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308th Bombardment Group - 314th Troop Carrier Group
308th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 308th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942.
Activated on 15 Apr 1942. Trained with B-24's. Moved to China early in
1943, with the air echelon flying its planes by way of Africa, and the
ground echelon traveling by ship across the Pacific. Assigned to
Fourteenth AF. Made many trips over the Hump to India to obtain
gasoline, oil, bombs, spare parts, and other items the group needed to
prepare for and then to sustain its combat operations. The 308th Group
supported Chinese ground forces; attacked airfields, coalyards, docks,
oil refineries, and fuel dumps in French Indochina; mined rivers and
ports; bombed shops and docks at Rangoon; attacked Japanese shipping in
the East China Sea, Formosa Strait, South China Sea, and Gulf of Tonkin.
Received a DUC for an unescorted bombing attack, conducted through
antiaircraft fire and fighter defenses, against docks and warehouses at
Hankow on 21 Aug 1943. Received second DUC for interdiction of Japanese
shipping during 1944-1945. Maj Horace S Carswell Jr was awarded the
Medal of Honor for action on 26 Oct 1944 when, in spite of intense
antiaircraft fire, he attacked a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea;
his plane was so badly damaged that when he reached land he ordered the
crew to bail out; Carswell, however, remained with the plane to try to
save one man who could not jump because his parachute had been ripped by
flak; before Carswell could attempt a crash landing, the plane struck a
mountainside and burned. The group moved to India in Jun 1945. Ferried
gasoline and supplies over the Hump. Sailed for the US in Dec 1945.
Inactivated on 6 Jan 1946.
Redesignated 308th Reconnaissance Group (Weather). Activated on 17
Oct 1946. Assigned to Air Weather Service and equipped with B-29's.
Inactivated on 5 Jan 1951.
Redesignated 308th Bombardment Group (Medium). Activated on 10 Oct
1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command and equipped with B-29 aircraft.
Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 53d: 1946-1947. 59th: 1946-1947. 373d: 1942-1945;
1951-1952. 374th: 1942-1946; 1947-1950; 1951-1952. 375th: 1942-1946;
1951-1952. 425th: 1942-1946. 512th: 1947-1948, 1949. 513th: 1947-1948,
1949-1950.
Stations. Gowen Field, Idaho, 15 Apr 1942; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz,
20 Jun 1942; Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Oct-28 Nov 1942; Kunming, China, 20
Mar 1943; Hsirching, China, 10 Feb 1945; Rupsi, India, 27 Jun-15 Oct
1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 5-Jan 1946. Morrison Field, Fla, 17 Oct 1946;
Fairfield-Suisun AAFld, Calif, 1 Jul 1947; Tinker AFB, Okla, 10 Nov
1949-5 Jan 1951. Forbes AFB, Kan, 10 Oct 1951; Hunter AFB, Ga, 11 Apr-16
Jun 1952.
Commanders. Capt Harris K McCauley, 11 May 1942; Col Fay R Upthegrove,
5 Jun 1942; Maj Leroy A Rainey, 15 Jul 1942; Col Eugene H Beebe, 16 Sep
1942; Col William P Fisher, c. 3 Nov 1943; Col John G Armstrong, 19 Oct
1944; Col William D Hopson, 1 Jul 1945-unkn. Col Richard E Ellsworth, 17
Oct 1946-unkn; Col Hervey H Whitfield, Apr 1946-unkn. Col George L
Newton Jr, 5 Nov 1951; Col Maurice A Preston, 10 May-16 Jun 1952.
Campaigns. India-Burma; China Defensive; New Guinea; Western Pacific;
China Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: China, 21 Aug 1943; East
and South China Seas, Straits of Formosa, and Gulf of Tonkin, 24 May
1944-28 Apr 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, between a pale argent thereon three pallets
gules, on the dexter a star of twelve points white, charged with an
annulet azure; on the sinister a thundercloud proper with three
lightning flashes or; in chief per chevron, inverted and enhanced sable,
three bombs points downward or, between a semee of fifteen stars argent.
Motto: Non Sibi, Sed Aliis - Not for Self, But for Others. (Approved 29
Aug 1952.)
309th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 309th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 28 Jan 1942.
Activated on 15 Mar 1942. Assigned to Third AF. Trained medium
bombardment groups and later trained replacement crews, using B-25
aircraft in both the operational and the replacement training programs.
Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Reconstituted, redesignated 309th Troop Carrier Group (Medium), and
allotted to the reserve, on 16 May 1949. Activated on 26 Jun 1949.
Inactivated on 20 Feb 1951.
Redesignated 309th Troop Carrier Group (Assault, Fixed Wing).
Activated on 8 Jul 1955. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Using C-122
and C-123 aircraft, the group trained to airlift troops, equipment, and
supplies for assault landings.
Squadrons. 376th: 1942-1944; 1949-1951; 1955-. 377th: 1942-1944;
1949-1950; 1955-. 378th: 1942-1944; 1955-. 426th: 1942-1944.
Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 15 Mar 1942; Jackson AAB, Miss,
15 Mar 1942; Key Field, Miss, c. 26 Apr 1942; Columbia AAB, SC, 16 May
1942-1 May 1944. Smyrna AFB, Tenn, 26 Jun 1949-20 Feb 1951. Ardmore AFB,
Okla, 8 Jul 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Henry G Silleck, 1942; Lt Col Flint Garrison Jr, 2
June 1942; Col William C Mills, 26 Jun 1942; Col John L Nedwed, 3 Aug
1942; Lt Col Milton E Lipps, 2 Feb-1 May 1944. Col William C Bentley, 8
Jul 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
310th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 28 Jan 1942.
Activated on 15 Mar 1942. Used B-25's in preparing for duty overseas.
Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Oct-Dec 1942, and assigned to
Twelfth AF. Engaged primarily in support and interdictory operations in
Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, and southern France; also
flew some missions to Austria and Yugoslavia. Attacked harbors and
shipping to help defeat Axis forces in North Africa, Dec 1942 May 1943.
Bombed airdromes, landing grounds, and gun emplacements on Pantelleria,
Lampedusa, and Sicily, May-Jul 1943. Supported the Allied landing at
Salerno, Sep 1943. Assisted the drive toward Rome, Jan-Jun 1944.
Supported the invasion of Southern France, Aug 1944. Struck German
communications - bridges, rail lines, marshalling yards, viaducts,
tunnels, and road junctions - in Italy, Aug 1943-Apr 1945. Also dropped
propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines. Received a DUC for a mission to
Italy on 27 Aug 1943 when, in spite of persistent attacks by enemy
interceptors and antiaircraft artillery, the group effectively bombed
marshalling yards at Benevento and also destroyed a number of enemy
planes. Received second DUC for another mission in Italy on 10 Mar 1945
when the group, maintaining a compact formation in the face of severe
antiaircraft fire, bombed the railroad bridge at Ora, a vital link in
the German supply line. Inactivated in Italy on 12 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 310th Bombardment Group (Light). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated in the US on 27 Dec 1946. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Squadrons. 379th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 380th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949.
381st: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 428th: 1942-1945.
Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 15 Mar 1942; Jackson AAB, Miss,
15 Mar 1942; Key Field, Miss, Apr 1942; Columbia AAB, SC, 16 May 1942;
Walterboro, SC, 14 Aug 1942; Greenville AAB, SC, 18 Sea 17 Oct 1942;
Mediouna, French Morocco, c. 18 Nov 1942; Telergma, Algeria, 21 Dec
1942; Berteaux, Algeria, 1 Jan 1943; Dar el Koudia, Tunisia, c. 6 Jun
1943; Menzel Temime, Tunisia, c. 5 Aug 1943; Philippeville, Algeria, 10
Nov 1943; Corsica, c. 10 Dec 1943; Fano, Italy, 7 Apr 1945; Pomigliano,
Italy, c. Aug-12 Sep 1945. Bedford AAFld, Mass, 27 Dec 1946-27 Jun 1949.
Commanders. Lt Col William E Lee, 15 Mar 1942; Lt Col Flint Garrison
Jr, 21 Apr 1942; Capt James A Plant, 19 May 1942; Col Anthony G Hunter,
c. 17 Jun 1942; Col Peter H Remington, c. 7 Oct 1944; Col William M
Bower, Jul-c. Sep 1945.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Italy, 27 Aug 1943; Ora,
Italy, 10 Mar 1945.
Insigne. Shield: On a blue shield between two yellow 45-degree
triangles with the long sides facing each other and placed diagonally
from upper right to lower left, three white stars; in the upper triangle
a white mailed right hand grasping a red lightning flash and in the
lower triangle a white dove in flight to base carrying a green and black
olive branch in its beak, hand and dove outlined in black; in a row
across the bottom of shield ten small white stars; the shield and
triangles bordered with black, edged with white against the blue.
(Approved 7 Jan 1954.)
311th Fighter Group
Constituted as 311th Bombardment Group (Light) on 28 Jan 1942.
Activated on 2 Mar 1942. Redesignated 311th Bombardment Group (Dive) in
Jul 1942, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group in Sep 1943, and 311th Fighter
Group in May 1944. Trained with V-72 aircraft. Moved to India, via
Australia, Jul-Sep 1943. Assigned to Tenth AF. Operating from India and
using A-36's and P-51's, the group supported Allied ground forces in
northern Burma; covered bombers that attacked Rangoon, Insein, and other
targets; bombed enemy airfields at Myitkyina and Bhamo; and conducted
patrol and reconnaissance missions to help protect transport planes that
flew the Hump route between India and China. Moved to Burma in Jul 1944
and continued to support ground forces, including Merrill's Marauders;
also flew numerous sweeps over enemy airfields in central and southern
Burma. Moved to China in Aug 1944 and assigned to Fourteenth AF.
Escorted bombers, flew interception missions, struck the enemy's
communications, and supported ground operations, serving in combat until
the end of the war. Ferried P-51's from India for Chinese Air Force in
Nov 1945. Returned to the US in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 6 Jan 1946.
Redesignated 101st Fighter Group. Allotted to ANG (Maine) on 24 May
1946. Extended federal recognition on 4 Apr 1947. Ordered to active
service on 1 Feb 1951. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Redesignated
101st Fighter-Interceptor Group in Feb 1951. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952.
Relieved from active service, returned to ANG (Maine), and activated, on
1 Nov 1952. ANG allotment changed in 1954 (withdrawn from Maine on 30
Apr and allotted to Vt on 1 Jun). Extended federal recognition on 1 Jun
1954.
Squadrons. 136th: 1951-1952. 385th: 1942-1943. 528th (formerly 382nd,
later 132nd): 1942-1946; 1951-1952. 529th (formerly 383rd, later 133rd):
1942-1946; 1951-1952. 530th (formerly 384th, later 134th): 1942-1946;
1951-1952.
Stations. Will Rogers Field, Okla, 2 Mar 1942; Hunter Field, Ga, 4
Jul 1942; Waycross, Ga, 22 Oct 1942-18 Jul 1943; Nawadih, India, 14 Sep
1943; Dinjan, India, 11 Oct 1943; Tingkawk Sakan, Burma, 6 Jul 1944;
Pungchacheng, China, 28 Aug 1944-14 Dec 1945; Ft Lawton, Wash, 5-6 Jan
1946. Dow AFB, Maine, 1 Feb 1951; Grenier AFB, NH, 23 Apr 1951; Larson
AFB, Wash, 2 Aug 1951-6 Feb 1952.
Commanders. Lt Col Clinton U True, 1942; Lt Col John R Kelly, 10 Aug
1942; Col Harry R Melton Jr, 26 Nov 1942; Col Charles G Chandler Jr, 25
Nov 1943; Col John S Chennault, 12 Feb 1945; Col Gabriel P Disosway, 24
May 1945; Col Allen R Springer, 5 Aug 1945-unkn. Col George Labreche,
1951-1952.
Campaigns. American Theater; India-Burma; China Defensive; China
Offensive.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Or a tornado issuant from base throughout azure, a
demi-Indian issuant from chief proper, with war bonnet of the like and
shooting from a bow sable a drop bomb gules. Motto: Fulminat - It (He)
Strikes as Lightning. (Approved 13 Nov 1942.)
312th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 312th Bombardment Group (Light) on 28 Jan 1942.
Activated on 15 Mar 1942. Redesignated 312th Bombardment Group (Dive) in
Jul 1942. Trained with A-24, A-31, A-36, and P-40 aircraft. Moved to the
Southwest Pacific, Oct-Dec 1943, and assigned to Fifth AF. Redesignated
312th Bombardment Group (Light) in Dec 1943. Began operations in New
Guinea, flying patrol and escort missions with P-40's. Completed
conversion to A-20's in Feb 1944. Until Nov 1944, attacked airfields,
troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, and Warehouses on the
northern and western coasts of New Guinea, and also supported amphibious
operations on that island and in Palau. After moving to the Philippines
in Nov 1944, provided support for ground troops and struck airfields and
transportation facilities. Received a DUC for completing eight strikes
against butanol plants on Formosa from 25 Mar to 4 Apr 1945. Began
transition to B-32's, and made test flights over Luzon and Formosa in
Jun 1945. Redesignated 312th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Jul 1945.
Moved to Okinawa in Aug 1945 and sailed for the US in Dec. Inactivated
on 6 Jan 1946.
Redesignated 312th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 30 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Redesignated 312th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 1 Oct 1954.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Equipped with F-84's. Converted to
F-86's in 1955.
Squadrons. 386th: 1942-1945; 1947 1949; 1954-. 387th: 1942-1946;
1947-1949; 1954-. 388th: 1942-1946; 1947-1949; 1954-. 389th: 1942-1945;
1947-1949.
Stations. Bowman Field, Ky, 15 Mar 1942; Will Rogers Field, Okla, Jun
1942; Hunter Field, Ga, Aug 1942; DeRidder AAB, La, 20 Feb 1943; Rice
AAFld, Calif, 13 Apr 1943; Salinas AAB, Calif, 15 Aug-24 Oct 1943; Gusap,
New Guinea, c. 1 Jan 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, Jun 1944; Tanauan,
Leyte, 19 Nov 1944; Mangaldan, Luzon, 10 Feb 1945; Floridablanca, Luzon,
19 Apr 1945; Okinawa, 13 Aug-13 Dec 1945; Vancouver, Wash, 3-6 Jan 1946.
Ellington Field, Tex, 30 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949. Clovis AFB, NM, 1 Oct
1954-.
