Fighter Squadron 37 (VF-37) WW2

Fighter Squadron 37 (VF-37) flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat during the Okinawa Campaign from April through June 1945, the last and bloodiest amphibious assault of the Pacific War, where the fleet absorbed nearly 1,900 kamikaze sorties. Serving aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) as part of Carrier Air Group 37, VF-37 was one of the US Navy fighter squadrons that secured American control of the Pacific skies during World War II.

Aboard USS San Jacinto

USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) earned six battle stars and is forever linked to future President George H.W. Bush, who served as an Avenger torpedo bomber pilot aboard her. On September 2, 1944, Bush was shot down over Chichi Jima while attacking a Japanese radio installation. He was rescued by the submarine USS Finback after four hours in the water,two of his crewmates were killed. Bush was 20 years old.

VF-37 deployed aboard USS San Jacinto from 1943-1945, flying combat sorties during Okinawa Campaign and Japan homeland strikes. The squadron provided fighter cover for the fleet, escorted bomber strikes against Japanese targets, and conducted fighter sweeps to destroy enemy aircraft on the ground. Alongside squadrons like VF-33, VF-37 was part of the carrier air power that won the Pacific War.

Aircraft: The Grumman F6F Hellcat

The Grumman F6F Hellcat compiled a 19:1 kill ratio against Japanese aircraft,the highest of any fighter in the Pacific Theater. Between its combat debut over Marcus Island on August 31, 1943, and VJ-Day, Hellcat pilots claimed 5,223 aerial victories, accounting for 56 percent of all Navy and Marine air-to-air kills. Armed with six .50-caliber Browning machine guns and capable of carrying 2,000 pounds of ordnance, the F6F was equally lethal in air combat and ground attack.

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