458th Fighter Squadron (458th FS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 506th Fighter Group (506th FG)

Background
On October 5, 1944 constituted as the 458th Fighter Squadron (457th FS) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On October 21, 19444 activated in the 506th Fighter Group (506th FG) at Lakeland Army Airfield. On February 16, 1945 begins a movement overseas.

Wartime History
On April 24, 1945 arrives North Field (Motoyama No. 3) on Iwo Jima for Very Long Range (VLR) missions over Japan.

On June 1, 1945 the squadron flies a Very Long Range (VLR) mission to escort B-29 Superfortress on a bombing mission against Osaka in Japan. Inbound, the weather was a severe front with showers and squalls from 30,000' or more with a base at sea level to 200'. Lost is P-51D "Madam Wham-Dam" 44-72607 pilot Lt. Col Harvey J. Scandrett (MIA). In total, 27 P-51s were lost with 24 pilots due to the bad weather.

On August 3, 1945 the squadron flys a Very Long Range (VLR) mission against targets in the Tokyo area of Japan. Lost is P-51D "Mrs. Beak" 44-72561 pilot Captain Edward "Ed" H. Mikes, Jr. hit by anti-aircraft fire and bailed out over over Sagami Bay and B-17H "Bulgin Bessie" 43-39265 spotted him and released a Higgins A-1 lifeboat that he was able to retrieve and was later rescued by USS Aspro (SS-309). Also lost is P-51D Mustang 44-73369 pilot 1st Lt. Paul I. Ewalt (MIA) hit by anti-aircraft fire and bailed out over over Sagami Bay.

On December 3, 1945 begins a movement back to the United States. On December 15, 1945 arrives Camp Anza in California. On December 16, 1945 inactivated.

Postwar
On November 20, 1952 redesignated 458th Strategic Fighter Squadron in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Activated January 20, 1953 in the 506th Strategic Fighter Wing at Dow AFB in Maine operating the F-84. Later, designated the 506th Fighter-Bomber; Tactical Fighter Wing. On March 20, 1955 moves to Tinker AFB. On July 1, 1957 redesignated 458th Fighter-Day Squadron operating the F-100. On January 1, 1958 redesignated 457th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (457th FBS). On July 1, 1958 redesignated 458th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On April 1, 1959 inactivated.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan (June 7-10, 1945)

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 564-565 (457th Fighter) [PDF pages 576-577]