VMB-433 | Marine Bombing Squadron 433 | Fork-tailed Devils

[walika]

VMB-433 | Marine Bombing Squadron 433 | Fork-tailed Devils

 

Commissioned: 9.15.43
Deactivated: 11.30.45
Insignia Artist: Lt. Malcomb McGuckin

Nickname: Fork-tailed Devils
Date of Insignia: 1944
Authorization: HQMC
Aircraft Employed: PBJ-ID, PBJ-1J

 

VMB-433 was commissioned on September 15, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The squadron also received initial training at Marine Corps Air Station Edenton and Marine Corps Air Facility Peterfield Point, North Carolina. Upon completion, the squadron joined MarFAirWest on 27 January 1944 and continued their training syllabus at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California.

 

By May 26, 1944 the ground echelon was underway, bound for the Northern Solomons. The following day the flight echelon departed, arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on June 1, 1944. After staging through Palmyra, Canton, Funafuti and Espiritu Santo, the squadron arrived at Green Island on July 14, 1944 for temporary duty with Marine Aircraft Group 14. One month later, the squadron had redeployed, and both echelons were operating at Emirau with Marine Aircraft Group 61. On 16 August 1945, VMB-433 departed Emirau for Titcomb Field at Malabang in the Philippines, arriving there just as the war ended. VMB-433 was decommissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California on November 30, 1945 following the squadron's return to the United States.

 

Decal on leather

 

 

Reference
Millstein, Jeff. U. S. Marine Corps Aviation Unit Insignia 1941-1946. p 85.

[Brian Dentino]

What an incredible looking patch and story!  Were there any other types of this patch that you are aware of other than decal on leather?