Marines Air WWII
USMC, Bombing Squadron 613 (Lieutenant) Coveralls:
VMB-613 was commissioned on 1 October 1943 at Cherry Point, NC. The squadron transferred to Boca Chica, FL in February 1944 for torpedo and technical training. Returning to Cherry Point, NC 22 March 1944, the Squadron remained there till early August 1944when a move to Newport, AR was effected. The flight echelon departed 21 October 1944 for San Diego, CA then embarked aboard the USS Tulagi for Ewa, arriving 4 November 1944. The ground echelon arrived and joined the flight echelon in San Diago, CA, On 3rd December 1944 but sailed for Kwajalein a week later aboard the USAT George W. Julian. From Ewa, the flight echelon flew to Kwajalein and was joined by the ground echelon on 23 December 1944.
The operations in the Marshalls began in January 1945 against Wotje, Maleolap, Jaluit, and Mille. On 11 January 1945, the forward echelon moved to Eniwetok, conducting antisubmarine patrols in support of the invasion bound for brought to Iwo Jima. Following the assignment, including strikes on Ponape, the forward echelon rejoined the remainder of the squadron on Kwajalein by 13 March 1945.
In mid-May 1945 an advanced echelon flew to Iwo Jima to conduct anti-shipping patrol operations with VMB-612. Failing to locate any suitable targets, the advanced echelon returned to Kwajalein on 31 March 1945. Where the squadron remained till the end of the war. VMB-613 was decommissioned at Miramar, CA. (Now Top-Gun for the Navy) on 21 November 1945 following the squadron’s return to the United States.
The Leutnant wears the standard USMC Coveralls as part of his flight gear. The island climate was hot and found air-crews wearing as little as possible even while in the air, as they operated at lower altitudes most all the time. He wore an inflatable life vest under his parachute harness. Often carries his issue pistol, likely a 38 revolver and K-Bar knife as well as a pistol belt, with a canteen and first aid kit. Standard ‘Boondocker’ rough-out boots were common footwear. what appears to be a woolen green aviator cap, had the EGA on the front left side of it.
