SBD-1 Dauntless of VMB-2 in flight c1941

A U.S. Marine Corps Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless (BuNo 1697) of Marine Bombing Squadron 1 (VMB-1) in flight. Note the overall bare metal scheme with colorful tail, fuselage, and cowl markings. The SBD-1 1597 was written off on 15 March 1944.Among the first squadrons to receive the Dauntless in late 1940, VMB-2 was redesignated Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232 (VMSB-232) in 1941. The squadron suffered heavy aircraft losses during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and entered combat at Guadalcanal in August 1942 under the command of legendary Marine pilot Major Richard C. Mangrum. Later redesignated a Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron (VMTB), the squadron also participated in campaigns against Bougainville, Rabaul, and Okinawa.