348th Fighter Group (348th FG)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF)

Background
On September 30, 1942 the 348th Fighter Group (348th FG) was activated in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) at Mitchel Field, NY as one of first groups equipped with the P-47D Thunderbolt. That same day moves to Bradley Field in Connecticut. The 348th Fighter Group (348th FG) includes Headquarters Squadron (HQ), 340th Fighter Squadron (340th FS) "Minutemen", 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) "Black Jack", 342nd Fighter Squadron (342nd FS) "Scourgers" and later on September 23, 1944 the 460th Fighter Squadron (460th FS) "The Black Ram".

Wartime History
In May 1943 began a movement overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). During June 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF). On June 23, 1943 arrives 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby.

Headquarters Squadron (HQ)
The Headquarters Squadron (HQ). On June 23, 1943 arrives 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby.

340th Fighter Squadron (340th FS) "Minutemen"
The 340th Fighter Squadron (340th BS) operated the P-47D Thunderbolt in the South West Pacific Area during World War II.

341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) "Black Jack"
The 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) operated the P-47D Thunderbolt in the South West Pacific Area during World War II.

342nd Fighter Squadron (342nd FS) "Scourgers"
The 342nd Fighter Squadron (342nd BS) operated the P-47D Thunderbolt in the South West Pacific Area during World War II.

460th Fighter Squadron (460th FS) "The Black Ram"
On September 23, 1944 attached the 348th Fighter Group (348th FG) until the end of the Pacific War.

Commanding Officer (C.O.)
Col. Neel E. Kearby (October 1942–November 12, 1943 transfered to Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command (5th FC)
Col. R. R. Rowland (November 17, 1943–June 8, 1945)
Col. W. M. Banks (June 8, 1945–September 1945)

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 567-568 [PDF pages 579-580]
Stars & Bars (1995) page 51 (348th FG)
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