The 8th Pursuit Group was authorized on the inactive list March 24, 1923 and activated April 1, 1931 at Langley Field, Virginia, being the third Pursuit Group formed in the United States and was primarily involved in training.

The first four commanders of the Group, Major Byron Q. Jones, Captain Albert M. Guideia, Lieutenant Colonel Adlai H. Gilkerson, Lieutenant Colonel William E. Kepner saw four different Aircraft arrive and depart the runways at Langley Field. The Curtis P6, a highly maneuverable plane with a top speed of 197 MPH. The Boeing P-12, a bilane with a 450 h.p. engine capable of being looped on take off. The Consolidated PB-2A, a two place plane with positions for pilot and gunner and the Curtis P-36.

The 8th provided the talent to set up the first Air Defense Control Center in Boston and later in New York City where Brigadier General James E. Chaney was in command at Mitchel Field.

With the development of the Curtis P-40 new tactics and procedures were introduced and a litany of firsts began when 25 P-40s were launched from the USS Wasp on October 14, 1940. Using procedures developed at Langley, the air portion of the Task Force sent to Iceland early in 1941 was built around the 33rd Squadron. E. M. Morris was the designated Commander of the Air Units and the P-40s were delivered by Carrier. It is reported that Lt. Joseph D. R. Shaffer was responsible for downing a Folke-Wulfe 200K, the first Nazi aircraft before hostilities, for which he received a Silver Star.

In January of 1941, Captain Frederic H. Smith took command with training in all departments emanating from Mitchel Field to surrounding States thoroughly testing radio and communications. In preparation for moving, experimentation in packaging and all phases, then putting it to the test in maneuvers through Louisiana, South Carolina finally Greensboro, North Carolina with the new P39 Aircobra. The information obtained from these field tests proved most valuable when War began just a few days upon the 8ths return to Mitchel Field. Fearing an attack by German Submarines and rumors of the enemy just offshore, the Squadrons were deployed along the East Coast.

To replace the 33rd now in Iceland the 58th was activated then transferred to form the 33rd Fighter Group.

The 80th Squadron was activated January 10, 1942 and left with the 8th for San Francisco to sail on the Maui for a 21 day voyage to Brisbane, Australia where Headquarters was established March 6, 1942. Upon completion of the reassembly of planes, men and equipment moved to the Townsville area.

On April 26 while the U.S. Navy was preparing to engage the Japanese invasion fleet headed for Port Moresby, men from the 35th and 36th arrived at the 7 mile strip where the 75th and 76th Australian Squadrons were sacrificing their last P-40s to the Japanese Zero's. When "Buzz" Wagner arrived with the first flight of P-39s his first act included preparation and take-off over the Owen Stanley Range to surprise the Japanese at Lae. Meanwhile the Japanese fleet withdrew from the intended invasion and the Battle of the Coral Sea.

During the month of May the 35th and 36th were experiencing not only daily and night raids, but endured the shortage of food, excessive heat, rain, mud, mosquito's and necessary parts for planes and vehicles plus continuous alerts, bombing and strafing.

Returning to Townsville in June, Major William H. Wise became Commanding Officer and the 8th became the 8th Fighter Group. The 35th and 36th Squadrons were equipped and prepared to leave for Oro Bay when word was received that the Japanese began offensive action to occupy the same territory.

July 20, 1942 the 80th left the group for New Guinea equipped with P-400s for action near Port Moresby.

In August 1942 the Japanese invaded Milne Bay where it was reported that the 8th Fighter Control Squadron played an important part of the ground defense with four wheel drive vehicles capable of moving supplies and ammo through mud to the ground personnel.

Once again the 35th and the 36th replaced the Australian 75th and 76th in Milne Bay on September 18, 1942 with the 80th following November 8 for limited air action. In February of 1943 the Group returned to Mareeba where the 80th was equipped with the famed P-38 which they took to Port Moresby in March of '43 to begin an illustrious record of achievement.

During the month of May men were selected from all departments to return to Amberly Field near Townsville to activate the 475th Fighter Group who would fly the Lightning P-38.

From March 1943 to June 1944 the following Officers were in command: Colonel Leonard B. Storm; Major Philip H. Greasley and Lt. Colonel Emmett S. Davis with action on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Nadzab, Owi, Schouten Island, Morotai, Dulag, Leyte, San Jose, Mindoro and le Shima. Campaign streamers earned were East Indies - 1942, Papua -'42-43. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, also New Guinea Campaign - 1943'44.

Aces were :

(scores in the group only- some scored victories while flying in other groups or squadrons)

Total Aircraft Claims in Air :

Destroyed 453

Probable 84

Damaged 53