MARINE FIGHTING SQUADRON CLAIMS

[focusfocus]

Hello

27/12/1942:Munda
What unit (VMF-121,VMF-122,VMO-251 and pilots) who claimed 3 Zeros in the Munda region?

J can't find anything in Pacific Wrecks,the old Marine Fighting Squadron one-Twenty-one (Squadron Signal) and the more recent Solomons air war vol.3 (2024)

Regards
michel

[Leendert]

This page https://catalog.archives.gov/id/78208287?objectPage=10 only speaks of strafing Munda on 27 Dec 1942.

More details however in https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1340...ject-thumb--98 where it's written that three Zeros were shot down over Munda by F-4F's.

Regards, Leendert

[focusfocus]

Thanks Leendert ....but what is this-these unit(s)? and who are the claimants??

There must be sources that answer this question!

Regards
michel

[Stig Jarlevik]

Of course there is Michel

Our late friend Frank Olynyk did so in one of his books.

The pilots were
1/Lt Alexander McMurray Hearn VMF-121
1/Lt Roy Taylor Spurlock VMO-251 but seemingly attached to VMF-121
Capt Charles Patrick Weiland VMO-251 (as above)

VMF-121 was established at USMC Quantico 24 June 1941 and at the time you are interested in
was commanded by Major L.K. Davis from Guadalcanal

VMO-251 was an "observation" unit formed on 1 Dec 1941 and initially based at Espiritu Santo.
However a lot of their pilots were sent ahead and served with other units until it was transferred
to Guadalcanal in Jan 1943.
Since most of its job was as a fighter unit it was finally redesignated VMF-251 on 31 Jan 1945

Cheers
Stig

[twocee]

On 30 November 1942 eleven VMO251 pilots were ordered to Guadalcanal for temporary duty, flying up the next day in an R4D-1.

In the action on 27 December two F4Fs, flown by Spurlock and Weiland of VMO251, were part of the escort which consisted mostly of VMF121 pilots. Capt. Weiland was the flight leader.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by twocee

On 30 November 1942 eleven VMO251 pilots were ordered to Guadalcanal for temporary duty, flying up the next day in an R4D-1.

In the action on 27 December two F4Fs, flown by Spurlock and Weiland of VMO251, were part of the escort which consisted mostly of VMF121 pilots. Capt. Weiland was the flight leader.

Thanks for the extra details George
HNY
Stig

[Leendert]

Re #5: names of the eleven pilots ordered to 'Cactus' here: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/78338958. Spurlock and Weiland among them.
On 12 March 1943 both returned from VMF-122 (see p. 9 of link).

Regards, Leendert

[focusfocus]

Hi guys

Ah!magnificent,I regret not having the books of Frank Olynyk!!

Thank you for détails
There seem to be some errors and omissions in the book "Solomons air war" (Michael Claringbould)

Happy new year alls
michel