21st Pursuit Squadron (21st PS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), Far East Air Force (FEAF)

Background
On December 22, 1939 constituted as the 21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On February 1, 1940 activated in the 35th Pursuit Group (35th PG) attached to the 24th Pursuit Group (24th PG) at Moffett Field operating the P-36 and transitions to the P-40 Warhawk under the command of 1st Lt. W. E. Dyess. On June 20, 1941 becomes part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On September 10, 1941 moves to Hamilton Field until October 1941 and begins a movement overseas to the Philippines. On November 1, 1941 moves to Nichols Field in Manila on Luzon in the Philippines.

Wartime History
On December 8, 1941 participates in the defense of the Philippines. On December 25, 1941 moves to Lubao Airfield. On January 4, 1942 moves to Bataan Airfield. On April 8, 1942 the air echelon moves to Mindanao while the ground echelon fight as infantry on the Bataan Peninsula until they surrender. In total, the squadron claimed three aerial victories all by pilot Donaldson. Carried as an active squadron but was not operation after the surrender of U.S. forces in the Philippines. On April 2, 1946 inactivated.

Commanding Officer (C.O.)
1st Lt. W. E. Dyess

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citations (Philippines December 8, 1941–May 10, 1942, Philippine December 8-22, 1941, Philippines January 6, 1942–March 8, 1942)
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

Emblem
The squadron emblem, approved December 20, 1941 was a superimposed on the handle of a yellow tomahawk placed diagonally in front of a white cloud, streaming yellow ribbon tied to end of handle, the head of an American Indian with braided hair flying in the breeze with a streaming yellow ribbon tied at the end and a head band in the design of gold and blue triangles ten and eleven with two yellow feathers attached.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) page 112-113 (PDF pages 124-125)
Stars & Bars (1995) page 30 (24th PG), 31 (21st PS)