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After Action Report
Marine Fighting Squadron 251


Date of Action: February 15, 2008
Base of Operations: CV-127
Division Assignment: Red Flight

Main body VMF-251 lifted from Task Group 127 at 2310 in F4U-1As, consisting of Maj. Wyatt, Lt. Santana, Capt. Morgan and Lt. Bodie. Second group rolled at 2325, Capt. MEF4UD and Lt. DeVice. Squadron ordered to provide escort to TBMs flown by Fighting 31.

Main body rallied Sector 8.19.9 with F4U-1As of LCA. Second group of 251 joined with VF-31 before rally point. Heavy fog limited visibility and prevented successful rendezvous of most escorts with TBMs.

At approximately 2335 VMF-251 and LCA ran into enemy strike group approaching Task Group 126 while at rally point. Morgan spotted enemy through break in cloud cover and 251 engaged. Morgan shot down a Bf 110 at 2339, and a second at 2342 before being shot down at 2343. Wyatt claimed Bf 110 at 2341, another at 2343, and one Bf 109 at 2344. Santana shot down one Bf 110 at 2342.

Second group led by MEF4UD successfully led VF-31 past engagement at 126, where MEF4UD downed one Bf 109. Remainder main body 251 turned to follow and made contact with strike force as low-cover at 15k. MEF4UD and DeVice maintained high-cover.

Solo Fw 190 sighted by strike force and engaged by MEF4UD and DeVice. MEF4UD downed the enemy at 2358.

Strike force broke out of heavy fog near end of flight path, but no sight of target task force. At least two groups of enemy aircraft sighted high and engaged. Wyatt shot down at 0009. DeVice shot down Fw 190 at 0010, shot down at 0012. Santana shot down 0012. Viper credited victory when enemy crashed at 0013, captured at 0013. MEF4UD successfully withdrew, landed at 0041.

Personnel Status
Maj. David Wyatt Shot Down
1st Lt. Jonathan Santana Shot Down
Capt. Charlie Morgan Shot Down
2nd Lt. Norwood Bodie Shot Down
Capt. MEF4UD Landed Safely
1st Lt. DeVice Shot Down


Equipment Status
6F 4U-1A 1 Recovered Safely
5 lost


Pilot Victories
Maj. David Wyatt 3
1st Lt. Jonathan Santana 1
Capt. Charlie Morgan 2
2nd Lt. Norwood Bodie 1
Capt. MEF4UD 2
1st Lt. DeVice 1