36th Pursuit Squadron (36th PS) / 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS)
"The Flying Fiends"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG)

Background
On June 12, 1917 organized as the 36th Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army at Kelly Field in Texas. On August 11, 1917 departs overseas bound for France. On September 19, 1917 arrives Etampes in France and assigned to the Third Aviation Instruction Center to build facilities and assemble and maintain aircraft. On September 24, 1917 moves to Issoudun in France. On February 21, 1918 moves to Cazaux and assigned to French Aerial Gunnery School. On November 5, 1918 moves to St Jean-de-Monts in France to the American Aerial Gunnery School. On February 16, 1919 moves to Nazaire in France. On March 14, 1919 departs France bound for the United States. On March 25, 1919 arrives Garden City, NY. On April 7, 1919 demobilized and disbanded.

Interwar Period
On March 24, 1923 reconstituted and redesignated as 36th Pursuit Squadron (36th PS). Nicknamed "The Flying Fiends" with the emblem of a a flying fiend with a goutte de sang (French meaning "drop of blood") dripping off the tongue wearing a flying helmet and goggles atop a cloud with a golden orange border. On July 2, 1926 became part of the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On October 2, 1930 assigned to 2nd Bombardment Wing at Selfridge Field, attached to 1st Pursuit Group equipped with the P-6 and O-2. On April 1, 1931 assigned to the 8th Pursuit Group (8th PG) attached to 1st Pursuit Group. In 1932 equipped with the P-12 and later P-6, P-16 and O-27.

On June 30, 1931 assigned to the 18th Pursuit Group (18th PG) again attached to 1st Pursuit Group. On June 15, 1932 assigned to 8th Pursuit Group (8th PG) at Langley Field in Virgina. In 1936 operates the PB-2. In 1937 operates the P-36, YP-37 and A-17.

Wartime History
On December 6, 1939 redesignated 36th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter). In 1940 operates the P-40. On November 15, 1940 moves to Mitchel Field in New York. On March 12, 1941 redesignated 36th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) operating the P-39 Airacobra and P-400 Airacobra. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On January 26, 1942 begins a movement overseas to Australia. On March 6, 1942 arrives Brisbane. On March 13, 1942 the squadron moves to Lowood Airfield. On April 4, 1942 moves to Townsville.

First Tour of Duty
On April 26, 1942 moves to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby in New Guinea.

On April 30, 1942 eleven P-39 Airacobras from the 35th FS and 36th FS led by Lt. Col Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner took off on a mission to strike Lae Airfield. This was the first combat mission of the 8th Pursuit Group (8th PG) in New Guinea. At 2:37pm, the Airacobras strafed Lae Airfield targeting parked aircraft and seaplanes in Huon Gulf, then depart the target area. Near Salamaua, A6M2 Zeros of the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) attack the formation. Lost are P-39D 41-6982 pilot 1st Lt. Paul G. Brown (survived) force landed later rescued and P-39F 41-7186  pilot 1st Lt. James J. Bevlock (survived) force landed later rescued.

On May 1, 1942 six Airacobras from 36th PS and 80th PS led by Lt. Falletta took off from Antil Plains Airfield via Cooktown Airfield and Horn Island Airfield on a ferry flight bound for 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Flying in bad weather and thick clouds near Horn Island, three force landed inland from Cape Orford Ness, near the Escape River near Weipa. Lost are P-39D "Erminie" 41-6951 pilot Lt. Charles Faletta (survived), P-39F 41-7215  pilot Lt. Walter Harvey (survived), P-39F Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. Robert R. Love (KIA) and P-39F 41-7216 pilot Lt. Yundt from 80th PS .

On May 3, 1942 ten Airacobras took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a mission to intercept incoming Japanese bombers. Lost is P-39D 41-6909  pilot 2nd Lt. Joseph S. Lovett, Jr.

