VF-10

VF-10, formally Fighting Squadron 10 and popularly known as the Grim Reapers, was a United States Navy carrier-fighter squadron of the Second World War. It was established on 3 June 1942 at Naval Air Station San Diego and initially operated the Grumman F4F Wildcat. The squadron's first commanding officer was James H. Flatley, a naval aviator who had recently taken part in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The squadron entered combat during a period when carrier aviation was central to the United States' effort to contain and reverse Japanese expansion in the Pacific. In October 1942, VF-10 deployed aboard USS Enterprise to the South Pacific and participated in the Guadalcanal campaign. Its early combat record included a significant role in the air defense of Enterprise and its associated task force during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, fought from 25 to 27 October 1942. The engagement was part of the wider struggle for control of the approaches to Guadalcanal and demonstrated the importance of carrier-based fighter protection in major fleet actions. After returning to the United States and being based at Naval Air Station Sand Point, VF-10 transitioned from the Wildcat to the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat. The squadron subsequently returned to the Pacific aboard Enterprise for a second combat tour. During this phase it operated across a wide geographic area, taking part in actions connected with the Marshall Islands, Jaluit, Emirau, the Western Caroline Islands, Hollandia, and Truk Lagoon. VF-10 also participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, a major carrier battle commonly associated with the destruction of much of Japan's remaining carrier-aircraft strength and nicknamed the Marianas Turkey Shoot. In January 1945, VF-10 returned to the United States and moved to Naval Air Station Atlantic City, where it converted to the Vought F4U Corsair. The change reflected the continuing evolution of Navy fighter operations and aircraft technology late in the war. The squadron then returned to the Pacific aboard USS Intrepid. Its final combat operations included strikes and air operations connected with the Ryukyu Islands, Kyushu, Okinawa, and Wake Island. VF-10 returned to Naval Air Station Alameda and was disestablished on 26 November 1945, after the end of the war. It therefore existed as a wartime United States Navy unit rather than as a continuing commercial brand. Its identity is associated with carrier aviation, Pacific combat operations, the Wildcat, Hellcat, and Corsair, and the Grim Reapers nickname.

VF-10 was organized by the United States Navy on 3 June 1942 at Naval Air Station San Diego during the rapid wartime expansion of American naval aviation. The squadron began flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat, the principal Navy fighter in the early Pacific war. James H. Flatley served as its first commanding officer. In October 1942, VF-10 deployed with USS Enterprise to the South Pacific and entered the Guadalcanal campaign. Its most prominent early action came during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands from 25 to 27 October 1942, when the squadron helped defend Enterprise and the surrounding task force against Japanese air attack. This mission illustrated the central role of carrier fighter squadrons in protecting aircraft carriers and surface formations during contested fleet operations. After its first combat period, VF-10 returned to the United States and operated from Naval Air Station Sand Point. It transitioned to the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat before deploying again to the Pacific aboard Enterprise. On this second tour, the squadron participated in operations spanning the Marshall Islands, Jaluit, Emirau, the Western Caroline Islands, Hollandia, and Truk Lagoon. It also took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, one of the decisive carrier battles of the Pacific War. VF-10 returned to the United States in January 1945 and converted to the Vought F4U Corsair at Naval Air Station Atlantic City. It subsequently deployed to the Pacific aboard USS Intrepid. Its late-war operations included missions involving the Ryukyu Islands, Kyushu, Okinawa, and Wake Island. Following the conclusion of the war, the squadron returned to Naval Air Station Alameda. VF-10 was disestablished on 26 November 1945 and did not continue as an active Navy squadron under this designation.

• 1945

  Transition to the Corsair

  [1]VF-10en.wikipedia.org

  In January, VF-10 converted to the Vought F4U Corsair at Naval Air Station Atlantic City before returning to the Pacific aboard USS Intrepid.

• 1945

  Disestablished

  [1]VF-10en.wikipedia.org

  Following its return to Naval Air Station Alameda, VF-10 was disestablished on 26 November.

• 1944

  Battle of the Philippine Sea

  [1]VF-10en.wikipedia.org

  During its second combat tour, VF-10 participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and related operations across the central and western Pacific.

• 1943

  Transition to the Hellcat

  [1]VF-10en.wikipedia.org

  After returning to the United States and basing at Naval Air Station Sand Point, VF-10 converted to the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat before another Pacific deployment.

