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===Korean War=== [[File:Vought F4U-4 Corsairs of VMF-212 on deck of USS Rendova (CVE-114), in 1951.jpg|thumb|266x266px|VMF-212 F4U-4s on {{USS|Rendova}} in 1951]] [[File:VMF-212 Korea Logo.jpg|left|thumb|140px|Squadron logo during the Korean War]] VMF-212, with no nickname since its reactivation in 1946, was one of the first squadrons sent to Far East at the outbreak of the war. They remained in [[Japan]] until Marines were able to capture [[Kimpo Airfield]] after the [[Battle of Inchon]]. The squadron finally touched down in [[Korea]] on 18 September 1950 and were flying their first Corsair F4U-5 strikes by 20 September. The squadron was later moved to Wonson, North Korea late October 1951 than onto [[Yonpo Airfield]] in [[North Korea]] as the [[United Nations]]' forces continued their advance in the early winter of 1950. The squadron adopted the name "Devil Cats" and a new patch was designed by Roy Irwin, depicting a Devil Cat clutching a Two-Step serpent in its mouth on a red shield. After the Chinese counterattack in late November 1950, VMF-212 aircraft flew almost continuous [[close air support]] missions supporting the [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] as they fought their way out of encirclement during the [[Battle of Chosin Reservoir]] while being stationed afloat aboard the {{USS|Bataan|CVL-29}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Simmons|first=Edwin H.|title=Frozen Chosin US Marines at the Changjin Reservoir|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Frozen%20Chosin%20US%20Marines%20at%20the%20Changjin%20Reservoir%20%20PCN%2019000410000.pdf|publisher=Marine Corps University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Condon|first=John P.|title=U.S. Marines in the Korean War|url=https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/U.S.%20Marines%20in%20the%20Korean%20War%20%20PCN%2010600000100_27.pdf|website=US Marine Corps}}</ref> The squadron operated from the USS ''Bataan'' until 5 March 1951. VMF-212 moved to being land based at K3 Pohang, South Korea. A [[Grumman F9F Panther]] BuNo 123520 belonging to VMF-212 was destroyed by fire from other aircraft at K-3 in Korea July 30, 1951.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos--Third Series (120342 to 126256)|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries13.html|access-date=2020-09-29|website=joebaugher.com}}</ref> The squadron left Korea in the spring or summer of 1951 and returned to Cherry Point NC. Those personnel who had extended enlistments transferred to VMF 214 at another Korean base. VMA-212's F4U Corsairs were replaced by upgraded AU-1 Corsairs in 1952. The AU-1 Corsair had armor plate around the cockpit and the oil coolers that were moved up to behind the engine. The squadron dropped more ordnance during the Korean War than any other Marine Corps squadron.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Meid|first1=Pat|last2=Yingling|first2=James|title=U.S. Marine Operations in Korea Vol 5 1950 - 1953|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/U_S_%20Marine%20Operations%20in%20Korea%20Vol%205%201950%20-%201953%20%20PCN%2019000264000.pdf|publisher=Marine Corps University|quote=During 24β30 June (1953) when the Chinese again concentrated their attention on ROK divisions in the UNC line. Peak operational day was 30 June. Marine squadrons alone executed 301 sorties, including 28 percent of the CAS and 24 percent of total FAF interdiction missions. It was also an outstanding day for MAG-12 which 'outdid itself by flying 217 combat sorties against enemy forces. The 30th of this month saw MAG-12 establish a new ordnance record when an all-time high of 340 tons of bombs and napalm were dropped on North Korea. Contributing heavily to this accomplishment was Marine Attack Squadron 121. It unleashed 156 tons of ordnance, a squadron record. It was believed this also established an all-time record for tonnage expended on the enemy by a Marine single-engine propeller squadron.'}}</ref> The AU-1 Corsair had an additional center bomb rack which carried a {{cvt|2,000|lb}} bomb until the rough [[Marston Matting]], which was laid over the old pock-marked Japanese landing strip at K-6, caused the center bomb rack to break off. The AU-1 Corsair could carry a {{cvt|2,000|lb}} bomb on its center rack, two {{cvt|1,000|lb}} bombs on the wing root bomb racks and {{cvt|100|or|260|lb}} bombs on its wing racks. It struggled up to enemy territory at approximately {{convert|140|kn}}. After releasing its bombs, the AU-l again became a fast fighter in close support of the front lines and a fighter capable of up to {{convert|600|kn}} in a dive. Colonel [[Robert Galer]], a Marine Corps Ace from World War II, was the Commanding Officer of MAG-12 in 1952, when he was shot down behind enemy lines and protected by VMF-212 pilots until rescued by a Marine Corps helicopter. VMF-212 lost ten pilots in Korea.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}} On 9 June 1952, VMF-212 was re-designated VMA-212. [[File:FJ-4B of VMA-212 on USS Oriskany (CVA-34) 1960.jpg|alt=VMA-212 (WD) FJ-4B on USS Oriskany (CV-34)|thumb|VMA-212 (WD) FJ-4B on [[USS Oriskany (CV-34)]] 1960|left|256x256px]]
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