources
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