Commanders. Col Robert H Strauss, 1 Sep 1942; Lt Col Selmon W Wells,
10 Mar 1945; Col Frank R Cook, c. 25 Aug 1945-unkn. Lt Col Charles A
Appel, 1954; Lt Col John E Vogt, 2 Feb 1955; Col Emmett S Davis, 8 Jul
1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; New Guinea;
Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Formosa, 25 Mar-4 Apr 1945.
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
Insigne. Shield: Azure an eagle volant or, carrying with his talons a
futuramic bomb argent, fire exhaust proper, and a branch of olive vert.
(Approved 30 Nov 1956.)
313th Troop Carrier Group
Constituted as 313th Transport Group on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 2
Mar 1942. Redesignated 313th Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. Trained
for overseas duty with C-47's and C-53's. Moved to North Africa, Apr-May
1943, and assigned to Twelfth AF. Trained for the invasion of Sicily and
entered combat on the night of 9 Jul 1943 by dropping paratroops near
Gela. Although attacked by ground and naval forces while carrying
reinforcements to Sicily on the night of 11 Jul, the group completed the
mission and received a DUC for the performance. Transported supplies and
evacuated wounded in the Mediterranean area until late in Aug when the
group moved to Sicily for the invasion of Italy. Dropped paratroops of
82d Airborne Division south of Salerno on the night of 13 Sep 1943 and
flew a reinforcement mission the following night. Resumed transport
activities in the theater until Feb 1944, and then joined Ninth AF in
England. Prepared for the invasion of France and on D-Day 1944, released
paratroops near Picauville; dropped reinforcements over the same area on
7 Jun, being awarded second DUC for its part in the invasion. Dropped
paratroops near Arnheim and Nijmegen on 17 Sep during the airborne
attack on Holland and released gliders carrying reinforcements to that
area on 18 and 23 Sep. Moved to France, Feb-Mar 1945, and received
C-46's for the airborne assault across the Rhine; dropped paratroops of
17th Airborne Division near Wesel on 24 Mar. When not engaged in
airborne operations the group evacuated wounded personnel and
ex-prisoners of war, and also transported cargo such as ammunition,
gasoline, medical supplies, and food until after V-E Day. Returned to
the US, Aug-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 15 Nov 1945.
Activated in Austria on 30 Sep 1946. Assigned to United States Air
Forces in Europe and equipped with C-47 and C-54 aircraft. Transferred,
without personnel and equipment, to the US on 25 Jun 1947 and assigned
to Tactical Air Command. Trained with gliders and C-82's. Redesignated
313th Troop Carrier Group, (Heavy) in Jul 1948. Moved to Germany,
Oct-Nov 1948, and joined United States Air Forces in Europe for
participation in the Berlin airlift. Transported cargo such as coal,
food, and medicine into West Berlin from Nov 1948 to Sep 1949.
Redesignated 313th Troop Carrier Group (Special) in Feb 1949.
Inactivated in Germany on 18 Sep 1949.
Redesignated 313th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US
on 1 Feb 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with C-119's.
Inactivated on 8 Jun 1955.
Squadrons. 29th: 1942-1945; 1946-1949; 1953-1955. 47th: 1942-1945;
1946-1949; 1953-1955. 48th: 1942-1945; 1946-1949; 1953-1955. 49th:
1942-1945.
Stations. Daniel Field, Ga, 2 Mar 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 21 Jun
1942; Florence, SC, 4 Aug 1942; Maxton, NC, 13 Dec 1942-24 Apr 1943;
Oujda, French Morocco, 9 May 1943; Kairouan, Tunisia, 16 Jun 1943;
Sciacca, Sicily, 23 Aug 1943; Trapani/Milo Airfield, Sicily, 3 Oct 1943;
Folkingham, England, 4 Feb 1944; Achiet, France, 28 Feb-5 Aug 1945; Baer
Field, Ind, 14 Sep-15 Nov 1945. Tulln AB, Austria, 30 Sep 1946-25 Jun
1947; Langley Field, Va, 25 Jun 1947; Bergstrom Field, Tex, 15 Jul
1947-22 Oct 1948; Fassberg, Germany, 9 Nov 1948-18 Sep 1949. Mitchel
AFB, NY, 1 Feb 1953; Sewart AFB, Tenn, 2 Oct 1953-8 Jun 1955.
Commanders. Capt Fred W Nelson 7 Mar 1942; Col James Roberts Jr, 26
Jun 1942; Lt Col William A Filer, 18 Mar 1945; Lt Col Paul W Stephens,
26 Mar 1945; Lt Col Carl W Campbell, c. Aug-15 Nov 1945. Col Clinton W
Davies, 30 Sep 1946; Lt Col Walter R Washburn Jr, 15 Aug 1947; Col Frank
P Bostrom, 3 Dec 1947; Lt Col Conway S Hall, unkn-Sep 1949. Col Benton R
Baldwin, Feb 1953; Col Steward H Nichols, 1 Oct 1953-1955.
Campaigns. American Theater; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Sicily, 11 Jul 1943;
France, [6-7] Jun 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and gules, the silhouette of a
stylized winged aircraft or, charged with a mullet of the first between
six mullets, three and three of the third. (Approved 3 Feb 1943.)
314th Troop Carrier Group
Constituted as 314th Transport Group on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 2
Mar 1942. Redesignated 314th Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. Used
C-47's and C-53's in preparing for duty overseas. Moved to the
Mediterranean theater in May 1943 and assigned to Twelfth AF for
participation in two airborne operations. Flew two night missions during
the invasion of Sicily in Jul 1943: released paratroops of 82d Airborne
Division near Gela on 9 Jul; dropped reinforcements in the area on 11
Jul, receiving a DUC for carrying out this second mission in spite of
bad weather and heavy attack by ground and naval forces. Took part in
the invasion of Italy by dropping paratroops and supplies near Salerno
on 14 and 15 Sep 1943. Moved to England in Feb 1944 for operations with
Ninth AF. Trained for the invasion of western Europe. Dropped paratroops
in Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and flew a resupply and reinforcement mission
the following day, receiving a DUC for these operations. Released
paratroops over Holland during the airborne attack in Sep and flew
follow-up missions to provide reinforcements and supplies. Moved to
France, Feb-Mar 1945. Released gliders carrying troops and equipment to
the Wesel area on 24 Mar 1945 when the Allies launched the airborne
assault across the Rhine. Continually transported freight in the
Mediterranean and European theaters, when neither training for, nor
participating in airborne operations; hauled supplies such as food,
clothing, gasoline, aircraft parts, and ammunition. Also carried wounded
personnel to rear-zone hospitals. After V-E Day, evacuated Allied
prisoners from Germany, and later made scheduled flights to transport
freight and personnel in Europe. Transferred, without personnel and
equipment, to the US in Feb 1946.
Moved to the Canal Zone, Sep-Oct 1946, and assigned to Caribbean Air
Command. Operated air terminals in the Panama and Antilles areas,
Redesignated 314th Troop Carrier Group (Heavy) in Jun 1948. Returned to
the US in Oct 1948 and assigned to Tactical Air Command. Redesignated
314th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in Nov 1948. Trained with C-47, C-82,
and C-119 aircraft.
