This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Ryan Mahana (Alcatraz)
to remember
Marine Capt Ledyard Bailey Hazlewood.
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Contact Info
Home Town Brooklyn
Last Address 8801 Shore Rd. Brooklyn, NY
MIA Date Nov 15, 1943
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Papua New Guinea
Location of Memorial Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
The squadron departed the United States on February 23, 1943, and was first sent to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii. During their time at MCAS Ewa they again transitioned aircraft, this time receiving the F4U Corsair. The squadron departed Hawaii on May 12 for Midway Atoll where they stayed for two months flying combat air patrols and escorting Allied shipping in the area. In mid-June 1942 they left Midway for the South Pacific. VMF-215 arrived on Espiritu Santo on July 1, 1943, and by the end of the month was taking part in fighter sweeps against Japanese bases in the northern Solomon Islands. On August 14, an F4U Corsair from VMF-215 was the first plane to arrive at the newly captured Munda airfield where they immediately began operating to cover the landings on Vella Lavella. Shortly thereafter the squadron pulled back to the rear for rest and relaxation. The squadronâ??s second combat tour began while they were based at Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella. From there they covered the landings at Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville, which began on November 1, 1943.
HAZLEWOOD, Ledyard B, CAPT, O-014469, USMC, from New Jersey, location Solomon Islands, date of loss November 15, 1943 + HAZLEWOOD, Ledyard B, Captain, O-014469, USMC, from New Jersey, Manila American Cemetery + HAZLEWOOD, Ledyard Bailey, 14469, VMF-215, MAG-14, 1st MAW, FMF, Solomon Is, November 16, 1944, killed in action + HAZLEWOOD, Ledyard B., 1st Lieutenant, USMCR. Father, Mr. Theodore T. Hazlewood, Jr., 8801 Shore Rd., Brooklyn, NY
Capt Ledyard Bailey Hazlewood, pilot, was declared Missing in Action on 15, Nov 1943.
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was activated and fought during World War II. Known as "The Fighting Corsairs", they fought in many areas of the Pacific War, including the Battle of Bougainville. During their four-and-a-half month tour, the squadron was credited with shooting down 137 enemy aircraft, fourth most in Marine Corps aviation history.
Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron was deactivated on November 13, 1946 . The squadron was reactivated in the Marine Forces Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Olathe, Kansas until its deactivation on January 30, 1970.