21st Pursuit Squadron: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 02:01, 5 March 2009
21st Pursuit Squadron | |
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Active | 1940-1946 (Not manned or equipped after May 1942 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Pursuit |
Part of | Far East Air Force |
Engagements | Philippine Islands (1941–1942) |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citations: Philippines, 7 December 1941 – 10 May 1942 Philippines, 8–12 December 1941 Philippines, 6 January – 8 March 1942 Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
The 21st Pursuit Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was wiped out in the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42). The survivors fought as infantry during Battle of Bataan and after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia. The unit was never remanned or equipped. It was carried as an active unit until 2 April 1946.
History
Lineage
- Constituted 21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 22 Dec 1939
- Activated on 1 Feb 1940
- Inactivated on 2 Apr 1946.
Assignments
- 35th Pursuit Group, Feb 1940-15 Jan 1942
- Attached to 24th Pursuit Group, 1 Oct 1941-2 Apr 1946
Stations
- Moffett Field, California, 1 Feb 1940
- Hamilton Field, California, 10 Sep–Oct 1941
- Nichols Field, Luzon, Philippines, 1 Nov 1941
- Bataan Field, Luzon, c. 4 Jan–Apr 1942
- Air echelon operated from: Del Monte Airfield, Mindanao, Philippines C. 8 Apr–May 1942
Aircraft
- Probably P-36 Hawk, 1940-1941
- P-40 Warhawk, 1941-1942.
Operational History
Combat in the Philippine Islands, 8 Dec 1941–c. 1 May 1942; ground echelon fought as an infantry unit in Bataan, 18 Jan–c. 8 Apr 1942. Carried as an active unit but was not operational from the fall of the Philippines to 2 Apr 1946.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
- Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975
- The Army Air Forces in World War II, Chapter 6, Pearl Harbor and Clark Field