The Sundowners were commissioned in August 23, 1942 at San Diego and began forming up and started training as a Navy Fighter Squadron. On October 23, 1942 they embarked for transport to Hawaii aboard the USS CHENANGO (CVE-28). On 1 November, 1942 to 15 February 1943 they were in training at Maui. The Squadron picked up their nickname the SUNDOWNERS here. It shows two F4F-4 Wildcats sinking the rising Japanese Sun.

19 February - 13 July, 1943. First combat tour: Operation from shore bases in South Pacific. Left Pearl Harbor aboard the USS ALTAMAHA (CVE-18) and the USS LONG ISLAND (CVE-1) for Nandi in the Fiji Islands. After a period of training, moved forward to Guadalcanal, arriving 26 April, 1943. Combat air patrol on the 27th marked the beginning of a busy period in which the squadron flew scramble intercepts and escorted planes of VB and VT 11 on bombing missions. Began departure from Guadalcanal 1 July, 1943 to Espiritu Santo and on 1 August, departed for the United States on the USS CHENANGO (CVE-28).

In the brief but active tour, VF-11 accounted for 55 enemy aircraft definitely shot down with the loss of five pilots, but only one of these by enemy action. Six pilots became Aces during the Guadalcanal tour. Thirty-one enemy planes were shot down by the Sun Downers 16 July, 1943. Vern Graham became an Ace in one-flight---11 July, 1943. (Additional information in this paragraph has been added by "Tim").

25 September 1943, - 5 September 1944, the Squadron formed at NAS Alameda and trained in the west coast area. On 27 March 1944 the squadron embarked with the air group on the USS WASP (CV-18) at San Diego for transfer to the Hawaiian area with training at Hilo and Barbers Point.

5-29 September 1944 enroute Pearl Harbor to Manus in the Admiralties. 29 September 1944-February 1945 was the second combat tour. Embarked on the USS HORNET (CV-12) at Manus for operation with Task Force 38. Strikes on Formosa 12-14 October, northern Luzon and Manila airfields 18-19 October, support of Leyte landings 20 October, and retirement toward Ulithi on the 22nd. Returned to action during last phase of battle for Leyte Gulf to attack Japanese Fleet units as they retire from the battle area.

In November, supported Leyte occupation forces with strikes on central Luzon, Ormoc Bay and Manila harbor. Luzon strikes in December. Operation against Formosa along the China coast from the South China Sea in January. Returned to Ulithi on 26 January 1945 and detached from the Hornet on 1 February.

"The 103 victories scored under Commanding Officer LCDR Eugene Fairfax, established VF-11 as the 17th ranked Hellcat squadron among over 80 which flew F6Fs in combat".

1-24 February 1945 Enroute Ulithi to United States on board USS KASAAN BAY (CVE69) to Pearl Harbor and CURTISS (AV-4) to NAS Alameda. An interesting note VF11-VF111, together with VF-51 were the only squadrons to score kills in all three wars, WW 11, Korean War, and Viet Nam War.