Moved to Japan, Aug-Sep 1950, and attached to Far East Air Forces for
duty in the Korean War. Operated primarily with C-119 aircraft.
Transported troops and supplies from Japan to Korea and evacuated
wounded personnel. Participated in two major airborne operations:
dropped paratroops and equipment over Sunchon in Oct 1950 in support of
the UN assault on Pyongyang; dropped paratroops over Munsan-ni during
the airborne attack across the 38th Parallel in Mar 1951. Remained in
Japan after the armistice to transport supplies to Korea and evacuate
prisoners of war.
Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in Nov 1954.
Manned, and equipped with C-119's. Received an AFOUA for an airborne
exercise, Jan-Feb 1955, when the group transported elements of a
regimental combat team from Tennessee to Alaska, dropped paratroops over
the exercise area, and completed the return airlift.
Squadrons. 20th: 1946-1949. 30th: 1942. 31st: 1942. 32d: 1942-1945.
50th: 1942-1946, 1949-. 61st: 1943-1945, 1949-. 62d: 1943-1946, 1949-.
301st: 1945-1946. 302d: 1945-1946. 321st: 1945-1946, 1955-. 323d:
1945-1946. 334th: 1946-1949.
Stations. Drew Field, Fla, 2 Mar 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 24 Jun 1942;
Knobnoster, Mo, 4 Nov 1942; Lawson Field, Ga, c. 20 Feb May 1943;
Berguent, French Morocco, May 1943; Kairouan, Tunisia, 26 Jun 1943;
Castelvetrano, Sicily, 24 Aug 1943-13 Feb 1944; Saltby England, Feb
1944; Poix, France, Feb 1945; Villacoublay, France, 15 Oct 1945-15 Feb
1946; Bolling Field, DC, 15 Feb Sep 1946; Albrook Field, CZ, 1 Oct 1946;
Curundu Heights, CZ, 10 Mar-Oct 1948; Smyrna AFB, Tenn, 21 Oct 1948-Aug
1950; Ashiya, Japan, Sep 1950-15 Nov 1954; Sewart AFB, Tenn, 15 Nov
1954-.
Commanders. 2d Lt L C Lillie, 2 Mar 1942; 2d Lt W Blakeslee, 14 May
1942; Maj Leonard M Rohrbough, 26 Jun 1942; Col Clayton Stiles, 9 Apr
1943; Lt Co Halac G Wilson, 22 Aug 1945; Col Charles W Steinmetz, 29 Nov
1945-c. Feb 1946; Col Richard W Henderson, 8 Oct 1948; Col William H
DeLacey, 27 Aug 1951; Col David E Daniel, 28 Sep 1951; Lt Col Harold L
Sommers, 1 May 1952; Col William H DeLacey, Nov 1954-.
Campaigns. World War II: American Theater; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Central Europe. Korean
War: UN Defensive; UN Offensive; CCF Intervention; 1st UN
Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second
Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea
Summer-Fall, 1953.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Sicily, 11 Jul 1943;
France, Jun 1944; Korea, 28 Nov-10 Dec 1950. Republic of Korea
Presidential Unit Citation: 1 Jul 1951-27 Jul 1953. Air Force
Outstanding Unit Award: 11 Jan-14 Feb 1955.
Insigne. Shield: Or, on clouds in fess, azure, two boots passant of
the field, ornamented, gules. Motto: Viri Veniente - Men Will Come.
(Approved 17 Aug 1942. This insigne was replaced 17 Jun 1954.)
315th Troop Carrier Group - 320th Bombardment Group
315th Troop Carrier Group
Constituted as 315th Transport Group on 2 Feb 1942 and activated on
14 Feb. Redesignated 315th Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. Trained for
combat operations with C-47's and C-53's. Departed the US, Oct-Nov 1942,
for assignment to Eighth AF in England. Encountering bad weather while
flying the North Atlantic route, the air echelon was detained for about
a month in Greenland, where it searched for missing aircraft along the
east coast and dropped supplies to crews. After the air and ground
echelons were united in England in Dec, the group began ferrying cargo
in the British Isles and training with airborne troops and gliders. A
detachment was sent to Algeria in May 1943, and although not
participating in the airborne phase of the invasions of Sicily and
Italy, it did support those operations by transporting supplies in the
theater. In Mar 1944 the detachment returned to England and rejoined the
group, which had been assigned to Ninth AF in Oct 1943. Prepared for the
invasion of the Continent, and dropped paratroops near Cherbourg early
on D-Day in Jun 1944, receiving a DUC for its action in the Normandy
invasion. Dropped paratroops of 82d Airborne Division on 17 Sep 1944
when the Allies launched the air attack on Holland; flew reinforcement
missions on succeeding days, landing at Grave on 26 Sep to unload
paratroops and supplies. Released British paratroops near Wesel during
the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Following each
airborne operation, the group resumed transport activities, hauling
cargo such as medical supplies, signal equipment, rations, and gasoline,
and evacuating wounded personnel. Moved to France in Apr 1945.
Transported cargo and evacuated prisoners of war until after V-E Day.
Moved to Trinidad in May 1945 and assigned to Air Transport Command.
Used C-47's to transport troops returning to the US. Inactivated in
Trinidad on 31 Jul 1945.
Activated in the US on 19 May 1947. Apparently was not manned.
Inactivated on 10 Sep 1948.
Redesignated 315th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in Japan
on 10 Jun 1952. Assigned to Far East Air Forces for operations in the
Korean War. Used C-46 aircraft to participate in the airlift between
Japan and Korea. Transported cargo such as vegetables, clothing,
ordnance supplies, and mail; evacuated patients and other personnel.
Remained in the theater after the armistice and continued to fly
transport missions until 1955. Inactivated in Japan on 18 Jan 1955.
Squadrons. 19th: 1952-1955. 33d: 1942. 34th: 1942-1945; 1947-1948;
1952-1955. 35th: 1942. 43d: 1942-1945; 1947-1948; 1952-1955. 54th: 1942.
309th: 1944-1945. 310th: 1944-1945. 344th: 1952-1955.
Stations. Olmsted Field, Pa, 14 Feb 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 17 Jun
1942; Florence, SC, 3 Aug-11 Oct 1942; Aldermaston, England, c. 1 Dec
1942; Welford, England, 6 Nov 1943; Stanhoe, England, 7 Feb 1944;
Amiens, France, 6 Apr-May 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, May-31 Jul 1945.
Langley Field, Va, 19 May 1947-10 Sep 1948. Brady AB, Japan, 10 Jun
1952-18 Jan 1955.
Commanders. Capt Thomas J Schofield, 14 Feb 1942; Col Hamish
McLelland, 17 Apr 1942; Col Howard B Lyon, 27 Sep 1944; Lt Col Robert
Gibbons, 27 Mar 1945-unkn. Unkn, May 1947-Sep 1948. Lt Col Jack L
Crawford, 10 Jun 1952; Lt Col Gene I Martin, 5 Dec 1952; Col Kenneth L
Glassburn, 11 Aug 1953; Lt Col Jacob P Sartz Jr, 9 Nov 1954-18 Jan 1955.
