{ { Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542
| image= VMFA-542 Squadron Insignia.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption= VMFA-542 Insignia
|dates= *March 6, 1944 - June 30, 1970
January 12, 1972 – present
|country=
|allegiance=
|branch=
|type= Multirole
|role= SEADStrikeAnti-Air WarfareSCARClose Air Support
|size=
|command_structure= Marine Aircraft Group 142nd Marine Aircraft Wing
|current_commander= LtCol Brian Hansell |garrison= Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point |ceremonial_chief= |colonel_of_the_regiment= |nickname= "Tigers" |patron= |motto= |colors=WH |colors_label=Tail Code |march= |mascot= |battles= World War II* Battle of OkinawaKorean WarVietnam War* Operation StarliteOperation Desert StormOperation Iraqi FreedomOperation Enduring Freedom* Operation Medusa|aircraft_attack= AV-8A HarrierAV-8B Harrier |aircraft_fighter= F6F HellcatF7F TigercatF3D-2 SkyknightF4D-1 SkyrayF-4B Phantom II |anniversaries= }}Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) is a United States Marine Corps Aviation fighter attack squadron transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II. VMFA-542 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).
Mission
Locate, attack and destroy surface targets, intercept and destroy enemy aircraft, and provide electronic warfare support.
History
World War II
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 was initially commissioned as Marine Night Fighter Squadron 542 (VMF(N)-542) on March 6, 1944, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Upon commissioning, the squadron was assigned the F6F Hellcat. They were relocated to San Diego, California, in mid-summer, 1944 in preparation for a move to the combat zone. Late in October, the squadron arrived at Ulithi, in the Caroline Islands and immediately began flying combat air patrols.
Later in 1944, VMF(N)-542 deployed to the Pacific theater. By early April 1945, most of the squadron had deployed to take part in the Battle of Okinawa. Night operations against the enemy began on April 15 with missions being flown from Yontan Airfield, Okinawa. Second Lieutenant Arcenaux was the first squadron pilot to down an enemy warplane with a night fighter on April 16, 1945. While stationed at Yontan, the Tigers were credited with destroying eighteen Japanese airplanes and carrying out rocket attacks on the Ryukyu Islands chain of Amami, Amami Ōshima, Tokunoshima, Kikai Shima, Miyako Jima, and Amami Gunto. For these actions the Tigers were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Between April and August 1945, Major Robert B. Porter and Captain Wallace E. Sigler became the first night fighter pilots to score their fifth victories on Okinawa. (Both had previous day victories; Capt. Robert Baird of VMFN-533 scored his fifth night kill on June 22.)
Following a short tour of occupation duty at Yokosuka, Japan, VMF(N)-542 was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. Training during this period was oriented towards night and all-weather fighter tactics and resulted in the squadron being re-designated Marine Night All-Weather Fighter Squadron 542 (VMF(AW)-542) in 1948.
Korean War
After receiving the new twin-engine, radar-upgraded F7F Tigercat, VMF(AW)-542 was ordered to Kimpo Airfield, South Korea in September 1950. From Kimpo, missions including close air support, air interdiction, and reconnaissance flights were conducted against the enemy in Korea.
Returning to El Toro, CA in March 1951, VMF(AW)-542 transitioned into the jet age by acquiring the F3D Skyknight. The "Skyknight" was the first carrier-borne jet night fighter. The Tigers used the F3D-2 to train pilots and Radar Intercept Officers for duty in Korea. During the Korean War, more enemy aircraft were destroyed by F3D's than by all other Navy types. The squadron remained at MCAS El Toro, and in June 1958 accepted the F4D Skyray (affectionately known as the "Ford").
Between August 1959 and November 1963, VMF(AW)-542 made two extended deployments to Atsugi, Japan. On November 2, 1963, the Squadron was re-designated Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542''') and began training in the F-4B Phantom in place of the F-6 Skyray.