The 7th Air Force initially provided air defense for the Hawaiian Islands. During 1943, the 7th AF served in combat in the central and western Pacific.
Visit our 7th Air Force Honor Project with rosters of servicemen who served in the groups of the 7th.
Constituted as Hawaiian AF on 19 Oct 1940. Activated in Hawaii on 1 Nov 1940. Redesignated Seventh AF in Feb 1942. Provided air defense for the Hawaiian Islands and, after mid-1943, served in combat in the central and western Pacific areas. Transferred back to Hawaii in Jan 1946. Redesignated Pacific Air Command in Dec 1947. Discontinued on 1 Jun 1949.
Redesignated Seventh AF. Activated in Hawaii on 5 Jan 1955. Assigned to Far East Air Forces.
Commands. VII Bomber: 1942-1946. VII Fighter: 1942-1945.
Stations. Ft Shafter, TH, 1 Nov 1940; Hickam Field, TH, c. 12 Jul 1941; Saipan, 13 Dec 1944; Okinawa, 14 Jul 1945; Hickam Field, TH, 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1949. Hickam AFB, TH, 5 Jan 1955; Wheeler AFB, TH, 24 Mar 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Gen Frederick L Martin, 2 Nov 1940; Maj Gen Clarence L Tinker, 18 Dec 1941; Brig Gen Howard C Davidson, 9 Jun 1942; Maj Gen Willis H Hale, 20 Jun 1942; Maj Gen Robert W Douglass Jr, 15 Apr 1944; Maj Gen Thomas D White, 23 Jun 1945; Brig Gen Donald F Stace, 19 Oct 1946; Maj Gen Ralph H Wooten, 22 May 1947; Brig Gen Robert F Travis, 1 Sep 1948-1 Jun 1949. Maj Gen Sory Smith, 5 Jan 1955; Brig Gen Julian M Chappell, 25 Jul 1955-.
Campaigns. Central Pacific; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Ryukyus; China Offensive.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. On a blue disc a golden orange Arabic numeral "7" enfiled in base by a white five-pointed star charged with a red disc, in perspective, all within a golden orange border. (Approved 21 May 1943.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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