Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
  • Current Issue
  • Subscribe to Naval History
    • Naval History Digital Subscription
    • Renew Your Subscription
  • Naval History Blog
  • Submisison Guidelines
  • Contact Naval History
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
National Archives
"Cactus Air Force" Marines relax at Henderson Field during a break from combat.
National Archives

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
  • Current Issue
  • Subscribe to Naval History
    • Naval History Digital Subscription
    • Renew Your Subscription
  • Naval History Blog
  • Submisison Guidelines
  • Contact Naval History
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

On Our Scope

August 2017
Naval History Magazine
Article
View Issue
Comments

The first U.S. Marine fighter pilots to arrive at Guadalcanal’s Henderson Field 75 years ago faced hard facts. For one, the Japanese flew the aerial equivalent of a hot rod—the Zero. For another, the Marines’ counterparts were seasoned veterans. Based at Rabaul, New Britain, the Tainan Naval Air Group had seen heavy action in the Japanese advances through the Philippines and Dutch East Indies, and numerous members earlier had fought in the skies over China. The Marines, on the other hand, were new to combat, a notable exception being Midway veteran Captain Marion Carl.

As retired Marine Colonel Richard Camp recounts in “Flying in the Eye of the Guadalcanal Storm,” in early July 1942 Captain John L. Smith had received orders to prepare his command, Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 223, for a mysterious special mission. The squadron ballooned from 8 or 10 aviators to 21, with the additions being newly minted pilots. During the subsequent hectic weeks of training, “We concentrated on gunnery more than anything else,” Smith recalled, “which was a good thing after we found out where we were going.”

Premium
Subscriber-Only Content

Don't miss out.
Subscribe to
Naval History today.

Subscribe Today

Already subscribed?
Sign in to continue reading.

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2022 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies