40th Fighter Squadron (40th FS) "The Red Devils / Fighting Fortieth"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG)

Background
The 40th Fighter Squadron (40th FS) nicknamed "The Red Devils" operated the P-39 Airacobra and P-400 Airacobra. Later, operated the P-47 Thunderbolt and finally the P-38 Lightning in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II.

Wartime History
On December 22, 1939 the 40th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) was constituted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On February 1, 1940 activated at Selfridge Field in Michigan as part of the 31st Pursuit Group (31st PG) operating the P-39 Airacobra. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

On December 6, 1941 moves to Baer Field in Indiana. On December 16, 1941 moves to Port Angeles, Washington State. On January 15, 1942 assigned to the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG). On January 22, 1942 departs overseas bound for the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) to Australia arriving Februry 25, 1942. In Australia, several pilots with combat experience from Java including 1st Lt. Robert S. Johnson and 1st Lt. William C. Stauter transfered into the squadron.

On March 9, 1942 transfers to Ballarat Airfield. On March 16, 1942 moves to Mount Gambier Airfield. During April 1942 moves to Antil Plains Airfield near Townsville. On May 15, 1942 redesignated as the 40th Fighter Squadron (40th FS). On May 18, 1942 lost is P-39 Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. William P. Plain (KIA). He was the squadron's first fatality overseas.

First Tour of Duty
On June 2, 1942 transfers to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby and begins flying combat missions over New Guinea.

On June 16, 1942 P-39 Airacobras and P-400 Airacobras from 40th FS, 39th FS scramble from 7 Mile Drome to intercept A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) on a fighter sweep over Port Moresby. Lost is P-39F 41-7136 pilot 2nd Lt. Stanley F. Rice (MIA) and P-39F 41-7222 pilot 2nd Lt. William L. Hutcheson (survived). In the afternoon the squadron escorts bombers over Lae. Shot down is P-39 Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. Paul J. Magre (MIA).

On June 26, 1942 the squadron scrambled to intercept a Japanese air raid of G3M Nells escorted by A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai. During the air combat, three Airacobras were shot down with all three pilots bailing out over the Bootless Bay area including Airacobra pilot Hall (survived), Airacobra pilot ? (survived), Airacobra pilot ? (survived). Lost is P-39F Airacobra 41-7137 pilot 1st Lt. William C. Stauter (MIA).

On July 2, 1942 lost is Airacobra pilot 1st Lt. Robert S. Johnson (KIA) in a plane crash in Australia during leave.

On July 6, 1942 the squadron took off on a mission over Buna to Japanese G4M1 Bettys escorted by A6M2 Zero from Tainan Kōkūtai. During the air combat, damaged is P-400 AP377 pilot 2nd Lt. Howard C. Welker (MIA) who bailed out at low altitude and his parachute failed to open and was killed on impact near Gona Mission.

On July 22, 1942 sixteen Airacobras from 40th FS, 39th FS and 41st FS and strafe barges off Buna and Gona and escort P-40E Kittyhawks armed with 500 pound bombs against Napapo near Buna.

On July 30, 1942 transfers back to Antil Plains Airfield near Townsville ending the first tour of duty.

Second Tour of Duty
In late November 1942 returns to Port Moresby and begins a second tour of duty.

On February 6, 1943 eight P-39 Airacobras from 40th FS plus eight P-40E Warhawks from 7th FS escort three C-47 Skytrains bound for Wau Airfield and arrive during a Japanese air raid by 9 Ki-48 Lilys from 45th Sentai escorted by 29 Ki-43 Oscars from 11th Sentai and engaged in a dog fight. 40th Fighter Squadron pilots claiming twelve enemy planes shot down including two by 1st Lt. William F. McDonough.

On August 11, 1943 moves to Tsili-Tsili Airfield.

On October 16, 1943 the squadron took off Tsili-Tsili Airfield on a patrol mission over Salamaua. Over the target area was bad weather with no visibility. Lost is P-39N 42-18410 pilot Captain James R. Miller (MIA) and P-39N 42-19033 pilot 2nd Lt. Wayne H Sturtevant (MIA).

During October 1943 moves to Nadzab Airfield.

On February 3, 1944 moves to Gusap Airfield.

On March 11, 1944 the squadron flew a mission over Wewak. Over the target near Dagua, P-47D pilot 2nd Lt. John J. Gerrity (MIA) was chasing a Japanese fighter and while trying to maneuver crashed into the sea.

On June 9, 1944 returns to Nadzab Airfield. On August 4, 1944 moves to Noemfoor Island. On September 14, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield. On October 17, 1944 moves to Morotai.

On January 21, 1945 moves to Mangaldan Airfield on Luzon. On April 11, 1945 moves to Lingayen Airfield. On April 19, 1945 moves to Clark Field. On June 30, 1945 moves to Yontan Airfield on Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War.

Postwar
On October 10, 1945 moves to Irumagawa Airfield in Japan. On March 13, 1950 moves to Yokota Airfield. On July 9, 1959 the squadron nickname "Fighting Fortieth" and motif of a white circle with a blue edge and yellow lightning bolt with a laughing devil's head and and below a scroll with the motto "Fighting Fortieth".

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 187-188 (40th Fighter) [PDF pages 199-200]
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 33 (35th FG), 34 (40th FS)
40th Fighter Squadron Association Website via Wayback Machine May 15, 2008
40th Fighter / Flight Test Squadron Associate "WWII Honor Roll" via Wayback Machine July 23, 2008
Eagles of the Southern Sky (2012) pages 192 (June 26, 1942), 335 (Aerial victories June 26, 1942)
Thanks to Carlos E. "Dan" Dannacher and Edward Rogers for additional information