Campaigns. World War II: American Theater; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Central Europe. Korean War: Korea
Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: France, [6] Jun 1944.
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [10 Jun 1952]-27 Jul 1953.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a winged packing box bend sinisterwise or.
Motto: Adveniam - I Will Arrive. (Approved 22 May 1942.)
316th Troop Carrier Group
Constituted as 316th Transport Group on 2 Feb 1942 and activated on
14 Feb. Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. Trained with
C-47 and C-5 aircraft. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, assigned to
Ninth AF, and began operations in Nov 1942. Transported supplies and
evacuated casualties in support of the Allied drive across North Africa.
In May 1943 began training for the invasion of Sicily; dropped
paratroops over the assault area on the night of 9 Jul. Carried
reinforcements to Sicily on 11 Jul and received a DUC for carrying out
that mission although severely attacked by ground and naval forces.
Received another DUC for supporting aerial and ground operations in
Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Sicily, 25 Nov 1942-25 Aug 1943, by
transporting reinforcements and supplies. Assigned to Twelfth AF and
moved to Sicily to take part in the invasion of Italy; dropped
paratroops over the beachhead south of the Sele River on the night of 14
Sep 1943. Transported cargo in the theater until Feb 1944, then joined
Ninth AF in England and prepared for the inyasion of France. Dropped
paratroops near Ste-Mere-Eglise on D-Day 1944 and flew a reinforcement
mission on 7 Jun, receiving a third DUC for these operations. During the
air attack on Holland in Sep 1944, dropped paratroops and released
gliders carrying reinforcements. Dropped paratroops near Wesel on 24 Mar
1945 when the Allies made the airborne assault across the Rhine. Also
provided transport services in Europe while not engaged in airborne
operations. Hauled supplies such as ammunition, gasoline, water, and
rations; evacuated wounded personnel to rear-zone hospitals.
Returned to the US in May 1945. Trained with C-82 and C-119 aircraft.
Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in Jun 1948, 316th Troop
Carrier Group (Heavy) in Oct 1949, and 316th Troop Carrier Group
(Medium) in Jan 1950. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to
Japan on 15 Nov 1954. Assigned to Far East Air Forces, manned, and
equipped with C-119's.
Squadrons. 16th: 1950-1954. 36th: 1942-. 37th: 1942-. 38th: 1942.
44th: 1942-1945. 45th: 1942-1945. 75th: 1945-1949, 1952-. 77th:
1945-1946.
Stations. Patterson Field, Ohio, Feb 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 17 Jun
1942; Lawson Field, Ga, Aug 1942; Del Valle, Tex, 29 Sep-12 Nov 1942;
Deversoir, Egypt, 23 Nov 1942; El Adem, Egypt, 10 Dec 1942; Fayid,
Egypt, Jan 1943; Nouvion, Algeria, 9 May 1943; Guercif, French Morocco,
29 May 1943; Enfidaville, Tunisia, 21 Jun 1943; Mazzara, Sicily, 3 Sep
1943; Borizzo, Sicily, 18 Oct 1943-1 Feb 1944; Cottesmore, England, 15
Feb 1944-May 1945; Pope Field, NC, 25 May 1945; Greenville AAB, SC, 25
Aug 1947; Smyrna AFB, Tenn, 4 Nov 1949-15 Nov 1954; Ashiya, Japan, 15
Nov 1954-.
Commanders. Col Jerome B McCauley, 14 Feb 1942; Lt COl Burton R
Fleet, Aug 1943; Col Harvey A Berger, c. 1 May 1944; Lt Col Walter R
Washburn, Sep 1945; Lt Col Leonard C Fletcher, 1 Sep 1945; Col Jerome B
McCauley, 5 Oct 1945; COl Clarence J Galligan, 2 Feb 1946: Lt Col Leroy
M Stanton, 31 Sep 1946; Co] Clarence Galligan, 1 Nov 1946; Col John H
Lackey Jr, c. Apr 1947; Col Edgar W Hampton, 20 Sep 1947; Col Norton H
Van Sicklen III, 1 Aug 1950; Maj Dwight E Maul, 31 Aug 1950; Maj Gordon
F Blood, 6 Sep 1950; Col Norton H Van Sicklen III, 28 Dec 1950; Col
William H DeLacey, 1 Jun 1952; Col Richard P Carr, Nov 1954; Col William
C Lindley, 19 Mar 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater; Egypt-Libya; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia,
Sicily, 25 Nov 1942-25 Aug 1943; Sicily, 11 Jul 1943; France, Jun 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, nine parachutes argent, three, two, three,
and one, all within a bordure per bend or and gules. Motto: Valor
Without Arms. (Approved 17 Aug 1951.)
317th Troop Carrier Group
Constituted as 317th Transport Group on 2 Feb 1942 and activated on
22 Feb. Redesignated 317th Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. Trained with
C-47's. Moved to Australia, Dec 1942-Jan 1943, and assigned to Fifth AF.
Operated in New Guinea for a short time early in 1943. Received a DUC
for making numerous flights in unarmed planes over the Owen Stanley
Range, 30 Jan-1 Feb 1943, to transport reinforcements and supplies to
Wau, New Guinea, where enemy forces were threatening a valuable Allied
airdrome. Exchanged its new C-47's for old C-39's C-47's, C-49's,
C-60's, B-17's, and LB-30's in New Guinea and began operating from
Australia, where the group had maintained its headquarters. Flew troops
and equipment to New Guinea, established courier and passenger routes in
Australia and trained with airborne troops. Equipped with C-47's and
moved to New Guinea in Sep 1943. Took part in the first airborne
operation in the Southwest Pacific on 5 Sep, dropping paratroops at
Nadzab, New Guinea, to cut supply line and seize enemy bases. Until Nov
1944, transported men and cargo to Allied bases on New Guinea, New
Britain, Guadalcanal, and in the Admiralty Islands. Also dropped
reinforcements and supplies to US forces on Noemfoor, 3-4 Jul 1944.
After moving to the Philippines in Nov 1944, transported supplies to
ground forces on Luzon, Leyte, and Mindoro, and supplied guerrillas on
Mindanao, Cebu, and Panay. Participated in two airborne operations
during Feb 1945: on 3 and 4 Feb dropped paratroops south of Manila to
seize highway routes to the city, and on 16 and 17 Feb dropped the 502d
Regiment on Corregidor to open Manila Bay to US shipping; received a DUC
for the latter operation, performed at low altitude over small drop
zones in a heavily defended area. Completed two unusual missions on 12
and 15 Apr 1945 when this troop carrier organization bombed Carabao
Island with drums of napalm. Dropped part of 511th Regiment near Aparri
on 23 Jun 1945 to split Japanese forces in the Cagayen Valley and
prevent a retreat to the hills in northern Luzon. Remained in the
theater as part of Far East Air Forces after the war; used C-46 and C-47
aircraft, the latter being replaced in 1947 with C-54's. Flew courier
and passenger routes to Japan, Guam, Korea, and the Philippines, and
transported freight and personnel in the area. Redesignated 317th Troop
Carrier Group (Heavy) in May 1948. Moved, via the US, to Germany in Sep
1948 and became part of United States Air Forces in Europe for service
in the Berlin airlift. Used C-54's to transport coal, food, and other
supplies to the blockaded city. Inactivated in Germany on 14 Sep 1949.
