354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group

This website is dedicated to the men of the 354th Fighter Group. Assigned to the Tactical Ninth Air Force the 354th Fighter Group was the first unit to take the Merlin-engine P-51 Mustang into combat escorting heavy bombers in the strategic bombing 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 daylight strategic bombing campaign over Europe. The Pioneer Mustang Group became the highest scoring aerial fighter unit in the United State Army Air Force.

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.
 

NEW BOOK: The Oranges Are Sweet 

The story of Major Don M. Beerbower and the 353rd Fighter Squadron

In The Oranges are Sweet; author Paul Sailer follows Major Don M. Beerbower from his upbringing in a small town in Minnesota to his last combat mission on August 9, 1944.

In this well-researched book about Beerbower and his colleagues, the author takes us back to the great air battles over Nazi Germany, when the fate of western civilization hung in the balance between victory and defeat. See this website's Published Books Section

The book can be purchased at Loden Books

 

Flight Journal Collectors Edition: Issue Fall 2011 

WW II Aces: Forgotten Ace Don M. Beerbower - A Mustang Pioneer's Legacy

Paul M. Sailer article introduces the story of Maj. Don M. Beerbower and his significant contribution to the success of the top fighter squadron in WWII. When Don Beerbower was killed-in-action while strafing a German airdrome north of Reims, France, on August 9, 1944, he was the leading ace in the Ninth Air Force and squadron commander of the 353rd Fighter Squadron.  A book about Maj. Beerbower's life, The Oranges are Sweet, will be available in November 2011. See this website's Published Books Section

This issue can be purchased at www.airagestore.com  
 

Warbird Digest: Issue #36 May / June 2011 

Southern Charm: Cary Salter and Charlotte's Chariot II

It's common for a P-51 Mustang to be painted in the markings of a plane that flew during World War Two but when Dan Fordice chose a paint scheme he not only knew the pilot and namesake, they were friends. This is the story of Cary Salter, a combat veteran AAF pilot, the plane he lovingly named Charlotte's Chariot II, and the Mustang that bears its name today.

This issue can be purchased at www.warbirddigest.com         

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, Catherine and Millicent Carrizales, Tripp Alyn.