16th Pursuit Squadron (16th PS) / 16th Fighter Squadron (16th FS)
U.S. Army Air Force, 10th Air Force / 14th Air Force, 51st Fighter Group

Background
On November 20, 1940 constituted as the 16th Pursuit Squadron (16th PS) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). In January 15, 1941 activated in the 51st Pursuit Group (51st PG) at Hamilton Field under the command of 2nd Lt. L. W. Goddard operating the P-40 Warhawk. On March 12, 1941 redesignated 16th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter). On June 10, 1941 moves to Hamilton Field. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On January 11, 1942 begins a movement overseas for assignment to the 10th Air Force (10th AF) in China-Burma-India (CBI).

Wartime History
On March 12, 1942 arrives Karachi Airfield in China.

On June 27, 1942 moves to Kunming Airfield in China.

On May 15, 1942 redesignated as the 16th Fighter Squadron (16th FS) in the 51st Fighter Group (51st FG).

On July 10, 1942 a detachment begins operating from Lingling Airfield in China until August 1942 then returns to Kunming Airfield.

During July 1942, attached to the 23rd Fighter Group (23rd FG) until October 1943.

On August 17, 1942 moves to Chungking Airfield in China.

On October 27, 1942 moves to Kweilin Airfield in China.

During October 1943 assigned to the 14th Air Force (14th AF) in China.

On November 29, 1942 moves to Chenyi Airfield in China.

On December 26, 1942 a detachment begins operating from Yunnani Airfield in China until March 1943 then return to Chenyi Airfield.

On March 31, 1943 moves to Kweilin Airfield in China.

On September 20, 1943 moves to Hengyang Airfield in China.

ON November 25, 1943 moves to Chungking Airfield in China. That same day, a detachment begins operating from Tsuyung Airfield in China until April 1944.

During February 1944 moves to Nanning Airfield in China.

On April 1944 moves to Szemano Airfield in China.

On May 1944 moves to Yunnani Airfield in China until July 1944.

On December 16, 1944 moves to Liangshan Airfield in China.

On December 24, 1944 moves to Kwanghan Airfield (A-3) in China.

On January 1, 1945 moves to Laohokow Airfield in China.

On February 1, 1945 moves to Poseh Airfield in China.

On August 7, 1945 moves to Pakhoi Airfield in China.

On August 19, 1945 moves to Nanning Airfield in China.

During September 1945 moves to Loping Airfield in China. During November 1945 begins a movement back to the United States.

On December 6, 1945 arrives Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. On December 7, 1945 inactivated.

Postwar
On October 15, 1946 reactivated and assigned to the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group (51st FIG) at Yontan Airfield. On May 22, 1947 moves to Naha Airfield. On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On February 1, 1950 redesignated 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (16th FIS). On September 22, 1950 moves to Itazuke AB.

On October 22, 1950 moves to Kimpo Airfield (K-14) near Seoul in South Korea. On January 3, 1951 returns to Itazuke AB and begins operating the F-86 Sabre. On January 22, 1951 moves to Tsuiki Airfield in Japan. On May 20, 1951 a detachment begins operating from Suwon Airfield in Korea. On May 20, 1951 the entire squadron moves to Suwon Airfield (K-13) in South Korea.

During July 1954 moves to Misawa Airfield in Japan. On August 1, 1954 moves to Naha Airfield in Japan. During October 1957 assigned to the 51st Figher-Interceptor Wing (51st FIW). During 1959 begis operating the F-102 Delta Dagger.

Emblem
The squadron emblem (apprroved November 16, 1961) a five-sided rreometrical figure, per fess enhanced, Air Force golden yellow and Air Force blue, an American Indian ceremonial stake issu- ing from dexter base and extending be- yond the perimeter of the emblem in chief, striped palewise of four, black and red; the stake pierced by a toma- hawk bendwise, handle brown, blade white, border and thongs black; all within a narrow black border.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation: Korea (November 28, 1951–April 30, 1952)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations: September 22, 1950–June 30, 1951, July 1, 1951–March 31, 1953
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: August 29, 1958–January 19, 1959, March 1962–September 30, 1963

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
2nd Lt. L. W. Goddard (January 15, 1941–April 30, 1941

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 89-90 (16th Fighter) [PDF pages 101-102]
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 37-38 (51st FG, 16th FS)