VMF-218 | the Hellions

[walika]

Here are three from my collection . . . a squadron organized in La La Land . . . .

 

Millstein Type-1 (American embroidered on wool, 5-1/4" round) above Type-2 (Chinese embroidered on silk, c 1945-1946, about 6" tall).

 

 

 

The backs of the Chinese silks . . .

 

 

 

VMF-218 ("the Hellions") was organized at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California on July 1, 1943 and officially commissioned September 15, 1943. They departed the United States in December 1943 on board the USS Barnes (CVE-20) and arrived at Espiritu Santo on January 5, 1944. Their first combat action took place on February 15 when they covered the allied landing on Green Island. On April 27 the squadron moved to Green Island where they remained until November. During their time on Green Island the squadron was one of a number of Marine squadrons that let a then civilian contractor Charles Lindbergh fly strikes against the Japanese garrison at Rabaul. In November they moved to Leyte to take part in the campaign to retake the Philippines. On March 10, 1945, VMF-218 covered the allied landings at Zamboanga where they would then be based.

 

Following the war VMF-218 spent a year in China flying in support of the 1st Marine Division during their occupation to surrender of Japanese forces and provide security for the coastal cities against Communist Forces. During this time the second design was created.

 

[JDK]

Very nice!

 

JD

[Fly USMC]

The new Hellions. HT-28 or Helicopter Training Squadron 28 at NAS Whiting field was established 10 years ago. this is their 10th anniversary Patch Their original / Standard patch was also derived from the 218 patch

[doyler]

Very nice!

 

JD

 

 

HELL-YAH!

[The Iron Brigade]

...

 

[mortaydc60]

Hi Rick,

 

what is the story with patch without unit number? would that be the first issue?

 

Thanks,

 

Mort

[walika]

Hi Rick,

 

what is the story with patch without unit number? would that be the first issue?

 

Thanks,

 

Mort

 

Hi, Mort,

 

Actually my suspicion is that, in the case of units that have the same insignia, one showing the unit number and the other not having the unit number, that the patch without the unit number is the second of the two issues. By late 1943-1944 there seemed a trend in the military tightening security to inhibit enemy intelligence as to units, unit movements and conduct of the war. We see in AAF units the adoption of symbols and/or color schemes on planes that inform our forces by a sort of code while masking the unit number that would inform the enemy.

 

Dovetailing with this, Millstein mentions that during late 1943, units ceased including their unit number for security reasons. Some of those who had previously issued patches removed the unit number from patches made thereafter, such as VMF-112, VMF-214, etc. During this period original designs was slightly modified to exclude to unit number, and unit patches thereafter often did not indicate the unit number. This is just my opinion, adding 2 plus 2, and looking at the progression of patches in a variety of instances, which makes sense to me.

 

Best,

 

Rick

[walika]

The small grouping below includes the squadron's insignia reissued without the unit number for security reasons.

 

 

 

 

 

The patch is from the aviator shown on the right, below. The aviator on the left wears the VMF-211 insignia.