VMF-111

• Establishment: VMF-111 (Marine Fighting Squadron 111) was first commissioned on January 1, 1942, as part of the United States Marine Corps aviation during World War II. • Nickname: The squadron was known as the "Devil Dogs" and sometimes referred to as the "Devil Dogs of the Air." • Initial Aircraft: VMF-111 initially flew the Grumman F4F Wildcat, a rugged carrier-based fighter that served early in the war. • Island-Hopping Campaign: VMF-111 participated in the Pacific island-hopping campaign, providing air support and combat air patrols during key operations. • Funafuti Operations: The squadron was based on Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands (now Tuvalu) for a significant portion of 1943, protecting Allied forces and supply lines. • Fighter-Bomber Role: Later in the war, VMF-111 transitioned to the Vought F4U Corsair, a powerful fighter-bomber that enabled ground attack missions in addition to air combat. • Combat Achievements: The squadron was credited with multiple air-to-air victories and the destruction of numerous Japanese ground targets throughout their deployment. • Famous Pilots: Among its ranks was Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, who would later become a legendary Marine Corps ace with the "Black Sheep" Squadron (VMF-214). • Postwar Service: After World War II, VMF-111 was deactivated in March 1946, but its legacy continued through Marine Corps aviation history. • Squadron Insignia: The VMF-111 insignia featured a bulldog with aviator goggles riding a bomb, symbolizing the squadron’s aggressive spirit and fighting tenacity.