Constituted as 59th Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 1
Sep 1941. Assigned to First AF. Participated in maneuvers and after the
outbreak of war engaged in patrol activity along the east coast of the US.
Used BC-1A, L-59, O-46, O-47, O-49, and O-52 aircraft. Inactivated on 18
Oct 1942.
Activated on 1 Mar 1943. Assigned to Third AF. Redesignated 59th
Reconnaissance Group in Apr 1943, and 19th Fighter Group in Aug 1943.
Trained pilots, using P-39 aircraft, with part of the group converting to
P-40's in Apr 1944. Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Squadrons. 34th (formerly 126th): 1941-1942; 1943. 103d: 1941-1942.
447th: 1943-1944. 488th (formerly 9th): 1942; 1943-1944. 489th (formerly
104th): 1941-1942; 1943-1944. 490th (formerly 119th): 1942; 1943-1944.
Stations. Newark, NJ, 1 Sep 1941; Pope Field, NC, c. Oct 1941; Ft Dix,
NJ, Dec 1941-18 Oct 1942. Ft Myers, Fla, 1 Mar 1943; Thomasville AAFld,
Ga, c. 30 Mar 1943-1 May 1944.
Commanders. Lt Col Victor Dallin, 1941; Lt Col Chester A Charles, Jan
1942-unkn. Maj Leland S McGowan, c. 24 Mar 1943; Lt Col William R
Clingerman Jr, 14 Apr 1943; Col James B League Jr, Oct 1943; Lt Col James
Van G Wilson, 11 Mar-c. 1 May 1944.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure issuant fanwise from clouds in sinister base
proper five rays, in dexter chief a mullet or. Motto: Exemplar - An
Example. (Approved 24 Nov 1942.) Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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