Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 331 (VMSB-331) was formed on 1 January 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.[2][3] The squadron flew SBD Dauntless dive bombers. On 1 June 1943, the squadron's personnel and aircraft were divided to form VMSB-332.[4] Also in June of that year the squadron moved and became the first unit to arrive at Bogue Field, North Carolina.[5] This was followed by a move to San Diego in September to prepare for movement to the South Pacific.[2] The squadron deployed overseas, finally arriving at Nukufetau Airfield on 15 November 1943.[2] VMSB-331 operated from that island during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. On 30 November 1943, the squadron sent a detachment to Tarawa to aid in patrol operations until 26 December 1943. In October 1944, the squadron was redesignated Marine Fighter Bomber Squadron 331 (VMBF-331), but they reverted to VMSB-331 on 30 December 1944.[2] VMSB-331 remained the Pacific and carried out air strikes against by-passed Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands for the remainder of the war.[2]
Following the war, VMSB-331 returned to the United States in October 1945 and was decommissioned quickly thereafter on 21 November 1945.[6]
1950s and early 1960s
AD-6 Skyraider of VMA-331
VMA-331 was reactivated on 23 April 1952 at Marine Corps Air Station Miami, Florida. In 1959, VMA-331 was the last squadron in the Marine Corps to deploy overseas while flying the A-4D "Skyhawk".[7] VMA-331 deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Bay of Pigs Invasion and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico during the blockade of Cuba. Two Skyhawks were lost during a two plane section take-off the day the squadron left MCAS Beaufort for the Caribbean. A very gusty cross-wind blew the lead aircraft into the wingman. At Guantanamo Bay, a Skyhawk making a low-level practice gunnery run hit the base perimeter fence. Another Skyhawk had a flameout when turning base on approach into Beaufort, South Carolina.[8]
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On 25 January 1985, VMA-331 became the first fully operational AV-8B Harrier II squadron in Marine Corps service.[9] The squadron deployed on the USS Nassau (LHA-4) to the Persian Gulf and eventually flew 243 sorties, dropping 256 tons of ordnance, and became the first Marine Attack Squadron to conduct combat operations from a Landing Helicopter Assault ship.[10] While supporting Operation Desert Storm, an AV-8B Harrier II from the squadron was shot down by an SA-7 over Safwan, Iraq on 27 February 1991. The pilot, Capt Reginald C. Underwood, was killed in action.[11]
Rottman, Gordon (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle – Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 – 1945. Greenwood Press. ISBN0-313-31906-5.
