Skip to main content
Edit entry 

5th Emergency Rescue Squadron

Squadron

  • Insignia for 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron.

    Insignia for 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron.

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • An air-sea rescue crew of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron with their PBY Catalina (serial number 43-39915) nicknamed

    An air-sea rescue crew of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron with their PBY Catalina (serial number 43-39915) nicknamed "Miss Pick Up". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Halesworth, England. L to R: Neet, Baker, Thatcher, York, Glasser, Lufkin.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • Don Armstrong of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron outside the operations room. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Don Armstrong.'

    Don Armstrong of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron outside the operations room. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Don Armstrong.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • An air-sea rescue crew of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron transfer an RAF navigator they have rescued from their PBY Catalina (serial number 44-33915) nicknamed

    An air-sea rescue crew of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron transfer an RAF navigator they have rescued from their PBY Catalina (serial number 44-33915) nicknamed "Miss Pick Up". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Unloadin' RAF Navigator who had a broken arm and collar bone. Halesworth, Suffolk, England. 3-23-45.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • An air-sea rescue crew of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron transfer an RAF navigator they have rescued from their PBY Catalina (serial number 44-33915) nicknamed

    An air-sea rescue crew of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron transfer an RAF navigator they have rescued from their PBY Catalina (serial number 44-33915) nicknamed "Miss Pick Up", into a waiting ambulance. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Unloadin the "Lady", Halesworth, England. 3-23-45.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • A P-47 Thunderbolt in the colours of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse: '28490. Mystery. Has 5 ERS nose colours but not in unit history. Do not appear to have normal D-Day stripes.' UPDATED: 42-8490 is ex 352nd Fighter Group, 486th Fighter Squadron where it was coded PZ-S and assigned to Capt. Stanley G Miles who named it

    A P-47 Thunderbolt in the colours of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse: '28490. Mystery. Has 5 ERS nose colours but not in unit history. Do not appear to have normal D-Day stripes.' UPDATED: 42-8490 is ex 352nd Fighter Group, 486th Fighter Squadron where it was coded PZ-S and assigned to Capt. Stanley G Miles who named it "Bundle of Joy". The artwork can just be made out below the cockpit in this shot. It was subsequently reassigned to Lt. Bernard Karl and then went to the 5th ERS as depicted here. The "not normal" D-Day stripes are merely typical of hurried application, especially to a non-fromtline aircraft.

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • A P-47 Thunderbolt (5F-N, serial number 42-22784) of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Halesworth, 1945. 5F-N.'

    A P-47 Thunderbolt (5F-N, serial number 42-22784) of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Halesworth, 1945. 5F-N.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • The nose art of a P-47 Thunderbolt (5F-E, serial number 42-8693) nicknamed

    The nose art of a P-47 Thunderbolt (5F-E, serial number 42-8693) nicknamed "Miss Margaret (Pee Wee)" of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'June 4, 45. Debden, Essex. A rare shot of 5th ERS, P-47s. Note dinghy racks under wing.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • Personnel of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron with a Dumbo B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed

    Personnel of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron with a Dumbo B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Donna J III". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Don Armstrong JP.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  • The wreck of a P-47 Thunderbolt (5F-K, serial number 43-25565,

    The wreck of a P-47 Thunderbolt (5F-K, serial number 43-25565, "War Weary") of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. 16 December 1944. Official caption on image: "(GAD-200-2-50BG) (16 Dec 44) (A/C #325565-WW) (Rest)" Handwritten caption on reverse: '325565. 16/12/44.'

    Show caption About this image
    1-5 of 57
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Structure

Part of
  • VIII Fighter Command

    VIII Fighter Command

    Command
    VIII Fighter Command was established as VIII Interceptor Command at Selfridge Field on 2 February 1942.

  • 2nd Bomb Division

    2nd Bomb Division

    Division
    The groups under the command of the 2nd Bomb Wing came under the command of the 2nd Bomb Division in August 1943. In December 1944, the Division was redesginated the 2nd Air Division.

