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HISTORY OF MARINE ATTACK SQUADRON 214
Marine Fighter Squadron 214 was originally commissioned on 1 July 1942, at Ewa, on the island of Oahu, in the Hawaiian group. Initially called the "Swashbucklers", they were disbanded following their second combat tour and the squadron designation given to the Marine command on Espiritu Santo. In August 1943, a group of twenty-seven young men under the leadership of Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, (who was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor), were joined together to form the original "Blacksheep" of VMF-214. Major Boyington had just returned from a year's tour in China as a member of the American Volunteer Group, "The Flying Tigers". In China, he had downed six enemy planes and became, through actual experience, one of the originators of American fighter tactics against the Japanese.
Pappy Boyington
The call sign "Blacksheep" was chosen by the squadron to commemorate the unusual way in which the squadron had been formed. The pilots ranged from experienced combat veterans, with several air-to-air victories to their credit, to new replacement pilots from the United States. Major Boyington and Major Stan Bailey were given permission to form these unassigned pilots into a squadron, with the understanding that they would have less then four weeks to have them fully trained and ready for combat. They were very successful.
Marine F4U "Corsair" launches
rocket attack during Battle for
Okinawa, Japan June 1945.
They chose for their badge to carry into battle the black shield of illegitimacy, the bar sinister, a black sheep superimposed, surrounded by a circle of thirteen stars, and crowned with the image of their aircraft, the F4U-1 Corsair. What these men accomplished has become Marine Corps history. The "Blacksheep" squadron fought their way to everlasting fame in just eighty-four days. They met the Japanese over their own fields and territories and piled up the smashing record of 203 planes destroyed or damaged, produced eight aces with 97 confirmed air-to-air kills, sunk several troop transports and supply ships, destroyed many installations, in addition to numerous other victories. For their actions, the original "Blacksheep" were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action.
The "Blacksheep" ended their second combat tour on 8 January 1944, five days after Major Boyington was shot down and captured by the Japanese. The original "Blacksheep" were disbanded and the pilots were placed in the pilot pool in MAG-11.
Home Base In The South Pacific
VMF-214 was reformed on 29 January 1944, at MCAS Goleta, near Santa Barbara, California. They deployed aboard the USS Franklin (CV-13) on 4 February 1945. Their mission was to join in operations against Japan and Okinawa. On 19 March, the USS Franklin was hit by a Japanese Bomber. The explosion and resulting fire caused 772 deaths aboard the Franklin including 32 "Blacksheep". Many "Blacksheep" aircraft were returning from a strike on mainland Japan at the time. One, First Lieutenant Ken Lindner, was given half credit for shooting down that bomber. This ended VMF-214 involvement in WWII. In April 1945, the "Blacksheep" were relocated to El Centro, California, and then El Toro, California, in October of 1945. In the next few years, the "Blacksheep" deployed for operations on board the USS Rendova (CVE-114), the USS Baroko (CVE-115), the USS Badoeng Straight (CVE-116), and the USS Boxer (CV-21).
Flying F4U-4B Corsairs on 2 August 1950, VMF-214 became the first Marine Squadron to see action in Korea . Flying from the USS Badoeng Straight (CVE-116) and the USS Boxer (CV-21), the "Blacksheep" completed two combat tours in Korea. They participated in key battles, to include the Inchon landing and the withdraw from the Chosin Reservoir. In these, and other battles, they provided nearly continual air cover, interdicting supply and communication lines, and inflicting heavy damage on numerous ground emplacements, and enemy armor.
Shortly before the close of hostilities in Korea, VMF-214 returned to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Here they exchanged their gallant Corsairs for F9F Panther jets, and began another training program. In the spring of 1953, the "Blacksheep" packed their bags, traded their F9's for the new F2H-4 all-weather Banshee, and headed for the Hawaiian Islands. Upon arrival in the islands, they became part of Marine Aircraft Group-13 and the First Marine Brigade.
In January 1956, the "Blacksheep" again received the order to "get ready". This time, the circumstances were less demanding . In the ensuing fifteen months, all aspects of Marine Aviation were covered by the "Blacksheep". On 31 December 1956, the squadron was redesignated Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron (VMF(AW)-214) flying the Banshee. The buildup included: instrument flying, bombing, rocketry, strafing, air-to-air gunnery, field carrier landing practice, high and low altitude special-weapon drops, and carrier qualifications. VMF(AW)-214 became the first Marine Squadron to be qualified in Special Weapons delivery, in February of 1957.
