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VF-8 (1941–1942)

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Fighting Squadron 8
Active2 September 1941 – 28 August 1942
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Part ofInactive
AircraftF4F Wildcat
EngagementsWorld War II

Fighting Squadron 8 or VF-8 was an aviation unit of the U.S. Navy. It was originally established 2 September 1941 and disestablished on 28 August 1942.[1]

Operational history

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VF-8 F4Fs prepare to launch from USS Hornet in 1942

VF-8 was deployed as part of Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the USS Hornet. Initially equipped with the F4F-3 Wildcat, in February 1942 VF-8 reequipped with the F4F-4 at Naval Air Station Alameda while the Hornet embarked the 16 B-25B Mitchell medium bombers to be used in the Doolittle Raid.[2]

During the Battle of Midway 10 VF-8 F4Fs were forced to ditch due to lack of fuel while searching for the Japanese fleet. Two of the pilots were lost at sea.[3] Following the battle in June 1942 Hornet returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor where VF-8 was disembarked and replaced by VF-72.[4][5]

Home port assignments

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  • NAS Alameda
  • Naval Station Pearl Harbor

Aircraft assignment

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. ^ Chun, Clayton (2006). The Doolittle Raid 1942: America's First Strike Back at Japan. Osprey Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 9781841769189.
  3. ^ "The List". National Naval Aviation Museum. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 9 Jul 1942". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 27 Aug 1942". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
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