This publication traces the history of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 from its commissioning in 1943 through warfare in the Pacific in World War II, three years of combat action in the Korean War, intensive involvement in Vietnam, and a number of significant peacetime accomplishments during the 1980s. The history was prepared from command diaries and chronologies, published works covering the major periods of conflict, and personal papers, letters, and the recollections of Marines who were personally involved. The history ofVMFA-323 was written to provide an account of important events covering the more than 40 years of the squadron's continuous active service. From its commissioning in 1943 through action in the Pacific, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the inter-war periods, the "Death Rattlers" can be seen to have served with distinction.