Redesignated 317th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in Germany
on 14 Jul 1952. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe and
equipped with C-119's.
Squadrons. 39th: 1942-1949; 1952-. 40th: 1942-1949; 1952-. 41st:
1942-1949; 1952-. 46th: 1942-1949.
Stations. Duncan Field, Tex, 22 Feb 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 19 Jun
1942; Lawson Field, Ga, 11 Oct 1942; Maxton, NC, 3-12 Dec 1942;
Townsville, Australia, 23 Jan 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, c. 30 Sep
1943; Finschhafen, New Guinea, Apr 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, Jun
1944; Leyte, 17 Nov 1944; Clark Field, Luzon, c. 17 Mar 1945; Okinawa,
24 Aug 1945; Kimpo, Korea, 31 Oct 1945; Tachikawa, Japan, c. 15 Jan
1946-c. 21 Sep 1948; Wiesbaden AB, Germany, c. 30 Sep 1948; Celle RAF
Station, Germany, 15 Dec 1948-14 Sep 1949. Rhein-Main AB, Germany, 14
Jul 1952; Neubiberg AB, Germany, 21 Mar 1953-.
Commanders. Col Samuel V Payne, 2: Feb 1942; Col Robert L Olinger, 21
Jun 1944; Col John H Lackey Jr, 2 Oct 1944 Lt Col Robert I Choate, 31
Aug 1945; Col Dwight B Schannep, Oct 1945-unkn; Col Marshall S Roth, Jan
1946; Col Othel R Deering, Jan 1947; Col Thomas K Hampton, 19 May 1948;
Lt Col James M Johnson, 18 Aug 1948; Col Bertram C Harrison, Oct 1948;
Lt Col James M Johnson, 24 Nov 1948; Lt Col Walter E Chambers, 11 Mar
1949; Lt Col Robert J DuVal, 13 Jun 1949-unkn. COl Lucion N Powell, 14
Jul 1952; Lt Col James E Bauley, 1 Mar 1954; Col Harry M Pike, May
1954-.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; New Guinea; Northern Solomons;
Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: New Guinea, 30 Jan-1 Feb
1943; Philippine Islands, 16-17 Feb 1945. Philippine Presidential Unit
Citation.
Insigne. Shield: Or issuant from chief a dexter arm, fist clenched
inflamed proper, in base a fire of seven tongues of the last, on a chief
nebuly azure, three piles of the first. Motto: I Gain By Hazard.
(Approved 22 Dec 1942.)
318th Fighter Group
Constituted as 318th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 2 Feb 1942.
Redesignated 318th Fighter Group in May 1942. Activated in Hawaii on 15
Oct 1942. Assigned to Seventh AF. Trained and flew patrols, using P-39,
P-40, and P-47 aircraft. Moved to the Marianas in Jun 1944. Supported
ground forces on Saipan, Tinian, and Guam; attacked enemy airfields;
flew protective patrols over US bases; and, using some P-38's acquired
in Nov 1944, flew missions to the Volcano and Truk Islands to escort
bombers and to attack Japanese bases. Moved to the Ryukyu Islands in Apr
1945. Used P-47's to bomb and strafe airfields, railroad bridges, and
industrial plants in Japan, escort bombers to China, and provide air
defense for US bases in the Ryukyus. Assigned to Eighth AF in Aug 1945,
shortly after V-J Day. Moved to the US, Dec 1945-Jan 1946. Inactivated
on 12 Jan 1946.
Redesignated 102d Fighter Group. Allotted to ANG (Mass) on 24 May
1946. Extended federal recognition on 22 Oct 1946. Redesignated 102d
Fighter-Interceptor Group in Aug 1952.
Squadrons. 19th: 1943-1946. 44th: 1942-1943. 72d: 1942-1944. 73d:
1942-1946. 333d: 1943-1946.
Stations. Hickam Field, TH, 15 Oct 1942; Bellows Field, TH, 9 Feb
1943; Saipan, Jun 1944; Ie Shima, c. 30 Apr 1945; Okinawa, Nov-Dec 1945;
Ft Lewis, Wash, 11-12 Jan 1946.
Commanders. Col Lorry N Tindal, 20 Oct 1942; Lt Col Charles B
Stewart, 3 Mar 1943; Col Lewis M Sanders, 21 Aug 1943; Lt Col Harry C
McAfee, 31 Jul 1945; Maj Glen H Kramer, 5 Oct 1945; Maj Burton M
Woodward, 22 Oct 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific
Ryukyus; China Offensive.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: The upper part blue, with one small aircraft gray
with white trail; the center part a portion of the globe showing the
Northeastern portion of the Western Hemisphere in green and light blue
with the North Pole in white and across it the front part of a gray
aircraft: with white outline and cockpit, firing three black rockets,
tail flashes red, trails white, all headed toward upper right; in lower
part on a bank of white clouds two small black aircraft climbing
vertically, all within a red border. Motto: Omnis Vir Tigris - Every Man
a Tiger. (Approved 11 Jan 1954.)
319th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and
activated on 26 Jun. Trained with B-26's. Moved via England to the
Mediterranean theater, Aug-Nov 1942, with part of the group landing at
Arzeu beach during the invasion of North Africa on 8 Nov. Operated with
Twelfth AF until Jan 1945, except for a brief assignment to Fifteenth,
Nov 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat in Nov 1942, attacking airdromes,
harbors, rail facilities, and other targets in Tunisia until Feb 1943.
Also struck enemy shipping to prevent supplies and reinforcements from
reaching the enemy in North Africa. After a period of reorganization and
training, Feb-Jun 1943, the group resumed combat and participated in the
reduction of Pantelleria and the campaign for Sicily. Directed most of
its attacks against targets in Italy after the fall of Sicily in Aug
1943. Hit bridges, airdromes, marshalling yards, viaducts, gun sites,
defense positions, and other objectives. Supported forces at Salerno in
Sep 1943 and at Anzio and Cassino during Jan-Mar 1944. Carried out
interdictory operations in central Italy to aid the advance to Rome,
being awarded a DUC for a mission on 3 Mar 1944 when the group,
carefully avoiding religious and cultural monuments, bombed rail
facilities in the capital. Received another DUC for striking marshalling
yards in Florence on 11 Mar 1944 to disrupt rail communications between
that city and Rome. Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for
action in preparation for and in support of the Allied offensive in
Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. From Jul to Dec 1944, bombed bridges in the Po
Valley, supported the invasion of Southern France, hit targets in
northern Italy, and flew some missions to Yugoslavia, converting in the
meantime, in Nov, to B-25 aircraft. Returned to the US in Jan 1945.
Redesignated 319th Bombardment Group (Light) in Feb. Trained with A-26
aircraft. Moved to Okinawa, Apr-Jul 1945, and assigned to Seventh AF.
Flew missions to Japan and China, attacking airdromes, shipping,
marshalling yards, industrial centers, and other objectives. Returned to
the US, Nov-Dec 1945. Inactivated on 18 Dec 1945.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 27 Dec 1946. Inactivated on 2
Sep 1949.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 10 Oct 1949. Ordered to active
duty on 10 Mar 1951. Inactivated on 22 Mar 1951.
