Units
39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
In July 1950, the 35th FIG commenced combat from a base in southwestern Japan. It quickly converted from F-80s back to the rugged and longer-range F-51 Mustangs it had given up only a short time before. Group headquarters and the 40th FIS moved to Pohang AB on South Korea's eastern coast in mid-July, and the 39th Squadron followed on August 10. The precarious ground situation in Korea forced the 35th Group to return to Japan only days later, where it remained until early October. Attached to the 6131st Tactical Support Wing from August 1, then to the 6150th Tactical Support Wing from September 6, it supported UN ground forces moving north of the 38th parallel. The 35th FIG focused its attacks on fuel dumps, motorized transport, and enemy troop concentrations until it moved in mid-November to a forward airstrip at Yonpo near the North Korean port city of Hungnam to provide close air support to the U. S. Army X Corps. When communist Chinese forces surrounded the 1st U.S. Marine Division at the Changjin Reservoir, the group provided close air support to the marines. Relocating to Pusan AB, South Korea in early December 1950, it continued supporting UN ground forces, eventually staging out of Suwon in March 1951 and Seoul Airport in April. The 35th FIG was attached to the 18th FBW, May 7-24, then rejoined its parent wing in Japan, leaving the 39th FIS behind, first with the 18th FBW and then the 51st FIW.
Stations
Yokota AB, Japan, -July 8, 1950; Ashiya AB, Japan, July 8, 1950; Pohang, South Korea, July 14, 1950; Tsuiki AB, Japan, August 13, 1950; Pohang, South Korea, October 3, 1950; Yonpo, North Korea, November 18, 1950; Pusan AB, South Korea, c. December 3, 1950-May 25, 1951.
In July 1950, the 35th FIG commenced combat from a base in southwestern Japan. It quickly converted from F-80s back to the rugged and longer-range F-51 Mustangs it had given up only a short time before. Group headquarters and the 40th FIS moved to Pohang AB on South Korea's eastern coast in mid-July, and the 39th Squadron followed on August 10. The precarious ground situation in Korea forced the 35th Group to return to Japan only days later, where it remained until early October. Attached to the 6131st Tactical Support Wing from August 1, then to the 6150th Tactical Support Wing from September 6, it supported UN ground forces moving north of the 38th parallel. The 35th FIG focused its attacks on fuel dumps, motorized transport, and enemy troop concentrations until it moved in mid-November to a forward airstrip at Yonpo near the North Korean port city of Hungnam to provide close air support to the U. S. Army X Corps. When communist Chinese forces surrounded the 1st U.S. Marine Division at the Changjin Reservoir, the group provided close air support to the marines. Relocating to Pusan AB, South Korea in early December 1950, it continued supporting UN ground forces, eventually staging out of Suwon in March 1951 and Seoul Airport in April. The 35th FIG was attached to the 18th FBW, May 7-24, then rejoined its parent wing in Japan, leaving the 39th FIS behind, first with the 18th FBW and then the 51st FIW.
Entry: 98215
Subject: LT. RICHARD (DICK) THIESSEN
Subject: LT. RICHARD (DICK) THIESSEN
Carl Sanders wrote on July 16, 2019
City and State: WICHITA KS
Unit: NONE
Service or Relationship: None
Comments: Dick Thiessen is my brother-in-law's father, a fighter pilot during the Korean War flying an F-80 and shooting down 3 and 1/3 MIGs by his own account. His middle son and I listened to him relate his experiences and by his own admission the first time he had done so in detail. His son David Thiessen and I are transcribing what we remember from his words and independently transcribing our recollection, joining them and writing the story. We would like assistance with his squadron and group number from 1950 to 1951, when he was deployed. Thank you for any assistance.
Keywords: MIGs, China raid, rice paddy landing next to airfield, Japan.
Entry: 87540
Subject:
Subject:
Wanda Larochelle wrote on November 3, 2013
City and State: MILTON NH
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments:
Keywords: Does anyone remember M/SGT Alfred H Charland He was about 5/7
He joined the Army in 1938 rejoined in 1941 in the Army Ai Corp
after a time with The Flying Tigers He served in the Korea War
he retired in 1959
Entry: 81730
Subject:
Subject:
Mac McCarthy SR. wrote on January 14, 2012
Email Update Needed
City and State: BETHANIA NC
Unit: 41ST FIGHTER INCEPTER SQ.
