41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) "The Flying Buzzsaws"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG)

Background
On December 22, 1939 constituted as the 41st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). On February 1, 1940 activated at Bolling Field, Washington DC as part of the 31st Pursuit Group (31st PG) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On October 21, 1940 moves to Selfridge Field, Michigan. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On December 6, 1941 moves to Baer Field, Indiana.

Wartime History
On December 15, 1941 moves to Paine Field, Washington State. On January 15, 1942 assigned to the 35th Pursuit Group (35th PG). On January 21, 1942 departs overseas bound for Australia equipped with early model P-39 Airacobra and P-400 Airacobra. On February 25, 1942 at Brisbane. On March 8, 1942 arrives Ballarat Airfield.

On May 15, 1942 redesignated the 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) in the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG) nicknamed "The Flying Buzzsaws" with the motif of a buss-saw with red wings leaving a trail of yellow chips inside a circle with a background of clouds and a blue sky.

On July 22, 1942 sixteen Airacobras from the 80th Fighter Squadron, 39th Fighter Squadron, 40th Fighter Squadron, 41st Fighter Squadron conduct a mission to strafe Japanese barges off Buna and Gona. Over the target, eight Airacobras strafed the barges while the other eight flew top cover.

On July 29, 1942 the squadron fly top cover plus Airacobras from 80th FS fly close escort for eight A-24 Dive Bombers from 3rd Bomb Group (3rd BG).

On December 16, 1942 the squadron flew a patrol mission. Lost is P-39K 42-4346  pilot 2nd Lt Alexander D. Currie (rescued) and P-39K 42-4362 pilot 2nd Lt Robert G. Tucker (MIA).

On January 16, 1943 six Airacobra led by Captain Francis R. Royal fly a patrol over Buna. Lost is P-39 pilot Voorhis  (MIA)

On April 11, 1943 the squadron flys a patrol over Wau. Lost is P-39 pilot Cohen (survived).

On April 12, 1943 the squadron scrambles to intercept an incoming Japanese air raid by G4M1 Bettys escorted by A6M Zeros over Port Moresby. During the air combat, shot down is P-39D Airacobra 41-38351 pilot 1st Lt. Richard Culton (survived), P-39 pilot Ferguson (survived), P-39 pilot Keating (survived) and P-39D Airacobra 41-38402 pilot 2nd Lt Richard D. Kimball (survived). Damaged and written off is P-39 Airacobra piloted by Edwards Park.

On August 15, 1943 the squadron flew an escort mission over Tsili-Tsili and was intercepted by Ki-43 Oscars. Lost is P-39N pilot Mikiska  (survived), P-39N pilot Topolcany (KIA), P-39N pilot Hilbert (survived) and P-39N pilot Bomar (survived).

On August 25, 1943 lost is P-39N 42-18807 pilot 1st Lt. Carey J. Wooley, Jr. crashed in a landing accident.

On September 6, 1943 a flight of P-39 Airacobras from the squadron patrol in the vicinity of Lae and two P-39s engaged a formation of Japanese planes and claim a Zero shot down (none were lost) without any loss or damage.

On November 6, 1943 Japanese air raid against Nadzab Airfield. The bombing and strafing at Nadzab destroyed two P-39 Airacobras and damaged 23 other planes to some extent. Killed In Action (KIA) is TSgt William E. Cardamone.

On November 7, 1943 a Japanese air raid by Ki-21 Sallys escorted by Ki-43 Oscars strikes Nadzab Airfield destroys parked P-39N "Nanette".

On February 14, 1944 the squadron flew an escort mission over Wewak. Lost is P-47D 42-22662 pilot 2nd Lt. John H. Hartsfield (MIA).

On March 11, 1944 the squadron flew an escort mission over Wewak and engage in air combat. Returning alone lost is P-47D 42-22896  pilot 2nd Lt. George P. Gaffney Jr. (MIA).

On April 11, 1944 the squadron flew an escort mission over Hansa Bay. Lost is P-47D 42-22709  pilot 2nd Lt. Dewey W. Foster (MIA).

On August 4, 1944 four P-47s took off on a training flight. Lost is P-47D 42-27866  pilot 1st Lt. Henry W. Frintner (MIA) and P-47D 42-27848 pilot Captain Carl V. Bohman (MIA).

On October 14, 1944 eight P-47D Thunderbolts took off on a fighter sweep over Manggar Airfield on southeast Borneo. Lost is P-47D "Claire-Doll III" 42-28500 pilot 1st Lt. Raymond P. Wiedmeyer (MIA).

On December 18, 1944 fighter-bombers including P-47s of the 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) strafe seaplane facilities at Sanga Sanga lost is P-47D 42-28513 pilot Captain John Douglas Bailey (POW/MIA).

P-47D "Nancie-A" 42-28493  pilot Prizzia February 20, 1945

Finally, transitioned to the P-51D Mustang.




References
41st Fighter Squadron History
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 190-191 (41st Fighter) [PDF pages 202-203]
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 33 (35th FG), 34 (41st FS)
41st Fighter Squadron DVD (2000)