The period between Korea and Vietnam saw several significant changes for the "Blacksheep". VMF was changed to VMA on 9 July 1957, re-designating the squadron as an "attack" squadron vice a "fighter" squadron. In March 1958, the "Blacksheep" transitioned to the FJ-4 Fury. VMA-214 and VMF-212 became the first squadrons to deploy by flying their aircraft across the Pacific. Another aircraft change occurred in January of 1959, when the "Blacksheep" changed over to the newer FJ-4B.
In the FJ-4B Fury jets, the squadron logged over 27,000 hours as an attack squadron. This included a stretch with over 20,000 accident-free flight hours. The "Blacksheep" were awarded, on 29 August 1961, the CMC safety award for most outstanding safety record achieved among attack squadrons throughout the Marine Corps.
On 23 January 1962, the "Blacksheep" transitioned from the FJ-4B Fury to the A4-B Skyhawk. This began a 27-year association between the "Blacksheep" and follow-on versions of the Skyhawk. In May of 1965, the "Blacksheep" were reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, First Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and relocated to Iwakuni, Japan. On 21 June 1965, the first "Blacksheep" division flew into Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, landing on 4,000 feet of SATS runway. The "Blacksheep" rotated out of Vietnam in February 1966, to pick up new pilots and personnel. In April 1966, the "Blacksheep" deployed back to Chu Lai, where combat missions were again flown in support of the Republic of Vietnam. The "Blacksheep" Squadron flew 14,000 hours in combat, 13,000 sorties, and dropped more than 10,000 tons of ordnance. For their service VMA-214 won the Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star.
VMA-214 returned from Vietnam in April 1967, relocated to El Toro, and was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 33, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Once in El Toro, the unit became recognized as an operational training squadron for attack pilots, many of whom were replacement pilots bound for Vietnam.
During December of 1970, the "Blacksheep" were reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 13. During the late 1970s, and into the 1980's, the squadron participated in the Unit Deployment Program, rotating between Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Marine Aircraft Group 13. In October 1982, the "Blacksheep" were awarded the Lawson H.M. Sanderson Award for Attack Squadron of the Year. In September 1987, the Blacksheep squadron once again relocated, this time to MCAS Yuma, Arizona. And, on 17 October 1987, the "Blacksheep" again made history by becoming the first squadron to win the prestigious Sanderson award for a second time.
Two significant events occurred in 1989. During the year, the "Blacksheep" completed 30,000 accident free hours and 6 years of accident-free flying. Also, in June of 1989, the "Blacksheep" introduced single seat "Night Attack" aircraft to the Marine Corps with the first operational squadron of AV-8B Night Attack Harriers.
Marine Attack Squadron 214 became the first squadron to introduce the Night Attack capability into the Unit Deployment Program in October of 1991, by deploying 20 Night Attack Harriers to Iwakuni, Japan, for seven months. Continuing in their tradition as pioneers, in July of 1993, the "Blacksheep" conducted a dedicated "Night Systems" deployment to 29 Palms, California. This deployment was designed to chase the moon and fly around the lunar schedule. Ultimately, sorties were conducted throughout the night until shortly before dawn, over a period of three weeks. It also resulted in the gathering of original medical data on night flying and its effect on pilot performance.
Over the past year VMA-214 flew over 3400 sorties and expended more than 490 tons of ordnance in support of the most effective and efficient squadron training available. This squadron improved fleet wide dissemination of system and software enhancements to the AV-8B by exhibiting the validity and effectiveness of fleet squadrons executing operational testing. The "Blacksheep" won the prestigious Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award for their efforts from 01 May 1996 to 30 April 1997, becoming the Marine Attack Squadron of the Year. Simultaneously, real world contingencies in the Middle East and throughout WESTPAC were supported successfully by VMA-214 detachment "B". This was accomplished ACCIDENT FREE, continuing a milestone which began over 21,855 hours ago. The squadron was presented an award by LtGen. Dake in recognition of this noteworthy safety achievement.
To this day, the "Blacksheep" continue in their tradition of providing service to the Fleet, by supporting the 31st & 13th MEU afloat, with a six-plane detachment. From "Pappy Boyington" to "Night Attack", the "Blacksheep" have continued to demonstrate a standard of excellence and Esprit De Corps which has marked them as one of the finest military units of our Corps.