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: 1955
1955 and 1956 yokota afb Japan
Keywords: MAC
Entry: 75577
Subject: MY FATHER ESCAPED FROM N.KOREAN DEATH MARCH
Subject: MY FATHER ESCAPED FROM N.KOREAN DEATH MARCH
Karen Locke Williams wrote on July 25, 2010
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: MY FAMILY HAS A WEALTH OF MEDIA DOCUMENTATION CONCERNING MY FATHER'S ESCAPE AND LIBERATION BY UN FORCES IN PYONGYANG,NOVEMBER 1950. HE IS BURIED AT ARLINGTON ON SHERMAN DRIVE (NEAR KENNEDY GRAVES).
William Davis Locke, 81, died Nov. 26, 2000, at his residence.
He was a native of Enfield. He graduated from High Point College in 1940 and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. During World War II, he flew 83 combat missions as a fighter pilot in the European Theater of operations. As a career Air Force pilot, he flew 41 combat missions in the Korean Conflict prior to being shot down and captured by enemy forces. He is the only Air Force prisoner of war to have escaped from a Korean death march during the entire Korean Conflict.
During his military career, he ascended to the rank of major and was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; won 19 air medals; received the follwing: the Purple Heart, the POW Medal, a Distinguished Unit Citation, 8 battlestars; and other various ribbons.
He retired from the Air Force in 1962, having completed his military service as the UNC AFROTC associate professor of air science. He was head of the UNC traffic department until 1982. He was a member of the Chapel Hill Rotary Club for 30 years and was selected as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Ronda Sebastian Locke of Chapel Hill, formerly of High Point; a daughter, Karen Locke Williams of Greensboro; two grandchildren, Stephanie Williams of Chicago and Bryan Williams of Chapel Hill; a brother, Lorenzo Locke; and a sister, Mrs. James Taylor, both of Enfield.
Memorial service will be 3 p.m. today at University United Methodist Church.
Keywords: WILLIAM DAVIS LOCKE, USAF
FIGHTER PILOT SHOT DOWN AND CAPTURED FALL 1950
ESCAPED DEATH MARCH JUST BEFORE TUNNEL MASSACRE
TESTIFIED CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON POW ATROCITIES
Entry: 73778
Subject: 35TH FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR GROUP SHIRT
Subject: 35TH FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR GROUP SHIRT
Jan Johnson wrote on March 2, 2010
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My mother gave me a silk shirt long ago that belonged to her first husband, who flew in the 35th Fighter Interceptor Group at Johnson AB in Japan during the Korean War. I also have a photograph of him standing in front of a P-51 Mustang at Johnson AB. His name was Captain Arcola Clellan Johnston and he was originally from Portland, Oregon.
I'm just curious to know if anyone else has seen the longsleeve silk shirts that have '35th Fighter Interceptor Group' embroidered across the back and the large logo of the hand gripping the sword and 'Attack to Defend' below that.
Keywords: 35th Fighter Interceptor Group Johnson AB Japan Korean War P-51 Mustang Arcola Clellan Johnston
Entry: 65011
Subject: 35TH FIW JOHNSON A.B JAPAN
Subject: 35TH FIW JOHNSON A.B JAPAN
Dennis Adair wrote on March 31, 2008
City and State: JEDDO MI
Unit: 35TH COMMUNICATION SQDN
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Somebody has to remember the "Mona Lisa" Was with this sqdn until we left for "Project Greenmoon"
6926th RSM
Keywords: Alan Wagner M/sgt Richard Callen Ollie Stolz Gary Crockett
Entry: 58489
Subject: JAPAN 1955 TO 1956 YOKOTA AFB 41ST FIS.
Subject: JAPAN 1955 TO 1956 YOKOTA AFB 41ST FIS.
Mac McCarthy wrote on August 14, 2006
Email Update Needed
City and State: BETHANIA NC
Unit: 41ST FIS
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I was at yokota from 1955 to 1956. Our co was Maj. Dufrense,and our engerinf officer was a Capt Dodge. Thanks, Would like to hear from Someone, MAC.
Keywords: MAC
Entry: 42842
Subject: DOES ANYONE REMEMBER T/SGT ALFRED CHARLAND
Subject: DOES ANYONE REMEMBER T/SGT ALFRED CHARLAND
Wanda Larochelle wrote on May 5, 2004
City and State: HUDSON NH
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: I would like to know if anyone remembers T/Sgt Alfred Charland?
Keywords:
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