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365th Fighter Group

Group

  • Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck of the 365th Fighter Group wearing a flying helmet with devil horns in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed

    Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck of the 365th Fighter Group wearing a flying helmet with devil horns in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Screamin' Weemie". Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN FLYER WEARS "DEVIL'S HELMET" Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck, 27, commander of a Ninth US Air Force fighter group, waves for contact after donning his "devil's helmet" for a mission against the Nazis. The flyer calls his plane "Screaming' Weemie". Keystone Photo no. 481512. War Pool Photo, not for use in Western Hemisphere or British Isles.'

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  • Captain Zell Smith Jr. of the 365th Fighter Group in the cockpit of his P-47D Thunderbolt. Image via DK Beaumeister, via Zell Smith.

    Captain Zell Smith Jr. of the 365th Fighter Group in the cockpit of his P-47D Thunderbolt. Image via DK Beaumeister, via Zell Smith.

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  • A P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft (UN-V, serial number 41-6325), named

    A P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft (UN-V, serial number 41-6325), named "Lucky Little Devil" of the 56th Fighter Group. This aircraft was piloted by First Lieutenant John W. Vogt Junior, in the 63rd Fighter Squadron. On 26th January the aircraft was transferred to the 365th Fighter Group, a Ninth Air Force unit. Handwritten on slide:"16 MM"

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  • 2nd Lt. Paul Van Cleef 365 Fighter Group 387 Fighter Squadron

    2nd Lt. Paul Van Cleef 365 Fighter Group 387 Fighter Squadron

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  • An airman of the 365th Fighter Group inspects the wreck of his P-47 Thunderbolt (D5-H) after crash landing.

    An airman of the 365th Fighter Group inspects the wreck of his P-47 Thunderbolt (D5-H) after crash landing.

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  • A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 44-33259) of the 365th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'White or Yellow Rudder, TD had red rudder.'

    A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 44-33259) of the 365th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'White or Yellow Rudder, TD had red rudder.'

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  • Colonel John R Murphy of the 365th Fighter Group, examines a whistle he made and attached to his P-47 Thunderbolt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 22 Nov 1944.' [stamp] and 'Sacred.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Ger. Incend Shell on P...47. Nov 22. NINTH AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE. Lieutenant Colonel John R Murphy, Minot N,D, a Ninth Air Force P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bomber, examines the

    Colonel John R Murphy of the 365th Fighter Group, examines a whistle he made and attached to his P-47 Thunderbolt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 22 Nov 1944.' [stamp] and 'Sacred.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Ger. Incend Shell on P...47. Nov 22. NINTH AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE. Lieutenant Colonel John R Murphy, Minot N,D, a Ninth Air Force P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bomber, examines the "screamer" whistle he devised from a German incendiary shell. When his unit moved onto a former Luftwaffe field, the colonel found a cluster of the shells and attacked one to the bomb shackle of his plane.'

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  • Colonel Ray J Stecker of the 365th Fighter Group inspects a flak hole in his P-47 Thunderbolt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 13 Jul 1944.' [stamp] and '338593.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'CO OF NINTH FIGHTER GROUP HAS NARROW ESCAPE. Col Ray J Stecker of Pennsylvania, the CO of a 9th Fighter Group was attacked by 32 ME 109s he dived down and was hit by flak which went through his machine, missing him by inches, However he landed safely. Photo shows: Col Ray Stecker with his damaged fighter after he landed.'

    Colonel Ray J Stecker of the 365th Fighter Group inspects a flak hole in his P-47 Thunderbolt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 13 Jul 1944.' [stamp] and '338593.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'CO OF NINTH FIGHTER GROUP HAS NARROW ESCAPE. Col Ray J Stecker of Pennsylvania, the CO of a 9th Fighter Group was attacked by 32 ME 109s he dived down and was hit by flak which went through his machine, missing him by inches, However he landed safely. Photo shows: Col Ray Stecker with his damaged fighter after he landed.'

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  • Colonel Ray J Stecker of the 365th Fighter Group with the damaged nose of his P-47 Thunderbolt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 13 Jul 1944.' [stamp] and '338719.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FIGHTER PILOT HAS NARROW ESCAPE. Col Ray J Stecker of Pennsylvania, the CO of a 9th Fighter Group was attacked by 32 ME 109s he dived down and was hit by flak which went through his machine, missing him by inches, However he landed safely. Photo shows: Col Stecker talking to a fellow pilot beside his damaged plane.'

