19th Fighter Squadron (19th FS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 7th Air Force (7th AF)

Background
On June 14, 1917 organized as 14th Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army at Camp Kelly, Texas. On June 26, 1917 redesignated 19th Aero Squadron. On August 1, 1917 moves to Wright Field in Ohio. On October 31, 1917 moves to Garden City, NY and prepares for deployment overseas to France.

On January 1, 1918 arrives St Maixent. On February 6, 1918 moves to Clermont-Ferrand assigned to the Seventh Aviation Instruction Center and maintained aircraft. On April 17, 1919 demobilized. On December 39, 1918 moves to Bordeaux. During March 1919 returns to the United States. On April 5, 1919 arrives Mitchel Field.

On August 30, 1921 reconstituted and consolidated with 19th Squadron operating the JN-6, SE-5 and DH-4. On October 1, 1921 organized as part of the Ninth Corps Area at March Field. On June 29, 1922 inactivated.

On January 25, 1923 redesignated 19th Pursuit Squadron (19th PS). On May 1, 1923 assigned to the 17th Composite Group (17th CG) at Wheeler Field. On May 1, 1923 activated. On January 15, 1924 assigned to 5th Composite Group (5th CG) at Luke Field. On January 11, 1927 returns to Wheeler Field assigned to 18th Pursuit Group (18th PG) operating the PW-9. During 1931 operates the P-12, P-26 and P-36.

On December 6, 1939 redesignated 19th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On June 20, 1941 became the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) operating the P-40 Warhawk.

Wartime History
On February 20, 1942 moves to Bellows Field and begins flying patrols off Hawaii.

On May 15, 1942 redesignated 19th Fighter Squadron in the 18th Fighter Group (18th FG).

On May 22, 1942 moves to Kualoa Field on Oahu.

On October 20, 1942 moves to Bellows Field.

On February 9, 1943 moves to Barbers Point.

On March 16, 1943 assigned to 318th Fighter Group (318th FG) operating the P-47D Thunderbolt.

On May 30, 1943 moves to Kipapa Field.

On September 4, 1943 moves to Stanley Field.

On December 26, 1943 moves to Kualoa Field. During 1944, converts to the P-38 Lightning.

On April 18, 1944 returns to Bellows Field.

On May 2, 1944 crashed on take off is A-24B Banshee 42-54521 pilot 2nd Lt. Leslie R. Arnold (KIA).

During June 1944 embarked aboard USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62). On June 20, 1944 moves to Aslito Field on Saipan.

On April 30, 1945 moves to Ie Shima Airfield until the end of the Pacific War. During November 1945 moves to Okinawa.

Postwar
On January 11, 1946 moves to Fort Lewis in Washington State. On January 12, 1946 inactivated.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 102-103 (72d Fighter) [PDF pages 114-115]