5th Pursuit Group

5th Pursuit Group
Pilots of the 41st Aero Squadron, Lay-Saint-Remy Aerodrome, France, November 1919
Active	1918-19
Country	United States
Branch	Air Service, United States Army
Type	Group
Role	Command and Control
Part of	American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Engagements	World War I Occupation of the Rhineland
Insignia
41st Aero Squadron Emblem
138th Aero Squadron Emblem
141st Aero Squadron Emblem
638th Aero Squadron Emblem

The 5th Pursuit Group was an Air Service, United States Army unit that was assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. It was demobilized in Germany after serving with the Third Army Air Service as part of the American Occupation of the Rhineland in May, 1919. There is no modern United States Air Force unit that shares its lineage and history.

The 5th Pursuit Group was authorized by the Second Army Air Service in October 1918, for the purpose of participating in the planned drive on Metz and subsequent offenses. However, the signing of the Armistice with Germany on 11 November intervened.

Officially organized on 15 November 1918, initially, the 41st, 138th and 638th Aero Squadrons (Pursuit) were assigned to the group, and were billeted in the village of Lay St. Remy, in the Toul Sector. The Aerodrome was located only about a dozen kilometers from the town. Within several weeks after the group's formation, barracks were completed near the field and the squadron's men were moved to the quarters. Many of the pilots of the group had seen service with the British Royal Flying Corps, and a few had been shot down over German-held territory and had been taken prisoner. Also, several of the pilots were instructors in the United States and were sent overseas late in the war, and had not seen combat. Also many of the men of the squadrons had been instructors at training fields both in the United States, as well as in England and Scotland.

Although formed after the Armistice with Germany, the flying of the group did not. Pilots flew proficiency flights, training in formation flying, patrols and in air combat being on the schedule each day the weather permitted, although all flying was performed in friendly territory. Also demonstration flying was performed for various events to thrill the crowd and to demonstrate to the other branches of the service the capabilities of the Air Service. The pilots were skilled in aerobatic flying, and no accidents ever resulted from an exhibition.

High-ranking officers would visit Lay-Saint-Remy Aerodrome on occasion to discuss their cooperation with the Air Service during the War, and on their own particular work. Courses were held for the enlisted men in maintaining their skills learned and updating them with experiences learned during the war.