65th Fighter Squadron

Squadron
media-14664.jpeg UPL 14664 65th Fighter Squadron ( leather patch)

my photo

Object Number - UPL 14664 - 65th Fighter Squadron ( leather patch)

Formed as a P-40 Warhawk pursuit squadron in January 1941 as part of the Army Air Corps Northeast Defense Sector (later I Fighter Command) at Mitchel Field, New York. Trained in New England and provided air defense of the northeast after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.











P-40 Warhawk fighters of the 65th Fighter Squadron in North Africa, 1943.

Was reassigned to the U.S. Army Middle East Force in Egypt, July 1942, becoming part of IX Fighter Command. Took part in the British Western Desert Campaign, engaged in combat during the Battle of El Alamein and, as part of Ninth Air Force, supported the Commonwealth Eighth Army's drive across Egypt and Libya, escorting bombers and flying strafing and dive-bombing missions against airfields, communications, and troop concentrations until Axis defeat in Tunisia in May 1943. The unit participated in the reduction of Pantelleria (May–June 1943) and the conquest of Sicily (July–August 1943).



The squadron supported the British Eighth Army's landing at Termoli and subsequent operations in Italy, being reassigned to Twelfth Air Force in August 1943. It flew dive-bombing, strafing, patrol, and escort missions.



In 1944, converted to Republic P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft and flew interdiction operations in Italy. They moved to Corsica on 30 March 1944 to operate as a separate task force. It flew interdiction missions against railroads, communication targets, and motor vehicles behind enemy lines, providing a minimum of 48 fighter-bomber sorties per day.



Participated in the French campaign against Elba in June 1944 and in the invasion of Southern France in August. It engaged in interdiction and support operations in northern Italy from September 1944 to May 1945.



The 65th flew its last combat mission on 2 May 1945. Remained in northern Italy after the end of the European War, demobilizing throughout the summer of 1945. It was reassigned to the United States in August 1945 without personnel or equipment and was inactivated at the end of August.

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-432189
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot - Squadron Commander
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-431577
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Squadron Commander

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-705525
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17036034
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Ground Crew Mechanic
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-432189
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot - Squadron Commander
Alfred Charles Froning
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 65th Fighter Squadron 57th Fighter Group
  • Service Numbers: 0-666916
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot - Assistant Group Operations Officer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-40 Warhawk
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-40 Warhawk
  • Nicknames: Shillelegh
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Belle
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Hun Hunter XIV
  • Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes

65th Fighter Squadron: Gallery (27 items)