James C. "Wabbit" Hare, pilot of the 57th Fighter Group’s 65th Fighter Squadron “Fighting Cocks”, 12th Air Force, standing in front of his P-47 Thunderbolt at Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy, where the 57th was deployed from 25 September 1944 until 28 April 1945. In background a still nothing fused bomb. Clearly visible on the engine cowling the emblem of the “Fighting Cocks”, one of the three Squadrons of the 57th FG (the other were 66th “Exterminators” and 64th “Black Scorpions”). Victor Sierra

“Fighting Cocks” in Italy

Some Curtiss P-40F Warhawk of the 66th Fighter Squadron “Exterminators”, one of the three 57th Fighter Group’s Squadrons, 12th Air Force, waiting for takeoff from a Sicilian base, Pachino or Scordia, Summer 1943. In foreground “Robin” and “El Tigre”. Dave Hutton, 66th, so tell the 66th’s emblem story: «The squadron insignia was designed by one of the enlisted men, Howard Galipeau. A talented aircraft mechanic as well as an artist of talent. It was originally designed as a fighting duck in Windsor Locks in 1942 because it was thought the 57th would be going to Alaska. When instead it was sent to Africa he altered the design, which still resembled a penguin or duck but very pugnacious. Early in the African campaign a U.S. reporter visited the 57th and interviewed the squadron and group personnel. The "Black Scorpions" were the 64th, the "Fighting Cocks" were the 65th but no name was assigned to the 66th so he called it squadron "X". So the X was added to the insignia. Due to the excellent damage to the German forces in the desert war the "X" was changed to "Exterminators" which stuck to the squadron until the group was declassified. Howard Galipeau passed away June 14th, 1999». Victor Sierra

“Exterminators” in Sicily

North Africa, 1943. Rearming of “Babe”, a Lockheed P-38 Lightning of the USAAF’s 14th Fighter Group. Victor Sierra