# VMFA-312 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/VMFA-312 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/VMFA-312.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMFA-312 > Source revision: 1323689008 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|United States Marine Corps aircraft unit}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 | image = VMFA-312 Official Logo.jpg | image_size = | caption = VMFA-312 Official Squadron Logo | dates = 1 June 1943 - present{{sfn|Rottman|2002|pp=443}} | country = {{flag|United States of America}} | allegiance = | branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}} | type = Fighter/Attack | role = [Close air support](/source/Close_air_support)
[Air interdiction](/source/Air_interdiction)
[Aerial reconnaissance](/source/Aerial_reconnaissance) | size = | command_structure = [Marine Aircraft Group 31](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_31)
[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/2nd_Marine_Aircraft_Wing) | garrison = [Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Beaufort) | nickname = Checkerboards
Day's Knights (World War II){{sfn|DeChant|1947|pp=225}} | patron = | motto = "Fight's On!" | colors = '''[DR / AC / NA](/source/Tail_Code)''' | colors_label = Tail Code | march = | mascot = Bulldog | battles = {{tree list}} *'''[World War II](/source/World_War_II)''' **[Battle of Okinawa](/source/Battle_of_Okinawa) *[Korean War](/source/Korean_War) *[Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War) *[Operation Sharp Guard](/source/Operation_Sharp_Guard) *[Operation Deny Flight](/source/Operation_Deny_Flight) *[Operation Deliberate Force](/source/Operation_Deliberate_Force) *[Operation Southern Watch](/source/Operation_Southern_Watch) *[Operation Desert Fox](/source/Operation_Desert_Fox) *[Operation Iraqi Freedom](/source/Operation_Iraqi_Freedom) *[Operation Enduring Freedom](/source/Operation_Enduring_Freedom) {{tree list/end}} | anniversaries = | commander1 = LtCol. Adam T. Young | commander1_label = Commanding Officer | commander2 = Maj. Robert M. Sawyer | commander2_label = Executive Officer | notable_commanders = Gen. [James F. Amos](/source/James_F._Amos) | aircraft_fighter = [Goodyear FG-1 Corsair](/source/F4U_Corsair)
[Vought F4U Corsair](/source/F4U_Corsair)
[F7F-3 Tigercat](/source/F7F_Tigercat)
[F9F Panther](/source/F9F_Panther)
[FJ Fury](/source/FJ_Fury)
[F-8 Crusader](/source/F-8_Crusader)
[F-4 Phantom II](/source/F-4_Phantom_II)
[F/A-18A/C/D Hornet](/source/F%2FA-18_Hornet) | ceremonial_chief = | colonel_of_the_regiment = |website=https://www.2ndmaw.marines.mil/Units/MAG-31/VMFA-312/ }} '''Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312''' (VMFA-312) is a [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps) [F/A-18C Hornet](/source/F%2FA-18C_Hornet) squadron. Also known as the '''Checkerboards''', the squadron is based at [Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Beaufort), [South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina) and falls under the command of [Marine Aircraft Group 31](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_31) (MAG-31) and the [2nd Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/2nd_Marine_Aircraft_Wing) (2nd MAW). The radio callsign is "Check / Carlos." ==History== ===World War II=== Marine Fighter Squadron 312 (VMF-312) was commissioned on 1 June 1943, at Page Field, [Parris Island](/source/Marine_Corps_Recruit_Depot_Parris_Island), [South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina).{{sfn|Crowder|2000|pp=114}} Originally it was part of [Marine Aircraft Group 31](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_31), (MAG-31) [1st Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/1st_Marine_Aircraft_Wing). The first aircraft the squadron received were ten [SNJ-4 Texan](/source/T-6_Texan_variants)s and one [F4U-1A Corsair](/source/F4U_Corsair). As their unit crest the squadron members choose a satan-like bulldog wearing a flying helmet and carrying at that time six .50 caliber machineguns (the armament of the Corsair) drawn by [Technical Sergeant](/source/Technical_Sergeant) James R. Wroble.{{sfn|Sambito|1978|pp=1}} In honor of their commanding officer, [Major](/source/Major_(rank)) Richard M. Day, the men nicknamed their squadron "Day's Knights."