VMA-332 Polkadots & Moonlighters


Polkadots
AW Polkadots
AW Moonlighters


JOIN The Skyhawks

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:
  • In 1953, Frank McClanahan, a VMA-332 Marine, helped design a Hat and Cane patch. The hat and cane were put on the patch to signify a flattop carrier and tailhook. The polkadots were from the red polkadot decoration on the F-4U Corsair engine cowlings used in the Korean War.
  • In 1968, VMA-332 was assigned the A-6 Intruder. The Intruder excelled at night bombing and attacking in bad weather. During this time the AW (All Weather) Squadron took the Moonlighters handle and altered the polkadot patch.
  • In 1993, VMA-332 was redesignated VMFA-332 AW and assigned the F/A-18 Hornet. The Squadron redesigned the patch but kept the Moonlighter handle.
    Back to Table of Contents

    Handle:
    • Polkadots 1953 to 1968. (In 1966-68 also known as the "Hat and Cane Squadron"
    • Moonlighters 1968 to present.
      Back to Table of Contents

    Aircraft:
    Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
    Heritage:
    • 1943 Established as VMSB-332
    • 1945 VMSB-332 disestablished.
    • 1952 Re-established as VMA-332
    • 1963 Re-designated VMA-332 AW (All Weather)
    • 1993 Re-designated VMFA-332 AW (All Weather)
      Back to Table of Contents

    Commanders:
    • Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
    • 1977 timeperiod - - - - - - - - - - Lt.Col. Martin

      • Back to Table of Contents

    Home Ports:
    • Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
    • 1943 - - - - - - - - - - - MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.
    • 19?? - - - - - - - - - - - MCAS Bogue Field, North Carolina.
    • 19?? - - - - - - - - - - - MCAS Mojave, California.
    • 19?? - - - - - - - - - - - MCAS Midway Island (first combat).
    • 19?? - - - - - - - - - - - MCAS Ewa, Hawaii Territory.
    • 195? - - - - - - - - - - - MCAS Miami, Florida.
    • 1956 - - - - - - - - - - - MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina.
      Back to Table of Contents

    Air Wings:
    Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
    • No info yet
    Back to Table of Contents
    Deployments:
    Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
    • No info yet
    Back to Table of Contents
    Photograph Albums:
    Squadron Photograph Album
    Squadron Off-Duty Album (empty)
    Back to Table of Contents

    Events:
    • Summer 1943:
      VMSB-332 was commissioned in the summer of 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and trained to fly the Douglas SBD (Slow But Deadly) Dauntless.

    • In 1944:
      VMSB-332 was in action in the South Pacific where they distinguished themselves flying from Ewa, Hawaiian Territory and Midway Island in the Grumman TBM Turkey.

    • 1952:
      VMSB-332 was redesignated as VMA-332. After briefly flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat the squadron was assigned the Chance Vought F4U Corsair.

    • April 11, 1953:
      In 1953, VMA-332 deployed to Korea with their Chance Vought F4U-4 and F4U-4B Corsairs using the tailcode "MR." It appears the Squadron was first onboard the escourt carrier United States Ship Point Cruz CVE 119, showing up on station about April 11, 1953. VMA-332 was based ashore starting May 15, 1953. The Squadron also operated from escourt carrier United States Ship Bairoko CVE 115. It appears the Squadron left Korea for CONUS December 18, 1953.

    • 1953:
      During the Korean War VMA-332 flew from escourt carriers and shore bases. The Squadron provided close air support for the mud Marines fighting the Chinese and North Korean Communists. Both Army and Marine ground troups perferred close air support provided by Marine Squadrons --- over Air Farce squadrons --- Marines squadrons got the job done!
      To identify VMA-332 Corsairs to our ground troops the Squadron's Corsair engine cowlings were painted white with red polkadots. This provided instant recognition and encouragement for mud Marine ground troops when the Squadron blasted the enemy. Troops called VMA 332 "the Polkadots" and the moniker, won in combat, stuck.

    • December 1953:
      At the Korean War tour completion, VMA-332 was assigned the Douglas A-1H Skyraider.

    • 1958:
      The VMA-332 "Polkadots" were assigned the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk.

    • 1960:
      By this time VMA-332 was flying the Douglas A4D 2N (A-4C) Skyhawk.

    • 1968:
      VMA-332 was assigned the Grumman A-6A Intruder and took on the AW (All Weather) mission.

    • 1993:
      VMA-332 was the last Marine squadron to fly the Grumman A-6 Intruder.

    • 1993:
      VMA-332 was redesignated VMFA-332 AW and assigned the Boeing F/A-18D Hornet (two seater) The squadron added the Forward Air Control Airborn (FAC) mission.

    • 1994:
      VMFA-332 AW FAC deployed to Aviano, Italy to support the United Nation combat operation in Yugoslavia. The Moonlighters led a number of strike missions including the large mission against Ubdina Airfield, Krajina, Coatia.

    • 1996:
      VMFA-332 AW FAC again deployed to Aviano, Italy.
      Back to Table of Contents

    Awards:

    Sources of information:
    • Association of Naval Aviation
    • Richard M. Cooke
    • Michael E. Sandlin (Col Ret USMCR)

    Return To The Marine Squadrons Page