    Colonel Ray J Stecker of the 365th Fighter Group with the damaged nose of his P-47 Thunderbolt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 13 Jul 1944.' [stamp] and '338719.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FIGHTER PILOT HAS NARROW ESCAPE. Col Ray J Stecker of Pennsylvania, the CO of a 9th Fighter Group was attacked by 32 ME 109s he dived down and was hit by flak which went through his machine, missing him by inches, However he landed safely. Photo shows: Col Stecker talking to a fellow pilot beside his damaged plane.'

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  • A P-47 Thunderbolt (C4-Y, serial number 42-26407) of the 365th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '388th FS, 365th FG, 9th AF.'

    A P-47 Thunderbolt (C4-Y, serial number 42-26407) of the 365th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '388th FS, 365th FG, 9th AF.'

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The Group moved to England in December 1943 as part of the Ninth Air Force. Flying P-47s, the Group took part in missions over northern France designed to weaken Germany's ability to repulse the planned Allied invasion of summer 1944. After the successful beach landings, the Group supported the Allies as they fought to break out at St. Lo and push further westwards. They supported the airborne assault into Holland and during the autumn of 1944, flew to aid the seizure of Aachen. The Group received a DUC for taking out a large number of enemy aircraft over the Bonn-Dusseldorf area in Germany on 21 Oct 1944. The 365th was one of the Ninth Air Force fighter groups to win a DUC for action in southern Germany, knocking out airfields and aircraft to help speed the American advance.

Commanding officers

  • Ray Stecker

    Military | Colonel | Group Commander | 365th Fighter Group

Structure

Part of
Encompassing
Previously was
Not yet known
Became
Not yet known

Missions

  • 8th Air Force FO 250 BOMBER ESCORT

    24 February 1944
    A combined force of 767 fighters of types: P-38; P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to the heavy bombers attacking the German aircraft industries at Gotha, Germany and the ball bearing plants at Schweinfurt, Germany as part of Day 5 of BIG...

  • 8th Air Force FO 251 BOMBER ESCORT

    25 February 1944
    A combined force of 899 fighters of types: P-38; P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking the German aircraft industries at Regensberg, Augsburg, Stuttgart and Furth, Germany in the final Day 6 operation of BIG WEEK....

  • 8th Air Force FO 256 BOMBER ESCORT

    29 February 1944
    A combined force of 79 P-47s from 78FG and IX Fighter Command 365FG are despatched to provide escort from heavy bombers attacking the V-Weapon site at Lottinghen, France. There are no losses, claims or casualties.

  • 8th Air Force FO 257 BOMBER ESCORT

    2 March 1944
    Two separate fighter operations are utilized to escort the two heavy bomber operations attacking at Frankfurt, Germany and Chartres, France. ...

  • 8th Air Force FO 257 BOMBER ESCORT

    2 March 1944
    Two separate fighter operations are utilized to escort the two heavy bomber operations attacking at Frankfurt, Germany and Chartres, France. ...

  • 8th Air Force FO 260 BOMBER ESCORT

    4 March 1944
    A combined force of 770 fighters of types: P-38; P-47 and P-51 are despatched to heavy bombers attacking at Berlin. The weather is terrible and many of the bomber formations either abort of seek Targets of Opportunity in the Ruhr valley. The P-38...

  • 8th Air Force FO 262 BOMBER ESCORT

    6 March 1944
    A combined figther force of 801 figthers of types: P-38; P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort for heavy bombers attacking at Berlin, Germany. Mission Summary follows: ...

  • 8th Air Force 282 BOMBER ESCORT

    27 March 1944
    A combined force of 960 fighters of types: P-38; P-47 ad P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking 11 German airfields and air depots in France. 243 of the 960 are frunished by IX Fighter Command. The P-51 element also attacks...