{{sfn|Sambito|1978|pp=1}} Also at this time, the Checkerboards emblem began to appear on both the cowling and rudder of the aircraft.{{sfn|Sambito|1978|pp=1}} left|thumb|VMF-312 launches from {{USS|Hollandia|CVE-97|6}} off Okinawa, in April 1945. In August 1943 the squadron was transferred to [Marine Aircraft Group 32](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_32), [3rd Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/3rd_Marine_Aircraft_Wing) at the newly constructed [Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Cherry_Point), [North Carolina](/source/North_Carolina). On 16 December 1943 the squadron received orders to prepare to move to the west coast of the United States beginning the first week of January 1944.{{cite web |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AWS-4_-_19431216_-_Movement_Order_to_West_Coast.pdf |title=3d Marine Aircraft Wing Operations Order 8-43 |author= |date=16 December 1943 |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=13 August 2020 }} VMF-312 began movement to [San Diego](/source/San_Diego), [California](/source/California) on 2 January 1944, eventually arriving at [Miramar](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Miramar). The squadron departed MCAS Miramar on 28 February 1944 bound for [Marine Corps Air Station Ewa](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Ewa), [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii). VMF-312 trained at MCAS Ewa for three months and then headed out for [Espiritu Santo](/source/Espiritu_Santo), [New Hebrides](/source/New_Hebrides){{sfn|Sherrod|1952|pp=467}} to become part of [Marine Aircraft Group 11](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_11) (MAG-11), [2nd Marine Aircraft Wing](/source/2nd_Marine_Aircraft_Wing) (2nd MAW).{{sfn|Sambito|1978|pp=21}} Assigned to [Marine Aircraft Group 11](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_11) on 25 June 1944, the squadron was transported to [Espiritu Santo](/source/Espiritu_Santo), [New Hebrides](/source/New_Hebrides), where they received 24 new [F4U-1D Corsair](/source/F4U_Corsair)s. VMF-312's first combat action came on 12 April 1945 during the [Battle of Okinawa](/source/Battle_of_Okinawa) as part of [Marine Aircraft Group 33](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_33) (MAG-33), when four squadron aircraft intercepted 20 Japanese [Zero](/source/Mitsubishi_A6M)s and scored eight kills without a loss.{{sfn|Tillman|1979|pp=143}} VMF-312 continued to operate from [Kadena Air Base](/source/Kadena_Air_Base) on Okinawa until the cessation of hostilities. By war's end, the squadron had accounted for 59.5 air combat kills in the Pacific Theater.{{sfn|Shettle|2001|pp=122}} Between September 1945 and February 1946 VMF-312 participated in the occupation force stationed on [Okinawa](/source/Okinawa_Island), [Japan](/source/Japan). ===1946-1950=== Returning to the United States in February 1946, the squadron began operations at [Marine Corps Air Station El Toro](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_El_Toro) still as part of MAG-33, where the squadron completed a transition to [F7F-3 Tigercat](/source/F7F_Tigercat)s, a single seat day fighter variant of the two seat Tigercat night fighter. Although the night fighters continued in service for several years, the day fighter version proved unsuitable, and VMF-312 transitioned back to Corsairs, this time [F4U-4](/source/F4U_Corsair)s, a higher performance model.{{sfn|Crowder|2000|pp=117}} ===The Korean War, 1950-1955=== thumb|left|F4U-4s of VMF-312 on the USS ''Bataan'' in 1952.The squadron transferred to [Marine Aircraft Group 12](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_12), MCAS El Toro in July 1950 and was alerted for deployment and service in the [Korean War](/source/Korean_War). The first VMF-312 aircraft flew in Korea on 19 September 1950. Flying out of Wonson Air Base, the Checkerboards flew missions in support of the [1st Marine Division](/source/1st_Marine_Division_(United_States)) during the [Battle of Chosin Reservoir](/source/Battle_of_Chosin_Reservoir).Crowder (2000), p.118. Redeployed in March 1951 aboard the light carrier {{USS|Bataan|CVL-29}}, the Checkerboards were assigned escort and blockade missions.