VMO-251 / VMF-251

[walika]

VMO-251 / VMF-251

 

 

Type I | Australian embroidered on wool.

 

 

 

Millstein cites a letter from Col. Roy T. Spurlock, USMCR (Ret.), explaining the origin of the Octopus design:

 

"The design consisted of an octopus with a pilot's helmet and goggles with two gold wings on a white cloud background. The octopus had only six tentacles (with apologies to our Creator, who gave them eight), and each grasped an item symbolizing one of the functions of that remarkable squadron (there has never been another like it since). The first tentacle grasped a monkey wrench, symbolizing the mechanical aspects of supporting a Marine fighter/photographic squadron which was also fully equipped and served as a radar early warning and control squadron. VMO-251 also maintained an air-sea rescue capability.

On to the second tentacle, which clasped a machine gun, which along with the bomb in the fifth tentacle symbolized the ground and air combat functions of the squadron. The third tentacle grasped a camera, which was appropriate since part of the assigned mission was photographic. Each fighter plane was equipped to make vertical aerial photographs, and the squadron had substantial photo-processing capability. The fourth tentacle gripped a pair of binoculars, symbolizing the reconnaissance aspect of the photographic missions.

This leaves the sixth and last tentacle. This one grasped a roll of ordinary toilet paper, with which to wipe the Army Air Corps "posterior". It is regrettable that under the trying conditions of war some irritations, aggravations and sometimes outright hostility occurs between services. All of us recognize that such incidents do not really &vide us. We were all trying to reach the same objective, which was the defeat of the enemy in front of us."

 

 

Type II | American embroidered on wool.

 

 

 

The second insignia was developed to reflect the change in squadron designation from VMO to VMF, the change in mission from photographic-observation to fighter-bomber, and the change in aircraft from F4F to F4U.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gyrene251]

Walika,

 

My book on 251's WW2 history was published in 2016. Discovered a few things -- while designated as an observation squadron, it never flew a recon mission with it's modified Wildcats (F4F-3P). This version of the Wildcat still retained 4 machine guns despite having cameras installed. The exception was an F4F-7 while attached to MAG-23 at Guadalcanal. The squadron basically performed the mission of a fighter squadron and did so until it was deactivated in June 1945. Despite switching over to Corsairs in late 1943, it still retained its VMO designation until early 1945, when it as designated as a fighter squadron (VMF-251). According to pilot Hugh "Yogi" Irwin, who flew with the squadron from later 44 and into 1945, the Lucifer's Messenger patch was designed by 2LT. Danny Johnson. Note the spelling in this wartime photo.

 

[Jeffro]

Gyrene251, what am I missing in the "spelling in this wartime photo"? Jeffro

[walika]

Gyrene251,

 

Thanks for sharing your research, and the wonderful war-time photo highlighting the artwork. My thought is, the second "s" in Messenger not being visible on the patch, but visible in the photo artwork, is not a conscious difference in spelling of the word. Rather, on the patch Lucifer's head hides the second "s" to show a 3-D perspective. A subtle difference regardless, and something a keen eye would observe.

 

Rick

 

Walika,

 

My book on 251's WW2 history was published in 2016. Discovered a few things -- while designated as an observation squadron, it never flew a recon mission with it's modified Wildcats (F4F-3P). This version of the Wildcat still retained 4 machine guns despite having cameras installed. The exception was an F4F-7 while attached to MAG-23 at Guadalcanal. The squadron basically performed the mission of a fighter squadron and did so until it was deactivated in June 1945. Despite switching over to Corsairs in late 1943, it still retained its VMO designation until early 1945, when it as designated as a fighter squadron (VMF-251). According to pilot Hugh "Yogi" Irwin, who flew with the squadron from later 44 and into 1945, the Lucifer's Messenger patch was designed by 2LT. Danny Johnson. Note the spelling in this wartime photo.

 

 

[Gyrene251]

On 8/14/2017 at 12:40 AM, Jeffro said:

Gyrene251, what am I missing in the "spelling in this wartime photo"? Jeffro

It's missing the apostrophe. It should be Lucifer's not Lucifers.