79th Fighter Group
85th Fighter Squadron
85th Fighter Squadron
The 85th Squadron insignia, the Flying Skull, was designed by Corporal Joseph Pumphrey in July 1942. The insignia, with its white death’s head and yellow wings in a field of blue, is symbolic of winged death and destruction to be inflicted on all enemies of the United States.
When the design was first submitted to Washington for approval, squeamish War Department officials rejected it as “too gruesome.” They were quickly convinced by Major Schoellkopf, the squadron commander, that his pilots were preparing to fight a war that was little less gruesome itself, and the insignia was officially approved.
From The 79th Fighter Group over Tunisia, Sicily and Italy in World War II by Don Woerpel.
Colorized by R.H. Foss – Pull the arrow back and forth to see his amazing transformation.
Colorized by R.H. Foss – Pull the arrow back and forth to see his amazing transformation.
Commanding Officers
Name and Rank |
Date |
|---|---|
| Captain J. L. Cole | 9 May 1942 |
| Major Jacob F. Schoellkopf | July 1942 |
| Major Frank B. Wagner | 23 September 1943 |
| Lt. Col. John F. Martin | 24 December 1943 |
| Major Carl Stewart | April 1944 |
| Major Eugene L. Kleiderer, Jr. | 21 July 1944 |
| Major Earl P. Maxwell | 16 October 1944 |
| Lt. Col. Roger B. Files | February 1945 |
| Captain Edwin J. Payne | Unknown |
*Information from The Falcon and The 79th Fighter Group over Tunisia, Sicily and Italy in World War II