69th Fighter Squadron (69th FS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 58th Fighter Group (58th FG)

Background
On November 20, 1940 constituted as the 69th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On January 15, 1941 activated at Selfridge Field, Michigan as part of the 58th Pursuit Group (58th PG). On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAAF). On October 6, 1941 moves to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Wartime History
On March 3, 1942 moves to Dale Mabry Field in Florida. On May 15, 1942 redesignated 69th Fighter Squadron (69th FS) in the 58th Fighter Group (58th FG). On June 19, 1942 moves to Drew Field in Florida. On July 25, 1942 moves to Sarasota Airfield in Florida. On September 26, 1942 returns to Dale Mabry Field. On October 16, 1942 moves to Richmond Army Airfield in Virginia. On November 4, 1942 moves to Philadelphia Municipal Airport.

On March 5, 1943 moves to Bradley Field in Connecticut equipped with P-47D Thunderbolts. On May 1, 1943 moves to Bedford Army Airfield. On September 15, 1943 moves to Grenier Field in New Hampshire. On October 22, 1943 begins a movement overseas bound for Australia. On November 21, 1943 arrives Brisbane.

On December 29, 1943 moves to Dobodura No. 7 (Kenney) in New Guinea.

On February 17, 1944 the squadron fly their first combat mission.

On February 21, 1944 the squadron flew an escort mission. Returning, lost is P-47D Thunderbolt 42-22941 pilot 2nd Lt Samuel C. McFarland (survived) ditched off the north coast of New Guinea.

On April 3, 1944 moves to Saidor Airfield in New Guinea.

On May 18, 1944 the squadron flew a strafing mission over Wewak. Lost is P-47D "The Golden Gopher" 42-75239  pilot Captain Harry L. McMullen (survived).

On August 25, 1944 the squadron flew on a weather reconnaissance mission against Wewak. Returning, lost in bad weather is P-47D 42-75883  pilot 1st Lt Joseph V. Adamow (survived).

On September 6, 1944 moves to Noemfoor Island. Lost is P-47D 43-25469 pilot 2nd Lt Stuart R. Campbell (survived).

On November 18, 1944 moves to San Pablo Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines.

On December 22, 1944 moves to San Jose Airfield on Mindoro. The squadron also operated from other airfields in the vicinity including Hill Airfield.

On January 17, 1945 eight P-47s from the squadron escort A-20s striking Laoag. Over the target, they strafed five Sugar Dogs and one Sugar Charlie anchored off Salomague. Lost is P-47D 42-23208  pilot 2nd Lt. Arthur F. Cain, Jr. (MIA).

On April 8, 1945 moves to Mangaldan Airfield on Luzon.

On April 17, 1945 moves to Porac Airfield on Luzon.

On July 8, 1945 moves to Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War.

Postwar
On October 26, 1945 moves to Japan as part of the occupation force. On December 28, 1945 moves to Manila. On January 27, 1946 inactivated.

On June 25, 1952 redesignated 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. On July 10, 1952 activated in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) operating the F-84 at Taegu No. 1 (K-2) in Korea. During 1954 begins operating the F-86 Sabre. On March 9, 1955 moves to Osan-Ni Airfield in Korea. On July 1, 1958 inactivated and disbanded.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 257-258 (69th Fighter) [PDF pages 269-270]
No Glamour... No Glory! The Story of the 58th Fighter Group of World War II (1989) by Anthony J. Kupferer