MAG-32 arrived on Mangaldan on 27 January 1945 where they became part of Marine Air Groups, Dagupan (MAGSDAGUPAN) along with Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24).[5] MAGSDAGUPAN fell under neath the 308th Bombardment Wing of the United States Army Air Forces which was supporting the 6th Army on Luzon. Portions of the group went ashore with the assault troops on Zamboanga on 10 March 1945. Two days later they were operating out of an expeditionary airfield.[4] During this time they became part of Marine Air Groups Zamboanga (MAGSZAM) along with Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Air Warning Squadron 4 (AWS-4). The SBD Dauntless aircraft of MAG-32 arrived on 23 March and began providing close air support. The first major operation that they supported was the landing of the 41st Infantry Division on Jolo Island on 9 April. Forty four dive bombers from MAG-32 were directed against Japanese positions by tactical air control parties.[6] The group also went on to cover amphibious landing on the islands of Parang-Cotabato, Sibago, Macajalar and Sarangani.[4]
MAGSZAM was finally dissolved on 30 August 1945.[4] During the recapture of the Philippines beginning in January 1945, MAG-32 and MAG-24 would fly a total of 8,842 combat sorties and drop more than 19,000 bombs as part of the Fifth Air Force in support of the Sixth Army.[7]
Ground Echelon (Philippines Campaign: 22 Jan 45–4 Jul 45)
Flight Echelon (Treasury-Bougainville Operation: 20 Nov 43–15 Dec 43), (Consolidation of the Solomons: 16 Dec 43–27 Dec 43; 16 Jun 44–23 Dec 44), (Bismarck Archipelago Operation: 17 Mar 44–27 Apr 44), (Philippines Campaign: 31 Jan 45–4 Jul 45)
Ground Echelon (Philippines Campaign: 22 Jan 45–4 Jul 45)
Flight Echelon (New Georgia Operation: 18 Oct 43–29 Nov 43), (Bismarck Archipelago Operation: 10 Feb 44–22 Mar 44), (Consolidation of the Solomons: 17 May 44–24 Jun 44, & 31 Jul 44–13 Nov 44), (Philippines Campaign: 31 Jan 45–4 Jul 45)
CO, VMSB-244
Maj Robert J. Johnson (____–25 Jan 44)
Maj Harry W. Reed (25 Jan 44–17 Apr 44)
Capt Richard Belyea (18 Apr 44–1 Jul 44)
Maj Frank R. Porter, Jr. (2 Jul 44–____)
Maj Vance H. Hudgins (____–____)
1950s to 1990s
OA-4M Skyhawk of MAG-32 in 1990
The last two Marine Corps OA-4M Skyhawks, which were from MAG-32, flew their last flight from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to NAS Patuxent River on 6 July 1990. In the 1970s Mag 32 was based in MCAS Beaufort SC. Had A-4 Skyhawks, and AV8a Harriers. Then left to MCAS Cherry Point.
^History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II: Volume 2: Isolation of Rabaul; Appendix G, Marine Task Organization and Command List: Marine Air Units, pages 585-586.
^History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II: Volume 4: Western Pacific Operations; Appendix G, Marine Task Organization and Command List: Marine Air Units, pages 792, 794-795.
References
Books
Rottman, Gordon L. (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.
Fish, David L. "Capt. Doit L. Fish". American WWII Orphans Network. Retrieved 7 June 2006.
"This Month in History". Selected July Dates of Marine Corps Historical Significance. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 27 December 2007.
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