VMR-152

Marine Transport Squadron 152 (VMR-152) was an air transport of the United States Marine Corps that was responsible for the movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies. The squadron flew fixed-wing cargo aircraft to include the R4D Skytrain and the R4Q Flying Boxcar. The squadron saw combat during World War II and the Korean War with their most notable contributions coming during the Battle of Guadalcanal and during the Marine breakout during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The squadron was decommissioned in the late 1950s.

Marine Transport Squadron 152
VMR-152 insignia (post-WWII)
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeUtility/Transport
RoleAssault support
Part ofInactive
Tail CodeWC
EngagementsWorld War II
* Battle of Guadalcanal
* New Georgia Campaign
* Battle of Vella Lavella
* Bougainville Campaign
* Philippines Campaign (1944-1945)
* Operation Beleaguer
Korean War
* Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation

Navy Unit Commendation
Commanders
Notable
commanders		John P. Coursey
Aircraft flown
TransportR4D
R5D Skymaster
R4Q Flying Boxcar

Mission

Provide air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies, including aeromedical evacuation.

History

World War II

The squadron was originally formed as VMJ-1, and had origins in the earlier VJ-6M. On July 7, 1941 they were redesignated VMJ-152 at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico. They moved to San Diego a few months later and shipped out to the South Pacific on October 10, 1942. They joined Marine Aircraft Group 25 on October 25, 1942, and immediately began flying missions in support of Marines engaged in the Battle of Guadalcanal. In November 1942, the squadron became part of the joint-service South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command. Following this they made numerous supply drops during the New Georgia Campaign in 1943. The squadron was redesignated again to VMR-152 on June 3, 1944. In 1944, the squadron was flying in support of the Battle of Bougainville and would be based on Bougainville for the remainder of the war. From here the squadron also supported allied forces during the Philippines Campaign (1944–45) and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron flew in support of the 1st Marine Division during their occupation of Northern China from 1945 - 1947. Following their China duty the squadron returned to the United States where they were based at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

U.S. Marines unloading an VMR-152 R5D-2 at Chunchon, Korea, 1950.

Korean War

VMR-152 was assigned to newly reactivated Marine Aircraft Group 25 in 1950, and provided an advance detachment that supported 1st Marine Division operations in Korea. During the war the squadron was based at Itami, Japan.

During the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a four-engined R5D-2 transport, especially configured to carry a complete tactical air direction center (TADC), controlled all support aircraft as they reported on station, and assigned them to the various forward air controllers, as appropriate for the missions requested.

See also

Notes

    References
     This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
    Bibliography
    • Armstrong, William. (2017). Marine Air Group 25 and SCAT (Images of Aviation). Arcadia. ISBN 1467127434.
    • Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
    • Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
    Web
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