"Ace of Spades" Tee

• Unit: 1st Air Squadron / VMSB/VMTB-231

• Commissioned: February 1919 as 1st Air Squadron; re-designated as VMSB/VMTB-231 on July 15, 1941

• Decommissioned: March 20, 1946

• Nickname: Ace of Spades Squadron

• Insignia Artist: Gen. Hayne Boyden USMC (ret.)

• Date of Insignia: 1921

• Aircraft Employed: Initially JN-4D Jenny, DH-4B Liberty; later SBD-1, SBD-3, SBD-4, SBD-5, TBF-1, TBM-1, SBD-6, SB2C-4

• Remarks: The Ace of Spades Squadron's history represents a significant chapter in Marine Corps aviation. Starting as 1st Division, Squadron D, flying JN-4D Jenny in 1919, it evolved into VMSB/VMTB-231, employing a range of bomber and torpedo aircraft during World War II. The Ace of Spades insignia, conceptualized by Boyden, symbolizes the squadron's status as the first in Marine aviation, with the 'A' and 'S' representing "Air" and "Squadron."

• Images:

  1. Ace of Spades squadron formation flying. Ace of Spades insignia is located on the fuselage forward of the tail section. NAS San Diego, 1926.

  2. Parachute jump from Ace of Spades squadron aircraft, parachute just opening. NAS San Diego, 1926.

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