VF-80
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Fighter Squadron 80
| image = File:F6F Hellcat of VF-80 is launched from USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) in 1944.jpg
| caption = VF-80 F6F launches from {{USS|Ticonderoga|CV-14|6}} in 1944
| dates = 1 February 1944 – 16 September 1946
| country = United States
| allegiance =
| branch = United States Navy
| type = Fighter
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| nickname = Vorse's Vipers{{cite web |first = P.D. | last = Fleming | title=VF-80 Unit History |work= Fold3 |date=15 December 1945|accessdate=5 May 2016 |url=https://www.fold3.com/image/1/302055605| publisher = Ancestry.com |url-access=subscription }}{{rp|3–9}}
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| battles = World War II
| aircraft_fighter = F6F-5 Hellcat
| anniversaries =
}}
Fighter Squadron 80 or VF-80 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established on 1 February 1944, it was disestablished on 16 September 1946. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated VF-80.{{cite vf lineage|access-date=6 October 2016}}
Operational history
VF-80 equipped with the F6F-5 Hellcat was assigned to Carrier Air Group 80 (CVG-80) on the {{USS|Ticonderoga|CV-14|6}}. From 5–14 November 1944, VF-80 attacked Japanese targets around the Philippines in support of the invasion of Leyte and conducted combat air patrols to protect the task group. Returning to action in late November, CVG-80 continued to hit targets in the Philippines until Ticonderoga retired to Ulithi for the Christmas holidays.
In early January 1945, CVG-80 struck airfields, shipping and industrial targets on Formosa and the Sakishima Islands in support of the invasion of Lingayen Gulf. On 21 January, Ticonderoga was hit by two Kamikazes and retired to Ulithi where CVG-80 was offloaded and VF-80 assigned to the {{USS|Hancock|CV-19|6}}.
On 16 February 1945, VF-80 participated in strikes against airfields and military installations on Honshu, also shooting down 71 Japanese aircraft—a single day record for carrier-based squadrons. {{cite news|title=Naval Officer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5287793/vorse_naval_officer_article_pt_ii/|newspaper=The Harrisburg Telegraph|date=22 October 1946|page=11|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = 16 May 2016}} {{free access}} {{cite news|title=Lt. John Carmody Twice Decorated For Sinking Japs|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6841913/lt_john_carmody_twice_decorated_for/|newspaper=Moberly Monitor-Index|date=8 May 1945|page=8|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = 30 September 2016}} {{free access}} VF-80 supported the invasion of Iwo Jima from 21 February and hit other Japanese targets until early March when it was relieved and returned to Ulithi.
See also
References
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Category:Strike fighter squadrons of the United States Navy
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