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The 412th Fighter Squadron,
(373rd Fighter Group), was activated at Westover Field, Massachusetts on 15
August 1943 per paragraph 1 General Order #60, Headquarters First Fighter
Command, Mitchel Field, New York, dated 12 June 1943.
Initial cadre was furnished for
this squadron by the 326th Fighter Group, Westover Field, Massachusetts. The
majority of subsequent "Filler Personnel" were also drawn from the
326th Fighter Group, Westover Field, Massachusetts.
Captain Donald W. McLeod,
0885156, assumed command of the squadron as of 23 August 1943.
The Commanding Officer and all
section heads received a one month course at School of Applied Tactics,
Orlando, Florida prior to activation.
On October 22, 1943 at 1800 the
412th Fighter Squadron left Westover Field, Massachusetts for temporary change
of station to Army Airdrome, Norfolk, Virginia. The squadron arrived at Army
Airdrome, Norfolk, Virginia 1930 23 October 1943, pursuant to paragraph 8,
Special Order 289, Westover Field, Massachusetts, 17 October 1943.
Distance traveled by rail, 700 miles; by boat 30 miles.
OTU training was completed
at Army Airdrome, Norfolk, Virginia, and on 15 February 1944 the 412th
Fighter Squadron left Army Airdrome, Norfolk, Virginia. The squadron arrived
at Army Air Base, Richmond, Virginia 1300 15 February 1944 for temporary
change of station pursuant to paragraph 2, Special Order 42, Headquarters Army
Air Base, Richmond, dated 13 February 1944. Distance traveled by motor truck
convoy, 100 miles.
At Richmond, Virginia, Major
Donald W. McLeod, Commanding Officer of the 412th Fighter Squadron was
relieved and assigned to 327th Fighter Group, Army Air Base, Richmond,
Virginia (IFC PRP).
Upon transfer of Major McLeod,
Major Michael J. Ingelido, 0426393, assumed command of the 412th Fighter
Squadron. Major Ingelido was Operations Officer of the 412th Fighter Squadron
before assuming command. Captain Edward P. Fitzgerald, 0437986, became
Operations Officer of the 412th Fighter Squadron.
The 412th Fighter Squadron left
Richmond, Virginia 1500, 14 March 1944 and arrived at Camp Shanks, New York at
0745, 15 March 1944. Distance traveled by rail, 450 miles.
March 1944 the 412th Fighter
Squadron left Camp Shanks, New York at 2130 and boarded New York 368 at 2230
EWT on British liner "Duchess of Bedford". Distance traveled about
35 miles.
At 0610 EWT 23 March 1944 the
Duchess of Bedford left Port carrying the 412th Fighter Squadron bound for
overseas duty. The 412th Fighter Squadron arrived at Greenock, Scotland at
1500 hours, 3 April 1944 aboard the Duchess of Bedford.
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