AV8 Ace – "Death From Above" 85th Fighter Squadron WWII

The 85th Fighter Squadron was one of the original squadrons of the 79th Fighter Group, activated in 1942 during the rapid expansion of American air power in World War II. After training in the northeastern United States, the squadron deployed to North Africa as part of the Allied campaign against Axis forces under Field Marshal Rommel. Flying the rugged Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the 85th quickly entered combat operations across Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, conducting fighter sweeps, bomber escort missions, and close air support during critical battles such as the Mareth Line campaign. Constantly moving between primitive desert airfields, the squadron helped drive Axis forces from North Africa in 1943.

Following victory in North Africa, the 85th Fighter Squadron participated in Operation Corkscrew, the sustained air assault against the heavily fortified island of Pantelleria. The relentless bombing campaign forced the island’s surrender without a ground invasion—an unprecedented achievement in modern warfare. The squadron later supported the invasion of Sicily and the Allied advance into mainland Italy, where it provided critical air cover during operations such as the Anzio landings. While stationed near Naples, the 79th Fighter Group—including the attached 99th Fighter Squadron—transitioned to the powerful Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, greatly expanding its ground attack and escort capabilities.

As the Allied advance continued into southern France, northern Italy, Austria, and the Balkans, the 85th Fighter Squadron shifted increasingly toward interdiction and close air support missions, attacking transportation networks, troop concentrations, and military infrastructure. By the final stages of the war, air-to-air combat had become less frequent, but the squadron remained heavily engaged supporting Allied ground operations across Europe. After Germany’s surrender in 1945, the unit briefly served as part of the occupation forces in Austria before eventually returning to the United States. The combat legacy of the 85th Fighter Squadron remains tied to some of the most important Allied campaigns in the Mediterranean Theater during World War II.

The tri-blend fabric creates a vintage, fitted look. And extreme durability makes this t-shirt withstand repeated washings and still remain super comfortable.

• 50% polyester, 25% combed ring-spun cotton, 25% rayon
• Fabric weight: 3.4 oz/yd² (115.3 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk for extra durability
• 40 singles
• Regular fit
• Side-seamed construction
• Blank product sourced from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, or the US

Disclaimer: The fabric is slightly sheer and may appear see-through, especially in lighter colors or under certain lighting conditions.