VMSB-245 | "Red Mousie Squadron" | Disney design

[walika]

VMSB-245 | "Red Mousie Squadron"

 

Date Commissioned: 15 Sep 1943
Date Deactivated: 17 Nov 45
Nickname of Unit: Red Mousie Squadron
Artist: Walt Disney Studios
Date of Insignia: 1943
Authorization: HQMC
Aircraft: SBD-5, SBD-3

VMSB-245 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on July 1, 1943. After training for a few months, the squadron deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii arriving there on December 31, 1943. On January 5, 1944, they moved to Midway Atoll to conduct anti-submarine patrol duty. They returned to MCAS Ewa on April 1, 1944.

On May 5, 1944, the squadron left Hawaii on board the USS Copahee headed for Majuro where they arrived on May 15. Later in the same month, they moved to Makin Atoll from which they conducted combat operations against bypassed Japanese garrisons in the Marshall Islands from June 1 until October 29, 1944. Late October saw the squadron move back to Majuro where they continued carrying out strikes. March 1945 saw the squadron move again, this time to Ulithi where they remained until the end of the war.

VMSB-245 was deactivated on November 17, 1945.

The squadron had to distinctly different insignia designs, both created by Walt Disney Studios. The first depicted a ferocious bulldog standing on a bomb and firing a pair of .30 caliber machine guns of a SBD dive bomber. In the spring of 1944, while at Ewa, the squadron CO, Maj. Julian "Rocky" Acers, had the Disney studio rework the original design. A seated mouse was substituted for the standing bulldog. At the time Maj. Acers' wife was at EEwa. She was a redhead and he often referred to her as his "little red mouse". It was for this reason that the insignia was changed and "Red Mousie Squadron" added to the design. The "Red Mousey" insignia was not well-liked by squadron members. Many disparaging comments concerning the insignia were received at the base EM Club and most personnel chose not to wear the insignia as opposed to break time for fighting.

Silkscreened on canvas.

 

 

 

The strip at Falalop Island, Ulithi Atoll, home to Marine Air Group-45. This photo was taken at the end of April 1945. In the photo can be seen several F6F-5N night fighters, a line of TBM Avengers, a few SBD Dauntless dive bombers, an SB2C Helldiver, and an unusual array of Culver TD2C Turkey target drones (at right)

 

 

VMSB-245’s parking area in May 1945. ‘245 arrived at Ulithi in March and flew until the end of the war. It had previously flown a tour from Midway and a second in the Marshall Islands prior to arriving at Ulithi. TBM Avengers, SB2C Helldivers, F6F-5N Hellcats can be seen along with what looks like a USN variant of the Beech 18 and an air rescue float plane.

 

 

 

Sources

Millstein, Jeff. U. S. Marine Corps Aviation Unit Insignia 1941-1946.

MAG-25's War in the Pacific Backwaters

 

 

 

[The Iron Brigade]

Another great thread.