95th Aero Squadron

95th Aero Squadron
A replica Nieuport 28 painted in the motif of the 95th Aero Squadron at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Active	20 August 1917 – 18 March 1919
Country	United States
Branch	Air Service, United States Army
Type	Squadron
Role	Pursuit
Part of	American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Fuselage Code	"Kicking Mule"
Engagements	World War I
Commanders
Notable commanders	Capt. James E. Miller Capt. Seth Low Maj. Davenport Johnson Maj. David M. Peterson Capt. John Mitchell
Insignia
95th Aero Squadron Emblem
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Nieuport 28, 1918 Spad XIII, 1918

1st Pursuit Group
Western Front, France: 4 May-11 November 1918

Air Aces: 6

The 95th Aero Squadron was a Air Service, United States Army unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I. It was the first American pursuit (fighter) squadron to fly in combat on the Western Front, beginning on 8 March 1918.

The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron as part of the 1st Pursuit Group, First United States Army. Its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons, and perform close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines.

In combat, squadron members shot down 35 enemy aircraft and 12 observation balloons and had 6 Air Aces. Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt was assigned to the 95th. He lost his life in combat on 14 July 1918.

After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron returned to the United States in March 1919 and was demobilized. The current United States Air Force unit which holds its lineage and history is the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, assigned to the 55th Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, England.

The 95th Aero Squadron was formed at Kelly Field, Texas on 20 August 1917. Upon its formation, the men of the squadron were instructed in close-order drill and in military traditions. On 30 September, the squadron left Kelly Field for the Aviation Concentration Center, Hazelhurst Field #2, on Long Island, New York. From there it boarded the SS Adriatic on 27 October bound for overseas duty in Europe.