VMF-216

Marine Fighting Squadron 216 (VMF-216) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Known as the “Bulldogs”, they flew the F4U Corsair and participated in numerous combat engagements in the Pacific Theater. They were deactivated on March 10, 1945 and remain in an inactive status today.

History
Marine Fighting Squadron 216 was formed at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California in January 1943 but was not officially commissioned until September 16, 1943 with Major Rivers J. Morrell, Jr. in command. Initially training in FM-1 Wildcats, they transitioned to the Vought F4U-1 Corsair and operated roughly 18 of these aircraft at any one time.

VMF-216 was the first squadron to land at the recently-opened Torokina Airfield on December 10, 1943. By this time they had at least partially transitioned to the F4U-1A Corsair, featuring a bubble canopy.

On August 4, 1944, VMF-216 joined VMF(N)-534, VMF-217, and VMF-225 on Guam following the invasion of the island by United States forces. Following this, they were based on the Essex Class aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) starting in early February 1945 and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. They remained aboard until Wasp retired to the west coast for overhaul of battle damage. The squadron was deactivated on March 10, 1945.