Mitchel Field

Mitchel Field: Uniondale, Long Island 1917 - 1961. A U.S. Army Air Corps base. Near what had been an unnamed enlistment center in 1776, then Camp Winfield Scott in 1860 and Camp Black in 1898. Also near Mitchel Field 1918 and 1938. Adjacent to Hazelhurst Field (1917-1919) which became Curtis Field (1920-1929) and then Roosevelt Field (1929-1951). Originally Aviation Field #2 (1917-1918) then named for NYC Mayor John Mitchel killed in training in Louisiana. Formerly Headquarters First US Air Force. Key base in the defense of metropolitan New York in the 1940s through 1950s. Active and Reserve Air Transport Units until closure in 1961. Parts of housing area retained and were still in use by USN for multiservice housing.

For more information see www.lihistory.com/specguid/war.htm (link opens new window)

The following was submitted by Tim Grace, 368th FG Historian:

The 368th Fighter Group, flying Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, participated in 1406 missions in Europe from March 14 1944-May 9 1945. The 368th FG led all Ninth Air Force P-47 groups with 145 aerial victories and was the the recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation. Activated 1 June 1943, as an Overseas Training Unit the group was stationed at Farmingdale, NY from Aug-Dec 1943. During this time the 397th Fighter Squadron of the group operated 12 miles away at Mitchel Field, NY.
For additional information contact: www.368thfightergroup.com. [link opens new window]

Other information:
March 14th, 1944 to May 9, 1945
Combat Hours Flown: 45,390
Combat Missions Flown: 1406
Combat Sorties: 17,455

Aerial Victories: 145
Aircraft lost or damaged beyond repair: 110
.50 caliber ammunition fired: 4,570,892 rounds
Pounds of ordnance (all types) dropped: 10,860,000 lbs.

For addtional information see:
http://www.hempsteadplains.com/Mitchell.htm [link opens new window]

Back to Forts M-P Index