VF-42

Fighting Squadron 42
VF-42 unit insignia
ActiveMay 1928 - 22 June 1942
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
TypeFighter
EngagementsWorld War II
Aircraft flown
FighterSBU-1
F4F-3 Wildcat

Fighting Squadron 42 or VF-42 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as Scouting Squadron 1B (VS-1B) in May 1928, it was redesignated as VS-1S in 1930, redesignated as VS-1B in 1931, redesignated as VS-41 on 1 July 1937, redesignated as VF-42 on 15 March 1941 and disestablished on 22 June 1942. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-42.[1]

Operational history

VS-1B SBU-1 in the 1930s
VF-42 F4F-3 at NACA Langley in 1941

VS-1B was assigned to the USS Ranger in the 1930s.

In December 1941 VF-42 was embarked on USS Yorktown for deployment to the Pacific Theatre.[2] VF-42 shot down 25 Japanese aircraft until the squadron was disestablished following the sinking of the Yorktown on 7 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway.[2]: 15 

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b Tillman, Barrett (1995). Wildcat Aces of World War 2. Osprey Publishing. p. 6. ISBN 9781855324862.