Headquarters (HQ Squadron)
5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF)

Background
Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command), 5th Air Force (5th AF) was part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Also known as Headquarters Squadron (HQ Squadron).

On November 11, 1942 arrives in Australia with Colonel Paul B. Wurtsmith Commanding Officer (C.O.) of V Fighter Command.

Date unknown, late 1942 or early 1943, moves to Port Moresby.

On October 16, 1943 lost is OA-10 Catalina 43-3262 pilot F/O Richard W. Smith crahed east of Pongani.

During November 1944, Captain Richard I. Bong was assigned to 5th Fighter Command as assistant operations officer in charge of replacement airplanes at the conclusion of his first tour of duty and returns to the United States for leave.

On November 24, 1943 Commanding Officer (C.O.) of V Fighter Command becomes Colonel Neel E. Kearby.

On January 13, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield. In early 1944, Captain Richard I. Bong returns for a second tour of duty assigned to 5th Fighter Command as a staff officer and continued to fly combat missions. During the middle of March 1944, Bong flys missions with the 421st Night Fighter Squadron (421st NFS).

On July 1, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield.

During late 1944 moves to Tacloban on Leyte in the Philippines.

On January 22, 1945 moves to San Jose Airfield (McGuire Drome) on Mindoro in the Philippines.

On February 10, 1945 Brigadier General Frederick H Smith Jr. becomes Commanding Officer (C.O.) of V Fighter Command.

During March 1945 Headquarters, V Fighter Command moves to Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines.

On August 1, 1945 moves to Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Colonel Paul B. Wurtsmith (November 11, 1942–November 23, 1943)
Colonel Neel E. Kearby (November 23, 1943–February 8, 1944)
Brigadier General Frederick H Smith Jr. (February 10, 1945–?)

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