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These photographs of the 94th Fighter Squadron, First Fighter Group, Fifteenth Air Force were taken in Foggia, Italy, from May 1944 to December, 1945. They are the work of then-twenty-year-old Sergeant James Bertoglio, who was stationed with the 94th Fighter Squadron in Italy and assigned as the squadron photographer. This portfolio contains silver gelatin prints created from expertly restored vintage negatives under the supervision of the original photographer, Jim Bertoglio.

A treasured record of the men and machines that helped forge the world we live in today, these images document a day in the life of one of America’s most celebrated fighter squadrons. The photographs record the grace and speed of the sleek, twin-engine Lockheed P-38 “Lightning,” a remarkable aircraft that fought in all theaters of the war on escort missions, bombing and strafing missions, and photo-reconnaissance missions. The photographs salute the grit and determination of the unsung ground crews, individuals who played an integral part in keeping aircraft airborne and in combat, and the bone-weary fighter pilots. While one image captures the reverie of a midnight poker game among young men whose lives were always on the line, another serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices demanded by war as it surveys the smoldering wreckage of the massive B-17 bomber, where seventeen men died in the pyre of a runway crash landing.

Jim Bertoglio experienced first-hand the tumultuous events of the war years, recording the everyday life-and-death struggles of the 94th Squadron with a sensitive eye that captured the essence of World War II aviation. His images convey a sense of quiet drama as air and ground crews steel themselves for the impending firestorms of close aerial combat. These photographs capture the preparation for missions, the longing for home, the horror and danger of battle, and the sacrifices made by Americans.

With vivid detail, these historic images depict some of the many aspects of a fighter unit operating in wartime. They point out that readying, launching, and flying effective fighter sorties was a complicated task, requiring the skills, dedication, coordination, and teamwork of every person in the squadron. They are a tribute to all the brave young Americans who courageously fought in the skies over Europe and the Pacific during World War II.