Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533 was first organized as FMF(N)-533 (Marine Night Fighter Squadron) on 1 October 1943 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. It was the third such squadron of night fighters to be organized by the Marine Corps in World War II, and flew the F6F-3N "Hellcat: as its first assigned aircraft.

In April 1944, the squadron reached the West coast and embarked on the USS Long Island. On the 6th day of May, it arrived at Eniwetok and reported to MAG-22. Since MAG-22 was stationed at Engebi, this meant that VMF(N)-533 would operate entirely independent of the group, except for administrative purposes.

On May 14, 1945, VMF(N)-533 flew fifteen "Hellcats" to Yontan Airfield in Okinawa, and was attached operationally to MAG-31 though still under administrative control of MAG-22.

First blood for the squadron was scored by 1st Lt. Robert M. Wilhide, USMCR when he splashed a "Betty" during the early hours of May 16, 1945. Lt. Wilhide was also the first and only pilot casualty of the squadron. On May 17, he made contact with two enemy bombers approaching Iwo Shima. Warned that friendly A.A. could be expected, he refused to turn off and was not heard from again.

Three "Bettys" were shot down by 1st Lt. Rogert E. Wellwood, USMC, the night of May 18, 1945. Six nights later, 1st lt. Albert F. Dellamano, USMCR flamed three bombers in one engagement. During June 1945, Capt. Robert Baird, USMCR shot down five enemy planes to become the one and only marine night fighter Ace in World War II. In July, he bagged another bomber. By the war's end, VMF(N)-533 had shot down more enemy aircraft than any other Marine Night Fighter Squadrons, and all by radar contact.

From October 1945 to January 1947, the squadron was stationed with MAG-24 in Peiping, China with F7F-3N "Tigercat". During the Korean conflict the squadron trained aircrews for the night fighter squadrons in Korea.

In may 1953, the squadron turned in the F7F "Tigercats" and received the radar equipped F2H-4 "Banshee" and redesignated as marine Fighter Squadron 533(VMF-533).

In June, VMF-533 carrier qualified aboard the USS LAKE CHAMPLIN. Following carrier qualifications, a detachment from the squadron went aboard the USS BENNINGTON for a short cruise. In September of the same year, the squadron participated in the National Air Show held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In the month of September 1956, VMF-533 carrier qualified aboard the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT and remained on board throughout October when it went board the USS SARATOGA for two months.

December 1956 found the squadron redesignated Marine All Weather Fighter squadron 533 (VMF(AW)-533) and still flying the F2H-4 "Banshee". May of 1957 brought another redesignation and another role to play in the Marine Corps Aviation. This time it was designated Marine Attack Squadron 533 (VMA-533) and was equipped with the F9F-8 "Cougar". Also in this year, 533 made two Mediterranean Cruises.

On August 19, 1959, MAJOR E.B. SUMERLIN JR., the squadron Commanding Officer at that time, flew the first flight of another newly acquired aircraft, the A4D "Skyhawk". On one deployment to Puerto Rico, the period of 12 June to 16 August 1962, VMA-533 became the first squadron to aerial refuel both going to and returning from Puerto Rico. While deployed in Puerto Rico, VMA-533 also became the first tactical squadron to host a reserve squadron on summer training outside the continental United States.

In January 1962, two pilots from VMA-533 set the endurance record for the A4D "Skyhawk". The total time airborne was 8 hours and 25 minutes. During 1963, VMA-533 has performed numerous flight demonstrations for the public and certain high officials of the government. In May 1963, the squadron demonstrated the capabilities of the A4D with the Fleet Marine Force for the President of the United States.

The beginning of 1965, the squadron was starting to prepare for a new role in marine Aviation, that of an All Weather Attack Squadron. Ground personnel were sent week after week to the Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia for training on the complicated system of the new aircraft, the A6A "Intruder". Naval Flight Officers joined the squadron and were sent to such places as NAS Whidbey island, Washington and the NAS Sanford, Florida for preliminary training as Bombardier/Navigators, which the Marine Corps had not seen for almost two decades.

On 1 July 1965, the squadron was redesignated as Marine All Weather Attack squadron 533 (VMA(aw)-533) and authorized the A6A "Intruder" aircraft to replace the "Skyhawk" aircraft. On 28 August 1965, LtCol E.S. MALONEY, Commanding Officer of the squadron ferried the first A6A from the Grumman factory at Peconic, New York to Cherry Point. On 12 October the squadron transferred their "Skyhawk" aircraft to VMA-225 and began to concentrate their training on the A6A. By 2 November, the squadron received their twelfth A6A for a full complement of aircraft.

The primary mission of the Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533 is to attack and destroy surface targets day or night in any kind of weather. This is done through the complicated radar system and the many "black boxes" that guide the aircraft to the target to deliver a wide assortment of ordinance. This could mean air to ground missiles or rockets, bombs, napalm and special weapons. The squadron also has the capability of operating from aircraft carriers and performing inflight refueling on its utilization of the A6A aircraft.

In April 1967, the 'Hawks" of 533 again took their place in combat, this time with the 1st MAW in the Republic of Vietnam. After one of the most successful transpacific flights ever flown, VMA(aw)-533 began launching missions against the enemy over North and South Vietnam. The squadron remained in the Republic of Vietnam until 5 October 1969. On this date 533 was detached from the 1st MAW and joined MAG-15 at Iwakuni, Japan.


Historical Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Washington, D.C. 20380
September 1970 Historical Division
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
Washington, D.C. 20380
September 1970