VF-9

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]

Fighting Squadron 9
Active	1 March 1942 – 28 September 1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Part of	Inactive
Aircraft	F2A-3 Buffalo F4F Wildcat F6F-3/5 Hellcat
Engagements	World War II

History

VF-9 F4F-4 lands on USS Ranger in October 1942

VF-9 F6F-3s prepare to launch from USS Essex in 1944

VF-9 squadron-members and scoreboard in 1944

VF-9 was 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