base at Kavieng, New Ireland and against Japanese shipping near the Bismarck Archipelago. During this time VMF-215 established four new Marine records in the South Pacific by downing 137 Japanese planes in 18 weeks, 87 planes shot down in one month, 106 planes destroyed in a single 6-week tour and 10 aces in one squadron. As action in the Solomons drew to a close the squadron was sent to Turtle Bay Airfield where it was not deactivated but existed only on paper for a few weeks. They were reformed on May 7, 1944, and were sent to Emirau on August 5, 1944. From there they moved to Guadalcanal on their way back to the United States where they eventually arrived on October 20, 1944. Upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, the unit was decommissioned on November 6; however, they were reactivated again on November 21 and became a carrier training replacement unit. Following the end of World War II, the squadron was decommissioned on November 13, 1945. Reserve years VMF-215 was reactivated as squadron in the Marine Forces Reserve on July 1, 1946 at Naval Air Station Olathe in Kansas. The squadron flew the F9F-6 Cougar and later the F9F-8/8Bs. In 1962 it transitioned to the Douglas F4D Skyray. In April 1965, VMF-215 transitioned for the last time to the F-8A Crusader. The squadron was never recalled to active duty and was decommissioned for the last time on January 30, 1970. Notable former members Robert M. Hanson – 25 kills and Medal of Honor recipient Donald N. Aldrich – 20 kills Harold L. Spears – 15 kills Robert G. Owens Jr. – 7 kills, 5 probables A. Roger Conant – 6 kills, 3 probables Harold A. "Hap" Langstaff Jr. – 3 kills Unit awards A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. VMF-215 was presented with the following awards: See also United States Marine Corps Aviation List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons List of decommissioned United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons Notes References Bibliography Web VMF-215 squadron history External links Information of a wrecked VMF-215 F4u Corsair that has been located Images of Capt. Conant and his F4U http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/f4u/56260.html Information on lost F4U Corsair on