VP-42 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22) on 7 April 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 22 (VPB-22) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 2 (VP-MS-2) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 42 (VP-42) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 26 September 1969.
Operational history
7 April – 10 June 1944: VP-22 was established at NAAS Harvey Point, North Carolina, under the operational control of FAW-5, as a seaplane patrol squadron equipped with the PBM-3D Mariner. Ground and flight training continued at Harvey Point until 1 June 1944, when the squadron was relocated to NAS Key West, Florida, for training in Anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The course was completed on 10 June 1944, and the squadron returned to NAAS Harvey Point. 12–18 July 1944: The squadron received orders to NAS Alameda, California, in preparation for a trans-Pacific flight to the South Pacific. The midpoint landing area during the cross-country flight for most of the squadron was at Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas, where a temporary refueling and minor maintenance depot had been positioned. The last aircraft arrived at NAS Alameda on the 18th, and all hands engaged in aircraft maintenance and stowage of equipment/spares in the aircraft for use in the war zone. During the period of preparation for the trans-Pacific, the squadron came under the control of FAW-8. 25 August – October 1944: VP-22 ground personnel had departed on board ship in advance of the squadron flight crews. On the 25th the aircrews departed in elements of three for NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, with the last aircraft arriving a few days later. Upon arrival of the last aircrew, operational patrols in Hawaiian waters and combat training began, and continued through October 1944 under the operational control of FAW-2. 10 October 1944: VPB-22 was transferred to Parry Island seaplane base, Eniwetok, under the operational control of FAW-2. From this location the squadron conducted strikes against Japanese targets on Ponape and Wake Island. Dumbo (air-sea rescue) missions were carried out on an as-needed basis in the vicinity of the combat zone. 30 November 1944: The squadron was relocated to Kossol Passage, Palau, under the operational control of FAW-1. Daily sector searches and Dumbo missions were assigned. 22 January 1945: VPB-22 was relocated from Palau to Ulithi Atoll, in the Carolines island group. Tender support was provided by . The squadron was assigned duties of long-range flights and night ASW patrols. 7 March – 4 May 1945: The squadron again took part in bombing raids on the Japanese-held island of Yap. Reconnaissance patrols were conducted daily in the vicinity of Nugla Island. Four more bombing missions were carried out against Yap through 17 April 1945. On 4 May 1945, administrative and operational control of the squadron was transferred to FAW-18. 25 May – 1 June 1945: VPB-22 was temporarily withdrawn from combat and patrol missions for training in use of the Sonobuoy for ASW patrols. On 1 June 1945, the squadron completed its training and recommenced long-range reconnaissance and ASW patrols. 23 June 1945: The squadron relocated to Saipan and based ashore as transients pending transfer to Eniwetok. During this interval USS Cumberland Sound steamed from Ulithi to Eniwetok. 25 June 1945: Six crews and aircraft were detached as an advance party to Parry Island, Eniwetok, under FAW-2. Duties consisted of long-range patrols around the clock. The remainder of the squadron joined the detachment at Parry Island on 30 June 1945, with all hands aboard the tender USS Cumberland Sound. The squadron was assigned long-range flights and night ASW missions through August. 7 August 1945: VPB-22 was transferred back to Saipan, and again went ashore into transient quarters, pending further transfer. On 9 August an advance party of six aircraft proceeded to Chimu Wan, Okinawa. The remainder of the squadron arrived on by 19 August and shifted to quarters aboard the recently arrived USS Cumberland Sound. On 16 August the squadron moved from Cumberland Sound to . 1 September 1945: The squadron commenced operations from Chimu Wan, Okinawa, conducting long-range patrols along the coastlines of Japan and China. These operations were halted on 16 September, when the squadron was relocated to NAS Sangley Point, Philippines, to avoid a tropical storm. 23 September 1945: USS Norton Sound had steamed ahead to Sasebo, Japan, when the squadron moved temporarily to the Philippines. On the 23rd, VPB-22 flew to the harbor of the former Imperial Japanese Navy base at Sasebo, where Norton Sound was at anchor.