Redesignated 319th Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve.
Activated on 18 May 1955.
Squadrons. 46th: 1947-1949; 1949-1951; 1955-. 50th: 1947-1949;
1949-1951. 51st: 1947-1949; 1949-1951. 59th: 1947-1949; 1949-1951.
437th: 1942-1945. 438th: 1942-1945. 439th: 1942-1945. 440th: 1942-1945.
Stations. Barksdale Field, La, 26 Jun 1942; Harding Field, La, 8-27
Aug 1942; Shipham, England, 12 Sep 1942; Horsham St Faith, England, c. 4
Oct 1942; St-Leu, Algeria, c. 11 Nov 1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 18 Nov
1942; Maison Blanche, Algeria, 24 Nov 1942; Telergma, Algeria, c. 12 Dec
1942; Oujda, French Morocco, 3 Mar 1943; Rabat Sale, French Morocco, 25
Apr 1943; Sedrata, Algeria, 1 Jun 1943; Djedeida, Tunisia, 26 Jun 1943;
Sardinia, c. 1 Nov 1943; Corsica, c. 21 Sep 1944-1 Jan 1945; Bradley
Field, Conn, 25 Jan 1945; Columbia AAB, SC, c. 28 Feb-27 Apr 1945;
Kadena, Okinawa, c. 2 Jul 1945; Machinato, Okinawa, 21 Jul-21 Nov 1945;
Ft Lewis, Wash, 17-18 Dec 1945. Mitchel Field, NY, 27 Dec 1946; Reading
Mun Aprt, Pa, 27 Jun-2 Sep 1949. Birmingham Mun Aprt, Ala, 10 Oct
1949-22 Mar 1951. Memphis Mun Aprt, Tenn, 18 May 1955-.
Commanders. Lt Col Alvord Rutherford, 26 Jun 1942; Lt Col Sam W Agee
Jr, 27 Nov 1942; Maj Joseph A Cunningham, 5 Dec 1942; Lt Col Wilbur W
Aring, c. 11 Jan 1943; Col Gordon H Austin, 6 Jul 1943; Col Joseph R
Holzapple, 13 Aug 1943-1945.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia;
Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North
Apennines; Air Offensive, Japan; Ryukyus; China Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Rome, Italy, 3 Mar 1944;
Florence, Italy, 11 Mar 1944. French Croix de Guerre with Palm: Apr,
May, and Jun 1944.
Insigne. None.
320th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and
activated on 23 Jun. Trained with B-26 aircraft. Most of the group moved
to North Africa via England, Aug-Dec 1942; crews flew their planes over
the South Atlantic route and arrived in North Africa, Dec 1942-Jan 1943.
Began combat with Twelfth AF in Apr 1943 and operated from bases in
Algeria, Tunisia, Sardinia, and Corsica until Nov 1944. During the
period Apr-Jul 1943, flew missions against enemy shipping in the
approaches to Tunisia, attacked installations in Sardinia, participated
in the reduction of Pantelleria, and supported the invasion of Sicily.
Then bombed marshalling yards, bridges, airdromes, road junctions,
viaducts, harbors, fuel dumps, defense positions, and other targets in
Italy. Supported forces at Salerno and knocked out targets to aid the
seizure of Naples and the crossing of the Volturno River. Flew missions
to Anzio and Cassino and engaged in interdictory operations in central
Italy in preparation for the advance toward Rome. Received the French
Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support
of Allied offensive operations in central Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. Received
a DUC for a mission on 12 May 1944 when, in the face of an intense
antiaircraft barrage, the group bombed enemy troop concentrations near
Fondi in support of Fifth Army's advance toward Rome. From Jun to Nov
1944 operations included interdictory missions in the Po Valley, support
for the invasion of Southern France, and attacks on enemy communications
in northern Italy. Moved to France in Nov 1944 and bombed bridges, rail
lines, gun positions, barracks, supply points, ammunition dumps, and
other targets in France and Germany until V-E Day. Received a DUC for
operations on 15 Mar 1945 when the group bombed pillboxes, trenches,
weapon pits, and roads within the Siegfried Line to enable a
breakthrough by Seventh Army. Moved to Germany in Jun 1945 and
participated in the disarmament program. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec.
Inactivated on 4 Dec 1945.
Redesignated 320th Bombardment Group (Light). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 9 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Squadrons. 441st: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 442d: 1942-1945; 1947-1949.
443d: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 444th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 23 Ju 1 1942; Drane Field, Fla, 8-28
Aug 194: Hethel, England, 12 Sep 1942; La Senia, Algeria, c. 2 Dec 1942;
Tafaraoui, Algeria, 28 Jan 1943; Montesquieu, Algeria, Apr 1943;
Massicault, Tunisia, 29 Jun 1943; El Bathan, Tunisia, 28 Jul 1943;
Sardinia, 1 Nov 1943; Corsica, c. 18 Sep 1944; Dijon/Longvic, France, 11
Nov 1944; Dole/Tavaux, France, 1 Apr 1945; Herzogenaurach, Germany, 18
Jun 1945; Clastres, France, c. Oct-Nov 1945; Camp Myles Standish, Mass,
3-4 Dec 1945. Mitchel Field, NY, 9 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949.
Commanders. Maj John F Batjer, 1 Jul 1942; Col John A Hilger, c. 5
Aug 1942; Col Flint Garrison Jr, 25 Oct 1942; Lt Col John Fordyce, 15
Feb 1943; Col Karl Baumeister, 25 May 1943; Lt Col Stanford Gregory, 25
Sep 1943; Col Eugene B Fletcher, 25 Oct 1943; Col Ashley E Woolridge, 2
Nov 1944; Lt Col Blaine B Campbell, 28 May 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAM Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central
Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Italy, 12 May 1944; ETO,
15 Mar 1945. French Croix de Guerre with Palm : Apr, May, and Jun 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, an alligator volant in bend or, winged and
armed gules, speed lines sinisterward of the second. Motto: Forever
Battling. (Approved 3 Mar 1943. This insigne was replaced 22 Jan 1953.)
321st Bombardment Group - 328th Fighter Group
321st Bombardment Group
Constituted as 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and
activated on 26 Jun. Prepared for overseas duty with B-25's. Moved to
the Mediterranean theater, Jan-Mar 1943, and assigned to Twelfth AF.
Engaged primarily in support and interdictory operations, bombing
marshalling yards, rail lines, highways, bridges, viaducts, troop
concentrations, gun emplacements, shipping, harbors, and other
objectives in North Africa, France, Sicily, Italy, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia,
and Greece. Sometimes dropped propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines.
Took part in the Allied operations against Axis forces in North Africa
during Mar-May 1943, the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in Jun,
the invasion of Sicily in Jul, the landing at Salerno in Sep, the Allied
advance toward Rome during Jan-Jun 1944, the invasion of Southern France
in Aug 1944, and the Allied operations in northern Italy from Sep 1944
to Apr 1945. Received twc DUC's: for completing a raid on an air drome
near Athens, 8 Oct 1943, in spite of intense flak and attacks by
numerous enemy interceptors; and for bombing a battleship, a cruiser,
and a submarine in Toulon harbor on 18 Aug 1944 to assist the Allied
invasion of Southern France. Inactivated in Italy on 12 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 321st Bombardment Group (Light). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated in the US on 29 Jun 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Squadrons. 445th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 446th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949.
