VMF-111 on March 10, 1942, the squadron arrived at Tafuna Airfield on Tutuila island, its new base of operations. They were the first Marine squadron to operate in Samoa and eventually were relocated to Faleolo Airfield on Upolu Island after SeeBees completed Feleolo Airfield in July 1942. They spent the next year as part of the Samoa Defense Garrison Area and finally transitioned to the Vought F4U Corsair in early 1943. The squadron remained in Samoa until 1944, serving as a replacement pool for other squadrons engaged in the Solomon Islands Campaign. VMF-111 left Samoa in January 1944 for the Central Pacific and participated in raids against bypassed Japanese garrisons for the rest of the war. It was during this time that the squadron, under the command of Major William E. Classen, made the first experimental bombing run with F4U Corsairs when eight of their aircraft struck heavy anti-aircraft positions on Mili Atoll with thousand pound bombs. Following the war the squadron returned to the States where it was deactivated on November 26, 1945.
GRATZ, Homer Jr, 35988, POW&MP Det, HQ USMC, Washington DC, January 18, 1946, died + GRATZ, Homer, Jr., 2d Lieutenant, USMCR. Wife, Mrs. Roxana Gratz, 130 S. Cole St., Lima, Ohio

Body Not Recovered

Homer Gratz