VMF-323 was commissioned on 1 August 1943 at MCAS, Cherry Point, NC. Assigned to MAG-32, 3rd MAW. The squadron started with 9 Vought F4U-1 "Corsairs" and 7 North American SNJ-4 Trainers. Command was given to Major George C. Axtell, Jr. VMF-323 immediately began training for duty in the Pacific. In September of 1943, 323 was transferred to one of MCAS Cherry Point's outlying fields, MCAAF Oak Grove near Pollocksville, NC. On 12 January 1944, 323 was transferred to NAAS El Centro, Ca. And reassigned to MBDAG-43. In February, a few days before scheduled carrier landings, 31 of the squadron's pilots were transferred overseas as replacements for other squadrons. The Death Rattlers soon moved to Camp Pendleton to continue training. Major Axtell began the rebuilding task of training new pilots. Training operations were disrupted on 17 March due to the death of Second Lieutenant Robert M. Bartlett, Jr. On 25 May, 323 had its second fatal accident. Second Lieutenant John A. Freshour and his passenger, LTCDR James J. Bunnet, were killed when the SBD they were flying, crashed into power lines near the Camp Pendleton airstrip.  

On 21 July 1944, VMF-323 embarked on board the USS Long Island (CVE-1) at NAS North Island, San Diego. The squadron was at sea until 28 July, when it arrived at Ford Island in Hawaii and proceeded to MCAS EWA on Oahu. On 8 August, 323 lost another pilot, Second Lieutenant Glen B. Smith in a crash at sea during. On 7 September, 30 pilots, 3ground officers, 90 enlisted men and 24aircraft embarked on board the USS Brenton (CVE-23) and was reassigned to the 2nd MAW. The USS Brenton set sail on 8 September and after 10 days, arrived at Emirau Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. During the fly-off, an aircraft piloted by Lieutenant Gerald E. Baker crashed at sea and no cause was ever determined for this fatal crash.

On 24 October 1944, VMF-323 was placed under administrative control of the CG, FMF Pac. On 25 October one pilot and 25 enlisted men left Emirau aboard a VMR-952 transport for Luganville Field on Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. On 28 October a flight of the 24 F4U-1D aircraft escorted by 2 more transports headed for Guadalcanal, on the 1st leg to Espiriru Santo. 16 planes arrived at Luganville Field on 29 October, 2 arrived the next day, and the remaining 6 landed on 31 October. On 29 November, the rear echelon of personnel and materials arrived from Ewa aboard the USS Sea Pike and the USS Navajo. The squadron was now complete and was placed under control of MAG-33. All 24 Corsairs were fitted with the new Zero Rocket Launchers by mid January 1945. The high pace of training continued into February. On 2 February 8 additional F4U-1D Corsairs were received and 4 days later 13 more pilots were joined from the States.

On 23 February 1945, MAG-33 Secret Order 0304-45 authorized the movement of VMF-323 from Luganville Field, Espiriu Santo, to Okinawa Shima, Okinawa Gunto, Ryuku Islands. On 1 March, 20 pilots, 8 ground officers, 150 enlisted Marines, and 8 Navy Corpsmen boarded LST-774 and arrived off Okinawa on 2 April. D-Day plus one. On 4 March, 32 Corsairs took off from Luganville Field to Pityilu, Manus Island, via Guadalcanal and Green Island. On 26 March, they boarded the USS White Plains (CVE-66) and on 30 March the ship anchored off Ulithi Island. On 9 April 323 flew off the White Plains and landed at Kadens Airfield (Ruby Base at the time). A little over a year and 9 months after its commissioning, VMF-323 was now actively involved in the war. 

On 10 April 1945, First Lieutenant James L. Brown was listed as missing in action (later listed as KIA). On 11 April, First Lieutenant Vernon E. Ball confirmed the Death Rattlers first aerial kill of the war by Lieutenant Al Wells. On 12 April, First Lieutenants Charles E. Spangler and Dellwyn L. Davis; Second Lieutenants Dewy F. Dunford, Warren W. Bestwick and John W. Ruhsam; and Captain Joe McPhail each downed an enemy plane. Captain Felix S. Cecot and Second Lieutenant Glenn O. Thacker each claimed a probable kill. On 15 April, First Lieutenant Frederick F. Zehring was lost when he crashed into a mountain while pursuing an enemy plane. On the same day, Second Lieutenants Bestwick and Ruhsam each scored a kill while Second Lieutenant Robert Wade scored 2 kills. First Lieutenants John Strickland, Jr. and Charles S. Allen each claimed half-credit for a kill. 

