United States Army Air Forces Fifth Air Force Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
Pima Air and Space Museum
United States Army Air Forces
Fifth Air Force
Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
The 5th Air Force started in the summer of 1941 as the Philippine Department Air Force. It moved to Australia in late December after losing most of its men and equipment during the failed defense of the Philippines. During the next couple of months some squadrons attempted to slow the Japanese advance in the Dutch East Indies. In February 1942, the command was renamed the 5th Air Force and Commanded units in the South West Pacific Theater of Operations. The 5th Air Force was a key part of Allied operations to defeat Japanese forces in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and to neutralize Rabaul. Heavy bomber units also conducted strategic bombing raids on Japanese oil faculties in the Dutch East Indies. In late 1944, the 5th Air Force supported the campaign to retake the Philippines. The war ended with elements of the 5th Air Force based on Okinawa, preparing for the invasion of Japan.
This uniform was worn by Corporal Kenneth Prayer of the 386th Bomb Squadron, 312th Bomb Group. The 312th Bomb Group arrived in the South West Pacific in fall of 19431 flying Curtiss P-40 Warhawks before transitioning to Douglas A-20 Havocs. The 312th attacked various targets in the theater and took part in operations in New Guinea and Palau. The group moved to the Philippines in November 1944. During the summer of 1945 the 312th started transitioning to Consolidated B-32 Dominators.
United States Army Air Forces Fifth Air Force Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
Pima Air and Space Museum
United States Army Air Forces
Fifth Air Force
Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
The 5th Air Force started in the summer of 1941 as the Philippine Department Air Force. It moved to Australia in late December after losing most of its men and equipment during the failed defense of the Philippines. During the next couple of months some squadrons attempted to slow the Japanese advance in the Dutch East Indies. In February 1942, the command was renamed the 5th Air Force and Commanded units in the South West Pacific Theater of Operations. The 5th Air Force was a key part of Allied operations to defeat Japanese forces in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and to neutralize Rabaul. Heavy bomber units also conducted strategic bombing raids on Japanese oil faculties in the Dutch East Indies. In late 1944, the 5th Air Force supported the campaign to retake the Philippines. The war ended with elements of the 5th Air Force based on Okinawa, preparing for the invasion of Japan.
This uniform was worn by Corporal Kenneth Prayer of the 386th Bomb Squadron, 312th Bomb Group. The 312th Bomb Group arrived in the South West Pacific in fall of 19431 flying Curtiss P-40 Warhawks before transitioning to Douglas A-20 Havocs. The 312th attacked various targets in the theater and took part in operations in New Guinea and Palau. The group moved to the Philippines in November 1944. During the summer of 1945 the 312th started transitioning to Consolidated B-32 Dominators.