350th Fighter Group

Activated in England on 1 Oct 1942 by special authority granted to Eighth AF prior to constitution as 350th Fighter Group on 2 Oct 1942. The air echelon moved from England to North Africa, Jan-Feb 1943; the ground echelon, which had been formed in the US, arrived in North Africa about the same time. The group operated with Twelfth AF from Jan 1943 until the end of the war, flying patrol and interception missions, protecting convoys, escorting aircraft, flying reconnaissance missions, engaging in interdictory operations, and providing close support for ground forces. Used P-39's, P-400's, and a few P-38's before converting to P-47's during Aug-Sep 1944. Operated against targets in Tunisia until the end of that campaign. Defended the coast of Algeria during the summer and fall of 1943. Afterward, operated primarily in support of Allied forces in Italy until the end of the war, bombing and strafing rail facilities, shipping docks, radar and transformer stations, power lines, bridge motor transports, and military installations. Received a DUC for action in western Italy on 6 Apr 1944 when, despite intense flak and attacks by numerous enemy interceptors, the group flew ten missions, hitting troops, bridges, vehicle barracks, and air warning installations. Also covered Allied landings on Elba in Jun 1944 and supported the invasion of Southern France in Aug. 1st Lt Raymond L Knight was awarded the Medal of Honor for missions on 24 and 25 Apr 1945: voluntarily leading attacks, through intense antiaircraft fire, against enemy airdromes in northern Italy, Lt Knight was responsible for eliminating more than 20 German planes intended for assaults on Allied forces; attempting to return his shattered plane to base after an attack ot 25 Apr, Lt Knight crashed in the Apennines. The group moved to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Redesignated 112th Fighter Group. Allotted to ANG (Pa) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 22 Apr 1949. Redesignated 112th Fighter-Interceptor Group in Oct 1952, and 112th Fighter-Bomber Group in Dec 1952.

Squadrons. 345th: 1942-1945. 346th: 1942-1945. 347th: 1942-1945.

Stations. Bushey Hall, England, 1 Oct 1942; Duxford, England, Oct 1942; Oujda, French Morocco, 6 Jan 1943; Oran, Algeria, 14 Feb 1943; Maison Blanche, Algeria, May 1943; Rerhaia, Algeria, c. 17 Jul 1943; Sardinia, 5 Nov 1943; Corsica, 6 Feb 1944; Tarquinia, Italy, 8 Sep 1944; Pisa, Italy, 2 Dec 1944-14 Jul 1945; Seymour Johnson Field, NC, 25 Aug-7 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Lt Col Richard P Klocko, 14 Oct 1942; Maj Ariel W Nielsen, 24 Feb 1943; Lt Col Marvin L McNickle, 1 Mar 1943; Lt Col Ariel W Nielsen, c. Sep 1943; Lt Col John C Robertson, 22 Oct 1944; Col Ariel W Nielsen, c. Feb 1945; Col John C Robertson, 20 Jun 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Italy, 6 Apr 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and or, on a bend sable between a Pegasus salient argent and a keystone charged with a ruffed grouse proper, a group of four vols with upper edges of wings parallel to the edge of the ordinary, each vol overlapping the next from dexter to sinister alternating of the fourth and second, a diminished border of the third. Motto: In Common Cause. (Approved 10 Sep 1954.)

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986