VF-33 (1942–5)

Fighter Squadron 33
Active 6 August 1942 - 19 November 1945
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Type Fighter
Nickname(s) Hellcats
Engagements World War II
Aircraft flown
Fighter F6F-3/-5 Hellcat

Fighter Squadron 33 or VF-33 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as Escort-Scouting Squadron 16 or VGS-16 on 6 August 1942, it was redesignated as Composite Squadron 16 or VC-16 on 1 March 1943, redesignated as VF-33 on 15 August 1943 and disestablished on 19 November 1945. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-33.[1]

Operational history

VF-33 equipped with the F6F Hellcat was first deployed to Munda, Solomon Islands where they supported the New Georgia Campaign.[2]

While deployed in the Solomons, VF-33 was credited with 60 Japanese aircraft shot down,[2]:19 and produced three aces: Lt.(jg) Frank E. Schnieder with seven kills, Lt. C. K. Hildebrandt with five kills, and Lt.(jg) James J. Kinsella also with five kills, three with VF-33 and two with VF-72 in the F4F-4 Wildcat.[2]:10

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fighter Squadron Lineage". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Tillman, Barrett (1996). Hellcat Aces of World War 2. Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 1855325969.
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