{{sfn|Tillman|1979|pp=167-68}} Leaving the ship in June 1951, the squadron amassed 4,945 accident-free hours of carrier operations while logging 1,920 carrier landings. After a short period of ground-based [close air support](/source/close_air_support) operations, the squadron returned to sea, first with {{USS|Bairoko|CVE-115|2}}, then with {{USS|Bataan|CVL-29|2}}, and later with {{USS|Sicily|CVE-118|2}}.{{sfn|Crowder|2000|pp=119}} On 1 March 1952, the squadron was redesignated as Marine Attack Squadron 312 (VMA-312).{{cite web |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/dc-metro/rg-127/170100556/USMC-Muster-Roll-Index-1949-1953/USMC-Muster-Roll-Index-1949-1953.pdf |title=United States Marine Corps Muster Rolls - 1949-1953 |author= |date= |website=NARA |publisher=United States Marine Corps |page=24 |access-date=2023-11-23}} While aboard ''Bataan'', the Checkerboards became the first piston engine squadron to shoot down a jet aircraft, when Captain Jesse Folmar shot down a [MiG-15](/source/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-15) jet fighter with 20 mm cannon fire.{{sfn|Tillman|1979|pp=171-73}} On June 8, 1953, the Checkerboards were relieved by [VMF-332](/source/VMF-332), and returned to the United States in anticipation of transitioning to [F9F Panther](/source/F9F_Panther)s at [Marine Corps Air Station Miami](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Miami), [Florida](/source/Florida).{{sfn|Mersky|1983|pp=194}} On January 5, 1954 the departed MCAS Miami and joined [Marine Aircraft Group 32](/source/Marine_Aircraft_Group_32) (MAG-32) at MCAS Cherry Point.{{sfn|Sambito|1978|pp=13}} In November 1954, the squadron took possession of its new aircraft, the [North American FJ-2 Fury](/source/North_American_FJ-2%2F-3_Fury). Another move came in November 1954 when the squadron arrived at the recently established MCAS Beaufort, SC. From October through December 1958, VMF-312 deployed to [Guantanamo Bay Naval Base](/source/Guantanamo_Bay_Naval_Base) during the height of the [Cuban Revolution](/source/Cuban_Revolution).{{sfn|Sambito|1978|pp=14}} During this time the squadron flew more than 1300 flight hours and shot more than 110,000 round of ammunition.{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/1950/pdf/feb59.pdf |title=VMF-312 Marines in Good Form|author= |date= February 1959|website=Naval History and Heritage Command |publisher=United States Navy |page=28 |access-date=2024-08-10}} ===The 1960s through the 1990s=== thumb|An FJ-2 of VMF-312, ca. in 1955. thumb|An F-8E ''Crusader'' of VMF-312, ca. 1964. The ''Panther''s were replaced with [FJ-2 Furies](/source/FJ_Fury) and later FJ-3 ''Furies'', while they in their turn were being replaced in mid-1959 by [F8U-1 Crusaders](/source/F-8_Crusader). Concurrent with the reassignment in February 1966 to MCAS Beaufort was the transition to yet another aircraft, the [F-4B Phantom II](/source/F-4_Phantom_II), and redesignation as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA-312). Crewed with a pilot and Radar Intercept Officer, and capable of speeds of up to [mach](/source/Mach_number) 2, the Phantom served with VMFA-312 for over 20 years. During the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War), the "Checkerboards" performed the vital mission of training combat aircrews prior to their deployment to [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia).{{sfn|Crowder|2000|pp=120}} In 1973, the squadron received the newer F-4J aircraft, with its much improved radar and avionics, as well as improved aerodynamic design. In 1979, the Checkerboards became the first 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing fighter squadron to deploy to the [Western Pacific](/source/Pacific_Ocean) under the [Unit Deployment Program](/source/Unit_Deployment_Program) (UDP). Since joining the UDP cycle, VMFA-312 has made five six-month deployments to the Western Pacific as well as participated in numerous training deployments around the United States. Upon completion of the first six-month UDP rotation, the Checkerboards became the first squadron to receive the F-4S variant of the Phantom, which incorporated leading edge slats as well as advanced radar. In July 1987, VMFA-312 retired its F-4 aircraft and transitioned to the [F/A-18A Hornet](/source/F%2FA-18_Hornet). thumb|left|VMFA-312 F-4S in 1986. In 1993, VMFA-312 participated in [Operation Provide Promise](/source/Operation_Provide_Promise) and [Operation Deny