12th Air Force

12af.org is a project of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. Volunteers are transcribing servicemen names and their awards from General Orders that we are publishing on this website for enthusiasts, families and researchers of genealogy and World War II history. The names on this honor roll of men assigned to units of the 12th Air Force is not a complete list of all who served with the 12th, however, we are attempting to locate as many documents that have survived as possible. Sources of material include the US National Archives, Air Force Historical Research Agency and the records donated by individual servicemen and their families. We hope you will find this information useful and enjoyable. We are accepting volunteers help in this very large World War II project as we preserve this history and honor service.

Constituted as Twelfth AF on 20 August 1942 and activated the same day. Moved to England, August-September 1942, and then on to North Africa for the invasion of Algeria and French Morocco in Operation Torch November 1942. Operated in the Mediterranean theater until the end of the war, serving with Northwest African Air Forces from February to December 1943, and afterward with Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. Inactivated in Italy on 31 Aug 1945.

World War 2 Commanders

Lt Col Roger J. Browne, 26 Aug 1942
Lt Col Harold L. Neely, 28 Aug 1942
Maj Gen James H. Doolittle, 23 Sep 1942
Lt Gen Carl Spaatz, I Mar 1943
Lt Gen John K. Cannon, 21 Dec 1943
Maj Gen Benjamin W. Chidlaw, 2 Apr 1945
Brig Gen Charles T. Myers, 26 May-31 Aug 1945

Commands: XII Bomber : 1942-1944. XII Tactical Air: 1942-1944. XXII Tactical Air (formerly XII Fighter): 1942-1945

Stations: Bolling Field, DC, 20-28 Aug 1942; England, 12 Sep-22 Oct 1942; Algeria, 9 Nov 1942; Tunisia, 10 Aug 1943; Italy, 5 Dec 1943-31 Aug 1945