Background
On December 22, 1939 constituted as the 40th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). Nicknamed "The Red Devils" and later "Fighting Fortieth". On February 1, 1940 activated as part of the 31st Pursuit Group (31st PG) operating the P-39 Airacobra at Selfridge Field in Michigan. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).
Wartime History
On December 6, 1941 moves to Baer Field in Indiana. On December 16, 1941 moves to Port Angeles, Washington State. On January 15, 1942 assigned to the 35th Pursuit Group (35th PG). On January 22, 1942 departs San Francisco by ship bound for Australia. On Februry 25, 1942 arrives Brisbane.
On March 9, 1942 moves to Ballarat Airfield.
On March 16, 1942 moves to Mount Gambier Airfield expands with eight pilots incluing 1st Lt. Robert S. Johnson and 1st Lt. William C. Stauter plus sixteen enlisted men from the 17th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional).
On March 31, 1942 departs by rail
bound for Camden. On April 2, 1942 arrives Camden Airfield due to fear of a strike by Japanese carrier planes on the Sydney. On April 14, 1942 departs by rail and change trains in Brisbane then northward bound for Townsville.
On April 17, 1942 arrives Townsville and that same day transported to Antil Plains Airfield.
On May 15, 1942 redesignated as the 40th Fighter Squadron (40th FS) in the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG).
On May 18, 1942 lost is P-39 Airacobra pilot
2nd Lt. William P. Plain (KIA), the squadron's first fatality overseas.
On May 17, 1942 while attached to the 36th Fighter Squadron inn New Guinea, 1st Lt. Harvey J. Scandrett claimed an aerial victory over Port Moresby, the first victory claimed by the squadron.
First Tour of Duty
On June 2, 1942 moves to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby and begins flying combat missions over New Guinea.
On June 16, 1942 in the morning, P-39 Airacobras and P-400 Airacobras from 40th FS and 39th FS scramble from 7 Mile Drome to intercept A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) on a fighter sweep over Port Moresby. Lost is P-39F 41-7136 pilot 2nd Lt. Stanley F. Rice (MIA) and P-39F 41-7222 pilot 2nd Lt. William L. Hutcheson (survived). In the afternoon the squadron escorts bombers over Lae. Lost is P-39 Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. Paul J. Magre (MIA).
On June 26, 1942 the squadron scrambled to intercept a Japanese air raid of G3M Nells escorted by A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai. During the air combat, three Airacobras were shot down with all three pilots bailing out over the Bootless Bay area including Airacobra pilot Hall (survived), Airacobra pilot ? (survived), Airacobra pilot ? (survived). Lost is P-39F Airacobra 41-7137 pilot 1st Lt. William C. Stauter (MIA).
On July 2, 1942 lost is Airacobra pilot 1st Lt. Robert S. Johnson (KIA) in a plane crash in Australia during leave.
On July 6, 1942 the squadron took off on a mission over Buna to Japanese G4M1 Bettys escorted by A6M2 Zero from Tainan Kōkūtai. During the air combat, damaged is P-400 AP377 pilot
2nd Lt. Howard C. Welker (MIA) who bailed out at low altitude and his parachute failed to open and was killed on impact near Gona Mission.
On July 22, 1942 sixteen Airacobras from 40th FS, 39th FS and 41st FS and strafe barges off Buna and Gona and escort P-40E Kittyhawks armed with 500 pound bombs against Napapo near Buna.
On July 30, 1942 transfers back to Antil Plains Airfield near Townsville ending the first tour of duty.
Second Tour of Duty
In late November 1942 returns to Port Moresby and begins a second tour of duty.
On February 6, 1943 eight P-39 Airacobras from 40th FS plus eight P-40E Warhawks from 7th FS escort three C-47 Skytrains bound for Wau Airfield and arrive during a Japanese air raid by 9 Ki-48 Lilys from 45th Sentai escorted by 29 Ki-43 Oscars from 11th Sentai and engaged in a dog fight. 40th Fighter Squadron pilots claiming twelve enemy planes shot down including two by 1st Lt. William F. McDonough.
On August 11, 1943 moves to Tsili-Tsili Airfield.
On October 16, 1943 the squadron took off Tsili-Tsili Airfield on a patrol mission over Salamaua. Over the target area was bad weather with no visibility. Lost is P-39N 42-18410 pilot Captain James R. Miller (MIA) and P-39N 42-19033 pilot 2nd Lt. Wayne H Sturtevant (MIA).
During October 1943 moves to Nadzab Airfield.
