Fighter Squadron 52 (VF-52) WW2

Fighter Squadron 52 (VF-52) flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat from USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) as part of the unprecedented expansion of US Navy air power during World War II. By 1945, the Navy had over 100 aircraft carriers in the Pacific,the most powerful naval air force ever assembled, and VF-52 was part of that force.

Aboard USS Bunker Hill

USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) earned 11 battle stars before being devastated by two kamikaze strikes off Okinawa on May 11, 1945. The first Zero crashed through the flight deck into the pilots' ready rooms; thirty seconds later, a second struck near the base of the island. The resulting fires and explosions killed 393 men and wounded 264,one of the deadliest attacks on any American warship during the war. Despite catastrophic damage, her crew saved the ship.

VF-52 served as part of Carrier Air Group 52 from 1944-1945, participating in the Philippines Campaign of 1944-1945, supporting General MacArthur's return to the islands while the fleet endured the first organized kamikaze attacks of the war. The squadron provided fighter cover for the fleet and struck Japanese military targets during Philippines Campaign and Okinawa Campaign.

Aircraft

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-52 earned their place in history. Honor them with authentic Navy squadron gear.