326th Fighter Group

Constituted as 326th Fighter Group on 24 Jun 1942. Activated on 19 Aug 1942. Assigned to First AF. Became part of the air defense force and also served as an operational training unit. Later became a replacement training unit, preparing pilots for combat duty in P-47's. Disbanded on 10 Apr 1944.

Reconstituted and redesignated 326th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Equipped with F-86's.

Squadrons. 320th: 1942-1943. 321st: 1942-1944; 1955-. 322d: 1942-1944. 442d: 1943. 538th: 1943-1944. 539th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 19 Aug 1942; Bradley Field, Conn, 1 Sep 1942 Westover Field, Mass, 1 Nov 1942; Seymour Johnson Field, NC, 13 Oct 1943-10 Apr 1944. Paine AFB, Wash, 18 Aug 1955-.

Commanders. Lt Col Gilbert L Meyers, c. 24 Aug 1942; Lt Col William S Steele, c. 14 Jun 1943-10 Apr 1944. Col Ira Wintermute, 1955-.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, a cockatrice volant or crested and beaked gules. Motto: Fortiter Et Sincere - Boldly and Sincerely. (Approved 31 Dec 1942.)

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