Hawks at Angels 12: The Sacrifice of VMF 221 and VSMB 241 at Midway

Since I am writing and also reposting articles about the Battle of Midway I am reposting this article about the US Marine Corps Fighter and Dive Bomber Squadrons that at great sacrifice contributed to the “Incredible Victory” at Midway. Peace, Padre Steve+

The Inglorius Padre Steve's World

One of the more overlooked aspects of the Battle of Midway is the sacrifice of Marine Fighter Squadron 221 on the morning of June 4th 1942.   The Marine aviators flying a mix of 21 obsolescent Brewster F2A-3 Buffalos and 7 Grumman F4F-3 Wildcats engaged a vastly superior force of Japanese Navy aircraft as they vectored toward the atoll to begin softening it up for the planned invasion.

Led by Major Floyd Parks the squadron had arrived at Midway on Christmas day 1941 being delivered by the USS Saratoga after the aborted attempt to relieve Wake Island.  The squadron along with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB 241) formed Marine Air Group 22.  They fighter pilots of VMF-221 scored their first victory shooting down a Japanese Kawanishi H8K2 “Emily” flying boat. The squadron which initially was composed of just 14 aircraft, all F2A-3’s was augmented by 7 more F2A-3s and 7…

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One response to “Hawks at Angels 12: The Sacrifice of VMF 221 and VSMB 241 at Midway

  1. I remember this – an excellent article.

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