431ST Tactical Fighter Training Squadron

Activated on 14 May 1943 by special authority prior to constitution as 431 Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1943. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1949. Redesignated 431 Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 11 Sep 1952. Activated on 1 Nov 1952. Redesignated: 431 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 25 Jul 1964; 431 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 30 Apr 1971. Inactivated on 15 Dec 1971. Activated on 15 Jan 1976. Inactivated on 1 Oct 1978.

Assignments. 475 Fighter Group, 14 May 1943-1 Apr 1949 (attached to 347 Fighter Group, 15 Nov 1947-28 Aug 1948). 4708th Defense Wing, 1 Nov 199; 575 Air Defense Group, 16 Feb 1.953; Seventeenth Air Force, 10 Jul 1953; 1603 Air Transport (later 7272 Air Base) Wing, 20 Jul 1953; 7272 Operations Group, 1 Mar 1958; 65 Air Division, 1 Sep 1958; United States Air Forces in Europe, 1 Jul 1960 (attached to 65 Air Division, 1 Jul 1960-18 May 1964); 32 Tactical Fighter Wing, 18 May 1964; 8 Tactical Fighter Wing, 25 Jul 1964 (attached to 2 Air Division, 26 Aug 1965-); 831 Air Division, 6 Dec 1965 (remained attached to 2 Air Division to 6 Dec 1965; attached to 479 Tactical Fighter Wing, c. 6 Dec 1965-14 Jun 1968); 479 Tactical Fighter Wing, 15Jun 1968-30 Oct 1970 (not operational, 1 Jan-1 Mar 1969 and 1 Jan-30 Oct 1970); 4403 Tactical Fighter Wing, 30 Oct 1970-15 Dec 1971. 35 Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 Jan 1976-1 Oct 1978.

Stations. Charters Towers, Australia, 14 May 1943; Amberley Field, Australia, c. 1 Jul 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, 14 Aug 1943 (operated from Port Moresby, New Guinea, 8 Aug-3 Oct 1943); Nadzab, New Guinea, 26 Mar 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, 15 May 1944; Biak, 15 Jul 1944; Dulag, Leyte, 9 Nov 1944 (detachment operated from San Jose, Mindoro, 5 Feb-c. 4 Mar 1945); Clark Field, Luzon, 28 Feb 1945; Lingayen, Luzon, 19 Apr 1945; Ie Shima, 8 Aug 1945; Kimpo, Korea, 5 Oct 1945; Tachikawa, Japan, c. 20 Feb 1947; Itazuke, Japan, 15 Nov 1947; Ashiya, Japan, 25 Mar-1 Apr 1949. Selfridge AFB, MI, 1 Nov 1952-23 Jun 1953; Wheelus Field, Libya, 10 Jul 1953; Zaragoza AB, Spain, 3 Sep 1958-18 May 1964; George AFB, CA, 18 May 1964 (deployed at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 26 Aug-c. 6 Dec 1965); England AFB, LA, 30 Oct 1970-15 Dec 1971. George AFB, CA, 15 Jan 1976-1 Oct 1978.

Aircraft. P-38, 1943-1946; P-51, 1946-1949. F-51, 1952-1953; F-86, 1953-1960; F-102, 1960-1964; F-4, 1964-1970; F-100, 1970-1971. F-4, 1976-1978.

Operations. Combat in Southwest Pacific and Western Pacific, Aug 1943-Jul 1945. Provided air defense from bases in Libya and Spain, 1953-1964. Participated in exercises and operations of Tactical Air Command (TAC), 1964-1970. Flew combat missions in Southeast Asia during deployment at Ubon, Aug-Dee 1965. Trained replacement crews in F-4C, F-4D, and F-4E aircraft, in turn, 1966-1970. Awarded the Colombian Trophy for flying safety (presented Jul 1967). Provided tactical training for TAC pilots, 1970-1971 and again 1976-1978.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; China Offensive. Vietnam, Vietnam Defense.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: New Guinea, 18 and 21 Aug 1943; New Guinea, 15 and 17 Oct 1943; Philippine Islands, 25 Oct-25 Dec 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat “V” Device: 1 Dec 1965-31 Mar 1967. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 20 Mar 1961-9 Feb 1962; 2 Feb 1976-31 Mar 1977. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Apr 1966- 31 Mar 1967

Emblem. Approved on 19 Sep 1944.