41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) "The Flying Buzzsaws"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG)

Background
On December 22, 1939 constituted as the 41st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). On February 1, 1940 activated at Bolling Field, Washington DC as part of the 31st Pursuit Group (31st PG) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On October 21, 1940 moves to Selfridge Field, Michigan. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On December 6, 1941 moves to Baer Field, Indiana.

Wartime History
On December 15, 1941 moves to Paine Field, Washington State. On January 15, 1942 assigned to the 35th Pursuit Group (35th PG). On January 21, 1942 departs overseas bound for Australia equipped with early model P-39 Airacobra and P-400 Airacobra. On February 25, 1942 at Brisbane. On March 8, 1942 arrives Ballarat Airfield.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On July 22, 1942 sixteen Airacobras including some from 41st FS took off on a mission to strafe Japanese barges off Buna and Gona. Over the target, eight Airacobras strafed the barges while the other eight flew top cover.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On May 15, 1942 redesignated the 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) in the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG) nicknamed "The Flying Buzzsaws" with the motif of a buss-saw with red wings leaving a trail of yellow chips inside a circle with a background of clouds and a blue sky.

Later, operated the P-47D Thunderbolt.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On September 6, 1943 a flight of P-39 Airacobras from the squadron patrol in the vicinity of Lae and two P-39s engaged a formation of Japanese planes and claim a Zero shot down (none were lost) without any loss or damage.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On October 14, 1944 eight P-47D Thunderbolts took off on a fighter sweep over Manggar Airfield on southeast Borneo. Lost is P-47D "Claire-Doll III" 42-28500 pilot 1st Lt. Raymond P. Wiedmeyer (MIA).

PARTIAL HISTORY

On December 18, 1944 fighter-bombers including P-47s of the 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) strafe seaplane facilities at Sanga Sanga lost is P-47D 42-28513 pilot Captain John Douglas Bailey (POW/MIA).

Finally, transitioned to the P-51D Mustang.

References
41st Fighter Squadron History
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 190-191 (41st Fighter) [PDF pages 202-203]
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 33 (35th FG), 34 (41st FS)
41st Fighter Squadron DVD (2000)