16th Fighter Group

Authorized on the inactive list as 16th Pursuit Group on 24 Mar 1923.
Activated in the Panama Canal Zone on 1 Dec 1932. Served as a part of the
defense force for the canal. Used various types of aircraft, including
P-12's, P-26's, P-36's, and P-39's, prior to World War II; equipped with
P-40's in 1941. Redesignated 16th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) in 1939, and
16th Fighter Group in 1942. Disbanded in the Canal Zone on 1 Nov 1943.

Squadrons. 24th: 1932-1943. 29th: 1933-1943. 43d: 1940-1943. 44th:
1938-1939. 74th: 1934-1938. 78th: 1932-1937.

Stations. Albrook Field, CZ, 1 Dec 1932-1 Nov 1943.

Commanders. Unkn, 1932-1933; Maj Robert L Walsh, c. 2 Sep 1933-c. 14 Aug
1935; Lt Col Willis H Hale, c. 11 Jul 1938-c. 8 Aug 1939; Maj Arthur L Bump,
c. 1939-c. Feb 1941; Capt Roger Browne, 24 Feb 1941; Lt Col Otto P Weyland, 20
May 1941; Lt Col Philip B Klein, 10 Apr 1942; Lt Col Hiette S Williams Jr, Sep
1942; Maj James K Johnson, 1943; Maj Erwin Bishop Jr, 25 Sep 1943-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, four lightning flashes bendwise or. Crest: On
a wreath of the colors (or and azure) a portcullis or. Motto: Purgamus
Coelum - We Clear the Skies. (Approved 4 Dec 1934.)

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986