On 22 April 1945, a flight led by Major Axtell set a record breaker. During this flight of 8 Corsairs, the Death Rattlers downed 24 and 3/4 Japanese planes. Major Jefferson D. Dorroh, Jr., the XO, 6 kills within 20 minutes. Major George C. Axtell, Jr., the Skipper, 5 kills within 15 minutes. First Lieutenant Jeremiah J. O'Keefe, 5 kills. First Lieutenant Edward L. Abner, 2 kills. First Lieutenant William L. Hood was given half credit each for 3 kills. Second Lieutenant Normand T. Theriault, 2 and 1/4 kills. First Lieutenant Charles S. Allen, 1 probable kill. 22 April 1945 clearly belonged to the VMF-323 Death Rattlers with their record setting score. During the month of April, the Death Rattlers shot down 54 3/4 enemy planes.

On 28 April, First Lieutenant Joseph V. Dillard scored a kill. On 5 May, Major Arthur L. Turner bailed out of his flaming Corsair and was lostnear enemy lines. On 13 May, First Lieutenant Edward F. Murray was killed during a close air support mission. On 16 May, Second Lieutenant Leon A. Reynolds crashed while making a forced landing on Yontan Airfield and was killed. On 2 May, the Death Rattlers again scored a total of 24 3/4 kills, equaling the record-breaking feat of 22 April. Action during the month of May, the squadron shot down 52 3/4 Japanese planes. VMF-323 now had 12 "Aces." A sign above the entrance to the Death Rattlers Officer's Mess read, "Where the Aces meet to Eat!" 

From the end of the war until February 1946, the squadron remained at Okinawa with 2nd MAW, MAG-33 making routine patrol and observation flights. VMF-323 returned to the states in March 1946 and was based at MCAS El Toro, Ca. Now under the command of Major Stanley R. Bailey. They participated in many major exercises including one at Kodiak Island testing equipment under sub-zero weather conditions. The squadron also provided Marine airpower for the 1949 John Wayne movie classic, "Sands of Iwo Jima."

1950 would end the first chapter in VMF-323's 7-year history. The distant drums of war were sounding in a place called Korea. The Death Rattlers would once again be put to the test in combat.

New squad formed in Aces High: VMF-323 "Death Rattlers"

Marine Corp squadron based on the historical VMF-323

Editorial by Brian "Ripsnort" Nelson

It began back in January 2000, I enlisted under Weazels command of JG2. A few months later I was in charge of 55 aviators broken into two squadrons, I./JG2 and II./JG2. Now, 6 months later, I was faced with a tough choice: A) Stay with my dedicated squad mates and friends within JG2 or B) Give up my command to an outstanding XO by the name of Swager and seek something I've wanted to do for 6 years, create a historical squadron in tribute to all those that faced combat for the U.S. Marine Corp in World War 2. I chose the latter.

VMF-323 "Death Rattlers" , a historical Marine Corp squadron, was the name I chose. The first fellow to approach me and assisted in getting my new squad jump-started was Apache. He was assigned Executive officer and has since put together a wonderful webpage. Not bad for a squad that is 2 weeks old as of July 17^th, 2000 !

To date we have the following outstanding aviators from across the globe: Ripsnort (CO), Apache (XO), Saw (Events and Communications Officer), Commanche (Group Chaplin), and 1^st Lt.'s Bigjim, AH1G,Warchild,10Bears, Duckwing6, MrBean, Bee, Rangerbob, Executor and Blitz.

During historical engagements in the SEA, we will represent U.S. aircraft, and, when the Navy gets here in the near future, we will represent the historical squadron at its fullest by flying the Corsairs off the aircraft carriers. During Main arena hours, we will fly all aircraft available in Aces High, but mission nights will be limited to flying Corsairs once a week

I have a pretty good reputation as a CO after leading the 55+ members of JG2 and I had a lot of fun with that squad. My goals and focus within VMF-323 are the same as those with JG2, focusing on strategy and having fun. This squadron will be limited to 20 players. I'd like to keep a small, cohesive group of flyers.

Here is some historical data on the histrocial VMF-323:

The nickname "Death Rattlers" and an appropriately designed squadron patch were adopted by VMF-323 soon after commissioning. Based upon an incident wherein a large rattle snake fell prey to three VMF-323 lieutenants and wound up adorning the unit's ready room. Both nickname and patch continue in use today. Squadron Patch The circle is for the solidarity of the Squadron, a compact, well rounded-out unit. The rattle-snake represents the vicious striking power of the aircraft we fly into combat. The most distinctive feature of the patch is the F4U Corsair(its inverted gull wing (silohouette) shown in the lower section of the insignia. If you'd like to see the real VMF-323, the squadron provided Marine airpower for the 1949 John Wayne movie classic, "Sands of Iwo Jima."

