72nd Fighter Squadron (72nd FS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 7th Air Force (7th AF)

Background
On October 4, 1941 constituted as the 72nd Pursuit Squadron (72nd PS) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On October 5, 1941 activated as part of the 15th Pursuit Group (15th PG) at Wheeler Field on Oahu in Hawaii.

Wartime History
On May 15, 1942 redesigned as 72nd Fighter Squadron (72nd FS). On October 15, 1942 then assigned to the 318th Fighter Group (318th FG).

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 265-266 (72d Fighter) [PDF pages 277-278]