Flight](/source/Operation_Deny_Flight) over [Yugoslavia](/source/Yugoslavia). They also flew missions over [Iraq](/source/Iraq) in support of [Operation Southern Watch](/source/Operation_Southern_Watch) while operating from the [Red Sea](/source/Red_Sea). In March 1995, the squadron deployed once again with [Carrier Air Wing 8](/source/Carrier_Air_Wing_8) aboard {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2}} for its second consecutive Mediterranean deployment. During the cruise, VMFA-312 participated in Operations Southern Watch from the Red Sea and [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf), then [Operation Sharp Guard](/source/Operation_Sharp_Guard) and [Operation Deny Flight](/source/Operation_Deny_Flight) from the [Adriatic Sea](/source/Adriatic_Sea). In late August and September 1995, the "Checkerboards" conducted their first direct combat sorties since Vietnam in support of the [United Nations](/source/United_Nations) resolutions in [Operation Deliberate Force](/source/Operation_Deliberate_Force). NATO's decision to conduct immediate air strikes against Bosnian-Serb ammunition bunkers, communication and control facilities, and logistical storage buildings heavily tasked both the air wing and the Checkerboards. The Checkerboards along with [CVW-3](/source/Carrier_Air_Wing_Three) began missions in support of [Operation Southern Watch](/source/Operation_Southern_Watch), on 27 November 1998. The mission would change as the order came down to commence [Operation Desert Fox](/source/Operation_Desert_Fox), 16 December 1998. The air campaign lasted four nights and would end with the following: (1) 100% sortie completion rate, (2) 44 combat night sorties, (3) 120.2 combat hours, (4) 74% of assigned targets destroyed, (5) 27 HARM fired, 53 LGBs dropped, the first combat deployment of the [AGM-154 JSOW](/source/AGM-154_JSOW) and (6) over 95,500 lb of ordnance loaded. In the four nights of operations, the "Checkerboards" had zero injuries or casualties. thumb|right|An F/A-18C of VMFA-312 launches from {{USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75}}, in 2010. Carrier Air Wing Three entered the North Persian Gulf and began Operation Southern Watch missions on 3 January 2001. On 20 January, a VMFA-312 jet destroyed an anti-aircraft artillery site, which was threatening coalition aircraft in Southern Iraq. On 16 February, five VMFA-312 aircraft participated in a large force strike against numerous targets in the vicinity of [Baghdad](/source/Baghdad). ===Global war on terror=== The Checkerboards Joined [Carrier Air Wing One](/source/Carrier_Air_Wing_One) (CVW-1) in February 2003 deploying aboard {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|2}} in August 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cvn65-03/326.htm |title= VMFA-312 - USS Enterprise 2003-04 Cruisebook |author= |date=2004 |website=navysite.de |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=2024-08-11 |quote=}} The squadron arrived in the [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf) in October and began supporting [Operation Iraqi Freedom](/source/Operation_Iraqi_Freedom) (OIF). In November, VMFA-312 became the first squadron in the carrier air-wing to release ordnance in support of OIF. The Checkerboards remained in their area of operations until the end of January before transiting towards home. The Checkerboards deployed several more times in support of [Operation Iraqi Freedom](/source/Operation_Iraqi_Freedom) and [Operation Enduring Freedom](/source/Operation_Enduring_Freedom) throughout the [Global War on Terror](/source/Global_War_on_Terror). They deployed in 2010 aboard the {{USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75|2}} and aboard the {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2}} in 2017-2018.{{cite web | url=https://www.mag31.marines.mil/Units/VMFA-312/About/ | title=About }} In accordance with the Aviation Plan, the Checkerboards will begin transitioning to the [F-35B Lightning II](/source/F-35B_Lightning_II) in fiscal year 2028 and complete the transition no later than FY2029.{{Cite web | title=VMFA | url=http://gonavy.jp/usmc00a.html | access-date=2025-08-29 | website=gonavy.jp}} == Notable former members == * [Herbert J. Valentine](/source/Herbert_J._Valentine) – 6 kills * William Farrell – 5 kills * [Phillip C. DeLong](/source/Phillip_C._DeLong) – 2 kills in Korea * Robert R. Klingman - pilot with VMF-312 who was famous for destroying a Japanese reconnaissance plane using the propeller of his F4U Corsair during the Battle of Okinawa.