The prototype of the SBC-4, called XSBC-4, was also used as a staff transport for Headquarters Marine Corps. This machine survived until 31st August 1944 when it was written off the inventory while serving at NAS Kodiak, Alaska.
Later, in January 1940, the USMC had four SBC-4 in inventory. Two of them were based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Quantico, Virginia, one was assigned to VMF-1 and the second was serving with Marine Utility Squadron 1 (VMJ-1). The other two were based at NAS San Diego. One SBC-4 was assigned to VMF-2 and the second to VMJ-2.
By 7th December 1941, the USMC had a total of 23 SBC-4 in inventory, twelve of them assigned to observation squadrons (VMO).
Marine Observation Squadron 151 (VMO-151) was sent to Tafuna airfield, in the American Samoa, on 9th May 1942, fully equipped with the SBC-4. It was there, at Tafuna where a second observation was formed, the VMO-155 on 1st October 1942 by taking half of the VMO-151's personnel and machines. This new squadron, however, was sent back to the United States on 8th December 1942 to be reformed and the remaining personnel was sent to Guadalcanal Island.
The SBC-4s in VMO-151 were replaced in December 1942 by the Douglas SBD Dauntless and by June 1943 they were fully equipped with the Dauntless. By that time they had moved to Uvea island, in Wallis Group, New Caledonia, leaving their SBC-4s behind.
The last report of a SBC-4 serving with the VMO-151 was dated on 1st June 1943.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_SBC_Helldiver
2. Signal Squadron - Aircraft In action 151 - SBC Helldiver in Action
3. https://www.valka.cz/Curtiss-SBC-Helldiver-t45473
Pics re-drawn from:
http://wings-aviation.ch/53-Military-Aircraft-in-Detail/Curtiss-Helldiver/Attack.htm
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