VMF-217
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VMF-217 was activated at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California on September 15, 1942. The squadron did the majority of its training on the F4F Wildcat as there was a shortage of F4U Corsairs. They remained there and trained until December 12, 1943 when they went to Naval Air Station North Island, only to be embarked on the USS Barnes (CVE-20) a week later for transit to the Pacific Theater. The squadron arrived on Espiritu Santo on January 5, 1944, and soon moved to Bougainville on January 28, 1944. Two days later the squadron began striking the bypassed Japanese garrison at Rabaul. The flight echelon returned to Espiritu Santo on March 19, 1944 and remained until June 1, 1944 when they
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embarked on the USS Santee (CVE-29), USS Cetus (AK-77) and a few other ships for a voyage to Guam.
Beginning on August 7, 1944, the squadron commenced strikes against the island of Rota. All personnel from VMF-217 were ashore on Guam by August 20, 1944. On February 16, 1945, the squadron took part in a raid on Tokyo as part of Task Force 58. Taking off from the USS Wasp (CV-18) they, along with their
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sister squadron VMF-216, participated in an attack on the airfields at Yokosuka and Tateyama. After the Tokyo bombing, the squadron went to Iwo Jima to provide close air support for the Marines on the ground during the battle.
In May 1945, the squadron returned to the United States, Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California, for reorganization and training for escort carrier duty. It was here that the squadron began training on the F6F Hellcat because all of the available F4U Corsairs were needed for anti-Kamikaze duty. At the time of the surrender of Japan they were attached to Marine Carrier Group 7 (MCVG-7) aboard the USS Point Cruz (CVE-119) and were preparing for another deployment. The squadron was deactivated at Naval Air Station San Diego on March 10, 1946.
VMF-217 was briefly reactivated from 1953 to 1964 in the Marine Forces Reserve, flying the A-4 Skyhawk at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts. In 1955, they were redesignated VMA-217. After deactivation, its assets were transferred to VMA-322.
Every page in the USMC series is unique revealing a piece of information about the United States Marine Corp. On these pages you’ll read some of the interesting history from its people, bases and battles.
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Some things to remember when doing this series
* This is a hiking series. There are dirt roads/washes that will get you close.
* There are 421 caches. 401 prescription bottles hanging in bushes & 20 ammo cans.
* The Geoart is approximately 6 x 6 miles (36 sq miles) – count on being out here a while.
* Let someone know you are out here and when to expect to hear from you.
* This is the desert; home to many animals. Please take care of it.
* Carry out what you take in, don’t leave anything behind.
* Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks.
* Don't rely on good cell phone coverage.
* Most important of all --> Have fun! <--