354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group

This website is dedicated to the men of the 354th Fighter Group. Assigned to the newly formed Tactical Ninth Air Force the 354th Fighter Group would be the first unit to take the Merlin-engine P-51 Mustang into combat escorting heavy bombers in the strategic campaign in December 1943. With the Mustang’s long-range and maneuverability the 354th changed the nature of war and rescued the Eighth’s Air Force strategic bombing campaign over Europe. The Pioneer Mustang Group became the highest scoring aerial fighter unit in the USAAF.

There are literally hundreds of pages meticulously written by 354th group historians at squadron level to headquarters covering day to day operations. Unit histories on this website are a concise narrative from those pages that began at the 354th activation at Hamilton Field, California to the end of hostilities in Europe.

2009 Reunion Information

The 354th Fighter Group Association date and location for their 2009 Reunion. Click here.

P-51D Mustang "DIANA-MITE"

John R. Doughty, Jr., Artist Member of the prestigious American Society of Aviation Artist will be featuring some of his 354th Fighter Group work here. Click on "DIANA-MITE" to view the beautiful Mustang profile.

Featured at the 2009 Reunion will be John's artwork. There will be a special limited edition 354th Fighter Group art print that will include 6 to 9, 354th Fighter Group aircraft on a single high-resolution 19x13 litho. Each will be signed by attending 354th Fighter Group veterans, this and other single profile prints of 354th aircraft will be available for purchase at the reunion.

These people provided assistance and contributed materials. I am eternally grateful to the 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group Association, without them this website would not be possible.

354th Fighter Group Historians: Capt. Arthur F. Brown, Capt. Fredrick S. Burkhardt -HQ, Lt. Albert J. Feigen - 353rd FS, Lt Donald F. Snow - 355th FS, Lt. Gabriel M. Bernstein - 356th FS, Capt. Albert D. Fowler - 356th FS, Lt. Charles F. Kennaw - 353rd FS, Rudolph A. Tholt - HQ.

The 354th Fighter Pioneer Mustang Group Association, William W. Louie, Charles Tighe, Ray Bain, Norm Davis, Alan Grant, Rosemary Krebs, Larry Wood, Roberta Roddy, Robert D. Davis, Walter Harrington, Jon Teboe, JMT Productions, Robert W. Lamb, Paul Cornell, Jr., Jack Cook, Ted Skowronek, Hugh Gibson,  The Al Styrsky family, Nantucket Historical Association Digital Exhibition - Robert Young, Jr., Jack E. Wimer, Doug Gifford, Jim Pierce, Walt Fink, Jeff Larner, Catherine and Millicent Carrizales, Tripp Alyn.