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Lest We Forget

By Lieutenant Commander Rick Burgess, U.S. Navy (Retired)
November 1996
Proceedings
Volume 122/11/1,125
Article
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Marine Night Fighter Squadron 541 (VMF[N]-54I) was one of several Marine Corps night fighter squadrons that distinguished itself in combat in World War II’s Pacific theater. During their two-year existence, the Bateyes compiled an impressive operational record. Activated on 15 February 1944 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, VMF(N)- 541 was placed under the command of Major Peter D. Lambrecht. The new squadron was positioned on Peleliu in the Palau Islands by late September that year, shortly after the airstrip was secured. The squadron’s radar-equipped, single-engine F6F-3N/5N Hellcat fighters flew night-bombing strikes and patrolled the skies for intruders, scoring the Marine Corp’s only aerial victory in the Palaus operation on 31 October.

After the October invasion of the Philippines, Army P-61 night fighters proved too slow for intercepting the Japanese Ki.43 Oscar fighters that were striking at airfields on Leyte. General Douglas MacArthur proposed to Admiral Chester Nimitz that a Marine night-fighter squadron trade places with the Army’ 421st Night Fighter Squadron on Leyte. As a result, VMF(N)-541 was dispatched to Tacloban airfield on Leyte on 3 December 1944. The Bateyes flew their first patrols a few hours after arrival. The Bateyes downed an Oscar on the 5th and two more Japanese aircraft on the 7th.

VMF(N)-541’s busiest day, however, occurred on 12 December, when seven of the squadron’s Hellcats took on a morning raid of 33 Japanese aircraft and downed 11 without loss to the Marines. The following day, while flying cover for the invasion of Mindoro, the Bateyes shot down four enemy aircraft over the beachhead. On 22 December, one Bateye pilot shot down two more Japanese aircraft as they attempted to land at their home field. The squadron’s final two victories came on 3 January 1945, while flying cover for a convoy north of Mindanao.

After five weeks in the Philippines, VMF(N)-541 returned to Peleliu on 11 January 1945. Not a single Japanese aircraft succeeded in attacking convoys under the protection the squadron. VMF(N)-541 became the only Marine Corps aviation unit to be awarded the Army’s Distinguished Unit Citation during World War II.

VMF(N)-541 was transferred to Peking, China, after the war to fly “show-of-strength” patrols. Leaving in March 1946, the Bateyes were deactivated on 30 April 1946.

 

Digital Proceedings content made possible by a gift from CAPT Roger Ekman, USN (Ret.)

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