The Vietnam War Years of

Korat Royal Thai Air Base

13th Fighter Squadron

 

 

Lineage

Constituted 313th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942. Activated on 1 Feb 1942. Disbanded on 10 Oct 1943. Reconstituted, and consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which was constituted, and activated, on 2 May 1966. Organized on 15 May 1966. Inactivated on 30 Jun 1975. Redesignated 13th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 18 Dec 1975. Activated on 15 Jan 1976. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1982. Redesignated 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 5 Jun 1984. Activated on 1 Jun 1985. Redesignated 13th Fighter Squadron on 31 May 1991.

Assignments

21st Bombardment Group, 1 Feb 1942–10 Oct 1943. Pacific Air Forces, 2 May 1966; 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 May 1966 (attached to 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 May 1966–17 Oct 1967); 432d Tactical Reconnaissance (later, 432d Tactical Fighter) Wing, 15 Nov 1967–30 Jun 1975. 56th Tactical Fighter (later, 56th Tactical Training) Wing, 15 Jan 1976–1 Jul 1982. 432d Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Jun 1985; 432d Operations Group, 31 May 1991; 35th Operations Group, 1 Oct 1994–.

Stations

Bowman Field, KY, 1 Feb 1942; Jackson AAB, MS, 8 Feb 1942; Columbia AAB, SC, 21 Apr 1942; Key Field, MS, 24 May 1942; Hattiesburg AAFld, MS, 7 Jun 1942; Key Field, MS, 12 Jun 1942; MacDill Field, FL, 26 Jun 1942–10 Oct 1943. Korat RTAFB, Thailand, 15 May 1966; Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 20 Oct 1967–30 Jun 1975. MacDill AFB, FL, 15 Jan 1976–1 Jul 1982 (operated from Tyndall AFB, FL, 26 Nov–22 Dec 1979). Misawa AB, Japan, 1 Jun 1985–.

Aircraft

B–18, 1942; A–20, 1942; B–25, 1942; B–26, 1942–1943. F–105, 1966; F–4, 1966–1975. F–4, 1976–1982. F–16, 1985–.

Operations

Antisubmarine patrols in Gulf of Mexico, Jun–Aug 1942. Operational and replacement training unit, Apr 1942–Oct 1943. Combat in Southeast Asia, 15 May 1966–30 Jun 1975. Tactical fighter training for pilots and weapons systems officers, Jan 1976–Jun 1982.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater. Vietnam: Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/ Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): 10 Mar–1 May 1967; 19 Sep 1967–1 Nov 1968; 1 Nov 1968–31 Oct 1969. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 29–30 Jun 1966; 1 Jul 1966–30 Jun 1967; 1 Jul 1967–30 Jun 1968; 21 Nov 1969–20 Nov 1970; 21 Nov 1970–6 Apr 1971; 18 Dec 1972–27 Jan 1973. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1977–1 Jan 1979; 1 Jul 1980–30 Jun 1982. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 15 May 1966–28 Jan 1973.

Emblem

On a Yellow disc, a Black panther’s head facing to the right detailed White with Red eye and tongue interlaced by the stylized Red Arabic numerals 1 and 3, all within a narrow Blue border. Approved on 15 Aug 1985.

 

Source: Organizational History Branch , maxwell.af.mil/au/afhra