Headquarters (HQ Squadron)
5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF)

Background
Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command), 5th Air Force (5th AF) was part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Also known as Headquarters Squadron (HQ Squadron).

On November 11, 1942 arrives in Australia with Colonel Paul B. Wurtsmith in command

Date unknown, late 1942 or early 1943, moves to Port Moresby.

On October 16, 1943 lost is OA-10 Catalina 43-3262 pilot F/O Richard W. Smith crahed east of Pongani.

On November 24, 1943 command goes to Colonel Neel E. Kearby.

On January 13, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield and that same day Brig Gen Paul B Wurtsmith resumes command with the three top aces of the 5th Air Force (5th AF) serving under him. Col Neel Kearby was his chief of staff, Lt Col Thomas Lynch was operations officer and during February 1944, Captain Richard I. Bong was assistant operations officer in charge of replacement aircraft.

On March 5, 1944 three P-47s from 342nd Fighter Squadron (342nd FS) led by Col. Neel E. Kearby flew a fighter sweep over Wewak. Over Dagua intercepted Ki-48 Lilys 208th Hiko Sentai then were jumped by Ki-43 Oscars from 77th Sentai. Shot down was P-47D "Fiery Ginger IV" 42-22668  pilot Col. Neel E. Kearby (MIA).


On March 8, 1944 a two plane fighter sweep by P-38J 42-103987 pilot Lt Col Thomas Lynch and P-38J 42-103993 pilot Captain Richard I. Bong over Tadji Arifield. Observing no planes in the air or on the ground, the pair they spotted six Japanese barges in Aitape Harbor and both made strafing runs and set at least one on fire but were hit by machine gun fire that damaged both planes and shot down P-38J 42-103987 pilot Lt Col Thomas Lynch (MIA).

On July 1, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield.

During late 1944 moves to Tacloban on Leyte in the Philippines.

On January 22, 1945 moves to San Jose Airfield (McGuire Drome) on Mindoro in the Philippines.

On February 10, 1945 Brigadier General Frederic H. Smith Jr. assumes command.

During March 1945 moves to Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines.

On August 1, 1945 moves to Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War.

On September 30, 1945 Col Hugh A. Parker assumes command.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Brig Gen Carlyle H Wash (June 1941-1942)
Col Howard H Newman (1942–November 11, 1942)
Colonel Paul B. Wurtsmith (November 11, 1942–November 24, 1943)
Colonel Neel E. Kearby (November 24, 1943–January 13, 1944)
Brig Gen Paul B Wurtsmith (January 13, 1944–February 10, 1945)
Brig Gen Frederic H Smith Jr. (February 10, 1945–September 30, 1945)
Col Hugh A. Parker (September 30, 1945–March 31, 1946)

References
USAF Biography - General Frederic H. Smith Jr.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?