449th Fighter Squadron (449th FS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 10th Air Force (13th AF), 51st Fighter Group (51st FG)

Background
On August 2, 1942 constituted as the 449th Fighter Squadron (449th FS). On August 26, 1943 activated at Kunming Airfield as part of the 51st Fighter Group (51st FG), 10th Air Force (10th AF) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). The squadron begins training with the P-38 Lightning in China, temporarily attached to the 23rd Fighter Group (23rd FG) until October 1943.

Wartime History
On September 1, 1943 the squadron begins operating from Ling Ling Airfield (Lingling) with detachments at Hengyang Airfield and Kweilin Airfield.

On October 30, 1943 nine P-38s took off from Ling Ling Airfield (Lingling) on a dive bombing mission against docks five miles southwest of Kiukiang (Chiuchiang, Jiujiang). Over the target at 9:30am, the formation dive bombed from 8,000' then were intercepted by enemy fighters Shot down in air combat is P-38G Lightning 42-13415 pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas D. Harmon (rescued).

On February 1, 1944 moves to Suichwan Airfield.

On June 1, 1944 moves to Kweilin Airfield in China with a detachment at Yunnani Airfield.

On July 16, 1944 moves to Chengkung Airfield.

On April 12, 1945 a detachment from the squadron begins operating from Posek Airfield.

On May 1, 1945 the detachment at Posek Airfield returns to Chengkung Airfield.

On July 13, 1945 moves to Mengtsz Airfield until the end of the Pacific War. During September 1945 moves to India in preparation to return to the United States. On December 19, 1945 arrives Fort Lewis Airfield in Washington State. On December 25, 1945 inactivated.

Postwar
On September 1, 1947 reactivated at Adak Airfield operating the P-61 Black Widow as part of the Alaskan Air Command. On May 1, 1949 attached to the 5001st Composite Group that became the 5001st Composite Wing.

On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On July 20, 1948 redesignated the 449th Fighter Squadron (All Weather). On March 28, 1949 moves to Ladd Air Force Base and converts to the F-82 Twin Mustang. On January 20, 1950 redesignated the 449th Fighter-All Weather Squadron. On June 1, 1951 became the 449th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. During 1952 converts to the F-94 Starfire. On April 8, 1953 assigned to the 11th Air Division. On September 20, 1954 assigned to the 5001st Air Defense Group. During 1954 converts to the F-89 Scorpion. On October 1, 1955 returned to the 11th Air Division. On August 25, 1960 discontinued and deactivated.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Col. Holloway

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 555-556 (449th Fighter) [PDF pages 567-568]