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VMO-7

{{Short description|Observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps}}

{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Marine Observation Squadron 7

| image = {{center|No known insignia}}

| dates = 15 December 1944 – 16 November 1945

| country = United States

| branch = USMC

| type = Observation squadron

| garrison = Inactive

| battles = World War II
* Battle of Okinawa

}}

Marine Observation Squadron 7 (VMO-7) was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. They were active for a year and a half during which time they saw action during the Battle of Okinawa. The squadron was quickly deactivated following the end of the war.{{sfn|Sherrod|1952|pp=453}}

History

VMO-7 was commissioned on December 15, 1944 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. After a short period of training, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on February 27, 1945, sailing on board the British escort carrier HMS Ranee (D03).{{sfn|Sherrod|1952|pp=378}} Another two months of training in Hawaii saw the squadron depart Pearl Harbor on April 17, 1945, and sail for Okinawa. The squadron filtered onto the island from May 7-11 and quickly began flights spotting targets for III Amphibious Corps’ artillery. During the period between June 11-22 the squadron made 271 CASEVAC flights from a dirt strip in Naha taking 369 casualties{{sfn|Sherrod|1952|pp=378}} back to hospitals in the rear areas.{{sfn|De Chant|1947|pp=242}} VMO-7 aircraft were engaged in combat operations on Okinawa until June 21, 1945. During the battle, the squadron flew 300 combat hours without losing a pilot or plane.{{sfn|Sherrod|1952|pp=378}} The unit remained on the island for the rest of the war and was decommissioned on November 16, 1945.

Awards

See also

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Citations

{{Reflist}}

References

;Bibliography

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite book

| last = De Chant

| first = John A.

| title = Devilbirds - The Story of United States Marine Aviation in World War II

| publisher = Harper & Brothers

| year = 1947

| location = New York

}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Sherrod

| first = Robert

| year = 1952

| title = History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II

| url = https://archive.org/details/historyofmarinec00sher

| url-access = registration

| publisher = Combat Forces Press

| location = Washington, D.C.

}}

{{Refend}}

{{US Marine Corps navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vmo-7}}

Observation7

Category:Inactive units of the United States Marine Corps