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For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a fighter plane in Marine Nignt Fighting Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY THREE in action against enemy japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Group, on the nights of 9 June, 16 June and 13 July 1945. Courageous and aggressive while engaged in combat air patrol, Captain Baird skillfully employed his radar to make contact with an enemy reconnaissance plane on 9 June and striking quickley and furiously at low attitude, destroyed the hostile plane. again, on combat air patrol on the night of 16 June intercepted an enemy bomber and pressing home a determined run, shot down the hostile plane. later, on the same night by making use of his radar, he established contact with another plane and shot it down. Captain Baird's fourth kill came during the period of night of 13 July when, after establishing radar contact with an enemy bomber, he fearlessly closed in and firing bursts from all six guns, shot down the hostile aircraft. his courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Marine Aircraft Group 32 was commissioned on 1 February 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. They trained there until January 1944 when they moved to the West Coast to prepare for follow on movement to the South Pacific. The group next went to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii where they remained until October 1944. November saw them move to Emirau as they prepared to support the campaign to recapture the Philippines.
MAG-32 arrived on Mangaldan on 27 January 1945 where they became part of Marine Air Groups, Dagupan (MAGSDAGUPAN) along with Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24). MAGSDAGUPAN fell under neath the 308th Bombardment Wing of the United States Army Air Forces which was supporting the 6th Army on Luzon. Portions of the group went ashore with the assault troops on Zamboanga on 10 March 1945. Two days later they were operating out of an expeditionary airfield. During this time they became part of Marine Air Groups Zamboanga (MAGSZAM) along with Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Air Warning Squadron 4 (AWS-4). The SBD Dauntless aircraft of MAG-32 arrived on 23 March and began providing close air support. The first major operation that they supported was the landing of the 41st Infantry Division on Jolo Island on 9 April. Forty four dive bombers from MAG-32 were directed against Japanese positions by tactical air control parties. The group also went on to cover amphibious landing on the islands of Parang-Cotabato, Sibago, Macajalar and Sarangani.
MAGSZAM was finally dissolved on 30 August 1945. During the recapture of the Philippines beginning in January 1945, MAG-32 and MAG-24 would fly a total of 8,842 combat sorties and drop more than 19,000 bombs as part of the Fifth Air Force in support of the Sixth Army.
Following the end of World War II, MAG-32 participated in the occupation of Northern China. The group returned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in June 1946 and was deactivated in April 1947 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.
Korean War
Was active for about seven years into the Korean War. Key role was the bombardment of a North Korean held air base Inchon.
Vietnam War to the 1990s
The last two Marine Corps OA-4M Skyhawks, which were from MAG-32, flew their last flight from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to NAS Patuxent River on 6 July 1990.
