VMSB-244

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 244
VMSB-244 insignia
Active	March 1, 1942 – June 10, 1946
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Dive Bomber squadron
Role	Reconnaissance Air Interdiction Close air support
Part of	Inactive
Nickname	Bombing Banshees
Engagements	World War II * Bougainville campaign (1943-45) * Philippines campaign (1944–45)
Aircraft flown
Bomber	SBD Dauntless SB2C Helldiver

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 244 (VMSB-244) was a dive bomber squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Bombing Banshees”, fought in World War II in the Pacific Theater as part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. They were deactivated shortly after the end of the war.

History

VMSB-244 was commissioned on March 1, 1942. The squadron arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California on June 14, 1942 as part of Marine Aircraft Group 24. They remained at MCAS Santa Barbara until January 1943 when they moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii.

In May 1945, as the campaign on Mindanao wound down, the squadron replaced its SBD Dauntless aircraft with the SB2C Helldiver and shortly thereafter VMSB-244 became the only squadron of MAG-24 to remain active.

See also

• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
• List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons

References

Books

• Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5. 

• Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press. OCLC 1261876. 

• Shettle Jr., M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-964-33882-3. 

Web

• VMSB-244 Bombing Banshees
• VMSB-244
• Jack Fellows portrait of an SB2C Helldiver from VMSB-244