History 

Tailcodes 

History 

VMF(N)-543 was commissioned on 15. April 1944 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. On 2. July 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 MCAS El Centro, CA on  30. September 1944. More training ensued until they departed for MCAS Ewa, HI in January 1945. From MCAS Ewa the squadron was separated into 3 echelons. The assault echelon departed Hawaii on 22. February 1945 on board the AKA-53USS Achernar and APA-203 USS Meriwether. They steamed westward via Eniwetok, Ulithi, Palau, and Leyte, landing on Okinawa early 7. April 1945. The flight echelon arrived on Okinawa 9. April 1945 and the rear echelon caught up with the squadron on  1. May 1945.

During the Battle of Okinawa the squadron was attached to MAG-33 and flew from Kadena Airfield. They began flying tactical mission on 9. April 1945 and continued through 7. August 1945. During their time on Okinawa the Night Hawks were credited with shooting down 15 Japanese aircraft and 1 probable. Following the Battle of Okinawa the squadron moved to Awase Airfield where they would remain until the surrender of Japan. VMF(N)-543 would return to the states in January 1946 and be based at MCAS Miramar, CA. On 11. April 1946, as part of the post-war drawdown of forces, the squadron was deactivated.

After the war the squadron was reactivated as Marine Fighting Squadron 543 (VMF-543), a standard day fighter squadron at NAS Glenview, Illinois. The squadron was later designated Marine Attack Squadron 543 (VMA-543) but was deactivated on April 1, 1974 as part of the post-Vietnam War reduction in forces.