VMF-511
Encyclopedia
Marine Fighting Squadron 511 (VMF-511) was a fighter squadron of the Marine Forces Reserve during the Cold War
which flew numerous variants of the F-8 Crusader
.. They were originally activated during World War II
and fought during the Battle of Okinawa
and the Battle of Balikpapan (1945)
. They specialized in close air support
and during the course of the war were only credited with 1 plane shot. down
Following the surrender of Japan
, the squadron was deactivated on March 11, 1946 . They were reactivated in the Marine Forces Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Willow Grove
, Pennsylvania
. The squadrons tailcode was originally 7W, then in 1970 it became 5W, and lastly in late 1972 it changed again to MK.
. They were a part of Marine Aircraft Group 51 (MAG-51) and their original mission and training was as a part of Operation Crossbow (Project Danny), an ill-conceived plan to have Marine squadrons onboard escort carriers hunt down V-1 flying bomb
launch sites in eastern France
. While training for this mission, the squadron was sent to Naval Air Station Key West
, Florida
, Naval Air Station Quonset Point
, Rhode Island
, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
, California
and Naval Auxiliary Air Field Manteo
, North Carolina
. By July 30, 1944, the Allies
had overrun the V-1 launch sites so there was no longer a need for Operation Crossbow and VMF-511 needed another mission.
The new mission for MAG-51 and VMF-511 was to begin training for deployment onboard Navy
carriers
in the Pacific. They moved to Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California on September 10, 1944, began carrier qualification training where they would fly a mixed bag of eight F6F-5N Hellcat
night fighters, two F6F-5P photo reconnaissance Hellcats and eight F4U-1D Corsairs
. This mix of aircraft gave the squadron both a night fighting capability and photo reconnaissance capability on top of its ability to provide close air support. On October 28, 1944, the squadron was also re-designated (VMF(CVS)-511) to reflect their special training and participation in the escort carrier program. Upon completion of this training they were assigned to Marine Carrier Air Group 1 (MCVG-1) where they were partnered with VMTB-233 on the USS Block Island (CVE-106)
. The squadron left the West Coast
on March 20, 1945.
On March 10, 1945, the squadron saw its first combat during the Battle of Okinawa
when it ran plowed up Japanese mortar
positions. For the next month provided close air support
for Marines and soldiers on the ground during the battle. The squadron was also a part of the effort to reduce Shuri Castle
and interdict small water craft. During this time the squadron lost its commanding officer, Major Robert Maze, when his F4U Corsair was hit by flak from Ishigaki Island
and crashed into the East China Sea
. In mid-June, the USS Block Island was relieved from the coast of Okinawa and ordered to Leyte
in the Philippines
. From there, they supported the early stages of Australia's
7th Division invasion of Balikpapan
in July 1945. They returned to Leyte on July 4 and did not see combat for the rest of the war. Still aboard the USS Block Island when WWII ended, VMF(CVS)-511's final missions were flown in support of the Japanese surrender of Formosa
.
Following the surrender of Japan
, the squadron returned to the Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara
, California and were eventually deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
, California on March 10, 1946.
On April 15, 1958, the Marine Corps reactivated the squadron as the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment Willow Grove at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. At first, the squadron shared aircraft with Naval Air Reserve
squadrons VF-931 and VF-932. In 1970, the reserves were reorganized and VMF-511 became an independent squadron, again with its own aircraft. The squadron was finally deactivated on August 31, 1972 as part of the post-Vietnam
draw down of forces.
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
which flew numerous variants of the F-8 Crusader
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
.. They were originally activated during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and fought during the Battle of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
and the Battle of Balikpapan (1945)
Battle of Balikpapan (1945)
The Battle of Balikpapan was the concluding stage of the Borneo campaign . The landings took place on 1 July 1945. The Australian 7th Division, composed of the 18th, 21st and 25th Infantry Brigades, with support troops, made an amphibious landing, codenamed Operation Oboe Two a few miles north of...
. They specialized in close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
and during the course of the war were only credited with 1 plane shot. down
Following the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
, the squadron was deactivated on March 11, 1946 . They were reactivated in the Marine Forces Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Willow Grove
Naval Air Station Willow Grove
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove or NASJRB Willow Grove was a Naval Air Station owned by the U.S. Navy and located in Horsham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States four miles northwest of the central business district of Willow Grove, which is north of...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The squadrons tailcode was originally 7W, then in 1970 it became 5W, and lastly in late 1972 it changed again to MK.
