VMSB-341

Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 341
VMSB-341 Insignia
Active	February 1, 1943 - September 13, 1945
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Dive Bomber squadron
Role	Reconnaissance Air Interdiction Close air support
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	Torrid Turtles
Engagements	World War II * Philippines campaign (1944–45)
Aircraft flown
Bomber	SBD Dauntless

Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 341 (VMTB-341) was a torpedo dive bomber squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Torrid Turtles”, fought in World War II with Marine Aircraft Group 24, most notably in the Philippines campaign (1944–45). They were deactivated shortly after the end of the war on September 13, 1945.

Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 341 (VMSB-341) was commissioned on February 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The squadron moved to Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Atlantic, North Carolina on May 31, 1943 but returned to MCAS Cherry Point on August 1.

The squadron departed for the South Pacific and its flight echelon arrived at Pago Pago on October 6, 1943. Beginning in December 1943, the squadron was part of Strike Command and operated out of airfields on Efate, Munda and Bougainville. During this time, they flew strikes against bypassed Japanese bases in the Solomon Islands including Rabaul. On June 24, 1944, the squadron moved to Emirau Island. They moved again to Green Island in July 1944.

On December 9, 1944, Marine Aircraft Group 24 was ordered to begin its deployment to the Philippines from the Solomon Islands. For the flight echelon, their move meant a long, over-water endurance flight. For the ground echelon, it meant a miserably long sea voyage. VMSB-341 undertook such a move. The ground element left its Solomons base on December 17, and its official history records the tortuous month on board ship that followed: