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The current 95th Fighter Squadron - "The Boneheads," was originally activated by the US Army Air Corps as the 95th Pursuit Squadron on February 9, 1942. During World War II, the 95th scored 199 confirmed kills over Europe with their P-38 Lightnings and produced 7 aces (see combat history below). As part of the massive draw down after the war, the squadron was de-activated on 9 September 1945. The unit was re-activated less than two years later on 12 April 1947 at Grenier Field, New Hampshire as the 95th Fighter Squadron. This time mounted in P-51 Mustangs, they trained as part of Strategic Air Command’s 82nd Fighter Group, but were again de-activated on October 2, 1949. The third period of life for the 95th began on 1 November 1952 at Andrews AFB, Maryland. Now designated the 95th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as part of Air Defense Command, pilots of the unit pulled alert duty with their F-94 Starfires with the mission of defending the northeastern US from hostile intrusion. In 1953 they converted to the F-86D Saber for a five year stint, and then traded those in five years later for F-102 Delta Daggers in 1958. Only a year later in 1959 the 95th upgraded to the F-106 Delta Dart, the jet that they would take to Dover AFB, Delaware in 1964. The squadron colors were furled again at Dover as the 95th‘s association with the F-106 ended on 31 January 1973. The unit found life yet again on September 1, 1974 as the 95th Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Florida. The squadron’s instructor pilots began using the Lockheed T-33 as a lead-in trainer for new pilots transitioning to the F-106. In 1988 the squadron switched to training fighter pilots in the McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle as the 95th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. In 1991 the unit was re-designated the 95th Fighter Squadron and soon after transitioned into the latest model of the Eagle, the F-15C. Today, the "Boneheads" continue to train the finest fighter pilots in the world in the arts and skills of air to air combat. In the words of the squadron mascot, "Mr. Bones", the 95th’s instructor pilots teach "Death with Finesse". Combat History After activation at Harding Field, Louisiana in 1942, the 95th Pursuit Squadron flew to Muroc Lake Bombing Range. While there, the unit practiced bombing missions and coastal patrols. After 7 months in California, the unit got it’s marching orders, and eventually sailed for Northern Ireland from New York on the Queen Mary in September, 1942. After a short time working personnel up to combat tempo on their P-38s, the squadron transferred to Telergma, Algeria. While there, the 95th provided close air support for friendly troops, interdicted enemy forces, and escorted bombing missions against shipping in the Mediterranean. At the end of the Tunisian campaign in May 1943, the 95th had claimed 66 enemy fighters for the loss of 19 pilots. In January 0f ‘44, the unit flew to it’s new base in Vincenza, Italy, where it performed the same roles until the end of the war.For it’s efforts against the enemy, the 95th was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations: 1. During a low level strafing attack against enemy airdromes around Foggia, Italy in which the unit’s P-38s flew at tree-top height to avoid radar detection, the 95th claimed 21 aircraft destroyed and 34 damaged. Since the enemy had almost no warning of the attack, the 95th lost only four P-38s. 2. After successfully escorting over 70 B-25s to attack rail yards near Naples, the group of 69 P-38s that the 95th was a part of were jumped by a like number of German fighters. Although the 95th and the other units lost 10 P-38s in the ensuing melee, they ensured no B-25s were lost while they hacked down an estimated 24 enemy fighters. 3. As part of a special fighter-bomber attack against the heavily defended Ploesti oil refinery in Romania, the 95th’s P-38s were loaded up with a 300 gallon drop tank under one wing and a 1,000lb bomb under the other. The heavily laden Lightnings left Foggia at dawn on 10 June 1944 with P-38s of the 1st Fighter group providing close escort. Although much of the target area was shrouded in dense smoke that the Germans had put up to obscure visibility, the 95th endured heavy flak to deliver their bombs on target. Eight P-38s were lost, but the refinery sustained heavy damage and 5 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air, seven more on the ground, and 11 locomotives, much rolling stock, and a few trucks were also claimed. Click here to see aircraft flown by the 95th Fighter Squadron 
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This web site is a service of the 95 FS Spouses private organization. The views expressed do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense,or the U.S. Government unless otherwise stated. Send mail to Susan with
questions or comments about this web site.
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