History
Marine Fighting Squadron 511 (VMF-511) was activated on January 1, 1944 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Field Oak Grove, North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. They were a part of Marine Aircraft Group 51 (MAG-51) and their original mission and training was as a part of Operation Crossbow (Project Danny), an ill-conceived plan to have Marine squadrons onboard escort carriers hunt down V-1 flying bomb
V-1 flying bomb
The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was an early pulse-jet-powered predecessor of the cruise missile....
launch sites in eastern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. While training for this mission, the squadron was sent to Naval Air Station Key West
Naval Air Station Key West
Naval Air Station Key West , is a naval air station and military airport located on Boca Chica Key, four miles east of the central business district of Key West, Florida, United States....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Naval Air Station Quonset Point
Naval Air Station Quonset Point
Naval Air Station Quonset Point was a United States Naval Base in Quonset Point, Rhode Island that was deactivated in 1974. Next to NAS Quonset Point was Camp Endicott at Davisville, home of the Naval Construction Battalions known as the Seabees. Quonset Point also gave its name to the Quonset hut,...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
- About : is part of under Commander, Navy Installation Command and is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately north of Los Angeles. Occupying three counties – Kern, San Bernardino and Inyo – the installation’s closest neighbors are the cities of Ridgecrest,...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Naval Auxiliary Air Field Manteo
Manteo, North Carolina
Manteo is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, located on Roanoke Island. The population was 1,052 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dare County.-Geography:...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. By July 30, 1944, the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
had overrun the V-1 launch sites so there was no longer a need for Operation Crossbow and VMF-511 needed another mission.
The new mission for MAG-51 and VMF-511 was to begin training for deployment onboard Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
carriers
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
in the Pacific. They moved to Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California on September 10, 1944, began carrier qualification training where they would fly a mixed bag of eight F6F-5N Hellcat
F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F resembled the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big...
night fighters, two F6F-5P photo reconnaissance Hellcats and eight F4U-1D Corsairs
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
. This mix of aircraft gave the squadron both a night fighting capability and photo reconnaissance capability on top of its ability to provide close air support. On October 28, 1944, the squadron was also re-designated (VMF(CVS)-511) to reflect their special training and participation in the escort carrier program. Upon completion of this training they were assigned to Marine Carrier Air Group 1 (MCVG-1) where they were partnered with VMTB-233 on the USS Block Island (CVE-106)
USS Block Island (CVE-106)
USS Block Island was a Commencement Bay class escort carrier of the United States Navy. She was the second ship to carry her name, done in honor of the first one, being launched 12 days after the original was sunk....
. The squadron left the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
on March 20, 1945.
On March 10, 1945, the squadron saw its first combat during the Battle of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
when it ran plowed up Japanese mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
positions. For the next month provided close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
for Marines and soldiers on the ground during the battle. The squadron was also a part of the effort to reduce Shuri Castle
Shuri Castle
Shuri Castle is a gusuku in Shuri, Okinawa. It was the palace of the Ryūkyū Kingdom. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed...
and interdict small water craft. During this time the squadron lost its commanding officer, Major Robert Maze, when his F4U Corsair was hit by flak from Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki, Okinawa
Ishigaki is an island west of Okinawa Hontō and the second-largest island of the Yaeyama Island group. It is within the City of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture. The city functions as the business and transport center of the archipelago...
and crashed into the East China Sea
East China Sea
The East China Sea is a marginal sea east of China. It is a part of the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of 1,249,000 km² or 750,000 square miles.-Geography:...
. In mid-June, the USS Block Island was relieved from the coast of Okinawa and ordered to Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. From there, they supported the early stages of Australia's
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
7th Division invasion of Balikpapan
Battle of Balikpapan (1945)
The Battle of Balikpapan was the concluding stage of the Borneo campaign . The landings took place on 1 July 1945. The Australian 7th Division, composed of the 18th, 21st and 25th Infantry Brigades, with support troops, made an amphibious landing, codenamed Operation Oboe Two a few miles north of...
in July 1945. They returned to Leyte on July 4 and did not see combat for the rest of the war. Still aboard the USS Block Island when WWII ended, VMF(CVS)-511's final missions were flown in support of the Japanese surrender of Formosa
Formosa
Formosa or Ilha Formosa is a Portuguese historical name for Taiwan , literally meaning, "Beautiful Island". The term may also refer to:-Places:* Formosa Strait, another name for the Taiwan Strait...
.
Following the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
, the squadron returned to the Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara
Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara
'Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located in Goleta, California north of Los Angeles during World War II...
, California and were eventually deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
, California on March 10, 1946.
On April 15, 1958, the Marine Corps reactivated the squadron as the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment Willow Grove at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. At first, the squadron shared aircraft with Naval Air Reserve
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
squadrons VF-931 and VF-932. In 1970, the reserves were reorganized and VMF-511 became an independent squadron, again with its own aircraft. The squadron was finally deactivated on August 31, 1972 as part of the post-Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
draw down of forces.
Unit awards
A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. VMF-511 was presented with the following awards:| Ribbon | Unit Award |
 |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was... |
 |
World War II Victory Medal World War II Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of... |
 |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... with one Bronze Star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... |
See also
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons