344th Fighter Squadron

History

Activated as a P-40 Warhawk fighter squadron in Alaska during World War II. Engaged in combat missions during Aleutian Campaign, 1942–1943. Switched to long-range P-38 Lightning fighters in 1944 and flew long-range attacks against Japanese shipping and airfields in northern Japan from its base at Shemya. Inactivated in 1946.

Lineage

Constituted 344th Fighter Squadron on 2 Oct 1942

Activated on 10 Oct 1942 Inactivated on 15 Aug 1946.

Assignments

343d Fighter Group, 10 Oct 1942 – 15 Aug 1946

Stations

Elmendorf Field, Alaska Territory, 10 Oct 1942

Detachment at Fort Randall Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, 12 Nov 1942

Fort Randall Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, c. 25 Dec 1942

Fort Glenn Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, 8 Mar-c. 23 May 1943

Detachment at Amchitka Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, May-Jul 1943 Detachment at Alexai Point Army Airfield, Attu, Alaska Territory, c. 12 Jun-Dec 1943

Shemya Army Airfield, Alaska Territory, 25 Jun 1943 – 15 Aug 1946.

Aircraft

P-40 Warhawk, 1942–1944

P-38 Lightning, 1944–1946