Fighting Squadron 9 or VF-9 was an aviation unit of the U.S. Navy, originally established on 1 March 1942, it was disestablished on 28 September 1945. ^[1]

Operational history

VF-9 established at NAS Norfolk on 1 March 1942 as part of the new Carrier Air Group 9 (CVG-9) which was to be deployed aboard the new carrier USS Essex. ^[2] Originally equipped with the F2A-3 Buffalo, VF-9 began reequipping with the F4F-3 Wildcat in April 1942. ^[2]: 8

In late August 1942 VF-9 was deployed aboard USS Ranger to support Operation Torch. ^[2]: 10 By late November 1942 Ranger had returned to NAS Norfolk and VF-9 rejoined the rest of CVG-9. ^[3] VF-9 became the first Navy squadron to receive the F6F-3 Hellcat in February 1943. ^[2]: 7

In April 1943 CVG-9 embarked on the Essex for deployment to the Pacific Fleet. ^[4] By mid-June 1943 Essex had arrived at Naval Station Pearl Harbor and CVG-9 was based at Naval Air Station Barbers Point. ^[5] In September Essex left Pearl Harbor with CVG-9 embarked. ^[6]

VF-9 scored over 250 kills in the Hellcat, making it the second most successful Hellcat squadron of the war. ^[2]: 7

Home port assignments

• NAS Norfolk

Aircraft assignment

• F2A-3 Buffalo
• F4F-3 Wildcat
• F6F-3/5 Hellcat

Notable former members

• Herbert N. Houck
• Eugene A. Valencia, Jr.
• Thomas Mack Wilhoite
• Hamilton McWhorter III

See also

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

References

External links