  • 8th Air Force Field Order 295

    11 April 1944

  • 8th Air Force Field Order 296

    12 April 1944

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Stations

Station Location Date
Based Gosfield 23 December 1943 – 5 March 1944
Based Beaulieu 6 March 1944 – 27 June 1944
Based Azeville 27 June 1944 – 15 August 1944
Based Lignerolles 15 August 1944 – 3 September 1944
Based Bretigny 3 September 1944 – 11 September 1944
Based Juvincourt 11 September 1944 – 2 October 1944
Based Chievres 4 October 1944 – 27 December 1944
Based Metz 27 December 1944 – 30 January 1945
Based Florennes / Juzaine 20 January 1945 – 17 March 1945
Based Aachen March 1945 – 12 April 1945
Based Fritzlar 12 April 1945

Connections

People

  • Lavern Alcorn

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 365th Fighter Group

  • Glenn Allen

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 365th Fighter Group

  • James Allen

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 365th Fighter Group
    Killed April 20, 1944 near Selsey Bill, England

  • Julius Almond

    Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Fighter Pilot | 365th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 387FS, 365FG, 9AF USAAF. Flew 94 missions over France, Belgium, and Germany. Completed Tour Duty (ETD). ...

  • Eugene Ammann

    Military | Captain | Fighter Pilot | 365th Fighter Group

  • Coburn Arledge

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 365th Fighter Group
    Retired from the USAF with the rank of Major.

  • Owen Azling

    Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aircraft Crew Chief | 365th Fighter Group
    Retired from the USAF with the rank of Master Sergeant

  • Carrol Barnard

    Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | 365th Fighter Group

  • David Baumeister

    Military | Captain | Pilot | 365th Fighter Group
    On DS (detached service) for operational training. Flew four missions with the 335th Fighter Squadron. Awards: DFC, AM (13OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

  • Edward Baw

    Military | Captain | 365th Fighter Group

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Aircraft

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Citations

Distinguished Unit Citation - 21 October 1944 - Belgium
Distinguished Unit Citation - 20 April 1945 - Germany
Belgian Croix De Guerre - 21 December 1945
Belgian Fourragere - 16 December 1944 - 25 June 1945

Air Force
9th
Type
Combat
Type category
Fighter
Nicknames

Hell Hawks

Motto
Not yet known
Insignia
Not yet known
Aircraft used
  • P-47 Thunderbolt

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
27 December 2020 06:07:27 466thHistorian Changes to citations
Sources

"Thunderbolts of The Hell Hawks" - Barnes, Crump and Sutherland, Page 303
Date Contributor Update
26 December 2020 00:05:01 466thHistorian Changes to stations
Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignerolles_Airfield
Date Contributor Update
26 December 2020 00:04:41 466thHistorian Changes to stations
Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignerolles_Airfield
Date Contributor Update
24 December 2020 02:29:14 466thHistorian Changes to stations
Sources

"Thunderbolts of The Hell Hawks" - Barnes, Crump and Sutherland
page 306
Date Contributor Update
24 December 2020 02:27:46 466thHistorian Changes to stations
Sources

"Thunderbolts of The Hell Hawks" - Barnes, Crump and Sutherland
page 306
Date Contributor Update
17 December 2020 23:55:54 466thHistorian Changes to stations
Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Beaulieu
Date Contributor Update
17 December 2020 23:48:53 466thHistorian Changes to stations
Sources

Cleaned up stations
Date Contributor Update
30 September 2019 13:40:26 Emily Changes to stations
Sources

USAAF Continental Airfields: ETO, D-Day to VE Day
Date Contributor Update
01 February 2017 13:51:13 general ira snapsorter Changes to stations
Sources

Stations added with details from:
- "Battle Colors Volume III - Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War Two' by Robert A. Watkins;
- http://www.ixengineercommand.com/airfields/physical.php
Date Contributor Update
21 July 2016 01:45:59 466thHistorian Changes to stations
Sources

Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks - Barnes/Crump/Rutherford
Page 305
Date Contributor Update
21 July 2016 01:33:58 466thHistorian Changes to commanding officers associations
Sources

Thunderbolts of The Hell Hawks - Barnes/Crump/Sutherland
Page 305
Date Contributor Update
21 July 2016 00:03:21 466thHistorian Changes to nicknames, aircraft types and stations
Sources

"Thunderbolts of The Hell Hawks" - Barnes/Crump/Sutherland
page306
Date Contributor Update
25 February 2015 17:11:13 rossingtonj Changes to type, mission associations and stations
Sources

Association to Gosfield.
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:42:45 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

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