# VMA-223

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Marine Attacks Squadron 223 VMA-223 insignia Active 1 May 1942 – present Country United States Branch United States Marine Corps Type Attack squadron Role Close air support, air interdiction Part of Marine Aircraft Group 14 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Garrison/HQ Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Nickname "Bulldogs" Tail Code WP Engagements World War II Battle of Guadalcanal Vietnam War Operation Sharp Edge Gulf War Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq War) Invasion of Iraq Operation Vigilant Resolve Global war on terrorism Operation Enduring Freedom Invasion of Afghanistan Commanders Current commander Lt. Colonel Nathaniel D. Smith Notable commanders Robert P. Keller John Lucian Smith Aircraft flown Attack Douglas A-4 Skyhawk McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Harrier II Fighter Brewster F2A Buffalo Grumman F4F Wildcat Vought F4U Corsair Grumman F9F Panther North American FJ-4B Fury

Military unit

**Marine Attack Squadron 223** (VMA-223) is a [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps) fixed wing attack squadron that consists of [McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Harrier II](/source/McDonnell-Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II) ([V/STOL](/source/V%2FSTOL)) [jets](/source/Turbofan). The squadron is based at [Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Cherry_Point), [North Carolina](/source/North_Carolina) and falls under the command of [Marine Aircraft Group 14](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_14) (MAG-14) and the [2nd Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/2nd_Marine_Aircraft_Wing) (2nd MAW). The squadron uses "Stone" as its radio [callsign](/source/Callsign).

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA)-223 was one of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons assigned to MAG-14, 2nd MAW.[a] As the Harrier is being retired from the Marine Corps, all of the Harrier squadrons have or will [transition to the F-35B](#Future_plans_and_current_aircraft_flown). (As of May 2025, VMA-223 is the last remaining Marine Corps Harrier squadron.[3])

## Mission

The mission of VMA-223 is to provide offensive air support, armed reconnaissance, and air-defense for Marine expeditionary forces.

## History

### World War II

VMF-223 logo during World War II

Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) was commissioned on 1 May 1942 at [Marine Corps Air Station Ewa](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Ewa), [Oahu, Hawaii](/source/Oahu%2C_Hawaii).[4] The "Bulldogs" first operational aircraft was the [Brewster F2A Buffalo](/source/Brewster_F2A_Buffalo). They left Hawaii for combat equipped with the [Grumman F4F Wildcat](/source/Grumman_F4F_Wildcat). VMF-223 became the first fighter squadron committed to combat during the [Battle of Guadalcanal](/source/Battle_of_Guadalcanal) when they landed at [Henderson Field](/source/Honiara_International_Airport) on 20 August 1942.[5] Upon arriving, the squadron became part of the [Cactus Air Force](/source/Cactus_Air_Force) and for the next two months slugged it out with [Japanese](/source/Japan) pilots, based out of [Rabaul](/source/Rabaul), for control of the skies over [Guadalcanal](/source/Guadalcanal). VMF-223 departed the island on 13 October 1942 having accounted for 83 enemy aircraft shot down including that of Japanese ace [Junichi Sasai](/source/Junichi_Sasai).[6] The two leading aces in the squadron were the commanding officer, Major [John L. Smith](/source/John_Lucian_Smith), with nineteen confirmed shoot downs and [Marion E. Carl](/source/Marion_E._Carl) who was credited with sixteen.[7] Smith was to be awarded the [Medal of Honor](/source/Medal_of_Honor) for heroism and Captain Carl would earn the first of his two [Navy Crosses](/source/Navy_Cross_(United_States)) for these actions.[6] These victories would come at the cost of six pilots killed and six wounded, and only eight Wildcats still operational.[8]

VMF-223 Grumman F9F-2 Panther on [USS *Franklin D. Roosevelt*](/source/USS_Franklin_D._Roosevelt)

After being equipped with the new [Vought F4U Corsair](/source/Vought_F4U_Corsair), the "Bulldogs" continued to fight in such places as the [Philippines](/source/Philippines_campaign_(1944%E2%80%931945)) and [Okinawa](/source/Battle_of_Okinawa). Two [Presidential Unit Citations](/source/Presidential_Unit_Citation_(US)) were awarded and affixed to the squadron's battle colors during the war. Following transfer from [Marine Corps Air Station El Toro](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_El_Toro) to [Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Cherry_Point) in 1948, VMA-223 became a [carrier](/source/Aircraft_carrier) squadron. The squadron deployed to the [Mediterranean Sea](/source/Mediterranean_Sea) in 1949 aboard [USS *Leyte*](/source/USS_Leyte_(CV-32)).