My motto for this new squad is taken from the movie "2010"..."Something wonderful is about to happen!"

Commanding Officer

"The Musketeers"

________________________________________________________________________________________

by "Ripsnort editor of "The Snake Pit"

Cobra: The Musketeers started at the front end beta of Fighter Ace by a retired (or tired) U.S. Air Force(don't know the rank) Phil Nagy aka PutzFlop or Duke_Musketeer(What a man!). The Sting Doctor(best darn Yak pilot ever!) was the 1st C.O., PutzFlop was X.O., and Whisky19 was the DisInformation officer. What a great time. We flew full realistic. The squad held weekly meetings and was a really tight bunch. Through the years we have tried FA & FAII(some Mskts are still there), E.A.W. , Combat Flight Simulator, Jane's WWII Fighters, Confirmed Kill(beta), Dawn of Aces, Warbirds(cost was too high for our beer budgets) and When I(Thorns) heard about Aces High, I beat the drum hard for participation from the Mskt Squad. It was a "flyer's" combat flightsim.......so cool! People moved and found the same thrill I did. Oh, some don't have time to fly as much as they would like...Putzflop started his own simulator company - "Accu-Flight Simulators"(look for one at you local mall soon), and some preach on Sundays!(you'll never guess who, but he's a great one!) The rest of the Mskts would be hanging around airports and flying real airplanes(even though we don't have enough money for the habit) still enjoy the online WWII combat flightsims. The Musketeers are still going strong...Schwing! Our motto is "just have fun".

Thorns, Happ_Mskt, Titanium, RAFBADER, Sn1p3r, Beegerite, Eagler, Antman, Higgins, Hotrod, Nikoli, Duke_Mskt, StingDoctor, BlkWidow, CrazyHorse, Corwin, Giardia, NetHawk, Cobra, Wulff, Fairlane, Goalie_ Hawk, IronMaiden, Patrick_Too and of course our peacekeeper "NineZ" aka "Jagdnine",

Yes, Fighter Ace from its first Beta, and we still have some members who fly there. Also, the Second Incarnation of the CK Beta, and naturally Aces High since Beta. We have really tried them all...we are flyers!

We have a few memorable ones, but some of the most memorable are our Low-Level B-26's raids. Holding close formation in the weeds and making it to target to drop the eggs and get home is a blast. I've posted a few of these on our BBS, put its a few more than a 100 words...hehe. Also, anything that our resident Brit, Titanium comes up with usually involves long flights with a 2 pronged objective. Just recently we flew from A18, with a massive raid to hit Bish HQ. We knocked down the Radar and contained within that raid was a small 3 man element that captured A23 deep in Bish North Territory. (Monty has got nothing on our Titanium). We also had a particularly successful Fighter Sweep in P-38's a while back. Cleared out 2 of our Airfields that were being capped in 1 Sortie.

We actually try to fly the whole plane-set. We will pick different planes and up as a squad and do Fighter Sweeps. You'll see a couple of us in the Hawgs (boo-hiss..hehe). A couple of us like the Spit. 1 of our members really likes the 38 and right now myself and Thorns(beloved Pony Driver) are flying the Yak alot! It is a sweet airplane. We hold no restrictions on what to fly...Just have fun!

We don't have a any regular time set now. Actually you can find 5 or so Musketeers online most any night. So we try to do something different everynight, but keep it organized as much as possible.

Again, each time we do decide to do some organized missions, we try to vary the content. One night it might be a B-17 raid, or the low-level B-26 deal. We have refined our P-47 Jabo techniques just recently, so we have fun using that to do a Vehicle Base Capture.

Well the list is long and varied, (and we got the Yak, Spit, and Pony for some of us), but B-25 would be a sentimental favorite. Myself and Sniper had relatives that flew them in the war. With the addition of the navy we are looking forward to some of the naval fighters.

We are not actively seeking any recruits at this time, but we do accept new members from time to time. A pilot has to be team oriented and just want to have some fun. Oh, did we mention we love to have fun?...hehe! Actually our credo says it all: We, the Cavaliers of the Musketeer D' Escadrille, do promise to assist the needy, be true and hounorable with all, keep the faith with our fellows, NEVER hit esc, or crash out (it is dishonest and cowardly) and to vulch only when vulched upon, never desert a fellow cavalier in peril, fight fairly and cleanly, Tell only clean jokes (the kids) and never take any of this too seriously, as it is, after all, a game. This I do Swear.This was written by our Mskt forefathers and won't be compromised....EVER!!

Oh, did anyone mention we fly for FUN? ;-)

Thanks for your time Cobra! Pleasure interviewing you! Ripsnort