Looking for anyone who was associated with the 54th fighter squadron stationed in the aleutians during July of 1942. Are there any of the pilots still alive from this time? am looking for information on my uncle William D. thompson, a pilot, killed when traveling to either Ft. Randall or Ft. Glenn ak. [signature]

I think he may have been in the 54th Fighter Group.

Hi...There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the 11th AF in Alaska...the 343rd FTR Grp was stationed there. ... According to Maurer- Maurer, the 54th FTR Group was NEVER stationed in Alaska..however the 54th FTR AIR ECHELON equipped with P-39s served in Alaska againist the Japanese Froces that invaded the Aleutian Islands during the summer of 1942 and for these operations received the DUC. The Air Echelon returned to the U.S. in Dec 42 and rejoined the group,which had been assigned to the Third AF, and which became a replacement for the P-51 pilots. You have to watch the Group versus the Squadron.....the 54th FTR SQUADRON was part of the 343rd FTR Group, so she is correct. I have to double check which I am looking at, Group or Squadron....I get confused. i am not trying to be a smart **s,but this is easily confused...BT-DT. Jim :-) [signature]

Yes, it happened that in Alaska arrived both 54th Fighter Squadron and sqaudrons of 54th Fighter Group.
The 54th FS (55th FG) arrived on 31 may 1942 with P-38 and was attached to XI Fighter Command till the activation of 343d FG.

The squadrons of 54th FG (42, 56 and 57) with P-39 operated in California from late may 1942, and in Alaska from late june 1942 (after the battle of Midway) till december. The Group Hq remained in Loisiana during that time.

Max