Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 231 (VMSB-231) WWII 1944

AKA; Ace of Spades

 

This page is dedicated to the men who served in the Marine Scout Bomber squadron 231. With the exception of the group photos, and the photos of himself, I believe most of the photos were taken by my father H.C. Van Valkenburg, who was at that time was a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Lt. Van Valkenburg completed flight school at Livermore California in June of 1943 and Navy Photo School in Pensacola, FL., in October 1943 and served as a reconnaissance and dive bomber pilot in the Marshal Islands. He flew 43 missions in the Marshall Islands between April 1944 and March 1945. During his service he received The Air Medal with five gold stars in lieu of successive Air Medals, and a Distinguished Flying Cross for missions in the Marshall Islands, including Jaulit, Mille, and Wotje Islands.

Click on photos links below to open photo galleries and more photos

The Aircraft

At the Ready

Ceremonial

Around the Camp

Happy Hour

Drawings
Photo Reconnaissance

 

Propoganda dropped to the Japanese soldiers

This leaflet was in my father's scrapbook

Translation:

ARE YOU EATING DELICIOUS RICE?

Your generals, politicians, and rich people are leading luxurious lives in your country.
They are eating fresh rice of 1942 or 1943, not rice grown in China. The rice they are eating is not
infested with bugs.They never eat OLD rice.

ARE YOU EATING GOOD RICE?

In what year was the rice grown? Does the rice you are eating stink?
They do not care at all what kind of rice you are eating.
You are dispensable.
Again, what year's rice are your superiors eating?

Do you understand the reason why you cannot eat together with them?
There are a lot of delicious foods and drinks in Japan, but these good foods are only for them.

ARE YOU EATING GOOD FOOD AND DRINKING GOOD SAKE OR BEER?

You are disposable.
Are you angry with us? We are telling the truth.. You know it is true.
That's why you are trying to forget your hunger by getting angry.
You have good reason to be angry and we feel so sorry for you.

And the ultimate consiquence for many

May the human race someday find no more reason for war

Questions or comments

 

page updated March 27, 2011