The 49th Fighter Squadron Association has a long history of serving it’s members, maintaining its proud legacy, and remembering those members who have passed on.

---

The 49th Fighter Squadron Association has its roots in the 49th Pursuit Squadron, which was established in 1941. The men of those early days flew the famous P-38 fighter, serving with distinction with the 14th Fighter Group, and seeing action in both Africa and Europe.

Upon returning home after the war, the strong bond among these men continued and they kept in touch with one another, eventually, in 1974, forming The 49th Fighter Squadron Association. By 2002 the membership, which included both officers and enlisted men, had steadily diminished to approximately eighty-five members, and plans to discontinue the Association were considered.

It is here where the group had new life. Several members of the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, who had served in the 1950’s petitioned the World War II group to turn the reins over to them. The torch was passed to the later generation along with funds to continue operations. With this transition, it was agreed that the World War II members would be paid-up Life Members. Since 2002, the Association has been expanded to include anyone who has served in the 49th, from its inception in 1941 to the present day.

The squadron has undergone several incarnations throughout the years. Starting as a Pursuit Squadron in 1941, it became a Fighter Squadron in 1942, a Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in the 1950s, and in 1990 became a Fighter Training Squadron as it remains to this day. With each change came new members, and now there are over 150 names on the membership rolls. The 49th Fighter Squadron Association is one of only a few that has an active membership with a heritage dating back to World War II, and with an operational Air Force squadron on duty today.

Annual dues for membership are waived.  The Association thrives on voluntary donations.  Proceeds from these donations are used for tributes provided to our hosts at annual memorial services held in France every April, for ceremonial wreaths, 49th patches and caps, and website upkeep.  Donations are welcome and if you choose to do so, please provide a check made out to our Treasurer, John Jannazo, 346 Blaze Blvd., Freeport, FL 32439. Your help in maintaining our legacy is immensly appreciated.

---

“THE JAGGED EDGE OF DUTY”

This book describes Army Air Force combat in World War II, and tells about a P-38 pilot, Lt. Allan Knepper assigned to the 49th Fighter squadron in North Aftrica. It describes his activities and the results of his selfless service. While researching this book, the author ROBERT L. RICHARDSON focused exclusively on the 49th Fighter Squadron. His research involved several years and extensive travel, including multiple visits to the National Archives and the Air Force Historical Research Agency. As a result, this excellent work is one of the best treateses on the life of a combat pilot in WWII.

Lt. Knepper’s story is a microcosm of thousands of American fighter pilots in World War II. Richardson recounts Knepper’s experiences from training through combat and describes the aircraft, tactics, doctrine, training, base life, and aerial combat. This work is a detailed account of Lt. Knepper’s fighter pilot experience.

On the very first day of the invasion of Sicily, three months into his combat assignment, Lt. Knepper flew his P-38 Lightning in a flight of several aircraft to sweep the island and interdict German ground targets. German infantry pounded the American flyers and Knepper was one of two pilots shot down.  His body was not found until 2015 and his remains were finally verified in May 2024 by DoD’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.  Lt. Knepper’s remains were returned to his family in Lewiston, Idaho.  Internment with full military honors  took place in August 2024. The 49th FSA provided a floral wreath to welcome home our fallen comrade..

________________________________________

49th FIGHTER SQUADRON STATIONS

Hamilton & March  Fields, California 1941 – 1942, designated 49th Pursuit Squadron flying the P-38

RAF Atcham, England 1942, re-designated 49th Fighter Squadron, P-38’s preparing for combat

Algeria, French Morocco, Tunisia 1942 – 1943, P-38

Sicily 1943, P-38

Corsica 1944, P-38

Lesina & Trilo Airfield Italy 1944 -1945, P-38

Bangor, Maine 1946, assigned F-80C and F-84B (deactivated 1949)

Bangor, Maine 1952, equipped with the F-86D (re-designated 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron)

Hanscom Field, Bedford Mass 1955, upgraded to the F-86L (similar to the ‘D’ but with data link)

Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY 1959, equipped with the century series F-101B and F-106A (deactivated 1987)

Columbus AFB, Miss. 1990 reactivated as 49th Fighter Training Squadron flying the AT-38C