Marine Fighter Squadron 512 was commissioned on February 15, 1944. The squadron was attached to the Marine Air Group 33, the 1st Marine Division, and Task Force 78.

Its pilots flew the F4U Corsair, FG-1 Corsair, and the F6F Hellcat. They were based on escort carrier CVE-107, USS Gilbert Islands.

The squadron fought in two major campaigns, the Borneo Operation (Balikpapen) from January 26 to July 6, 1945, and the Occupation of Okinawa from April 1 to June 30, 1945.

VMF-512 was deactivated on March 10, 1946.