Actually, we weren't even part of the CAP of C50. VMF-251 was heading south after turning a little too far west to rendezvous with the 332nd's A-20s to strike A64 (in hindsight, I should have known better and taken us south initially before angling towards the west). As it turned out the OTHER escort squadron, out of A9, ALSO ran into enemy fighters short of the rally point. The 332nd ended up going into 64 unescorted because both escort squadrons got caught and engaged before linking up.
Then again, in hindsight that probably saved C50 from being a total loss for the Allies again. Once back in the tower the CV was on fire because some of the 190s over the TG forgot their objectives were the DDs and the carrier itself wasn't a target. I only counted two ships destroyed in the logs by the Axis. So several 190s wasted their ordinance, and you guys dumped yours to play with a squadron of F4Fs that weren't even part of your objectives and got mauled in the process.
I was a bit miffed at the short sortie for myself and the squad's heavy losses and not being able to carry out our assignment, but I'll chalk this up as a victory.