Following the attack on Pearl Harbor the squadron was ordered to San Diego, California. After months of training, the squadron left San Francisco on September 6, 1942 on board the USS Mount Vernon heading for Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii. In November 1942, the squadron was reorganized as the first Marine torpedo bombing squadron and sent to Henderson Field and Espiritu Santo to become part of the Cactus Air Force during the Battle of Guadalcanal. During the fighting crews and pilots rotated between these two bases. The squadron was relieved on February 18, 1943 but rejoined the fighting in April 1943. During its time on Guadalcanal, VMSB-131 scored 14 sure hits and 6 probables with its torpedoes against Japanese shipping. They also scored 6 direct hits against ships with bombs. All this came at a cost of 8 pilots and 17 radiomen and gunners killed in action. For their efforts six pilots were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism. The squadron finally left the combat zone and returned to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in June 1943.
KUIPERS, John J, SGT, 313507, USMC, from Michigan, location Solomon Islands, date of loss April 8, 1943 (pm) + KUIPERS, John J., Sgt., USMC. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Kuipers, 63 Caroline Pl., NE Grand Rapids, Mich (na) + KUIPERS, John Junior, 313507, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, April 9, 1945, missing-killed in action (mc) + KUIPERS, John Junior, Sergeant, 313507, USMC, from Michigan, Manila American Cemetery (bm)
Sgt John Junior Kuipers, gunner/radioman, was declared Missing in Action on 8 Apr 1943 after being lost in storm during night bombing mission.