• 1942

  Squadron established

  [1]VF-10en.wikipedia.org

  Fighting Squadron 10 was established on 3 June at Naval Air Station San Diego and began operations with the Grumman F4F Wildcat.

• 1942

  First Pacific deployment

  [1]VF-10en.wikipedia.org

  VF-10 deployed aboard USS Enterprise to the South Pacific in October and entered combat during the Guadalcanal campaign.

• 1942

  Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands

  [1]VF-10en.wikipedia.org

  From 25 to 27 October, the squadron helped defend Enterprise and its task force during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

A wartime United States Navy carrier-fighter squadron identified by the Grim Reapers nickname and focused on fleet air defense and offensive fighter operations in the Pacific.

• Carrier-based fighter aircraft

  Grumman F4F Wildcat

  The Wildcat was VF-10's initial fighter type when the squadron was formed at Naval Air Station San Diego. It was used during the squadron's early deployment to the South Pacific and the Guadalcanal and Santa Cruz Islands operations.

• Carrier-based fighter aircraft

  Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat

  VF-10 adopted the F6F-3 Hellcat after returning to the United States and training at Naval Air Station Sand Point. The type equipped the squadron for its second Pacific combat tour, including operations in the Marshall and Caroline Islands areas and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

• Carrier-based fighter aircraft · 1945

  Vought F4U Corsair

  VF-10 transitioned to the Vought F4U Corsair at Naval Air Station Atlantic City in January 1945. The squadron later operated the aircraft in the Pacific from USS Intrepid during late-war operations involving the Ryukyu Islands, Kyushu, Okinawa, and Wake Island.

• 1945Late-war Pacific operations

  Ryukyu Islands · Japan · and western Pacific

  After converting to the Corsair and deploying aboard Intrepid, VF-10 took part in strikes and air operations involving the Ryukyu Islands, Kyushu, Okinawa, and Wake Island.

  Outcome. These were among the squadron's final operations before its postwar disestablishment.

  Source
• 1944Battle of the Philippine Sea

  Mariana Islands and Philippine Sea

  VF-10 participated in the major carrier engagement known for the severe losses suffered by Japanese naval aviation.

  Outcome. The battle strengthened United States control of the western Pacific and reduced Japan's carrier-aircraft capability.

  Source
• 1943Second Pacific combat tour

  Central and western Pacific

  After converting to the Hellcat, VF-10 returned to the Pacific aboard Enterprise and participated in operations involving the Marshall Islands, Jaluit, Emirau, the Western Caroline Islands, Hollandia, and Truk Lagoon.

  Outcome. The squadron remained active across the expanding United States island-hopping campaign.

  Source
• 1942Guadalcanal campaign

  South Pacific

  VF-10 deployed with Enterprise to the South Pacific in October 1942 and participated in carrier-fighter operations supporting the Guadalcanal campaign.

  Outcome. The squadron continued operating as part of Enterprise's carrier air group during the early Pacific counteroffensive.

  Source
• 1942Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands

  South Pacific

  VF-10 helped provide fighter protection for Enterprise and its task force during the carrier battle fought from 25 to 27 October 1942.

  Outcome. The action formed part of the wider struggle over the Guadalcanal theater and demonstrated the squadron's fleet-defense role.

  Source

• 1945

  Conversion to the CorsairGeneration change

  Background

  The squadron returned to the United States in January 1945 during the continuing modernization of United States Navy fighter units.

  Action taken

  VF-10 converted to the Vought F4U Corsair at Naval Air Station Atlantic City.

  Aftermath

  The Corsair-equipped squadron deployed to the Pacific aboard USS Intrepid for late-war operations.

  Source

• 1945

  Postwar disestablishmentOther

  Background

  After the end of the Second World War, VF-10 returned to Naval Air Station Alameda.

  Action taken

  The United States Navy disestablished VF-10 on 26 November 1945.

  Aftermath

  The squadron ceased to exist under the VF-10 designation.

  Source

• 1943

  Conversion from Wildcat to HellcatGeneration change

  Background

  Following its first combat deployment, VF-10 returned to the United States and prepared for another Pacific tour.

  Action taken

  The squadron transitioned from the Grumman F4F Wildcat to the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat at Naval Air Station Sand Point.

  Aftermath

  VF-10 returned to combat aboard Enterprise for operations across the central and western Pacific.

  Source

1. 1VF-10en.wikipedia.org