On May 4, 1942 in the early morning ten Airacobras from 36th FS and 35th FS took off from 7 Mile Drome on a strafing mission against Lae Airfield at dawn. Inbound there was poor weather and clouds over the Owen Stanley Range that caused five to aborted the mission. The Airacobras that managed to reach Lae approached from Huon Gulf and strafed four G4M1 Bettys parked at Lae Airfield. Four Airacobras (two from 35th FS and two from 36th FS) failed to return from the mission and were presumed lost due to bad weather. Lost from 36th FS are P-39D 41-6956  pilot 2nd Lt. Charles L. Schwimmer (MIA) and P-39D 41-6971  pilot 1st Patrick M. Armstrong, Jr. (MIA). Lost from 35th FS are P-39D 41-6825 pilot 1st Lt. Jeff D. Hooker, Jr. (MIA), and P-39F 41-7145 pilot 1st Lt. Victor R. Talbot (MIA).

On May 15, 1942 redesigned as 36th Fighter Squadron (35th FS) in the 8th Fighter Group (8th FG).

On May 9, 1942 lost is P-39D 41-6800 pilot 2nd Lt. Don McGee (survived) force landed on Fishermans Island (Daugo).

On May 17, 1942 lost is P-39F 41-7122 pilot 2nd Lt. Jessie M. Bland (survived) ditched off Pyramid Point near Bootless Bay.

On May 18, 1942 lost is P-39F 41-7191 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles H. Chapman, Jr. (MIA).

On May 27, 1942 lost is P-39F 41-7162  pilot Captain Thomas W. Hornsby (survived) force landed at Rigo.

On May 28, 1942 the squadron scrambles to intercept A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) over Port Moresby. Lost is P-39F 41-7190 pilot Captain Wyatte P. Exum (survived).

On June 30, 1942 moves to Garbutt Field at Townsville.

On August 2, 1942 moves to Ross River Airfield near Townsville.

Second Tour of Duty
On September 18 1942 moves to Milne Bay. in New Guinea.

On September 25, 1943 lost on a ferry flight is P-39D 41-38339  pilot 1st Lt. Paul G. Brown (MIA).

On February 22, 1943 moves to Mareeba Airfield.

Third Tour of Duty
On May 22, 1943 moves to Port Moresby.

On October 11, 1943 four Airacobras took off from Port Moresby on a gunnery training mission. Lost is P-39Q Airacobra pilot 1st Lt Frederic T. Burley (KIA) crashed near the beach to the south of Bootless Bay near Tubusereia.

On October 28, 1943 four Airacobras took off from 5 Mile Drome (Wards) on an an armed patrol bound for the Nadzab area. During the flight, the formation experienced a violent weather front with 100% overcast with visibility above overcast of twenty miles, and flew along the coast at 20,000' to avoid the weather. Only P-39Q Airacobra pilot 1st Lt John J. Perkins returns landing at 5:05pm. Lost is P-39Q 42-19959  pilot 2nd Lt. William H. Melville (MIA), P-39Q 42-19987  pilot 1st Lt Francis J. Pitonyak (MIA) and P-39Q 42-20031 pilot 2nd Lt George E. Fenn (MIA).

On November 7, 1943 eight P-47D Thunderbolts from the squadron plus other U.S. fighters intercept Japanese Ki-21 Sallys and Ki-43 Oscars.

On November 9, 1943 the squadron plus other U.S. fighters intercept Japanese bombers and fighters.

On December 22, 1943 moves to Nadazb Airfield.

On January 9, 1944 moves to Finschafen Airfield.

On March 14, 1944 returns to Nadazb Airfield while the air echelon remains at Finschafen Airfield until the end of the month.

On March 15, 1944 the squadron flies a high cover escort mission over Wewak. Lost is P-38H 42-66528 pilot Captain Warren R. Danson (MIA).

On March 19, 1944 the squadron flies an escort mission over Wewak. Lost is P-38H Lightning pilot 2nd Lt. Irwin Weiss (MIA).

On March 21, 1944 lost is P-38 pilot Perkins crashed Nussing Island.

On April 16, 1944 a four plane flight "Agate Special" took off from Nadzab Airfield on a mission to escort a B-25 Mitchell from 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) searching for B-25G Mitchell 42-64835 that force landed four days earlier. Returning, the formation encountered heavy overcast the proceeded towards Madang in hopes of landing at Saidor Airfield. Instead, the weather worsened and the four split up into pairs. Lost is P-38H 42-66???  pilot 1st Lt. Eugene A. Zielinski (MIA), P-38H 42-66555  pilot Mikucky (MIA), P-38H 42-66832  pilot 1st Lt Lawrence Reeves and P-38H 42-66668  pilot Keown (MIA). Afterwards, the mission was dubbed "Black Sunday" for the number of aircraft lost.

