VMF-217

Marine Attack Squadron 217
VMF-217’s WWII Insignia
Active	1946-1964
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Fighter squadron
Role	Air interdiction Close air support
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	“Max’s Wild Hares”
Tail Code	7Z
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Iwo Jima
Aircraft flown
Attack	A-4 Skyhawk
Fighter	F4F Wildcat F4U Corsair F6F Hellcat

Marine Attack Squadron 217 (VMA-217) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was activated and fought during World War II. Known as “Max’s Wild Hares”, they fought in many areas of the Pacific War including the Battle of Iwo Jima. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron was deactivated on March 10, 1946. They were briefly reactivated as part of the Reserves but were again deactivated in 1964 and remain in an inactive status today.

VMF-217 was activated at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California on September 15, 1942. The squadron did the majority of its training on the F4F Wildcat as there was a shortage of F4U Corsairs. They remained there and trained until December 12, 1943 when they went to Naval Air Station North Island, only to be embarked on the USS Barnes (CVE-20) a week later for transit to the Pacific Theater. The squadron arrived on Espiritu Santo on January 5, 1944, and soon moved to Bougainville on January 28, 1944. Two days later the squadron began striking the bypassed Japanese garrison at Rabaul. The flight echelon returned to Espiritu Santo on March 19, 1944 and remained until June 1, 1944 when they embarked on the USS Santee (CVE-29), USS Cetus (AK-77) and a few other ships for a voyage to Guam.