VP-204 | VPB-204 | Patrol Squadron Two Hundred Four

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VP-204 | VPB-204 | Patrol Squadron Two Hundred Four

Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOUR (VP-204) on 15 October 1942.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOUR (VPB-204) on 1 October 1944

Aircraft
PBM-3C | Oct 1942
PBM-3S | Oct 1944
PBM-5E | Mar 1945

Silkscreened canvas.

The only insignia approved for the squadron was authorized by CNO on 21 October 1943. The central figure of the design was an Indian, chosen by the squadron to represent the ability to stalk and kill his prey. The Indian in the design was peering over cumulus clouds used for cover while searching for the enemy; the dark blue background was symbolic of the night, when most squadron operations were conducted; the lantern in the Indian’s right hand represented the flares used to illuminate targets; in the Indian’s left hand was the squadron’s primary weapon, the depth bomb used against submarines. On the Indian’s headband was the Morse code representation of V for victory.

15 Oct 1942: VP-204 was established at NAS Norfolk, Va., as a seaplane squadron flying the Martin PBM-3C Mariner. During the squadron’s training period at Norfolk it came under the operational control of PatWing-5.

27 Dec 1942: The squadron was relocated to San Juan, P.R., for further training under the operational control of FAW-11, Caribbean Sea Frontier. Upon completion of the training syllabus in March, the squadron conducted operations from San Juan and Trinidad, flying antisubmarine patrols and convoy escort patrols. Advance base detachments were maintained during various times at Antigua; Coco Solo, C.Z.; Essequibo, British Guiana; Cayenne, French Guiana; Paramaribo, Surinam; and Guantanamo, Cuba. Tender support for most of the operations was provided by Pelican (AVP 6).

28 Mar–7 Aug 1943: VP-204 aircraft attacked German U-boats on eight separate occasions. During three of the attacks, intense AA fire from the submarines damaged the attacking aircraft. One submarine was sunk on 7 August 1943 after a running gun battle in the Caribbean southeast of Curacao, position 12-38N 64-15W.

5 Jun 1944: After numerous submarine contacts of mid-1943, few enemy U-boats were spotted in the Caribbean by the squadron. The last attack on an enemy submarine was conducted at night on 5 June 1944 off the coast of Puerto Rico using the wing-mounted searchlight.

27 Nov 1944: The squadron was relocated to NAS Key West, Fla

24 May 1945: VPB-204 was transferred to NAS Coco Solo, C.Z.

 

A VPB-204 pin was the subject of a 2012 post, here.

References

National Geographic Society. Insignia and Decorations of the U. S. Armed Forces. December, 1944. p 180.

Roberts, Michael D. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Vol. 2. pp 243-244.