Country United States Role Assault support | Type Cargo Transport Part of Inactive | |
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Allegiance United States of America Branch United States Marine Corps | ||
Marine Transport Squadron 152 (VMR-152) was an air transport of the United States Marine Corps that was responsible for the movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies. The squadron flew fixed-wing cargo aircraft to include the R4D Skytrain and the R4Q Flying Boxcar. The squadron saw combat during World War II and the Korean War with their most notable contributions coming during the early stages of the Battle of Guadalcanal and during the Marine breakout during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The squadron was decommissioned in the late 1950s.
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Mission
Provide air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
World War II
The squadron was originally formed as VMJ-1. On July 7, 1941 they were redesignated VMJ-152 at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico. They moved to San Diego a few months later and shipped out to the South Pacific on October 10, 1942. They joined Marine Aircraft Group 25 and the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command on October 25, 1942 an immediately began flying missions in support of Marines engaged in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Following this they made numerous supply drops during the New Georgia Campaign in 1943. The squadron was redesignated again to VMR-152 on June 3, 1944. In 1944, the squadron was flying in support of the Battle of Bougainville and would be based on Bougainville for the remainder of the war. From here the squadron also supported allied forces during the Philippines Campaign (1944–45) and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron flew in support of the 1st Marine Division during their occupation of Northern China from 1945 - 1947. Following their China duty the squadron returned to the United States where they were based at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.
Korean War
During the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a four-engined R5D-2 transport, especially configured to carry a complete tactical air direction center (TADC), controlled all support aircraft as they reported on station, and assigned them to the various forward air controllers, as appropriate for the missions requested.