VF-8 (1941–1942) explained

Unit Name:	Fighting Squadron 8
Dates:	2 September 1941 – 28 August 1942
Country:	United States
Branch:	United States Navy
Command Structure:	Inactive
Equipment:	F4F Wildcat
Equipment Label:	Aircraft
Battles:	World War II

Fighting Squadron 8 or VF-8 was an aviation unit of the U.S. Navy. It was originally established 2 September 1941 and disestablished on 28 August 1942.^[1]

Operational history

VF-8 was deployed as part of Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the . Initially equipped with the F4F-3 Wildcat, in February 1942 VF-8 reequipped with the F4F-4 at Naval Air Station Alameda while the Hornet embarked the 16 B-25B Mitchell medium bombers to be used in the Doolittle Raid.^[2]

During the Battle of Midway 10 VF-8 F4Fs were forced to ditch due to lack of fuel while searching for the Japanese fleet. Two of the pilots were lost at sea.^[3] Following the battle in June 1942 Hornet returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor where VF-8 was disembarked and replaced by VF-72.^{[4] [5]}

Home port assignments

• NAS Alameda
• Naval Station Pearl Harbour

Aircraft assignment

• F4F-3/4 Wildcat

See also

• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• History of the United States Navy

Notes and References

1. 6 October 2016.
2. Book: Chun, Clayton. The Doolittle Raid 1942: America's First Strike Back at Japan. Osprey Publishing. 2006. 9781841769189. 18. registration.
3. Web site: The List. National Naval Aviation Museum. 18 April 2016.
4. Web site: Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 9 Jul 1942. Naval History and Heritage Command. 19 April 2016.
5. Web site: Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 27 Aug 1942. Naval History and Heritage Command. 19 April 2016.