  • 65th Fighter Wing

    65th Fighter Wing

    Wing
    Browse 65th Fighter Wing photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/51

Encompassing
Not yet known
Previously was
  • Air Sea Rescue Squadron

    Air Sea Rescue Squadron

    Squadron
    What was known as the Air Sea Rescue Squadron, which had been formed in May 1944, was redesignated the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron in January 1945.The Squadron flew its first operation on 10 May 1944. The Group flew 3616 sorties, 3520 being effective...

Became
Not yet known

Stations

Station Location Date
Based Boxted 1 May 1944 – 16 January 1945
Based Halesworth 16 January 1945 – May 1945

Connections

People

  • Sidney Abell

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 62FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th ERS.

  • Richard Akard

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    First lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II, assigned to 352FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Flew 90 European missions and received both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal (5 OLC), as well as...

  • James Allison

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot
    Assigned to 82FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 83FS, 78FG 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. End of War. Awards: WWII Victory.

  • Richard Alvis

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 4th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 63FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th ERS. Transferred to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.

  • Donald Armstrong

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 62FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th ERS. Awards: AM (OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

  • Roy Atchinson

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 61FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.

  • James Baker

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 339th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 505FS, 339FG, 8AF USAAF. Detached Service (DS) with 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Returned to 505FS, 339FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) escort mission to Berlin. Engine failure in P-51 44-13370 led to bale out near Steinhuder Lake,...

  • Thomas Barket

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 486FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5ERS, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 555FTS, 496FTG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5ERS, 8AF USAAF. Killed following mid-air collision with B-24 42-50359 'TARFU' from Seething 13-Mar-45. Awards: PH

  • Hampton Bass

    Military | Flight Officer | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 62FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Re-assigned to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. EOW. Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.

  • Jack Bateman

    Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Fighter pilot | 359th Fighter Group
    Assigned to 370FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. ...

Show more

Aircraft

  • 42-25711 'Bubbles'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5ERS, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) rescue mission last seen struggling on instruments in adverse weather conditions 20 miles NE of Southwold over North sea. Pilot 1Lt John W Clark Killed in...

  • 42-75154 'Sad Sam'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 61st FS, 56th FG, 8th AF, transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. New code 5F-I [42-75154W] W = War Weary.

  • 42-74705 Lady Lorelei

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Collided with another during mock combat over Fritton Lake, Somerleyton, Suffolk. Both pilots were killed.

  • 42-76175 Big Dick II

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Collided with another during mock combat over Fritton Lake, Somerleyton, Suffolk.

  • 43-25534 'Vicious Virgin' 'Invincible Faye'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 360FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Transferred 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.

  • 42-75528 'Diane III'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 376FS, 361FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, 65 Fighter Wing, 8AF USAAF War Weary. Personal aircraft of 1st Lt Richard R Akard Jr.

  • 42-8496 Galloping Catastrophe

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 5th ERS, 65FW, 8AF USAAF. Lost 13-Mar-45. Lt Thomas E Barket killed following mid-air collision with B-24 42-50359 'TARFU' from Seething.

  • 42-22476 'Fortunes Fool' 'Helen'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 82FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of Lt Peter Voninski (5ERS). Transferred War Weary to 435FS, 479FG, 8AF USAAF.

  • 42-8402 'Devil's Thumb'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron.

  • 42-22547 'We Three'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 328FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of Lt Edmund Zellner. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron.

Show more

Citations

None

Air Force
8th
Type
Not yet known
Type category
Not yet known
Nicknames
Not yet known
Motto
Not yet known
Insignia
Not yet known

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
01 July 2016 09:24:22 Lucy May Changes to stations
Sources

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/5ersfg.php
Date Contributor Update
09 April 2015 02:34:58 EMBLEMHUNTER Changes to media associations
Sources

my art
Date Contributor Update
18 February 2015 14:35:45 Al_Skiff Changes to air forces and media associations
Sources

USAAF Photo.
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:42:50 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Share