Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 143 (VMSB-143) was commissioned on 7 September 1942 at
Naval Air Station San Diego,
California. The squadron departed San Diego on 28 December 1942 arriving at
Efate on 16 January 1943. The squadron's flight echelon arrived at
Guadalcanal on 15 February 1943. During this time they took part in mine laying operations of
Kahili Harbor on
Bougainville on 21 March 1943 and supported ground troops during the
New Georgia campaign. On 19 May 1943 planes from VMSB-143 and the
Navy's Torpedo Squadron 11 (VT-11) strafed and bombed the Japanese cargo ship Hōun Maru causing it to run aground in
Buin Harbor. The squadron was re-designated as
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 143 (VMTB-143) on 31 May 1943. On 1 October 1943 the flight echelon of the squadron was divided into three parts in order to support the
Bougainville Campaign. These echelons were based at Guadalcanal,
Espiritu Santo, and
Munda Airfield. In January 1944 the squadron moved to Bougainville and from there participated in airstrikes against the Japanese garrison at
Rabaul. Returning to the United States in June 1944, the squadron was based at
Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara. The squadron was re-designated again as VMTB (CVS)-143 and was assigned to
USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107). The squadron departed MCAS Santa Barbara on 12 April 1945. During this final phase of the war, the squadron provided
close air support during the
Battle of Okinawa from May to July 1945. After that is also supported the
Australian
7th Division during the
Battle of Balikpapan in
Borneo. Following the war the squadron returned to
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California and was deactivated on 10 March 1946 as part of the post war drawdown of forces. In August 1945, famed
comic strip artist
Alex Raymond was made an honorary member of the unit while serving alongside them in the
Pacific War. He designed a new squadron patch inspired by his work creating
Flash Gordon, leading to the squadron nickname of "The Rocket Raiders". ==See also==