On October 27, 1943 the squadron took off on a patrol mission over the Lae and Kaiapit areas. The squadron engaged in air combat with Japanese fighters. Lost is P-39Q Airacobra 42-20019 pilot
2nd Lt. William H. Owen (MIA) in the vicinity of Zagahemi and appeared to be struggling before entering combat. During the engagement, the squadron claimed 4 kills, 3 probable plus 2 damage. The claims include: 1 Oscar and 1 Lily probable by claimed by 1st Lt. Robert G. Allison, Jr. claimed roughly 60 miles northwest of Finschafen. 1 Lily claimed by 1st Lt. Philip Wolf near Tohata Point. 1 Betty [sic Lily] and 1 Lily probable
claimed by 1st Lt. Carl E. Nelson between Scharnhorst Point and Gneiseneau Point. 1 Lily, 1 Lily probable and 2 Liys damaged claimed by1st Lt. Edwin A. Schneider roughly 60 miles northwest of Finschafen.
On November 26, 1943 lost is P-39N Airacobra 42-19045 pilot 1st Lt. Philip Wolf (MIA) missing 10-12 miles due north of Raiss Point on the north coast New Guinea.
On February 3, 1944 moves to Gusap Airfield.
On March 11, 1944 the squadron flew a mission over Wewak. Over the target near Dagua, P-47D pilot 2nd Lt. John J. Gerrity (MIA) was chasing a Japanese fighter and while trying to maneuver crashed into the sea.
On June 9, 1944 returns to Nadzab Airfield. On August 4, 1944 moves to Noemfoor Island.
On September 14, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield.
On October 17, 1944 moves to Wama Airfield on Morotai.
On October 10, 1944 the squadron flies a long range escort mission over Balikpapan on Borneo. Lost is P-47D Thunderbolt 42-28529 pilot 1st Lt. Hilton S. Kessel (MIA).
On December 14, 1944 twelve P-47s from the squadron conducts a fighter sweep over Negros. Inbound one aborts. The formation engaged Japanese bombers causing them to jettison their bombs with no losses and claimed 13 Helens and 1 Sally shot down.
On January 21, 1945 moves to Mangaldan Airfield on Luzon in the Philippines.
On April 11, 1945 moves to Lingayen Airfield on Luzon in the Philippines.
On June 10, 1945 the squadron flys a dive bombing mission against Japanese targets in the mountains in Ifugao Province on Luzon. Lost is P-51D Mustang pilot Leinweber (MIA).
On April 19, 1945 moves to Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines.
On June 30, 1945 moves to Yontan Airfield on Okinawa in southern Japan.
Postwar
On October 10, 1945 moves to Irumagawa Airfield in Japan. On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
On March 13, 1950 moves to Yokota Airfield equipped with the F-80. On July 7, 1950 moves to
Ashiya in Japan. On July 17, 1950 moves to
Pohang in Korea. On August 13, 1950 moves to
Tsuiki in Japan.
On October 7, 1950 moves to
Pohang, Korea. On November 18, 1950 moves to Yonpo, Korea. On December 3, 1950 moves to
Pusan, Korea. On May 25, 1951 moves to
Misawa AB in Japan. On July 1, 1951 moves to
Johnson AFB in Japan.
During 1953 converts to the F-86 Sabre.
On July 13, 1953 a detachment operates from Komaki in Japan until February 17, 1955 then returns to Johnson AFB. On August 13, 1954 returns to Yokota Airfield. On October 1, 1957 assigned to the 41st Air Division.
During 1960 converts to the F-102 Delta Dagger.
Nicknamed
"Fighting Fortieth" (approved July 9, 1959) with the motif of a white circle with a blue edge and yellow lightning bolt with a laughing devil's head and and below a scroll with the motto "Fighting Fortieth".
References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 187-188 (40th Fighter)
[PDF pages 199-200]
USAAF (Pacific Theater) Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft in Air-To-Air Combat World War 2. Victory List No. 3 page 44 (October 27, 1943)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 33 (35th FG), 34 (40th FS)
40th Fighter Squadron Association Website via Wayback Machine May 15, 2008
40th Fighter / Flight Test Squadron Associate "WWII Honor Roll" via Wayback Machine July 23, 2008
Oz@War - 40th Fighter Squadron 35th Fighter (Pursuit) Group in Australia during WWII
Interception off Negros December 14, 1944 by Edward Rogers
Eagles of the Southern Sky (2012) pages 192 (June 26, 1942), 335 (Aerial victories June 26, 1942)
Thanks to Carlos E. "Dan" Dannacher and Edward Rogers for additional information
