VMF-221

Marine Fighting Squadron 221
VMF-221 Insignia
Active	July 1941 - June 1945
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Fighter squadron
Role	Air interdiction
Nickname(s)	“Fighting Falcons”
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Midway * Battle of Guadalcanal * Battle of New Georgia
Commanders
Notable commanders	Floyd B. Parks

Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps in World War II. During the war, they flew the Brewster F2A-3, and after reconstitution in 1943, the F4U Corsair. The squadron, also known as the “Fighting Falcons”, is most notable for its actions on June 4, 1942, during the Battle of Midway, which resulted in 23 members of the squadron, many posthumously, being awarded the Navy Cross for their actions in combat. VMF-221 ended WW II with 185 air-to-air victories, the second most of any Marine Fighting Squadron in the war.

VMF-221 was formed in July 1941 in San Diego, California. In December of that year, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, they moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa in Hawaii. On December 25, 1941, fourteen Brewster F2A-3's landed on Midway Island after launching from the USS Saratoga. They were originally part of a relief force bound for Wake Island, but were diverted to Midway instead after the force was controversially recalled on 22 December 1941, Wake Island fell on the following day. On March 1, 1942, VMF-221, VMF-222, VMSB-241 and their headquarters units formed Marine Aircraft Group 22 commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ira B. Kimes.

The squadron’s first taste of combat came on March 10, 1942, when four of its pilots recorded the first aerial victory flying F2A-3's downing an enemy Kawanishi H8K "Emily" flying boat.