VP-142 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 142 (VB-142) on 1 June 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 142 (VPB-142) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 142 (VP-142) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 14 June 1946.
Operational history
1 June 1943: VB-142 was established at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, as a medium bomber squadron flying the PV-1 Ventura. During the training period the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-6. 7–19 August 1943: VB-142 departed NAS Whidbey Island for NAS Alameda, California, where the squadron prepared its aircraft and equipment for shipment to NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. On 10 August, the squadron loaded its equipment, aircraft and personnel aboard . The squadron arrived at Naval Base Pearl Harbor on the 16th and proceeded to unload and assemble the aircraft for the short hop to NAS Kaneohe Bay, arriving there on 18 and 19 August 1943. 28 August – 11 December 1943: After a brief period of combat oriented training at NAS Kaneohe Bay, the squadron sent a detachment of six aircraft to Midway Island for experience in combat patrols and searches to the west and southwest in the direction of enemy-held Wake Island. A second detachment of four aircraft and six crews was sent to Johnston Atoll to maintain patrols. Upon return of the detachments to NAS Kaneohe Bay on 11 November, the squadron readied its aircraft for its deployment to the combat zone further south. On 11 December, shortly before departure to the South Pacific, the squadron suffered its first casualty during a training mission, when one of the planes crashed during a practice strafing run, killing all hands on board.