Fighter Squadron 15 (VF-15),Satan's Playmates

Fighter Squadron 15 (VF-15), Satan's Playmates, was the highest-scoring fighter squadron in United States Navy history during World War II. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat from the deck of USS Essex (CV-9), the lead ship of the most important carrier class ever built, VF-15 and its parent Carrier Air Group 15 (CVG-15) compiled over 310 aerial victories during a single combat deployment,more than any other Navy air group in the war.

The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot

VF-15's defining day was June 19, 1944, during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The Japanese launched 373 carrier aircraft against the American fleet in four massive raids. American fighters,including VF-15's Hellcats,intercepted the strikes far from the fleet, shooting them down in what pilots called the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. By the end of the day, Japan had lost over 300 aircraft in the air and another 50 on the ground, plus three carriers. Japanese carrier aviation never recovered. VF-15's leading ace, Lieutenant Commander David McCampbell, shot down seven Japanese aircraft on June 19 alone. McCampbell went on to become the Navy's all-time leading ace with 34 confirmed victories,nine of which came in a single mission on October 24, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He received the Medal of Honor.

Air Group 15: The Numbers

CVG-15's combat record is staggering. During their deployment aboard Essex from May to November 1944, the air group flew over 5,000 combat sorties, destroyed 315 enemy aircraft in the air and 348 on the ground, sank over 296,000 tons of Japanese shipping, and produced the Navy's top ace. These numbers were achieved across campaigns spanning the Marianas, Philippines, Formosa, and the South China Sea. No other air group came close.

The Hellcat & Essex

VF-15 flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat exclusively, and in their hands it became the most lethal carrier fighter of the war. Essex was the ideal platform,the lead ship of a 24-carrier class that formed the backbone of the Fast Carrier Task Force. At 27,100 tons with a 90-aircraft complement, the Essex-class gave air groups like CVG-15 the range, speed, and defensive firepower to operate deep in enemy waters for months at a time.

Satan's Playmates,the highest-scoring fighter squadron in Navy history. Carry their legacy with VF-15 t-shirts, hoodies, and heritage gifts from USS Essex.