AV8 ACE WWII 428th Fighter Squadron Hoodie

The 428th Fighter Squadron was activated on August 1, 1943, as part of the 474th Fighter Group and trained in the Mojave Desert of Southern California flying the twin-engine Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Deploying to England in early 1944 under the Ninth Air Force, the squadron was assigned both bomber escort and fighter-bomber missions, though its primary role became interdiction and ground attack. Operating from bases in England and later advancing across France, Belgium, and Germany alongside Allied ground forces, the 428th flew its first combat mission on April 25, 1944, as preparations intensified for the invasion of Normandy. 

In the months leading up to D-Day, the squadron attacked bridges, railroads, communications networks, and transportation hubs throughout occupied France to disrupt German reinforcements. Following the Normandy landings, the 428th conducted armed reconnaissance missions, strafed enemy troop concentrations, and attacked highways and supply lines in support of the Allied breakout at Saint-Lô. The squadron continued its relentless combat operations during major campaigns including Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands, the Battle of the Bulge, and the airborne assault across the Rhine. Its P-38 Lightnings became a familiar and feared presence over the European battlefield, delivering devastating attacks against enemy infrastructure and military targets. 

The 428th Fighter Squadron earned a Distinguished Unit Citation as part of the 474th Fighter Group for extraordinary heroism during combat operations in August 1944 and was twice recognized with the Belgian Army’s Order of the Day for its contributions to the liberation of Europe. As Allied armies advanced into Germany, the squadron continued escort, interdiction, and close air support missions until the final weeks of the war. Following Germany’s surrender in May 1945, the squadron remained in Europe briefly before returning to the United States, where it was inactivated in December 1945. Its combat record stands as a testament to the effectiveness of tactical air power in supporting Allied victory in Europe.

Who knew that the softest hoodie you'll ever own comes with such a cool design. You won't regret buying this classic streetwear piece of apparel with a convenient pouch pocket and warm hood for chilly evenings.

• 100% cotton face
• 65% ring-spun cotton, 35% polyester
• Front pouch pocket
• Self-fabric patch on the back
• Matching flat drawstrings
• 3-panel hood
• Blank product sourced from Pakistan

Disclaimer: This hoodie runs small. For the perfect fit, we recommend ordering one size larger than your usual size.