The "Bulldogs" entered the Jet Age in July 1950, receiving their first jet aircraft, the [Grumman F9F Panther](/source/Grumman_F9F_Panther). In August 1957, the squadron was equipped with the [North American FJ-4B Fury](/source/North_American_FJ_Fury). A relatively short time later in January 1961, the Fury was replaced by the [Douglas A-4 Skyhawk](/source/Douglas_A-4_Skyhawk).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Vietnam War

VMA-223 [Douglas A-4E Skyhawk](/source/Douglas_A-4_Skyhawk) during the Vietnam War

In December 1965, the "Bulldogs" once again were called upon for combat duty in the Far East, this time at Chu Lai, [South Vietnam](/source/South_Vietnam). Supporting allied ground forces, they flew more than 32,000 flight hours. In May 1967, the squadron flew a record 1,234 combat sorties, by far the greatest monthly total for any attack squadron operating in Vietnam. In February 1970, after nearly 5½ years in the Far East, the "Bulldogs" were reassigned to the [3rd Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/3rd_Marine_Aircraft_Wing) and returned to [MCAS El Toro](/source/MCAS_El_Toro).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Post Vietnam & 1990s

In May 1975, the squadron received the new A-4M Skyhawk aircraft. During July 1976, VMA-223 transferred from MCAS Yuma to [MCAS Iwakuni](/source/MCAS_Iwakuni), [Japan](/source/Japan). During August 1977, VMA-223 returned from Japan and joined the [2nd Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/2nd_Marine_Aircraft_Wing), stationed at [Cherry Point, North Carolina](/source/Cherry_Point%2C_North_Carolina). During the late 1970s until transition in 1987 VMA-223 flew the A-4M Skyhawk. VMA-223 operated the last production A-4M aircraft painted in a special commemorative paint scheme with the flags of all nations who had operated the A-4 Skyhawk on the sides of the fuselage of the aircraft. In October 1987, VMA-223 transitioned to the [McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II](/source/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Last built A-4 Skyhawk in flight in February 1979

VMA-223 Harriers carry the distinctive 'rising sun' rudder pattern as an homage to the squadron's history in World War II. In 1989 the a portion of the squadron deployed aboard [USS *Nassau*](/source/USS_Nassau_(LHA-4)) attached to [HMM-264](/source/VMM-264) for a 6-month deployment. They visited Italy, Spain, Portugal, Monaco, France, Israel and other countries.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

A VMA-223 Harrier taxis at [Al Asad](/source/Al_Asad) Iraq in January 2006

March 1990 marked the second Sixth Fleet Deployment for the "Bulldogs" aboard [USS *Saipan*](/source/USS_Saipan_(LHA-2)) in support of the 22 MEU. This detachment participated in [Operation Sharp Edge](/source/Operation_Sharp_Edge), flying armed combat air patrol missions in support of the non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) over [Liberia](/source/Liberia). In January 1991, the "Bulldogs" deployed a six-plane detachment to [Naval Station Rota, Spain](/source/Naval_Station_Rota%2C_Spain) for operations in support of [Operation Desert Shield](/source/Gulf_War#Operation_Desert_Shield) and [Operation Desert Storm](/source/Operation_Desert_Storm). The Bulldogs briefly occupied the decks of the USS Nassau and the Iwo Jima. The detachment remained at Rota through February, training with Spanish Forces.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Global war on terror

VMA-223 flew combat missions over [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan) in the beginning phases of [Operation Enduring Freedom](/source/Operation_Enduring_Freedom) in 2001–2002. In January 2003, the squadron deployed on board [USS *Kearsarge*](/source/USS_Kearsarge_(LHD-3)) as part of the [2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade](/source/2nd_Marine_Expeditionary_Brigade) (2nd MEB). After arriving in the Northern [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf) it cross-decked to [USS *Bataan*](/source/USS_Bataan_(LHD-5)) and began flying combat missions in support of the [2003 invasion of Iraq](/source/2003_invasion_of_Iraq). During this time, the squadron surpassed 50,000 mishap-free flight hours.

