Marine Fighting Squadron 213 (VMF-213) "Hell Hawks"
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)

Background
On July 1, 1942 organized in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) as Marine Fighting Squadron 213 (VMF-213) at Ewa Field on Oahu in Hawaii. Nicknamed ""Hell Hawks". On February 21, 1943 departs overseas bound for the South Pacific (SoPAC).


Marine Fighting Squadron 213 (VMF-21) "Hell Hawks" with F4U Corsair at Turtle Bay Airfield (Fighter 1) on Espirtu Santo
(Standing left to right) L. McCleary, F. Buechmann (ground officer), J. Moran, W. Anderson, H. Huidekoper, W. Stewart, V. Glascock, E. Shaw, R. Foxworth, L. Handschy, R. Roberts, R. Daily, Arthur R. Boag, Milton N. Vedder, Geroge Bennett, W. Livingood and S. Harrison
(Kneeling left to right) B. Ffoulkes, J. Walley, T. Brown, J. Cupp, G. Groom, W. Cloake, J. Anderson, J. Brubacker, C. Toomey, G. DeFabio, F. Avery, W. Thomas and M. Bowers.

Wartime History
On March 1, 1943 the squadron ground echelon arrives on Espiritu Santo with sixty personnel detached to the Russell Islands to help build Banika Airfield. On March 11, 1943 the first F4U Corsairs arrive and familiarization flights began at Turtle Bay Airfield. Meanwhile, the squadron pilots and F4U Corsairs were embarked aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12) and were launched to land at Tontouta Airfield. Afterwards, six F4U Corsairs were flown to Espiritu Santo where they remained until April 4, 1943 they departs for Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Meanwhile, the ground echelon remains on Espiritu Santo. On May 30, 1943 the ground echelon departs for Guadalcanal.

On April 13, 1943 during take off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal lost is F4U Corsair 02316 pilot Major Wade H. Britt Commanding Officer (C. O.) was killed in a take off accident. Afterwards, Major Gregory J. Weissenberger became Commanding Officer (C. O.).

On April 25, 1943 lost is F4U Corsair 02413 pilot 2nd Lt. Milton N. Vedder (rescued) and F4U Corsair 02399 pilot Lt. Eckart (MIA).

On June 17 1943 moves to Russell Islands to relieve Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124).

On June 30, 1943 the squadron flew a "Rendova Patrol" mission over Rendova Island off New Georgia.

On July 2, 1943 eight F4Us from the squadron fly a morning "Rendova Patrol" over Rendova Island. Lost due to engine trouble is F4U Corsair 02384 pilot 2nd Lt. Milton N. Vedder (rescued by crash boat). Bad weather prevented the squadron from flying other patrols. At 2:30pm, three F4U Corsairs piloted by 1st Lt. Boag, 1st Lt. DeFabio and 1st Lt. Thomas took off to escort B-25 Mitchells on a strike against a Japanese transport reported to be along the New Georgia shore of Kula Gulf.

On July 17, 1943 lost is F4U-1 Corsair 02421 pilot Captain Foy Ray Garrison Missing In Action (MIA) on an escort mission for bombers on a strike against shipping off Kahili (Buin) on southern Bougainville and engaged by enemy fighters and last seen over the target area.

On July 18, 1943 three divisions took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal on a mission to escort nine B-24 Liberators on a bombing mission over Kahilli Airfield on southern Bougainville. At the start of the bomb run the formation was intercepted by approximately thirty A6M Zeros. Lost is F4U Corsair pilot 1st Lt Charles C. Winnia was not seen after initial contact was made. In fact, 1st Lt Charles C. Winnia was captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner Of War (POW) and died in captivity and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Winnia was the only pilot from VMF-213 known to be a prisoner of the Japanese.

On September 5, 1943 moves to Fighter 1 on Guadalcanal.

On September 9, 1943 lost is F4U-1 Corsair 02552  pilot 1st Lt George C. Bennett on an escort mission for bombers against Kahilli Airfield on southern Bougainville. Returning while attacked from the rear by a Zero and was seen emitted smoke and went is Missing In Action (MIA).

On September 11, 1943 part of the squadron moves to Munda Airfield on New Georgia.

On September 12, 1943 lost is F4U-1 Corsair 02338  pilot Captain Theron H. Brown, III on an escort mission for bombers against Kahilli Airfield on southern Bougainville was hit and returning went Missing In Action (MIA).

On September 15, 1943 lost is F4U-1A Corsair 17489  pilot 1st Lt. Arthur R. Boag on a test up and due to an engine failure ditched off Guadalcanal. Afterwards, pilot rescued and returned to duty.

On September 23, 1943 lost is F4U-1A Corsair 17920 pilot 1st Lt. Robert T. Roberts and went Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was F4U-1A Corsair 17917 pilot 1st Lt. W. J. Thomas who was rescued.

On December 9, 1943 relieved and embarked aboard USS Kitty Hawk (AKV-1) bound for the United States for rest and recuperation.

During 1944, the squadron reformed at Mojave and conducted training. On September 18, 1944 embarked aboard USS Ticonderoga and transported to Ewa Field on Oahu for training.

On December 13, 1944 embarked aboard USS Hollandia (CVE-97) and Christmas Day arrives at Ulithi. On December 28, 1944 the flight echelon embarked aboard USS Essex and supports the U.S. landing at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon and strikes on Formosa and Indochina.

During January 1945 supported the liberation of the Philippines. During February 1945 strikes Tokyo. During March 1945 strikes Okinawa. afterwards strikes targets in Okinawa then returns to the United States to Santa Barbara until the end of the Pacific War.

In total, pilots from VMF-213 claimed 117 enemy aircraft shot down.

VMF-213 Commanding Officers (C. O.)
Captain Herbert T. Merrill (July 1, 1942–August 31, 1942)
Major Charles N. Endweiss (September 1, 1942–September 30, 1942)
Major Wade H. Britt (October 1, 1942–April 13, 1943) †
Major Gregory J. Weissenberger (April 13, 1943–August 1943)
Major James R. Anderson (August 1943–October 1943)
Captain Leonard W. McCleary, Oct. - Nov. 1943)
Major Stanley R. Bailey (November 1943)
Captain James R. Wallace (November 1943–December 1943)

VMF-213 Aces
James N. Cupp, 13
Sheldon O. Hall, 6
John L. Morgan Jr., 8.5
Edward O. Shaw, 13
Wilbur J. Thomas, 18.5
Milton N. Vedder, 6
Gregory J. Weissenberger, 5

References
VMF-213 War Diary
History of Marine Corps in World War II pages 461 (VMF-213 squadron summary)
VMF-213.com via Wayback Machine September 28, 2024

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