Marine Fighting Squadron 452

Marine Fighting Squadron 452, abbreviated VMF-452 and nicknamed the Sky Raiders, was a United States Marine Corps aviation unit that served during World War II. It was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California, and operated within the Marine Corps aviation structure rather than as a commercial or consumer-facing brand. The squadron was assigned to Marine Carrier Group 5 and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) for operations in the Pacific theater. VMF-452's wartime aircraft included the Chance Vought F4U Corsair fighter and the Grumman TBF Avenger. The squadron's deployment was closely tied to the 1945 campaign against Japan. It left San Francisco aboard USS Franklin on 7 February 1945, proceeded to Pearl Harbor, and then moved west with the carrier force supporting the planned invasion of Okinawa. On 18 March 1945, its aircraft conducted the unit's first combat missions against airfields on Kyushu. The squadron's most consequential action occurred on 19 March 1945, when USS Franklin was attacked off Okinawa by a Japanese Yokosuka D4Y Judy dive bomber. Two 500-pound bombs struck the carrier, causing extensive destruction and casualties. Thirty-three VMF-452 personnel were killed in the resulting devastation. The losses left the squadron no longer combat effective, and its surviving personnel were transferred to USS Bunker Hill for the return voyage to the United States. After reaching California, VMF-452 was sent to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro in April 1945 to refit and rearm. It remained there for the rest of the war. The squadron was deactivated on 31 December 1949 and has remained inactive since. Its historical significance rests primarily on its World War II service, its association with the USS Franklin disaster, and the experience of Marine aviation units operating from aircraft carriers during the Pacific campaign. One documented former member was Norwood Russell Hanson.

Marine Fighting Squadron 452 was a United States Marine Corps aviation squadron formed for World War II service. The unit was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave in California and became known as the Sky Raiders. Its role was to provide Marine aviation combat capability, including fighter and attack operations, within the Pacific war effort. The squadron flew the F4U Corsair and the Grumman TBF Avenger and was associated with Marine Carrier Group 5. On 7 February 1945, VMF-452 left San Francisco aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13). The ship first proceeded to Pearl Harbor and then continued westward to join the carrier force supporting the invasion of Okinawa. The deployment placed the squadron within the broader sequence of carrier operations directed against Japanese positions in the western Pacific. The unit entered combat on 18 March 1945, when its aircraft attacked airfields on Kyushu. The following day, while USS Franklin was operating off Okinawa, a Japanese Yokosuka D4Y Judy dive bomber attacked the carrier. Two 500-pound bombs struck the ship and caused severe damage and widespread destruction. Thirty-three members of VMF-452 died in the attack and its aftermath. The losses and disruption meant that the squadron was no longer combat effective. After the carrier was damaged, VMF-452 personnel transferred to USS Bunker Hill and sailed back to the United States. The squadron reached California and was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro in April 1945, where it was scheduled to refit and rearm. It remained at El Centro until the end of the war rather than returning to combat in the Pacific. The squadron continued to exist within the Marine Corps structure after the war but was deactivated on 31 December 1949. It has remained in an inactive status since then. The unit's documented wartime history is therefore concentrated in its 1945 carrier deployment, its brief period of combat over the Japanese home islands and Okinawa area, and the severe losses suffered aboard USS Franklin. Norwood Russell Hanson is identified as a notable former member. The available reference material does not provide a complete list of commanders, official unit citations, commissioning date, or a detailed account of the squadron's aircraft assignments over its entire existence.

• 1949

  Deactivation

  [1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was deactivated on 31 December 1949 and has remained inactive since.

• 1945

  Departure for the Pacific aboard USS Franklin

  [1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron departed San Francisco on 7 February aboard USS Franklin and traveled through Pearl Harbor toward the Pacific carrier force.

• 1945

  First combat missions

  [1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  VMF-452 flew its first combat missions on 18 March against airfields on Kyushu.

• 1945

  USS Franklin attack

  [1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  On 19 March, Japanese bombs severely damaged USS Franklin off Okinawa and killed 33 VMF-452 members, leaving the squadron combat ineffective.

• 1945

  Reassignment to El Centro

  [1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  After returning to California, VMF-452 was sent to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro in April to refit and rearm.

• Commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave

  [1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  VMF-452 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California, as a United States Marine Corps aviation squadron.

A United States Marine Corps wartime aviation squadron focused on carrier-based combat operations in the Pacific during World War II.

• Fighter aircraft

  F4U Corsair

  The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was one of the principal aircraft associated with VMF-452. In the squadron's World War II context, it provided carrier-based fighter capability for offensive operations, air defense, and support of wider naval and Marine Corps missions in the Pacific.

• Carrier-based attack aircraft

  Grumman TBF Avenger

  The Grumman TBF Avenger was also operated by VMF-452 during its wartime service. The aircraft expanded the squadron's capabilities beyond fighter duties and supported the carrier-based attack role assigned to Marine aviation formations in the Pacific theater.

• 1945Pacific campaign and Battle of Okinawa operations

  Pacific theater

  VMF-452 deployed with USS Franklin as part of the carrier force supporting the invasion of Okinawa. It flew combat missions against Kyushu airfields and participated in the operational sequence leading into the Okinawa campaign.

  Outcome. The squadron suffered 33 fatalities during the USS Franklin attack on 19 March and was withdrawn from combat for refitting in California.

  Source

• 1949

  Deactivation of VMF-452Other

  Background

  Following its World War II service and postwar inactive period, the Marine Corps ended the squadron's active organization.

  Action taken

  VMF-452 was deactivated on 31 December 1949.

  Aftermath

  The unit has remained inactive since deactivation.

  Source

• 1945

  Transfer to USS Bunker Hill after USS Franklin damageStrategy

  Background

  The 19 March attack on USS Franklin caused severe casualties and left VMF-452 unable to continue effective combat operations.

  Action taken

  Surviving squadron personnel transferred to USS Bunker Hill and returned to the United States for reorganization and recovery.

  Aftermath

  The squadron was sent to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro in April 1945 to refit and rearm and remained there through the end of the war.

  Source

• 1949

  VMF-452 is deactivated[1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Marine Corps deactivated VMF-452 on 31 December. The unit has remained inactive since that date.

• 1945

  VMF-452 deploys aboard USS Franklin for Pacific operations[1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The squadron departed San Francisco aboard USS Franklin on 7 February and moved through Pearl Harbor toward the Pacific force supporting operations against Japan.

• 1945

  VMF-452 conducts first combat missions against Kyushu airfields[1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  On 18 March, the squadron flew its first combat missions against Japanese airfields on Kyushu as part of the Pacific campaign preceding the Battle of Okinawa.

• 1945

  USS Franklin attack causes heavy VMF-452 casualties[1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A Japanese Yokosuka D4Y Judy dive bomber struck USS Franklin with two 500-pound bombs on 19 March. The resulting damage killed 33 members of VMF-452 and rendered the squadron unable to continue combat operations.

• 1945

  VMF-452 returns to California for refit[1]VMF-452en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following the USS Franklin attack, surviving squadron personnel returned to the United States and were sent to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro to refit and rearm.

1. 1VMF-452en.wikipedia.org