17th Pursuit Squadron (17th PS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), Far East Air Force (FEAF)

Background
On June 16, 1917 organized as 29th Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army. On July 30, 1917 redesignated 17th Aero Squadron. During February 1918 attached to the Royal Air Force (RAF) for operations and training. In August 1918 to 13 Wing, RAF. In November 1918 to the 4th Pursuit Group, Army Expeditionary Force (AEF). On April 1, 1919 demobilized. On October 17, 1936 reconstituted and consolidated with the 147th Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC).

On March 14, 1921 redesignated as the 17th Squadron. On January 25, 1923 redesignated as 17th Pursuit Squadron. During 1936, assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group (1st PG). On December 6, 1939 redesignated 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor).

On May 6, 1941 1st Lt. Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner became the Commanding Officer (C. O.). On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On December 14, 1940 assigned to the 4th Composite Group (4th CG) in the Philippines.

By the middle of 1941 rebuilt to strength under the 24th Pursuit Group (24th PG) equipped with P-40E Warhawks. On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War went into action against the Japanese and participated in the defense of the Philippines until the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula.

On December 16, 1941 two P-40s took off from Clark Field armed with six 30 pound bombs each on a mission to bomb and strafe Vigan Airfield and Vigan where 29 Japanese fighters were spotted the previous day. Escorting the pair was P-40E Warhawk pilot Allison Strauss who flew top cover at 15,000'. Lost in P-40E Warhawk pilot 1st Lt. Russel M. Church, Jr. (KIA). Although cheered by their fellow pilots, FEAF Headquarters deemed it to be an unauthorized mission and barred direct combat to preserve the small number of pursuit planes available. Regardless, Wagner and Church were recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) by General Douglas MacArthur.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major Kirtley J. Gregg (?–May 6, 1941)
1st Lt. Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner (May 6, 1941–?)

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) page 94-96 (PDF pages 106-108)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 30-31 (24th PG / 3rd PS, 17th PS, 17th PS (Provisional) 31 (17th PS(P) continued, 20th PS, 20th PS(P), 21st PS, 33rd PS, 33rd PS(P), 34th PS, 34th PS(P)
Everyday A Nightmare (2010) includes the 17th PS