VF-8 (1941-3)

Fighting Squadron 8
Active	2 September 1941-28 August 1942
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Part of	Inactive
Aircraft	F4F Wildcat
Engagements	World War II

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

Operational history

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 requipped 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

• NAS Alameda
• Naval Station Pearl Harbour

Aircraft Assignment

• F4F-3/4 Wildcat

See also

• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• History of the United States Navy

References

1. "Fighter Squadron Lineage". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 April 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.

External links