Constituted as 72d Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Heavy) on 12
Aug 1943 and activated on 20 Aug. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 72d
Fighter Wing in Sep 1943. Trained fighter organizations and replacement
crews. Inactivated on 9 Apr 1946.
Groups. 36th: 1943-1944. 84th: 1943-1944. 357th: 1943. 407th:
1943-1944. 408th: 1943-1944. 476th: 1944. 507th: 1944-1945. 508th:
1944.
Stations. Rapid City AAB, SD, 20 Aug 1943; Colorado Springs, Colo, 7
Oct 1943; Peterson Field, Colo, Nov 1943; Colorado Springs, Colo, Jan-9
Apr 1946.
Commanders. Col Felix L Vidal, 10 Oct 1943; Brig Gen George P
Tourtellot, 6 Jul 1944; Col Irving L Branch, 23 Jan 1945; Brig Gen John E
Upston, 14 Mar 1945; Brig Gen Leonard D Weddington, 30 Sep 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None. Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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