Date of Action: January 8, 2010
Base of Operations: A3
Division Assignment: Defense A37
VMF-251 launched from A3 at 2300 alongside the Damned in 6 P-39Qs, assigned to defend A37. Squadron formed into flights and assumed patrol north of objective.
At about 2315 alert of enemy aircraft on approach from W made by close-defense squadrons. VMF-251 turned south to intercept. Formations of Ju-88s with fighter escort spotted. VMF-251 engaged.
At 2319 Wyatt forced down 190A-8 and shot down second. Sidle shot down Ju-88, but damaged in collision and crashed at 2322. Second wave arrived. Trol shot down Ju-88 at 2323. Wyatt claimed third 190 at 2327. After assisting mopup of enemy strike, squadron regrouped and withdrew to A3 for rearm.
Bodie wrecked on landing, but recovered. Wyatt, Millsaps, Roche and Trol rearmed by 2337 and took off. Squadron released for free hunting. Wyatt ordered squadron W to draw attention away from follow-up strikes on objective to the W. Engaged by multiple 109s.
Trol shot down 109 at 0003. Wyatt shot down 109 at 0007. Millsaps shot down in head-on by 190 at 0010, and Trol crashed attempting to cover. Wyatt forced down 109 at 0010. Wyatt and Roche returned to A3 to rearm, completed at 0019. Returned to patrol W of 37
Wyatt and Roche sighted small group of 109s, but enemy showed limited interest in pressing engagement. Both sides withdrew after some maneuvering at distance but no shots fired. Wyatt and Roche returned to base by 0043.