[[File:Three Grumman F3F-2 of VMF-2 flying in formation in the late 1930s.jpg|thumb|left|Grumman F3Fs of VMF-2]]
VMFA-211 can trace its lineage to 1 January 1937 when Marine Fighting Squadron 4 (VF-4M) was activated at [[Naval Air Station San Diego]], California.<ref name{{sfn|Rottman|2002|pp="Rottman p.441">Rottman p.441.</ref> }} Although it was the second time a VF-4M had existed, the previous one was decommissioned in 1931 and it was not considered the same squadron. The squadron was decommissioned in 1933 but was recommissioned as "VF-8M" in 1935. On 1 July 1937, VF-8M was re-designated Marine Fighting Squadron 2 (VMF-2) and by the end of the year, had completely reequipped with [[Grumman F3F|Grumman F3F-2s]] which replaced their F3F-1s and a few even older F2F-1s. The squadron participated in annual Fleet Problems while at San Diego and even played a part in the making of the movie ''[[Dive Bomber (film)|Dive Bomber]]''. Several future Medal of Honor recipients served with the squadron during this period, including [[Henry Elrod]], [[Robert Galer]], and [[Gregory Boyington]]. In January 1941, the squadron moved to [[Marine Corps Air Station Ewa]], Hawaii and was re-designated VMF-211 on July 1, 1941.
