The squadron was first activated as the 629th Bombardment Squadron in 1943. While retaining its mission as a ground attack, unit, it became the 513th Fighter-Bomber Squadron a few months after activating. After training in the United States, it moved to the European Theater of Operations in the spring of 1944. It entered combat soon thereafter, and following D-Day, moved to the continent of Europe, where it gave close air support to American ground forces advancing across Europe. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions during the war. Following V-E Day, the squadron served in the Army of Occupation until 1946, when it was inactivated and its personnel and equipment transferred to another unit.
The squadron was reactivated in 1952, when it replaced an Air National Guard unit that had been mobilized for the Korean War. The following year it assumed an air defense mission and continued with that mission until inactivated.
History
World War II
The squadron was first activated as the 629th Bombardment Squadron at Key Field, Mississippi on 1 March 1943. It was one of the four original squadrons of the 406th Bombardment Group and was initially equipped with a variety of attack, pursuit, and trainer aircraft. Although its mission did not substantially change, the squadron became the 513th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in August. It moved to Congaree Army Air Field, South Carolina and equipped with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts before the end of the year. The 513th trained with its "Jugs" until March 1944, when it departed the United States for the European Theater of Operations.[1][3]
The squadron arrived at RAF Ashford in England in early April and flew its first combat mission the following month, preparing for Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy. It attacked military airfields, bridges and marshalling yards in France. On D-Day, the squadron flew patrols in the vicinity of the invasion beaches and armed reconnaissance and dive bombing missions.[3]
The squadron supported Operation Cobra, the Allied breakthrough at Saint-Lo on 25 July, then moved to Tour-en-Bessin Airfield in France a few days later.[3] The 513th participated in the reduction of Saint-Malo and Brest, France and supported the drive across France. On 7 September, flying from Saint-Léonard Airfield, the squadron operated with the other units of the 406th Fighter Group in destroying a column of tanks, armored vehicles and motor transport that were trying to escape to southeastern France through the Belfort Gap. This attack earned the squadron the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). The squadron cooperated with ground forces and flew air interdiction sorties in the area of the Mosel and Saar Rivers.[3]
When the Germans launched the counterattack that resulted in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the squadron shifted operations to the Ardennes to relive the embattled garrison at Bastogne. For four days in late December, the squadron flew attacks on German vehicles, gun emplacements and defensive positions close to Bastogne, for which it was awarded a second DUC. The squadron flew escort, interdiction, and air support missions in the Ruhr Valley early in 1945 and to assist Allied ground forces in the drive to and across the Rhine.[3]
When the 406th Fighter-Interceptor Wing reorganized in May 1956, the 406th Fighter-Interceptor Group was inactivated and the squadron assigned directly to wing headquarters.[e] In February 1958, the 406th Wing began phasing down its operations as it prepared for inactivation.[6] In connection with this drawdown, the squadron moved to Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base on 17 April 1958 and was reassigned to the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Wing a week later. At Phalsbourg, the squadron maintained two F-86D Sabres on alert at the end of the runway. However, the 86th was converting to the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. As the squadron prepared for inactivation, it flew its Sabres to the Chateauroux Air Depot, where they were scrapped and their components used as spares for NATO units operating the F-86, and most of the squadron's pilots transferred to F-102 units. The squadron was inactivated on 8 January 1961, one of the last two F-86 squadrons in United States Air Forces in Europe.[1][7]
Lineage
Constituted as the 629th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 4 February 1943
Activated on 1 March 1943
Redesignated 513th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 10 August 1943
Redesignated 513th Fighter Squadron on 30 May 1944
Inactivated on 20 August 1946
Redesignated 513th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 25 June 1952
Activated on 10 July 1952.
Redesignated 513th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 April 1954
^Aircraft is North American F-86D-45-NA Sabre, serial 52-4063, flying from Phalsbourg AB in 1958. This plane was struck off charge on 4 August 1959 at Phalsbourg. Baugher, Joe (5 May 2023). "1952 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
^Approved 28 April 1955. Description: On a shield white, with a border pattern black, a red chimerical creature with the head of a lion and the wings and the claws of a stylized eagle displayed, the feet black, the claws red, teeth and eye white, outlined black.
^The first airplane in the background is Republic P-47D-30-RA Thunderbolt, serial 44-33057, fuselage code 4P-M. This plane crash landed on 12 September 1946 near Nordholz, Germany.
^Lead aircraft is Republic F-84E-1-RE Thunderjet, serial 49-2066.
The Thunderjets were flown to RAF Manston by the 12th Fighter-Escort Wing, then taken over successively by the 123d and 406th Fighter-Bomber Wings. in 1954, this plane was transferred to the Ohio Air National Guard. It was transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Center on 4 September 1957 and scrapped on 24 October 1957. Baugher, Joe (2 May 2023). "1949 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
^Under this plan, called the "dual deputy organization" flying squadrons reported to the wing Deputy Commander for Operations and maintenance squadrons reported to the wing Deputy Commander for Maintenance.
Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol. III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War II. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN978-0-7643-2938-8.
Willard, TSG Richard R. (1988) [1968]. Location of United States Military Units in the United Kingdom, 16 July 1948-31 December 1967. USAF Air Station, South Ruislip, United Kingdom: Historical Division, Office of Information, Third Air Force. LCCN68061579.
United States
United States Air Force
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