383d Fighter Squadron

383d Fighter Squadron
Emblem of the 383d Fighter Squadron
Active	1943–1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Type	Fighter

The 383d Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 364th Fighter Group stationed at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

Organized and trained in California during 1943, assigned to 364th Fighter Group. Arrived England in February 1944, being assigned to VIII Fighter Command at RAF Honington, East Anglia.

Initially flew escort, dive-bombing, strafing, and patrol missions in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. At first the squadron operated primarily as escort for B-17/B-24 Liberator heavy bombers.

Patrolled the English Channel during the Normandy invasion in June 1944, and, while continuing escort operations, supported ground forces in France after the invasion by strafing and bombing locomotives, marshalling yards, bridges, barges, and other targets. Converted from P-38's to P-51C/D Mustang's in the summer of 1944 and from then until the end of the war flew many long-range escort missions heavy bombers that attacked oil refineries, industries, and other strategic objectives at Berlin, Regensburg, Merseburg, Stuttgart, Brussels, and elsewhere. Also flew air-sea rescue missions, engaged in patrol activities, and continued to support ground forces as the battle line moved through France and into Germany.