VF-12

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Fighter Squadron 12
F6F-5 VF-12 USS Randolph 1945.jpg
VF-12 F6F-5 on USS Randolph in 1945
Active9 January 1943 – 17 September 1945
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
TypeFighter
Engagements
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Insignia of U.S. Navy Fighter Squadron VF-12 (1943-1945).jpg
Aircraft flown
Fighter F6F-3/5 Hellcat

Fighter Squadron 12 or VF-12 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established on 9 January 1943, it was disestablished on 17 September 1945. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-12. [1]

Contents

Operational history

VF-12 F6F-3 launches from USS Saratoga in 1943 USS Saratoga CV-3 air group launch 1943.jpg
VF-12 F6F-3 launches from USS Saratoga in 1943

VF-12 equipped with F6F-3 Hellcats formed part of Carrier Air Group 12 (CAG-12) and was assigned to USS Saratoga, flying aboard on 1 August 1943. CAG-12 supported the Battle of the Treasury Islands from October-November before the Saratoga returned to Pearl Harbor on 30 November.

In January 1944 CAG-12 rejoined the Saratoga and supported the later phases of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign and then carried out attacks against Japanese forces in the Indian Ocean before returning to Pearl Harbor in June.

In January 1945 VF-12 was assigned to USS Randolph and supported the Invasion of Iwo Jima and raids on the Japanese home islands.

Notable former members

• Marvin Harper

See also

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References

  1. "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.