In response to the Marine
Corps need for medium bomber for night heckling, close air support,
and low level bombing and strafing, they started receiving B-25 Billy
Mitchell bombers from the Army. They were immediately designated as
PBJ’s, using the Navy aircraft designation system.
Pilots that were to be
assigned to the newly formed medium bomber squadrons received an eight-week
training course in Operational Training Squadron (OTS 8) at Cherry
Point and Edenton, N.C.
As squadrons became operational,
further training was conducted at Cherry Point, Edenton and Peterfield
Point, N.C., Page Field, S.C., and North Island, CA.
