12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 13th Air Force (13th AF), 18th Fighter Group (18th FG)

Background
On November 20, 1940 constituted as the 12th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). Activated January 15, 1941 in the U. S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) in the 50th Pursuit Group (50th PG) equipped with the P-39 Airacobra. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

Wartime History
On May 15, 1942 redesignated the 12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS). On August 18, 1942 assigned to the 15th Fighter Group (15th FG).

On November 19, 1942 moves from Christmas Island Airfield to the South Pacific (SOPAC) to Efaté Island in the New Hebrides with the air echelon moves to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and begins flying combat missions.

On December 23, 1942 the squadron flies an escort mission for B-17 Flying Fortress bound for New Georgia. Lost is P-39D Airacobra 41-38295 pilot 1st Lt. Merton L. Orick (MIA) due to bad weather.

On December 24, 1942 the squadron P-39 Airacobras took off from Guadalcanal to escort nine SBDs to Munda Airfield on New Georgia plus other escorts including four P-38 Lightings and four F4F Wildcats. The formation is intercepted by fourteen Zeros. Four P-39 pilots claim five shot down without any U.S. losses.

On February 7, 1943 the squadron moves to Guadalcanal. On March 30, 1943 assigned to the 18th Fighter Group (18th FG).

On August 18, 1943 P-39 Airacobras took off from Segi Airfield on New Georgia on a patrol mission over Vella Lavella. Lost is P-39N 42-190?? pilot 2nd Lt. Jack B. Eddy (MIA).

On December 22, 1943 reorganized and redesignated the 12th Fighter Squadron (TE) indicating "Twin Engine".

Between January 1, 1944 to March 31, 1944 operated from APO 709: Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal. The squadron was under the command of Lt. Col. Leland S. McGowan Commanding Officer (C. O.). On February 19, 1944 a detachment was operating from Stirling Airfield on Stirling Island including 47 pilots and two ground personnel on detached service, flying combat missions against Rabaul as escorts for bombers or on dive bombing missions.

On February 27, 1944 the squadron took off from Stirling Airfield armed with bombs on a dive bombing and strafing mission over Rabaul. Lost is P-38J 42-67154 pilot 1st Lt. George I. Gombert, Jr. went Missing In Action (MIA) last seen entering a cloud formation roughly 20 miles south of New Ireland. After late February 1944, no enemy aircraft were encountered in the air over Rabaul.

On March 16, 1944 the squadron the squadron took off from Stirling Airfield on a mission over Rabaul and observed a Ki-46 Dinah observed taking off from Vunakanau Airfield and was shot down three miles to the south by eight P-38s led by Major Francis L. Daugherty. He and 1st Lt. Francis J. Cheney shared half victory credits for shooting it down.

During this period, the squadron P-38s bombed and strafed Vunapope, Ralum and Tawui ammunition dump. One P-38 was lost, pilot bailed out and rescued. The squadron also flew barge sweep missions over New Ireland and strafed a floatplane that did not burn was was deemed to have sustained heavy damage while moored in a cove off Shortland-Faisi in Shortland Seaplane Base.

On June 15, 1944 became part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF).

On August 1, 1944 the detachment at Stirling Airfield returns to base at Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal.

On November 11, 1944 lost is P-38J 44-23122 pilot 1st Lt. Robert F. Russell (MIA) over norther Negros.

On February 27, 1945 moves to San Jose Airfield (McGuire) on Mindoro Island.

On April 26, 1945 moves to Puerto Princesa Airfield on Palawan Island.

On May 11, 1945 moves to Zamboanga Airfield (Wolfe Field) on Mindanao.

Postwar
On January 20, 1950 redesignated the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. On July 1, 1958 redesignated the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 65-66 [PDF pages 77-78]
12th Fighter Squadron - January-March 1944 (USAF Historical Research Agency IRSUM: 55724)
12th Fighter Squadron - April 1944 (USAF Historical Research Agency IRSUM: 00055725)
12th Fighter Squadron - May 1944 (USAF Historical Research Agency IRSUM: 00055726)
12th Fighter Squadron - November 1944 (USAF Historical Research Agency IRSUM: 00055732)