VF-12

Fighter Squadron 12
VF-12 F6F-5 on USS Randolph in 1945
Active	9 January 1943 – 17 September 1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Fighter
Engagements	World War II
Insignia
Identification symbol
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F6F-3/5 Hellcat

Fighter Squadron 12 or VF-12 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established on 9 January 1943, it was disestablished on 17 September 1945. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-12.

Operational history

VF-12 F6F-3 launches from USS Saratoga in 1943

VF-12 equipped with F6F-3 Hellcats formed part of Carrier Air Group 12 (CAG-12) and was assigned to USS Saratoga, flying aboard on 1 August 1943. CAG-12 supported the Battle of the Treasury Islands from October-November before the Saratoga returned to Pearl Harbor on 30 November.

In January 1944 CAG-12 rejoined the Saratoga and supported the later phases of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign and then carried out attacks against Japanese forces in the Indian Ocean before returning to Pearl Harbor in June.

In January 1945 VF-12 was assigned to USS Randolph and supported the Invasion of Iwo Jima and raids on the Japanese home islands.

Notable former members

• Joseph C. (Jumpin' Joe) Clifton
• Robert Dose
• Hamilton McWhorter
• Charles R. (Babe) Winterrowd

• Marvin Harper

See also

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