USMC VMSB-231 Ace of Spades, Marshall Islands, 1944
12-1/2" Long - 15-3/4" Wide
VMSB-231 nicknamed the "Ace of Spades" had the oldest insignia in the Marine Corps dating back to WWI. Based in the Marshall Islands from 1944 – 45 the squadron operated from Majuro Atoll. Their mission was to bomb the smaller islands in the chain that had initially been by-passed. Maj. Elmer Glidden and M/Sgt James Boyle flew SBD-5 "White 1". Major Glidden was the services leading dive-bomber pilot having flown SBD's at Midway and Guadalcanal. On Majuro he flew another 77 combat dives for a war total of 104.