The airstrip on Guadalcanal was started by the Japanese.
The Marines landed on August 9, captured the airfield
and using American and captured Japanese equipment
completed the construction.

On August 12th still lacking revetments, taxiways and
a good drainage system the field was named Henderson
Field in memory of Lofton Henderson a Marine dive-bomber
pilot who was killed at Midway.

The first aircraft to land at the new airfield was a
PBY Catalina, the personal aircraft of Admiral
John S. McCain flown by his aide W. S. Simpson.

Eight days later, the first Marine squadrons landed
and took up residence at Henderson Field.
VMF-223 led by Major John L. Smith landed with
19 F4F-4 Wildcats. One of these pilots was
Capt. Marion Carl who saw action at Midway.
Another veteran Marine pilot, Lt. Col. Richard
Mangrum brought in VMSB-232 with 12
SBD-3 Dauntless Dive Bombers.

This was the beginning of the "Cactus Air Force",
"Cactus being the radio code name for Guadalcanal.