VMA-223 deployed to [Iraq](/source/Iraq) late in the summer of 2005 in support of [Operation Iraqi Freedom](/source/Operation_Iraqi_Freedom). During a combat mission over Iraq on 10 February 2006 the squadron surpassed the 60,000 Class A mishap-free hours mark.[9] This milestone is even more impressive considering the maintenance and safety issues associated with the [AV-8B](/source/Harrier_II) aircraft.[10] Starting in October 2011, to April 2012 VMA-223 was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

### Future plans and current aircraft flown

As of May 29, 2025,[b][1] VMA-223 is the last Marine Corps squadron that still operates the [AV-8B Harrier II](/source/AV-8B_Harrier_II), with plans to retire it by September 2026 and replace it with the [Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II](/source/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II).[11][3] [12]

## Squadron aces

VMF-223 pilots in 1944. Marion Carl is seated in the center.

In USN and USMC aviation squadrons, a **flying ace** or fighter ace is a [naval aviator](/source/Naval_aviator) or [naval flight officer](/source/Naval_flight_officer) credited with shooting down five or more enemy [aircraft](/source/Aircraft) during aerial combat. The following Marines from VMA-223 have been credited with more than five victories:

- [John Lucian Smith](/source/John_Lucian_Smith) – 19.0

- [Marion Eugene Carl](/source/Marion_Eugene_Carl) – 18.5

- Kenneth D. Frazier – 12.5

- [Loren D. Everton](/source/Loren_D._Everton) – 12.0

- Eugene A. Trowbridge – 12.0

- Fred E. Gutt – 8.0

- [Frederick R. Payne](/source/Frederick_R._Payne_Jr.) – 7.5

- [Zenneth A. Pond](/source/Zenneth_A._Pond) – 6.0

- Charles Kendrick – 5.0

- Hyde Phillips – 5.0

- Orvin H. Ramlo – 5.0[13]

## In the media

- Two Harriers from VMA-223 and their pilots were used in the 1994 film *[True Lies](/source/True_Lies)*.

- Two AV-8B Harriers from VMA-223 were utilized in the flyover of the NASCAR race in Bristol, Tennessee on 21 August 2010.[14]

## See also

- [United States Marine Corps Aviation](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Aviation)

- [List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons](/source/List_of_active_United_States_Marine_Corps_aircraft_squadrons)

- [List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons](/source/List_of_inactive_United_States_Marine_Corps_aircraft_squadrons)

## Endnotes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** The four Harrier squadrons were VMA-223, [VMA-231](/source/VMA-231), [VMA-542](/source/VMFA-542) (now VMFA-542), and [VMAT-203](/source/VMAT-203) (training squadron). VMA-231 retired its last Harrier in May 2025.[1] VMA-542 retired its last Harrier in 2022.[2] VMAT-203 was deactivated in 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [VMA-231](/source/VMA-231) had their final Harrier flight on May 23, 2025,[1] which left VMA-223 the final Marine Corps squadron flying the Harrier.

