Editing VMFA-232 (section)

===The early years===
[[File:Boeing FB-5(2).jpg|thumb|left|FB-5 with VF-3M insignia]]
VMFA-232 can trace its lineage back to '''VF-3M''', which was commissioned on 1 September 1925, at [[Naval Air Station San Diego]], [[California]].<ref name="sam p1">Sambito 1978, p. 1.</ref> Originally equipped with [[Vought VE-7]]s, the squadron received three of the new [[Boeing Model 15|Boeing FB-1s]] in the first part of 1926, allowing them to operate one division of modern aircraft while retaining the older VE-7s for training purposes. With the [[Chinese Civil War|civil war in China]] threatening American interests, it was decided to deploy U.S. forces and in November and December 1926, seven additional FB-1s were transferred to VF-3M from [[VF-1M]] and [[VF-2M]] on the east coast, bringing the squadron's complement to 10 FB-1s. As diplomacy and planning was taking place on the international level, the squadron concentrated on familiarizing itself with their new aircraft and training the influx of new pilots.

On 7 April 1927, VF-3M departed [[San Diego]] bound for [[China]] on the transport {{USS|Henderson|AP-1|6}}, but upon arrival, no airfield was available for operations. After waiting in the [[Philippines]] for almost two months, the squadron returned to China and eventually operated from airfields at [[Tianjin|Tientsin]] and [[Hsin-Ho]], where they supported the 3rd Brigade. Shortly after setting up camp and starting flight operations, the squadron was redesignated '''VF-10M''' on 1 July 1927, the first of many changes in designation caused by the reorganization of naval aviation assets. The mission to China demonstrated that Marine Aviation was vital to the expeditionary role Marine forces were called on to perform and the squadron performed photography, mapping and [[reconnaissance]] missions while deployed. Another change in designation occurred while the squadron was still in China, when on 1 July 1928, the squadron was redesignated '''VF-6M'''. With its mission in China completed, the squadron withdrew on 3 October 1928, arriving back at San Diego on 31 October 1928, after stops at [[Guam]] and [[Hawaii]].<ref name="sam p1-2">Sambito 1978, pp. 1–2.</ref>

[[File:F4B VB-4M NAN9-58.jpg|thumb|left|A VB-4M F4B-4 in 1933-35.]]

With its return to San Diego, most of the squadron's personnel were transferred to other units and the next year was spent re-organizing and training new personnel as they arrived. In addition to new pilots, several [[Boeing Model 15|Boeing FB-5s]] were assigned to the squadron in 1929, the last of the in-line aircraft to be used by Marine squadrons. On 1 July 1930 the squadron was again re-designated, this time reverting to '''VF-10M''', but the most noticeable change was the replacement of the FB-5s with [[F6C Hawk|Curtiss F6C-4s]], the first radial engine fighters the squadron would be assigned. The squadron would operate the F6C-4s for over two years and be awarded the Herbert H. Schiff Cup for aviation safety before they were replaced by factory-fresh [[Boeing P-12|Boeing F4B-4s]] in late 1932, the most advanced biplane fighter in service at that time.

[[File:SBD-1 VMB-2 1940.jpg|thumb|VMB-2 was equipped with the first Douglas SBD-1s in 1940]]

In 1932, it was determined that Marine Aviation should be provided with two light bombing squadrons, and on 1 July 1933, VF-10M became '''VB-4M''', and was re-equipped with [[Boeing P-12|Boeing F4B-3s]], a move considered a step back by members of the squadron. Participation in the Los Angeles National Air Races and annual Fleet Exercises were part of the routine that marked the squadron's activity in the early 1930s. In 1935, the squadron received 16 [[Great Lakes BG|Great Lakes BG-1s]], large two-place dive bombers that would equip the squadron for over five years.

On 1 July 1937, Marine aviation was completely reorganized to conform to Navy requirements, and VB-4M became '''VMB-2'''. Still flying the BG-1, the squadron continued to take part in the annual Fleet Exercises, and in December 1940, the squadron began receiving the new [[SBD Dauntless|Douglas SBD-1]], the first mono-plane in Marine Corps service. Arrival of the SBD also marked the first time that the Red Devil insignia was not carried on the squadron's aircraft, even though it was authorized to do so.