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| Originally a Scout Bomber squadron, 215 was redesignated as a Fighter squadron in September, 1942. They passed through Hawaii and Midway in early 1943 on the way to the Solomons. While based in Espiritu, 215 began combat missions over the Solomons in late July, 1943. The unit continued to move it's base progressively forward to: Munda, Vella Lavella, then Torokina. The squadron was reorganized in March 1944 and returned to Bouganville. After October, 1944, 215 went stateside and served as a training squadron. The unit was credited with downing 137 enemy aircraft. |
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| The first fighter plane to land on Munda was a VMF-215 Corsair flown by Maj. Robert G. Ownes, Jr., on 14 August 1943. Flight operations began immediately to cover the Vella Lavella landings. |
| VMF215 SQUADRON |
| The MARINE CORPS PILOT'S CREDO: I am a United States Marine flyer. My countrymen build the best airplane in the world and entrusted it to the absolute limit of my power. With my fellow pilots, air crews and deck crews, my plane and I will do anything necessary to carry out our tremendous responsibilities. I will always remember that we are part of an unbeatable combat team - the United States Marine Corps. When going is fast and rough, I will not falter. I will be uncomprimising in every blow I strike. I will be humble in victory. I am a Marine flyer. I have dedicated myself to my country with its many millions of races, colors, and creeds. They and their way of live are worthy of my greatest protective effort. I ask the help of GOD in making that effort great enough. |
| VMF-214, VMF-215; KIA 3/Feb/44 |
| HANSON |
| Robert Murray |
| MEDAL OF HONOR |
| VMF-215 |
| ALDRICH |
| Donald Nathan |
| 20 |
| VMF-215, VMF-462, KIFA 6/Dec/44 |
| SPEARS |
| Harold Leman |
| 15 |
| VMSB-244, VMF-215, VMF-462, VMF-471 |
| WARNER |
| Arthur Trumbull |
| 8 |
| VMF-215; (MIA 19/Jul/51, Korean War) |
| HERNAN |
| Edwin James, Jr. |
| 8 |
| VMF-215 |
| WILLIAMS |
| Gerald Maurice |
| 7 |
| VMF-215, VMF-481, MCVEG-6 |
| OWENS |
| Robert Gordon, Jr. |
| 7 |
| VMF-215 |
| CONANT |
| Arthur Roger |
| 6 |
| VMF-215 |
| CHANDLER |
| Creighton |
| 6 |
| VMF-214, VMF-215 |
| SCARBOROUGH |
| Hartwell Vick, Jr. |
| 5 |
| VMF-212, VMF-215 |
| POSKE |
| George H. |
| 5 |
| VMF-215 |
| BRAUN |
| Richard Lane |
| 5 |
| SQUADRON DUTY |
| VMF-215 ACES LIST |
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| Robert Owens |
| 25 |
| VMF-215 CO 12/43-2/44 |
| KILLS |
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| Aurthur Conant |
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| Robert Hanson |
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| "Bouganville Boogie" Oil on Canvas 1996. Capt. Roger Conant of VMF-215 stationed on the Solomon Islands, taxis out of Torokina on Bouganville after refueling during a Jan 14, 1944 escort mission. While escorting SBD's and TBF's en route to Rabul, he downs a Japanese Zero, contributing to the total of 19 kills for the day for VMF-215. Conant ended his career with 6 kills, all in F4U Corsairs. |
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