## Citations

- This article incorporates [public domain material](/source/Copyright_status_of_works_by_the_federal_government_of_the_United_States) from websites or documents of the [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MarineTimes-FinalHarrier_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MarineTimes-FinalHarrier_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-MarineTimes-FinalHarrier_1-2) South, Todd (2 June 2025). ["Marine squadron conducts its final Harrier flight in switch to F-35"](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2025/06/02/marine-squadron-conducts-its-final-harrier-flight-in-switch-to-f-35/). *Marine Times*. Retrieved 6 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-XX_2-0)** ["Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 — Mission"](https://www.mag14.marines.mil/Units/VMFA-542/). Marine Aircraft Group 14, USMC. Retrieved 1 December 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LastHarrier_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LastHarrier_4-1) Graham, Second Lieutenant John (2 April 2024). ["2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines receive last AV-8B Harrier pilot designations"](https://www.mcieast.marines.mil/News/Article/Article/3727698/2nd-marine-aircraft-wing-marines-receive-last-av-8b-harrier-pilot-designations/). [Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Cherry_Point), NC: Marine Corps Installations East, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 6 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESherrod1952442_5-0)** [Sherrod 1952](#CITEREFSherrod1952), pp. 442.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEToll201570_6-0)** [Toll 2015](#CITEREFToll2015), pp. 70.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones19785_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJones19785_7-1) [Jones 1978](#CITEREFJones1978), pp. 5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-De_Chant_8-0)** De Chant, John A. (1947). *Devilbirds*. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECarl199438_9-0)** [Carl 1994](#CITEREFCarl1994), pp. 38.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Teslevich, Cpl Jonathan K. (17 February 2006). ["Bulldogs put a muzzle on safety hazards, surpass 60,000 mishap-free hours"](http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B6DCD7FC3B9F7D048525711800248CA5?opendocument). *Marine News*. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 17 June 2006. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Miller, Alan C.; Kevin Sack (December 2002). ["The Widow-Maker"](https://web.archive.org/web/20051125163749/http://notes.ire.org/ireresources.nsf/d7451f7030d72ebd862566d4001a0f97/84836091105d812d86256cd2005bee01?OpenDocument). *The Los Angeles Times*. Archived from [the original](http://notes.ire.org/ireresources.nsf/d7451f7030d72ebd862566d4001a0f97/84836091105d812d86256cd2005bee01?OpenDocument) on 25 November 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["US Marine Corps Harriers arrive in Norway for Cold Response 22 exercise"](https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2022/03/us-marine-corps-harriers-norway-cold-response-22.html). *Blog Before Flight*. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Zona_14-0)** ["The U.S. Marine Corps Continues to Retire Its AV-8B Harrier II+ Attack Aircraft"](https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/05/19/the-u-s-marine-corps-continues-to-retire-its-av-8b-harrier-ii-attack-aircraft/). *Zona Militar*. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [List of WW2 Marine Aces](http://www.acepilots.com/usmc_aces_list.html), www.acepilots.com, 21 December 2007

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Drew C. Wilson/Freedom ENC"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120310071400/http://www.newbernsj.com/articles/cherry-90000-point-nascar.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.newbernsj.com/articles/cherry-90000-point-nascar.html) on 10 March 2012.

## References

**Bibliography**

- Carl, Marion (1994). *Pushing the Envelope: The Career of Fighter Ace and Test Pilot Marion Carl*. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-59114-866-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-59114-866-9).

- Jones, Brett A. (1978). *A History of Marine Attack Squadron 223*. Washington D.C.: History and Museums Division, Headquarters Marine Corps.

- [Sherrod, Robert](/source/Robert_Sherrod) (1979) [First published 1952]. [*History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II*](https://archive.org/details/historyofmarinec00sher). Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-89201-048-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-89201-048-7). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1261876](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1261876).

- [Toll, Ian W.](/source/Ian_W._Toll) (2015). *[The Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 1942–1944](/source/The_Conquering_Tide%3A_War_in_the_Pacific_Islands%2C_1942%E2%80%931944)*. New York: W. W. Norton.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Marine Attack Squadron 223](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Marine_Attack_Squadron_223).

- [Official website](https://www.mag14.marines.mil/MAG-14-Units/VMA-223/)

- [Detailed WWII History](https://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndMAW/mag14/vma223/Pages/history.aspx)

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v t e 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 2nd MAW Band MAG-14 MALS-14 VMUT-2 VMA-223 VMA-231 VMGR-252 VMFA-542 MAG-26 MALS-26 MWSS-272 VMM-162 VMMT-204 VMM-261 VMM-263 VMM-266 VMM-365 MAG-29 MALS-29 HMLA-167 HMLA-269 HMHT-302 HMH-366 HMH-461 HMH-464 MAG-31 MALS-31 VMFA-115 VMFA(AW)-224 VMFA-251 VMFA-312 VMFAT-501 VMFA(AW)-533 MACG-28 MTACS-28 MWCS-28 MASS-1 MACS-2 2nd LAAD MWSS-271 MWSS-272 MWSS-273 MWSS-274

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [VMA-223](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMA-223) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMA-223?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.