12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 13th Air Force (13th AF), 18th Fighter Group (18th FG)

Background
The 12th Fighter Squadron was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 13th Air Force (13th AF) to the 347th Fighter Group (347th FG) and 18th Fighter Group (18th FG) operating the P-39 Airacobra and P-38 Lightning.

Wartime History
On November 20, 1941 constituded as the 12th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). Activated January 15, 1941 in the U. S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) in the 50th Pursuit Group (50th PG) equipped with the P-39 Airacobra.

On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On May 15, 1942 designated the 12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS).

On May 15, 1942 redesignated the 12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS).

On August 18, 1942 assigned to the 15th Fighter Group (15th FG).

On November 19, 1942 moves from Christmas Island Airfield to the South Pacific (SOPAC) to Efaté Island in the New Hebrides with the air echelon moves to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and begins flying combat missions.

On December 24, 1942 the squadron P-39 Airacobras took off from Guadalcanal to escort nine SBDs to Munda Airfield on New Georgia plus other escorts including four P-38 Lightings and four F4F Wildcats. The formation is intercepted by fourteen Zeros with four P-39 pilots claim five shot down without any U.S. losses.

On February 7, 1943 the squadron moves to Guadalcanal.

On March 30, 1943 assigned to the 18th Fighter Grouop (18th FG).

On August 18, 1943 P-39 Airacobras took off from Segi Airfield on New Georgia on a patrol mission over Vella Lavella. Lost is P-39N 42-190?? pilot 2nd Lt. Jack B. Eddy (MIA).

On December 22, 1943 reorganized and redesignated the 12th Fighter Squadron (TE) indicating "Twin Engine".

Between January 1, 1944 to March 31, 1944 operated from APO 709: Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal. The squadron was under the command of Lt. Col. Leland S. McGowan Commanding Officer (C. O.). On February 19, 1944 a detachment was operating from Stirling Airfield on Stirling Island including 47 pilots and two ground personnel on detached service, flying combat missions against Rabaul as escorts for bombers or on dive bombing missions.

On February 27, 1944 the squadron took off from Stirling Airfield armed with bombs on a dive bombing and strafing mission over Rabaul. Lost is P-38J 42-67154 pilot 1st Lt. George I. Gombert, Jr. went Missing In Action (MIA) last seen entering a cloud formation roughly 20 miles south of New Ireland.

No enemy aircraft were encountered in the air, aside from one mission on March 16, 1944 when a Ki-46 Dinah observed taking off from Vunakanau Airfield and was shot down three miles to the south by eight P-38s led by Major Francis L. Daugherty. He and 1st Lt. Francis J. Cheney shared half victory credits for shooting it down. During this period, the squadron's P-38s bombed and strafed Vunapope, Ralum and Tawui ammunition dump. One P-38 was lost, pilot bailed out and was successfully rescued. The squadron also flew barge sweep missions over New Ireland and strafed a floatplane that did not burn was was deemed to have sustained heavy damage while moored in a cove off Shortland-Faisi in Shortland Seaplane Base.

On August 1, 1944 the detachment at Stirling Airfield returns to base at Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal.

On February 27, 1945 moves to San Jose Airfield (McGuire) on Mindoro Island.

On April 26, 1945 moves to Puerto Princesa Airfield on Palawan Island.

On May 11, 1945 moves to Zamboanga Airfield (Wolfe Field) on Mindanao.

Postwar
On January 20, 1950 redesignated the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. On July 1, 1958 redesignated the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 65-66 [PDF pages 77-78]
12th Fighter Squadron - January-March 1944 (USAF Historical Research Agency IRSUM: 55724)