The 370th Fighter Squadron was activated in early 1943 as one of the original three squadrons of the 359th Fighter Group.[1] The squadron trained in New England during 1943.
P-47 Thunderbolts of the 359th Fighter Group at East Wretham
The squadron moved to England in October 1943, where it became part of VIII Fighter Command. It entered combat in mid-December 1943, using the callsign "Wheeler"[2] supported the invasion of Normandy during June 1944 by patrolling the English Channel, escorting bombardment formations to the French coast, and dive-bombing and strafing bridges, locomotives, and rail lines near the battle area. After D-Day, engaged chiefly in escorting bombers to oil refineries, marshalling yards, and other targets in such cities as Ludwigshafen, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, Merseburg, and Brux. Continued combat operations until the German capitulation in May 1945. The unit returned to the United States and was inactivated in November 1945.[1]
Lineage
Constituted as the 370th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 20 December 1942
^The 370th appears to be the only Eighth Air Force unit other than the squadrons of the 4th Fighter Group to have changed its fuselage code. Watkins, pp.78-79.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors: Insignia and Markings of the Eighth Air Force in World War II. Vol. II (VIII) Fighter Command. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN978-0-7643-2535-9.
July 31, 2023
370th, fighter, squadron, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, december, 2012, learn, when, remove, this, template,. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message The 370th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit The squadron was activated in early 1943 and assigned to the 359th Fighter Group After training in the United States it deployed to England and participated in combat in the European Theater of Operations earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for its action Following V E Day the squadron returned to at Camp Kilmer New Jersey where it was inactivated on 10 November 1945 370th Fighter Squadron359th Fighter Group P 51 Mustang at RAF East WrethamActive1942 1945Country United StatesBranch United States Air ForceRoleFighterEngagementsEuropean theater of World War IIDecorationsDistinguished Unit CitationInsignia370th Fighter Squadron Emblem approved 6 July 1943 1 ETO Fuselage Code and squadron color 2 note 1 CR then CS Blue Contents 1 History 2 Lineage 2 1 Assignments 2 2 Stations 2 3 Aircraft 2 4 Awards and Campaigns 3 References 3 1 Notes 3 2 BibliographyHistory EditThe 370th Fighter Squadron was activated in early 1943 as one of the original three squadrons of the 359th Fighter Group 1 The squadron trained in New England during 1943 P 47 Thunderbolts of the 359th Fighter Group at East WrethamThe squadron moved to England in October 1943 where it became part of VIII Fighter Command It entered combat in mid December 1943 using the callsign Wheeler 2 supported the invasion of Normandy during June 1944 by patrolling the English Channel escorting bombardment formations to the French coast and dive bombing and strafing bridges locomotives and rail lines near the battle area After D Day engaged chiefly in escorting bombers to oil refineries marshalling yards and other targets in such cities as Ludwigshafen Stuttgart Frankfurt Berlin Merseburg and Brux Continued combat operations until the German capitulation in May 1945 The unit returned to the United States and was inactivated in November 1945 1 Lineage EditConstituted as the 370th Fighter Squadron Single Engine on 20 December 1942Activated on 15 January 1943 Inactivated on 10 November 1945 1 Assignments Edit 359th Fighter Group 15 January 1943 10 November 1945 1 Stations Edit Westover Field Massachusetts 15 January 1943 Bedford Army Air Field Massachusetts 5 April 1943 Mitchel Field New York 24 May 1943 Westover Field Massachusetts 22 August 1943 2 October 1943 RAF East Wretham Station 133 3 England ca 18 October 1943 ca 4 November 1945 Camp Kilmer New Jersey 9 November 1945 10 November 1945 1 Aircraft Edit Republic P 47 Thunderbolt 1943 1944 North American P 51 Mustang 1944 1945Awards and Campaigns Edit Award streamer Award Dates Notes Distinguished Unit Citation 11 September 1944 Germany 1 Manual campaign table Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes Air Offensive Europe 1 Normandy 1 Northern France 1 Rhineland 1 Ardennes Alsace 1 Central Europe 1 Air Combat EAME Theater 1 World War II portalReferences EditNotes Edit Explanatory notes The 370th appears to be the only Eighth Air Force unit other than the squadrons of the 4th Fighter Group to have changed its fuselage code Watkins pp 78 79 Citations a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Maurer Combat Squadrons pp 458 459 a b Watkins pp 78 79 Station number in Anderson Bibliography Edit This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Anderson Capt Barry 1985 Army Air Forces Stations A Guide to the Stations Where U S Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II PDF Maxwell AFB AL Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Archived from the original PDF on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 7 July 2012 Maurer Maurer ed 1982 1969 Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 405 12194 6 LCCN 70605402 OCLC 72556 Watkins Robert 2008 Battle Colors Insignia and Markings of the Eighth Air Force in World War II Vol II VIII Fighter Command Atglen PA Shiffer Publishing Ltd ISBN 978 0 7643 2535 9 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 370th Fighter Squadron amp oldid 1067905901, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
