loaded aboard the USS Nassau and transported to Espiritu Santo. Upon arrival, VMF-214 and VMF-221 sent detachments to Guadalcanal, but VMF-213 was held back and selected to become one of the first squadrons to be equipped with the F4U Corsair. Most of VMF-221's tour at Guadalcanal consisted of combat air patrols over Guadalcanal, but the large raid on April 1, 1943, resulted in Lt James Swett's Medal of Honor action. After transition to the F4U-1, VMF-221 supported operations during the Battle of Guadalcanal, while also striking Japanese shipping in the vicinity of Bougainville. During the landing on the first day of the Battle of New Georgia, VMF-221 pilots got credit for shooting down 16 Japanese aircraft. In December 1943, they were sent back to the states for another reorganization. The squadron's final combat deployment was from January 24, 1945 to June 6, 1945, aboard the USS Bunker Hill. Reserve years VMF-221 was recommissioned on April 1, 1946 as part of the Marine Corps Reserve. The squadron trained at throughout the 1950s and was decommissioned in June 1959 when the base was closed. Squadron aces The following members of VMF-221 were credited with at least 5 enemy aircraft shot down: Other notable members Marion E. Carl, first Marine Corps ace in World War II Albert E. Hacking JR., Became an Ace on his first enemy engagement, credited with 4 confirmed kills, on that mission. Later he would go on to receive 6, Distinguished Flying Crosses, amongst other Medals in WWII, and Korea. Harold W. Bauer, Medal of Honor recipient for actions in the later Battle of Guadalcanal See also United States Marine Corps Aviation List of decommissioned United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons Citations References Bibliography Web VMF-221 at Midway USMC Fighting Squadrons List of WW2 Marine Aces After Action report of 2ndLT William Brooks Brewster F2A-3 Buffalo Air Units List Fighting221 Inactive units of the United States Marine Corps