VMF(AW)-114

Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron 114
VMF(AW)-114 Insignia
Active	July 11, 1943 – July 1, 1963
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Fighter squadron
Role	Air interdiction
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	Death Dealers
Tail Code	LK later EK
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Peleliu
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F4U Corsair F9F-8 Cougar F2H Banshee F4D Skyray

Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron 114 (VMF(AW)-114) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps during World War II and continued in service until their deactivation in July 1965 . Known as the “Death Dealers”, they made their biggest mark providing close air support during the Battle of Peleliu and remain in an inactive status today.

Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron 114 was activated on July 11, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. They remained on the West Coast of the United States until August 1943 when they transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii. In Hawaii, they continued their training until moving to Midway Island on December 18, 1943. They returned to Ewa in February 1944 and in March they moved first to Espiritu Santo and the Green Island. While there, they flew strike missions against Japanese garrisons that had been bypassed in the Bismarck Islands.

The first major combat that VMF-114 took part in was the Battle of Peleliu. The squadron arrived on Peleliu on September 17, 1944 and provided most of the close air support (CAS) for Marine Corps forces during the course of the battle. They also provided the preparatory bombing and CAS for the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines when they assaulted Ngesebus during the battle. The terrain on the island, earlier judged unsuitable for anything but the costliest and most difficult advances, was made passable with the aid of preparatory fire-scouring by napalm bombs from 114. MajGen William H. Rupertus, the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division on Peleliu would say following the battle that the air support provided during the campaign was, "executed in a manner leaving little to be desired. Following the battle, they remained based on the island again assuming the role of attacking bypassed Japanese garrisons in the vicinity of the western Caroline Islands. The squadron remained in the area until they ceased combat operations on June 1, 1945.