In 1942 the 19th Pursuit Squadron were renamed as the '19th Fighter Squadron' and flying P-47D Thunderbolts the squadron was given its first wartime tasking and moved to Saipan aboard the USS Natoma Bay. Upon arriving, the 19th pilots immediately took to the air on night and day missions, strafing and using general-purpose bombs and rockets in support of the advancing ground troops.
This P-47D-20 (43-25428) named Miss Mary Lou served with the 19th FS which was part of the 218th Fighter Group and is seen here as it appeared during the campaign in Saipan during July 1944.
