| Unit Name: | Fighting Squadron 42 |
| Dates: | May 1928 - 22 June 1942 |
| Country: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Type: | Fighter |
| Battles: | World War II |
| Aircraft Fighter: | SBU-1 F4F-3 Wildcat |
Fighting Squadron 42 or VF-42 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as Scouting Squadron 1B (VS-1B) in May 1928, it was redesignated as VS-1S in 1930, redesignated as VS-1B in 1931, redesignated as VS-41 on 1 July 1937, redesignated as VF-42 on 15 March 1941 and disestablished on 22 June 1942. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-42.[1]
VS-1B was assigned to the in the 1930s.
In December 1941 VF-42 was embarked on for deployment to the Pacific Theatre.[2] VF-42 shot down 25 Japanese aircraft until the squadron was disestablished following the sinking of the Yorktown on 7 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway.[2]