On June 17, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield.

On September 19, 1944 moves to Wama Airfield (Guama) on Morotai.

On October 15, 1944 the squadron escorts B-24 Liberator on a mission against Balikpapan. Over the target, intercepted Ki-44 Tojos to keep them away from the bombers. Lost is P-38L "Nulli Secundus" pilot Captain Kenneth G. Ladd (MIA).

On November 5, 1944 the ground echelon moves to Dulag Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines. On November 30, 1944 the air echelon moves to Dulag Airfield.

On December 20, 1944 moves to San Jose Airfield on Mindoro. Lost is P-38L 44-25310 pilot 2nd Francis S. Ford (survived) force landed at Hill Field. The squadron also operates from nearby Hill Airfield and Murtha Airfield.

On December 26, 1944 at night a flight of P-38 took off bound for Leyte. On December 27, 1944 around 1:30am lost is P-38L "Hell on the Double" 44-25241 pilot 2nd Francis S. Ford (MIA).

On January 3, 1945 the squadron escorts A-20s over Puerta Princessa on Palawan Island. Lost is P-38L Lightining 44-25217 pilot Lt. Col Grattan "Grant" Mahony (KIA) shot down by anti-aircraft fire after strafing a seaplane.

On July 13, 1945 four P-38s took off from Murtha Airfield on Mindoro on an orientation flight for two new pilots. Lost is P-38L 44-26538  pilot 1st Lt. Richard P. Stier (KIA) and P-38L 44-????? pilot 2nd Lt. Donald Henderson (KIA).

On August 6, 1945 moves to Ie Shima Airfield off Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War.

Postwar
On November 24, 1945 moves to Mushiroda Airfield at Fukuoka in Japan. In 1946 equipped with the P-51 Mustang.

On May 22, 1946 moves to Ashiya in Japan.

On September 6, 1946 moves to Itazuke Airfield.

On April 14, 1947 moves to Ashiya.

On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

On March 25, 1949 returns to Itazuke Airfield. In 1950, equipped with the F-80 Shooting Star.

On August 11, 1950 moves to Tsuiki.

Korean War
On October 5, 1950 moves to Suwon Airfield (K-13) in South Korea.

On October 29, 1950 moves to Gimpo Airfield (Kimpo, K-14).

On November 25, 1950 moves to Pyongyang Airfield in North Korea.

On December 3, 1950 moves to Seoul in South Korea.

On December 10, 1950 returns to Itazuke Airfield.

On June 25, 1951 moves to Gimpo Airfield (Kimpo, K-14).

On August 26, 1951 moves to Suwon Airfield (K-13). In 1953 equipped with the F-86 Sabre.

On October 19, 1954 returns to Itazuke Airfield.

In 1956 equipped with the F-100 Super Sabre.

On October 1, 1957 assigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing.

In 1962 equipped with the F-105 Thunderchief.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Lt. Hillery (1941–1942)
Major Joe K. McNay (May 24, 1942–November 20, 1942)
Captain Robert Harriger (November 21, 1942–December 21, 1943)
Captain Robert Smith (December 22, 1943–December 30, 1943)
Captain Warren R. Danson (December 31, 1943–March 15, 1944)
Captain Donald V. Campbell (March 16, 1944–August 30, 1944)
Captain Kenneth G. Ladd (September 1, 1944–October 15, 1944) †
Captain Thomas R. Huff (October 15, 1944–November 15, 1944)
Captain Allen Hill (November 16, 1944–June 20, 1945)
Major Harold Graham (June 21, 1945–December 9, 1945)
Major Andrew J. Alexander (December 10, 1945)

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 181-182 (36th Fighter) [PDF pages 183-184]
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 25 (8th PG / 8th FG)
Attack & Conquer The 8th Fighter Group in World War II (1999) unit history of the 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 259 (36th FS commanders)
P-39 Airacobra Aces of World War 2 (2001) page 9