Fighter Squadron 40 (VF-40) WW2

Fighter Squadron 40 (VF-40) 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 Lexington (CV-16) as part of Carrier Air Group 40, VF-40 was one of the US Navy fighter squadrons that secured American control of the Pacific skies during World War II.

Aboard USS Lexington

USS Lexington (CV-16), the "Blue Ghost," earned 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation during World War II. Named to honor the Lady Lex sunk at Coral Sea, the new Lexington was reported sunk by Tokyo Rose so many times that the Japanese propagandist gave up trying,earning her the nickname Blue Ghost. She served from the Gilberts through the final strikes on Japan. Today she is a museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas.

VF-40 deployed aboard USS Lexington 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-19 Satan's Kittens, VF-40 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.

The pilots of VF-40 earned their place in history. Honor them with authentic Navy squadron gear.