433nd Fighter Squadron (433nd FS) "Possum"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG)

Background
Assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force, 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels" as the 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) "Possum" equipped with the P-38 Lightning flying combat missions in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II.

Wartime History
On May 14, 1943 the 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) "Hades" was activated at Charters Towers Airfield in Queensland in Australia.

On June 17, 1943 transfers from Charters Towers Airfield to Amberley Field near Brisbane.

On August 14, 1943 elements of the squadron move to North Embi Airfield (Dobodura No. 12) near Dobodura in New Guinea.

On August 15, 1943 the squadron flies their first combat mission.

On September 2, 1943 force landed is P-38H Lightning 42-66538 pilot 2nd Lt. John C. Smith (survived) and returned to duty.

On October 3, 1943 moves to North Embi Airfield (Dobodura No. 12) near Dobodura in New Guinea.

On November 9, 1943 twelve P-38s from the 433nd plus twelve P-38 Lightnings from 432nd Fighter Squadron (432nd FS) "Clover" escorts B-25 Mitchells from 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) on a low level strike against Alexishafen Airfield. At 10:15am the P-38s engaged between 15-25 enemy fighters including Ki-43 Oscars and Ki-61 Tonys over Sek Harbor off Alexishafen. In the confused dog fight at low level. Lost is P-38H Lightning 42-66596 pilot 2nd Lt. John C. Smith (MIA) reportedly collided with a Ki-43 Oscar. Also lost over the target area in an aerial collision was P-38H Lightning 42-66834 (MIA) piloted by Captain Daniel T. Roberts and P-38H "Charlcie Jeann II" 42-66546 (MIA) piloted by 2nd Lt. Dale O. Meyer.

On December 18, 1943 the squadron flew a fighter sweep over Arawe. Over the target, P-38 Lightning pilot 1st Lt. Austin K. Neely accidentally collides with P-38H "Regina Coeli" 42-66856 pilot 1st Lt. William G. Jeakle (survived).

On January 23, 1944 lost is P-38H 42-66539 pilot 2nd Lt. Carl A. Danforth (MIA) on an escort mission over Wewak and last seen engaged in air combat with Ki-61 Tonys and Ki-43 Oscars.

On March 29, 1944 the squadron moved to Nadzab Airfield.

On April 16, 1944 the squadron flew an mission to escort A-20 Havocs over Hollandia. Returning in bad weather lost is P-38J Lightning 42-104385 pilot 1st Lt. Austin K. Neely (MIA) five miles west of Bogadjim. This mission was dubbed "Black Sunday" due to the number of aircraft lost.

On May 15, 1944 moves to Hollandia on the north coast of New Guinea.

On July 14, 1944 the squadron moved from Hollandia to Mokmer Drome on Biak.

On November 13, 1944 the squadron moves to Dulag Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines.

On December 11, 1944 force landed is P-38L "Lizzie IV" 44-24842 pilot 1st Lt. John E. Purdy on Cabugan Grande Island.

On January 9, 1945 force landed is P-38L "Lizzie V" 44-25930 pilot 1st Lt. John E. Purdy south of Malabang on Mindanao and was rescued.

On February 5, 1945 the squadron sends detachments of P-38s to operate from San Jose Airfield (McGuire Drome).

On February 28, 1945 the squadron with the 431st Fighter Squadron moves from Dulag Airfield to Clark Field on Luzon.

On March 4, 1945 the squadron detachments operating from San Jose Airfield (McGuire Drome) on Mindoro returns to Clark Field.

On April 19, 1945 the squadron moves to Lingayen Airfield.

On August 8, 1945 the squadron with the entire 475th Fighter Group moved from Lingayen Airfield on Luzon to Ie Shima Airfield on Ie Shima in Okinawa Prefecture in Japan.

Tail Codes
433rd Fighter Squadron "Possum" (Blue): 170–199

References
Pacific Wrecks - 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels" P-38 Lightnings
475th Fighter Group Museum
475th Fighter Group Association
475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation
Satan's Angels 475th Fighter Group 14th May 43–31st Dec 44 (1946)
Possum, Clover & Hades 475th Fighter Group in World War II (2004) by John Stanaway
475th Fighter Group Aviation Elite Units 23 (2007) by John Stanaway
Lightning Strikes: The 475th Fighter Group in the Pacific War, 1943-1945 (1988) by Ronald W. Yoshino
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 65 (475th FG, 433rd FS)
Possum, Clover & Hades 475th Fighter Group in World War II (2004) by John Stanaway
475th Fighter Group Aviation Elite Units 23 (2007) by John Stanaway