VIII Fighter Command

Constituted as VIII Interceptor Command on 19 Jan 1942. Activated on 1 Feb 1942. Redesignated VIII Fighter Command in May 1942. Moved to England, May-Jul 1942, and served with Eighth AF until after V-E Day. Inactivated in England on 20 Mar 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Wings. 6th: 1942-1943. 65th (formerly 4th Air Defense): 1943-1944, 1945. 66th (formerly 5th Air Defense): 1943-1944, 1945. 67th: 1943-1944, 1945.

Stations. Selfridge Field, Mich, 1 Feb 1942; Charleston, SC, c. 13 Feb-c. 1 May 1942; High Wycombe, England, c. 12 May 1942; Bushey Hall, England, c. 27 Jul 1942; Charleroi, Belgium, c. 15 Jan 1945; High Wycombe, England, 17 Jul 1945; Honington, England, 26 Oct 1945-c. 20 Mar 1946.

Commanders. Col Lawrence P Hickey, c. 1 Feb 1942; Brig Gen Frank O'D Hunter, 14 May 1942; Ma' Gen William E Kepner, 29 Aug 1943; Brig Gen Murray C Woodbury, 1 Aug 1944; Brig Gen Francis H Griswold, 3 Aug 1944; Col Benjamin j Webster, 17 Oct 1944; Col Robert W Humphreys, 19 Apr 1945; Maj Gen Westside T Larson, 17 Jul 1945; Maj Gen William E Kepner, 22 Jul 1945; Maj Gen Westside T Larson, 3 Aug 1945; Maj Gen Howard M Turner, 22 Sep 1945; Brig Gen Emil C Kiel, 13 Oct 1945-c. Mar 1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. A figurehead consisting of a blue demi lion rampant outlined in gold. (Approved 23 May 1942.)

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