Marine Aviation E96 Wings of the Corps: The Rise of Marine Aviation
In this episode, we follow how the Marine Corps went from doubting pilots to building one of the world’s deadliest air-ground teams. Aviation started as a sideshow and something most Marines didn’t take seriously. But by the 1930s, Marine pilots had revolutionized air tactics. Dive-bombing, close air support, and even aerial resupply all came from this period.
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The Marine Corps Gazette - Volume V. No3.
Pitcairn OP-1
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References:
Asprey, R.B., USMC. "Close Air Support” Army, v. 12, no. 4 (Nov 1961)
Board to Reexamine the Adequacy of Present Concept of Mission and Functions of the Marine Corps. An Evaluation of Air Operations Affecting the U. S. Marine Corps in World War II. Quantico, Virginia: Marine Corps Schools, 1945.
Chant, D. C. J. (1947). Devilbirds: The Story of United States Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1st ed.). Harper.
Fisher, E. F., & Weinert, R. P. (1963). Combat Data Concerning the Effectiveness of Close Air Support. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY (ARMY) WASHINGTON DC.
Keller, R. P. (1954). Trained for Support. Marine Corps Gazette, 38(5), 28–31.
Marine Aviation -- It Provides Air Support for the Corps Ground Forces. (1964). Navy, The Magazine of Sea Power, 7(6), 20–23.
Marine aviation in the Philippines. (1951). Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
McClure, G. C. (1962). Take Cover in the Air. Marine Corps Gazette, 46(4), 52–53.
Miller, J., & Heinl, R. D. (1965). Soldiers of the Sea: The United States Marine Corps, 1775–1962. Military Affairs, 29(2), 96. https://doi.org/10.2307/1983968
MajGenCmdt, Annual Report, 1913.
Order from MajGenCmdt to lstLt A . A. Cunningham, dtd 10 May 1912, Cunningham Bio File .
Pixton, A. G. (1953). Close Air Support in Amphibious Operations. Military Review, 23(5), 27–34.
Rowell, "Nicaragua Report, 1928" p. 254; Schilt 's Flight Log, (Collections Unit, Marine Corps Museum).
Sherrod, R. (2022). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1st ed.). Combat Forces Press.
The Chambers Board's findings are summarized in Turnbull & Lord, History of US Naval Aviation, pp. 33-34.
Tutton, M. R. (1961). Marine Corps Aviation. United States Naval Institute Proceedings, 87(5), 48–53.