VMA-224 Bengals


Bengals

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The Squadron Duty Officer is the squadron contact point, who communicates with former squadron members about squadron information, sea stories, squadron pictures, scuttlebutt, and gathers information about squadron buddies.
Please contact the Squadron SDO as listed here.

The Table Of Content:
Patch:
Handle:
Aircraft:
Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
Heritage:
  • May 1, 1942 - Marine Fighting Squadron 224 Bengals established at Naval Air Station, Barbers Point,Territory of Hawaii.

  • December 1, 1954 - Marine Fighting Squadron 224 redesignated as Marine Attack Squadron 224 Bengals.

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Commanders:
Home Ports:
  • Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
  • May 1, 1942 - - - - - Naval Air Station, Barbers Point Territory of Hawaii.
  • November 1942 - - - - Naval Station San Diego, California.
  • November 1942 - - - - Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.
  • June 1948 - - - - - - Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
  • November 1954 - - - - Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.
  • December 1958 - - - - Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
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Air Wings:
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
  • 1956 - - - - - - - WK
  • 19?0's - - - - - - WP
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Deployments:
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
  • No info yet
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Photograph Albums:
Squadron Photograph Album
Squadron Off-Duty Album (empty)
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Events:
  • May 1, 1942:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 was established at the Naval Air Station, Barbers Point Territory of Hawaii.

  • (1942):
    For the next few months VMF-224 was in training at Barbers Point. Marine Fighting Squadron 224 trained in aerial tactics, gunnery, day and night intercept and radar use.

  • August 16, 1942:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 Bengals embarked on board the USAT E.J. Hinds and then the United States Ship Kitty Hawk and sailed from Pearl Harbor.

  • September 3, 1942:
    The Bengals arrived at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, commenced air combat patrols over enemy territory the next day. The Bengals remained in combat until October 16, 1942. During this period Bengal pilots shot down more than 60 enemy aircraft.

  • November 1942:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 relocated to Naval Air Station San Diego and then to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California for combat work-up training.

  • September 1943:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 was ordered to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, then to combat at Pago Pago, Samoa and Funafuti, Ellice Islands.

  • January 1944:
    VMF-224 moved to Roi, Kwajalein and a short time later began strikes against Wotje and other enemy held atolls in the Marshall Islands.

  • April 7, 1944:
    A week after the Okinawa campaign began VMF-224 arrived at the Yontan, Okinawa airfield. By the time Okinawa was secured the squadron had accounted for 55 enemy aircraft shot down this line period.

  • (1945):
    After the Japan's surrender VMF-224 deployed from Okinawa to Yokohama, Japan as part of the occupation force.

  • June 1946:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 Bengals departed Yokohama, Japan for the United States.

  • 1947 through 1948:
    VMF-224 was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

  • June 1948:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 moved to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

  • (1950):
    At the outbreak of the Korean War, VMF-224 remained at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point where it experimented with ordinance and provided combat replacement pilot training.

  • September 1951:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 embarked on board the United States Ship Franklin D. Roosevelt for a five month Mediterranean cruise.

  • February 1952:
    Back at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Marine Fighting Squadron 224 began converting from F2H-2 to F9F-5 Panther. VMF-224 became a defacto training squadron with a constant new pilot influx as the more experienced pilots were transferred to combat units in Korea.

  • September 10, 1953:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 arrived at the Naval Air Station, Atsugi, Japan. The mission was to prepare strikes in support of the Fleet Marine Force and other ground units in the event of a Korean Armistice breakdown. VMF-224 also prepared to support future amphibious operations involving the seizure and defense of advanced bases, and to assist in the air defense of Japan.

  • November 1954:
    The squadron sailed from Yokosuka, Japan for Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

  • December 1, 1954:
    Marine Fighting Squadron 224 was redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 224 Bengals.

  • 13 September 1956:
    First Deployment of an A-4 Skyhawk to the Marines. BuNo 139920 is delivered to VMA-224.

  • (1957):
    VMA-224 was the first Marine squadron to get the Douglas A-4A Skyhawk.

  • October 1, 1957:
    VMA-224 deployed to Iwakuni, Japan.

  • October 23, 1957:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 arrived Iwakuni, Japan.

  • December 1958:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 transferred to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

  • August 1960:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 Bengals embarked on board the United States Ship Saratoga at Mayport, Florida and sailed for the Mediterranean. During thew cruise VMA-224 participated in the various exercises conducted by the Sixth Fleet.

  • February 1961:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina to continue taking part in maneuvers in the continental United States and the Caribbean areas.

  • October 1962:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

  • October 1963:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

  • October 1965:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 Bengals deployed to Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam and entered immediately into combat with the enemy.

  • May 1, 1966:
    VMA-224 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan for two months and then returned to Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam. There Marine Attack Squadron 224 flew in many operations including COLORADO, PRAIRIE and SHASNEE.

  • November 1, 1966:
    Marine Attack Squadron 224 was relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The squadron was redesignated Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 Bengals and assigned to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing.

  • 1972:
    Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 Bengals deployed on United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43 to combat in Vietnam. VMA (AW) 224 took part in the aerial mining of Haiphong, North Vietnam Harbor.


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Awards:
Sources of information:
  • Harry S. Gann
  • Jimmy R. Little
  • Frank J. Mirande

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