460th Fighter Squadron (460th FS) "The Black Ram"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 348th Fighter Group (348th FG)

Background
On November 7, 1942 constituted as the 1st Airdrome Squadron in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On November 20, 1942 activated at Syracuse Army Air Base in New York as part of Air Service Command operating the A-20 Havoc. On December 28, 1942 assigned to the 2nd Air Force (2nd AF). On February 13, 1943 assigned to the 16th Bombardment Training Wing then deployed overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
On June 1, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF) operating the A-20 Havoc. On February 1, 1944 attached to the 310th Bombardment Wing (310th BW). On May 16, 1944 assigned to the 85th Fighter Wing (85th FW).

On July 14, 1944 redesignated 460th Fighter Squadron (460th FS). Nicknamed "The Black Ram" assigned to the 5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command) at Gusap Airfield. On July 23, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield.

On September 23, 1944 assigned to the 348th Fighter Group (348th FG) and the same day moves to Noemfoor Island off the north coast of western New Guinea.

On November 10, 1944 moves to Tacloban Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines.

On December 12, 1944 moves to Tanauan Airfield on Leyte.

On February 6, 1945 moves to San Marcelino Airfield on Luzon.

On May 15, 1945 moves to Floridablanca Airfield on Luzon and converts to the P-51D Mustang.

On July 12, 1945 moves to Ie Shima Airfield off Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War.

Postwar
On February 20, 1946 inactivated. On March 23, 1953 redesignated 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (460th). On March 18, 1954 activated in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as part of the 516th Air Defense Group operating the F-86 Sabre. During 1955, operates the F-89. On August 18, 1955 assigned to the 337th Fighter Group (337th FG) at Portland Airport in Portland, Oregon. During 1958 operates the F-102.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Philippines December 24, 1944
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit (March 1954–July 1959, June 8, 1960–April 30, 1962, May 1, 1962–July 31, 1963)

References
342nd Fighter Squadron "Scourgers" (1944)
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 567-568 [PDF pages 579-580]
Kearby's Thunderbolts The 348th Fighter Group in World War II (1992) details the 348th FG
Kearby's Thunderbolts The 348th Fighter Group in World War II (1997) details the 348th FG
Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 26 Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1999) includes profiles of 348th FG pilots