24th Pursuit Group

24th Pursuit Group
Group members and one of the last Curtiss P-40Es of the 24th Pursuit Group, taken at Bataan Airfield in early 1942 during the Battle of the Philippines (note Camouflage netting).
Active	1 October 1941 – 2 April 1946 (Not equipped or manned, May 1942 – 2 April 1946)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Role	Pursuit
Part of	Far East Air Force
Engagements	World War II Philippine Islands (1941–1942)
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citations    Philippines, 7 December 1941 – 10 May 1942    Philippines, 8–12 December 1941    Philippines, 6 January – 8 March 1942 Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Commanders
Notable commanders	Colonel Orrin L. Grover, 1 October 1941 – April 1942

The 24th Pursuit Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was wiped out in the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42). The survivors fought as infantry during Battle of Bataan and after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia. The unit was never remanned or equipped. It was carried as an active unit until 2 April 1946.

The Group was activated in the Philippine Islands on 1 October 1941, taking over the three pursuit squadrons (3d, 17th and 20th) of the inactivated 4th Composite Group. The group was equipped with Seversky P-35As and several models of Curtiss P-40s, this group comprised the only pursuit force in the Philippines in December 1941.

During the month of October, 35 new pilots arrived from Randolph Field, Texas which brought the 24th up to full strength. These pilots were sent to Pursuit transition unit at Clark which trained them for combat duty. In November 1941, the 24th was augmented by two attached squadrons (21st and 34th) which were sent from the 35th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, California. Also in November, a number of additional P-40Es were sent to the Group, which equipped the 3d, 17th and 21st Squadrons. The 34th Pursuit Squadron was assigned P-35A, the remainder of the P-35s being sent to the Philippines Air Corps.

Notice was received by the group on 15 November that due to the tense international situation between the United States and the Japanese Empire, all pursuit aircraft on the flight line would be placed on alert 24 hours each day, be armed, and be fully fueled with pilots available on 30 minutes' notice. During the period 30 November to 6 December all squadrons underwent intensive training in day and night enemy interception and air-to-air gunnery. Also training in escorting B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 19th Bombardment Group was undertaken.