VMA-543

Marine Attack Squadron 543
VMA-543’s insignia
Active	April 15, 1944 - April 11, 1946 unknown - April 1, 1974
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Attack Squadron
Role	Close air support Air interdiction
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	Night Hawks
Tail Code	VK
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Okinawa
Aircraft flown
Attack	A4L Skyhawk
Fighter	F6F-3N Hellcat F9F Cougar
Trainer	T-34B Mentor

Marine Attack Squadron 543 (VMA-543) was an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Night Hawks”, were part of the Marine Forces Reserve and were based at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois until their deactivation on April 1, 1974. Originally activated during World War II, they fought in the Battle of Okinawa as part of the Tactical Air Force. The squadron was credited with downing 15 Japanese aircraft during the war. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron was deactivated only to be later reactivated as part of the Reserves. They were again deactivated in 1974 and remain in an inactive status today.

VMF(N)-543 was commissioned on April 15, 1944 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. On July 2, 1943 the squadron commanding officer, Major Claude Carlson was killed when he developed hypoxia at high altitude in his F6F Hellcat due to a defective regulator. The Night hawks continued to train there through the summer until they moved to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California on September 30, 1944. More training ensued until they departed for Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii in January 1945. From MCAS Ewa the squadron was separated into 3 echelons. The assault echelon departed Hawaii on February 22 on board the USS Achernar (AKA-53) and USS Meriwether (APA-203). They steamed westward via Eniwetok, Ulithi, Palau, and Leyte, landing on Okinawa early April 7. The flight echelon arrived on Okinawa April 9 and the rear echelon caught up with the squadron on May 1, 1945.