The Men of VMSB-333

A Marine by Monday is packed full of original, never-before-seen photos taken by M.B. Hamby. Through the lens of his camera, it is clear that M.B. regarded his fellow Marines in VMSB-333 as a special group of men. His photo collection provides a visual timeline of their service, featuring images of the men smiling at the camera through all phases of their journey. It is truly a treasure!

While M.B.'s photos provide a beautifully photographed documentary, the squadron's book, Marine Scout Bombing Squadron, shares a written one. Compiled and written while serving in the South Pacific during World War II, page after page is filled with interesting details regarding everything from the basic squadron structure to the daily operations and management of the outfit.

Each squadron department- pilots, gunners, medical, commissary, communications, and more- is acknowledged and honored in their squadron book, each with its own documented accounts. Their experiences provide a unique (and often entertaining!) "behind the scenes" look into the challenges they faced.

In addition to photos and first-hand experiences, the squadron book also features rosters of each department serving at the time the book was written. Theses rosters include photos of each man, a humorous saying about him, and, in many cases, his mailing address.

The squadron was led by Commanding Officer Major Leon Williamson. A fresh-faced twenty-six-year-old, Major Williamson was a decorated leader with a keen awareness of the contributions he and his men were making to history. Not only did he lead a squadron that recognized the importance of preserving their accounts, but he also documented his own experience in several post-war interviews.

Major Leon Williamson stands in front of a tropical hotel entrance in Cuba

Col. Leon M. Williamson Commanding Officer VMSB-333

Col. Leon Williamson is an American World War II hero. He served with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-241, "Sons of Satan", as a pilot during the Battle of Midway.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Navy Cross for his courageous actions during the Battle of Midway. His first hand accounts of the Battle have been preserved and are available for viewing at the links below.

After the Battle of Midway he served in Guadalcanal and then went on to be Commanding Officer of VMSB-333. It was here that he met M.B., who served as Williamson's radio gunner.

Those Who Gave All

Throughout M.B.'s flight log and journal, are small tributes listing each man who died while serving with VMSB-333.

Five of the men were never recovered and are honored on the Courts of the Missing in Honolulu.

These men are:

Staff Sergeant Francis J. Hackett June 6, 1945
Corporal Lawrence E. Lavelle, June 6, 1945
Staff Sergeant Fredrick John Bacon, August 1, 1944
First Lieutenant Ralph Downing Fitzgerald, August 1, 1944
First Lieutenant Doran DeWitt Kemper, December 6, 1944

Those who were recovered and sent home to their families include:

First Lieutenant James G. VanDevender, December 5, 1943
First Lieutenant Raymond Haskell Jolly, November 22, 1944, Purple Heart Recipient
First Lieutenant Paul Johnson, Jr., May 16, 1945

If I have failed to list anyone, please contact me and let me know so I may research and add them.