The early history of the 'Fightin 21st' Squadron, from which the 486th FS originated, is long in the sense of time, and yet rather sketchy. In WWI, there was a 21st Squadron, but it is believed to have been an observation unit, which was the primary role of fighters in WWI. After that war it was demobilized and not heard of again until it was reactivated just prior to WWII and assigned to duty in the Phillipines. At the outset of WWII, all of its equipment was destroyed by the Japs at Clark Field in the Phillipines, and all but a few of the personnel were either killed or captured. Those who did survive the initial attacks by the Japs later fought as infantrymen on Bataan. In October, 1942, the Squadron was reformed at Bradley Field, Conn., as a part of the newly activated 352nd FG . On Christmas Day, 1942, 23 pilots were assigned from the 326th FG. Note: All of the enlisted men and officers who were in the unit when it was reformed as the 486th FS continued to wear the Indian head patch throughout WWII.