Forrest Edward Lynn Pilot Pacific WW II

I think that my father, Forrest Edward Lynn, was in the 13th Air Force, but that is a guess. His SN is 701777. His records went up in the '73 records fire. There is an enlistment record out there that is almost completely inaccurate except for his name, SN, and residence. Databases were merged to generate the record. Archives is not interested in correcting it, only in preserving it.
 
How do I go about reconstructing his service in WW II? I know he had training at Cimarron Field, Oklahoma City, OK.  because I have his K-43 graduation book with his cadet picture in it. I know he was a pilot because he told me and I have photos of him with his planes. I know he served  from Dec 5, 1943 - Aug 17, 1945 (from records) and that he served in the Pacific because he talked about being in New Guinea, Australia and the Phillipines.
 
I have already received the only record that Archives was able to send, his Certification of Military Service. This certification also has a lot of the same inaccuracies as his enlistment record.
 
If at all possible, can someone point me in a different direction to get more information about my father's service during WW II? He died in July of 1983 and is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was born on June 21, 1922.
 
Thank you,
Sandy (Lynn) Martin

Sandy - Do you know what A/C he flew in Combat .
Any photos of them?
Sources of Info:
If he dealt with V.A. - they have records
County , where he was from , Records are a good source
Local Newspaper Archives.
Mike

Mike,
Thank you for responding. He trained in a P-47 Thunderbolt. He also talked about P-51s, but I am not sure if he actually flew them.
 
I don't understand how the squadron/unit/group numbers work and don't have any of that information. Is there any place that might be helpful in identifying this type of information? If you know one number, does that then narrow the search for the rest of the numbers?
The only reason I believe him to be in the 13th Air Force is due to a description of the locations that I found on the internet for those assigned to the Southwestern Pacific campaign during WW II.
 
I am also planning on making a request for his Morning Reports and Unit Rosters, which may help to reconstruct his service record.
 
Again, thank you for your response.
Sandy (Lynn) Martin
 

Australia and New Guinea were 5th Air Force Territory.  The 13th operated further East.  The two came together in the Phillipines.  It would be my guess he was in the 35th Fighter Gp.,5th Air Force.  They were equipted with P-47s in late 1943 and with P-51s in Mar. 1945.  That would match the time frame you're referring  to. 
Jack

Sandy:
FEAF - Far Eastern Air Force.
I believe he was in 35th FG. They had the same Markings on Nose , Number on Nose
and White Tails as your photo.
Converted to P - 51s  3/45 
Stationed Phillipines 1/45 - VJ Day.
Japan - 9/45
Mike

This may or may not help, but this picture was taken in San Antonio in 1943. He accepted a commission on Dec 5th, 1943.
 
Sandy (Lynn) Martin

Sandy,
 
The 39th FS Association roster lists Forest E. Lynn (deceased 1983) and Robert A. Mittelstadt (deceased 1996) as former veterans of the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, 5th AAF.   In addition, the aircraft in the first photo posted is painted in the 39th markings and carries one of the 39th aircraft squadron numbers - - number 17.   The second photo appears to be in color.  The 39th's squadron color was blue.  I think it is a fairly safe bet your father was in the 39th.
 
April 13, 1944 was the first date I found mention of Lt. Lynn (and Lt. Mittelstadt) in the squadron records.  Fifth mission of the day, patrol mission, take-off time 1345 hrs. and landing at 1615 hrs., Gusap, New Guinea.  My dad was with the 39th (March 1943 to April 1944) and flew one mission with Lt. Lynn on April 16, 1944 - - Black Sunday.  They took off at 1222 to escort B-24's returning from a "strike on Hollandia".  "They didn't get very far for the weather was closed in and then they returned."  Landing time was 1330 hrs.    
 
To answer your question regarding additional training while on active duty - - - yes, pilots continually received additional training.  It appears from other WWII AAF service histories that newly commissioned pilots spent several months stateside gaining flight experience before being assigned overseas.  Those destined for the 39th (and other units in New Guinea) were sent first to Australia where they flew local patrols until receiving orders assigning them to a combat unit in New Guinea.
 
The historian for the 39th FS Association is Roy Seher, veteran of the 39th.  Please email me if you would like his contact information.
 
Mary Morgan Martin
Daughter of CPT George E. Morgan, 39th and 40th FS, 35th FG, 5th AAF; KIA over Luzon, Philippines, 31 May 1945
Member - 39th FS Association
Member of AWON    
 

Mary,
My email is sandyjcty@cebridge.net. Just noticed the typo. Corrected the previous email - just figured out how.
Sandy (Lynn) Martin

FEAF - Far Eastern Air Force

Actually, Far East Air Forces.  This was a headquarters that eventually included both Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force.
If he trained at Cimarron Field, his primary flying training unit would have been the 310th AAF Flying Training Detachment.