{{cite web |url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-heroes/marine-corps-pilot-robert-klingman/ |title=Marine Corps pilot Robert Klingman took down enemy using his propeller |author= |date=2023-02-23 |website=We Are The Mighty |publisher= |access-date=2023-11-12 |quote=}} * [Kenneth L. Reusser](/source/Kenneth_L._Reusser) ==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) ==Notes== {{Reflist|2}} ==References== :{{Marine Corps}} ;Bibliography {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book | last = Crowder | first = Michael J. | title = United States Marine Corps Aviation Squadron Lineage, Insignia & History – Volume One – The Fighter Squadrons | publisher = Turner Publishing Company | year = 2000 | location = Paducah, KY | isbn = 1-56311-926-9 }} *{{cite book |last=DeChant |first=John A. |title=Devilbirds: The Story of United States Marine Corps Aviation in World War II |publisher=Harper and Brothers Publishers |date = 1947 }} *{{cite book | last = Mersky | first = Peter B. | year = 1983 | title = U.S. Marine Corps Aviation – 1912 to the Present | publisher = Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America | isbn = 0-933852-39-8 }} *{{cite book | last = Rottman | first = Gordon L. | title = U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle – Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War | publisher = Greenwood Press | year = 2002 | location = [Westport, Connecticut](/source/Westport%2C_Connecticut) | isbn = 0313319065 }} *{{cite book |last = Sherrod |first = Robert |year = 1952 |title = History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II |url = https://archive.org/details/historyofmarinec00sher |url-access = registration |publisher = Combat Forces Press |location = Washington, D.C. |isbn = 0-89201-048-7 }} *{{cite book |last = Shettle |first = M. L. |title = United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II |publisher = Schaertel Publishing Co. |year = 2001 |location = Bowersville, Georgia |isbn = 0-9643388-2-3}} * {{cite book | last = Tillman | first = Barrett | title = Corsair: The F4U in World War II and Korea | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 1979 | location = Annapolis, MD | isbn = 1-55750-994-8 }} {{Refend}} ;Web {{Refbegin}} *{{cite book |last=Sambito |first=William J. |date=1978 |title= A History of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/A%20History%20of%20Marine%20Fighter%20Attack%20Squadron%20312%20PCN%2019000307700.pdf |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=United States Marine Corps }} {{Refend}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312}} {{Refbegin}} *[http://www.mag31.marines.mil/MAG31Units/VMFA312.aspx VMFA-312's official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214185833/http://www.mag31.marines.mil/MAG31Units/VMFA312.aspx |date=14 February 2013 }} *[http://www.web-birds.com/usmc/vmf312/vmf312.html VMF-312 in WWII] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325121229/http://www.web-birds.com/usmc/vmf312/vmf312.html |date=25 March 2006 }} *[http://image.flymcaa.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=258&g2_navId=x8b4d8ae8 VMFA-312 MCAA page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927023154/http://image.flymcaa.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=258&g2_navId=x8b4d8ae8 |date=27 September 2007 }} *[http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/doncoms/Display.php?irn=16010940&QueryPage=%2FDtlQuery.php An image of an F4U Corsair with VMF-312 markings on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214201153/http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/doncoms/Display.php?irn=16010940&QueryPage=%2FDtlQuery.php |date=14 February 2008 }} {{Refend}} {{US Marine Corps navbox}} {{2ndMAW}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Vmfa-312}} Category:Fighter attack squadrons of the United States Marine Corps FS0312 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [VMFA-312](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMFA-312) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMFA-312?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.