Korean War Project

Note: Original postings on the Korean War Project from 1995 to about 1999.

Some Unit History in Korea

On Mon, 22 Mar 1999
Reg Cooper Email address wrote:

35th. Group comprised of 39th Ftr. Sqdn., 40th Ftr. Sqdn., 41st Ftr. 
Sqdn. and the 339th Ftr. Sqdn. Based at Johnson AFB, Japan in the late 
forties.

Transfered to Yokota AFB early 1950 when we were reequiped with F-80's
Shooting Star Jet fighters. June 25th we were ordered on alert an all 
leaves and passes were canceled.

We were  sent to Itazuki AFB  in southern Japan for maximun effort 
missions to try to stem the tide of North Koreans who were advancing 
south with out any or little opposition.

Because of the distance to Korea our Jets were ineffective for close 
support to ground troops and we lost too many of our planes who ran out
of fuel on the way back from Korea and time over the target area was 
limited to a few minutes of actual combat time.

We were ordered to stand down while the USS Boxer ferried over F-51's 
from any an all Squadrons who were still flying them including the 
National Guard. We landed at Pohang, Korea on July the 13th. 1950 and 
our planes were flying missions the same day. From Pohang we were sent 
north to Kimpo Air Field, (Hamhung, N.K.) 

We were their until the Chinese entered the war. We were only a few 
miles from the Chosen Reservoir and was witness to the Marines who
fought so hard and were evacuated south from Hungnam, N.K.

We went back to Pohang and was all most overrun by the North Korean 
(Chinese). We were sent back to Japan and after a week or two we were 
sent to Pusan. We were at Taegu a couple of times and landed at a 
couple of others Korean air strips and after 13 months of this I was 
sent back to the Z.I. (good old usa)

The 40th was sent back to Johnson AFB while the 39th changed over to 
F-86's and entered the Air war escorting B-29's into North Korea. Capt. 
Joe McConnell became the first Jet Ace. I am sure that you know most of
the history from this point. Believe me when I tell you that there is a 
lot more to this story, I just gave you a brief outline of the 35th 
Ftr. Interceptor Group.

I hope this helps us and you to locate members of the 35th. Gp. 
and 40th Ftr. guys.

Reg,