Officially Licensed USMC VMFA(AW)-332 Moonlighters Leather Patches — 109,000 Mishap-Free Hours and a Legacy That Still Shines
The Moonlighters held the longest streak of mishap-free flight hours for any tactical jet squadron in Marine Corps history. That's not luck. That's professionalism.
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 (VMFA(AW)-332) — the 'Moonlighters' — was one of the most decorated and professionally distinguished squadrons in United States Marine Corps aviation history. Commissioned in June 1943 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, as Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 332, the squadron flew SBD Dauntless dive bombers in World War II, providing escort and air cover for surface craft at Midway Island. Recommissioned in 1952, VMA-332 flew F4U Corsairs from USS Bairoko during the Korean War — one of the few Marine squadrons operating from a carrier in that conflict. The famous polka-dot insignia with top hat and cane originated during this period. The squadron transitioned to the A-6 Intruder in 1968 and flew the Intruder for 25 years before being redesignated VMFA(AW)-332 and transitioning to the F/A-18D Hornet in 1993. The Moonlighters deployed to Aviano, Italy, in 1994-1995 for Operations Deny Flight and Provide Promise over Bosnia, leading what was then the largest NATO air strike against Udbina Airfield. In 1999, they flew 120 combat sorties over Yugoslavia during Operation Allied Force, expending 175,000 pounds of ordnance, and became one of the first squadrons configured for JDAM. The Moonlighters deployed to Iraq in 2005 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, participating in nine named operations and expending over 160,000 pounds of ordnance. At the time of their deactivation in March 2007, they held the record of 109,000 mishap-free flight hours — the longest streak of any tactical jet squadron in Marine Corps history. These leather patches carry the Moonlighters' extraordinary legacy.
Perfect For: VMFA(AW)-332 Moonlighters Marines past and present, F/A-18D Hornet and A-6 Intruder community veterans, MCAS Beaufort and MAG-31 personnel, and anyone who served with one of the most professional squadrons in Marine aviation.
