Main

531 Gray Ghost Squadron MCAA

'Grey Ghosts 1942-1985'

by William S Warren

This is the Homepage of the 531 Gray Ghost Squadron

of the

Marine Corps Aviation Association

A group of MARINES, and associates, who served in the United States Marine Corps Fighter Squadron 531(Grey Ghosts).

The squadron designations were: VMF(N)-531, VMF(AW)-531 and VMFA-531.

On 25 July 1942, the first Marine night-fighter squadron of 12 planes was authorized for 1 January 1943. Major Schwable was designated commanding officer of the squadron, which was numbered VMF(N)-531. Cherry Point was selected as the location for forming the squadron, a process that began on 1 October 1943.

The first aircraft accepted were the twin-engined Vega Ventura (PV-1, Navy designation). The squadron was commissioned at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC, on 16 November 1942. Lt. Col. Schwable had Major John D. Harshberger as his executive officer along with three other officers and forty-six enlisted men.