49th Fighter Group (49th FG) "Fighting 49ers"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF)

Headquarters Squadron (HQ)
The Headquarters Squadron (HQ) served in the South West Pacific Area.

17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional)
Established October 14, 1942 at Amberly Field as a training unit assigned to the 49th FG until dsbanded December 10, 1942

7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) "Screamin' Demons"
The 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) served in the South West Pacific Area.

8th Fighter Squadron (8th FS) "The Black Sheep"
The 8th Fighter Squadron (8th FS) served in the South West Pacific Area.

9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights"
The 9th Fighter Squadron served in the South West Pacific Area.

Background
On November 20, 1940 constituted as 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor). On January 15, 1941 activated in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) at Selfridge Field, MI flying Seversky P-35s. On May 25, 1941 moves to Morrison Field, FL. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

Wartime History
On January 4, 1942 departs overseas bound for entire 49th Pursuit Group was sent overseas to Australia with P-40E Warhawks as the first pursuit group deployed overseas. On February 2, 1942 arrives Melbourne and assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF). On February 16, 1942 moves to Bankstown Airfield. On April 16, 1942 moves to Darwin to defend the Northern Territory and earns the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC).

In early May 1942 redesignated as the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG). Later nicknamed the "Fighting 49ers". The 49th Fighter Group was comprised of the Headquarters Squadron (HQ Sqn), 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) "Screamin' Demons", 8th Fighter Squadron (8th FS) "The Black Sheep" and 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights".

On October 9, 1942 moves to Port Moresby. On October 14, 1942 the 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional) was activated as part of the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG).

During March 1943 moves to Dobodura.

Postwar
On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). During June 1950 flying F-51s from Japan and later moves to South Korean to cover the evacuation of civilian personnel from Gimpo Airfield (Kimpo) and Suwon Airfield. Next, conducts missions in support of United Nations (U.N.) ground forces, hitting gun positions, troop concentrations, and other objectives. Later, strikes interdiction targets in North Korea. During September 1951 converts to F-84 Thunderjet and remains in Korea until after the armistice that ends the Korean War. In November 1953 returns to Japan. On July 8, 1958 redesignated the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Awards
Disitnguished Unit Citation (DUC) 1942 for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial combat while operating with limited materiel and facilities.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Maj Glenn L. Davasher 16 January 1941
Maj John F. Egan 10 February 1941
Maj George McCoy Jr 2 May 1941
Lt Col Paul B. Wurtsmith (December 11, 1941–November 11, 1942)
Col Donald R. Hutchinson 11 November 1942
Lt Col Robert L. Morrissey 30 January 1943 
Col James C. Selman July 1943
Lt. Col. David A. Campbell (December 1943–June 3, 1944) †
Lt Col Furlo S. Wagner 3 June 1944
Col George A. Walker 19 July 1944 
Lt Col Gerald R. Johnson 10 March 1945 
Lt Col Clay Tice Jr. 16 July 1945

References
AFHRA - History Highlights of the 49th Fighter Group 1941 to 1946
Fighter Pilot (1950) by Ralph H. Wandrey
49th Fighter Group (1989) by Ernest R. McDowell
Jungle Ace Col. Gerald R. Johnson, the USAAF's Top Fighter Leader of the Pacific War (1991) by John R. Bruning, Jr.
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 35 (49th FG, 7th FS, 8th FS), 36 (49th FG, 9th FS)
Tales of a War Pilot (2001) by Richard C. Kirkland
Protect & Avenge The 49th Fighter Group in World War II (1995) by S. W. Ferguson & William K. Pascalis
49th Fighter Group Aces of the Pacific Aviation Elite Units 14 (2004) by by William Hess