447th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 448th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949.
Stations. Barksdale Field, La, 26 Jun 1942; Columbia AAB, SC, c. 1
Aug 1942; Walterboro, SC, Sep 1942; DeRidder AAB, La, c. 1 Dec 1942-21
Jan 1943; Ain M'lila, Algeria, 12 Mar 1943; Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia, c. 1
Jun 1943; Soliman, Tunisia, 8 Aug 1943; Grottaglie, Italy, Oct 1943;
Amendola, Italy, c. 20 Nov 1943; Vincenzo Airfield, Italy, 14 Jan 1944;
Gaudo Airfield, Italy, Feb 1944; Corsica, 23 Apr 1944; Falconara, Italy,
1 Apr 1945; Pomigliano, Italy, c. Seo-12 Sep 1945. Mansfield, Ohio, 29
Jun 1947-27 Jun 1949.
Commanders. Unkn, Jun-Aug 1942 Col William C Mills, 3 Aug 1942; Col
Robert D Knapp, Sep 1942; Lt Col Charles T Olmsted, 5 Dec 1943; Lt Col
Peter H Remington, 18 Mar 1944; Col Richard H Smith, 26 Mar 1944; Lt Col
Charles F Cassidy Jr, 28 Jan 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Athens, Greece, 8 Oct
1943; France, 18 Aug 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, six drop bombs, three, two, and one or.
Motto: Perseverance, Vision, And Duty. (Approved 7 Nov 1942. This
insigne was replaced 30 Aug 1954.)
322d Bombardment Group
Constituted as 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942.
Activated on 17 Jul 1942. Trained with B-26 aircraft. Part of the group
moved overseas, Nov-Dec 1942; planes and crews followed, Mar-Apr 1943.
Operated with Eighth AF until assignment to Ninth in Oct 1943. Served in
combat, May 1943-Apr 1945, operating from England, France, and Belgium.
Began combat on 14 May when it dispatched 12 planes for a minimum-level
attack on a power plant in Holland. Sent 11 planes on a similar mission
three days later: one returned early; the others, with 60 crewmen, were
lost to flak and interceptors. Trained for medium-altitude operations
for several weeks and resumed combat on 17 Jul 1943. Received a DUC for
the period 14 May 1943-24 Jul 1944, during which its combat performance
helped to prove the effectiveness of the medium bombers. Enemy airfields
in France, Belgium, and Holland provided the principal targets from Jul
1943 through Feb 1944, but the group also attacked power stations,
shipyards, construction works, marshalling yards, and other targets.
Beginning in Mar the 322d bombed railroad and highway bridges, oil
tanks, and missile sites in preparation for the invasion of Normandy; on
6 Jun 1944 it hit coastal defenses and gun batteries; afterward, during
the Normandy campaign, it pounded fuel and ammunition dumps, bridges,
and road junctions. Supported the Allied offensive at Caen and the
breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Aided the drive of Third Army across
France in Aug and Sep. Bombed bridges, road junctions, defended
villages, and ordnance depots in the assault on the Siegfried Line,
Oct-Dec 1944. Flew a number of missions against railroad bridges during
the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Then concentrated on
communications, marshalling yards, bridges, and fuel dumps until its
last mission on 24 Apr 1945. Moved to Germany in Jun 1945. Engaged in
inventorying and disassembling German Air Force equipment and
facilities. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945. Inactivated on 15 Dec
1945.
Redesignated 322d Bombardment Group (Light). Allotted to the reserve.
Activated on 9 Aug 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Redesignated 322d Fighter-Day Group. Activated on 1 Jul 1954.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Equipped first with F-86 and later
with F-100 aircraft.
Squadrons. 35th: 1947-1949. 449th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 450th:
1942-1945; 1947-1949; 1954-. 451st: 1942-1945; 1947-1949; 1954-. 452d:
1942-1945; 1947-1949; 1954-.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 17 Jul 1942; Drane Field, Fla, 22
Sep-Nov 1942; Rougham, England, c. 1 Dec 1942; Great Saling, England,
Jan 1943; Beauvais/Tille, France, Sep 1944; Le Culot, Belgium, Mar 1945;
Fritzlar, Germany, Jun-Sep 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. 14-15 Dec 1945.
Reading AAFld, Pa, 9 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949. Foster AFB, Tex, 1 Jul 1954-.
Commanders. Lt Col Jacob Brogger, c. 8 Aug 1942; Col Robert R Selway
Jr, c. 21 Oct 1942; Lt Col John F Batjer, c. 22 Feb 1943; Lt Col Robert
M Stillman, c. 17 Mar 1943; Col Glenn C Nye, c. 19 May 1943; Col John S
Samuel, Jul 1944; Maj John L Egan, c. 12 Jul 1945-unkn. Col Carlos M
Talbott, 1 Jul 1954-.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: ETO, 14 May 1943-24 Jul
1944.
Insigne. Shield: Tierce per fess azure and or, five piles, three
conjoined between two transposed counterchanged. Motto: Recto Faciendo
Neminen Timeo - I Fear None in Doing Right. (Approved 9 Jan 1943.)
323d Bombardment Group
Constituted as 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942.
Activated on 4 Aug 1942. Trained with B-26's. Moved to England, Apr-Jun
1943. Assigned first to Eighth AF and, in Oct 1943, to Ninth AF. Began
operations in Jul 1943, attacking marshalling yards, air dromes,
industrial plants, military installations, and other targets in France,
Belgium, and Holland. Then carried out numerous attacks on V-weapon
sites along the coast of France. Attacked airfields at Leeuwarden and
Venlo in conjunction with the Allied campaign against the German Air
Force and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Helped to
prepare for the invasion of Normandy by bombing coastal defenses,
marshalling yards, and airfields in France; struck roads and coastal
batteries on 6 Jun 1944. Participated in the aerial barrage that
assisted the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Flew its first night mission
after moving to the Continent in Aug, striking enemy batteries in the
region of St Malo. Carried out other night missions during the month to
hit fuel and ammunition dumps. Eliminated strong points at Brest early
in Sep and then shifted operations to eastern France to support advances
against the Siegfried Line. Received a DUC for actions (24-27 Dec 1944)
during the Battle of the Bulge when the group effectively hit
transportation installations used by the enemy to bring reinforcements
to the Ardennes. Flew interdictory missions into the Ruhr and supported
the drive into Germany by attacking enemy communications. Ended combat
in Apr 1945 and moved to Germany in May to participate in the
disarmament program. Returned to the US in Dec. Inactivated on 12 Dec
1945.
Redesignated 323d Bombardment Group (Light). Allotted to the reserve.
Activated on 9 Sep 1947. Ordered to active duty on 10 Mar 1951.
Inactivated on 17 Mar 1951.
Redesignated 323d Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 8 Aug 1955.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command.
Squadrons. 453d: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1955-. 454th: 1942-1945;
1949-1951; 1955-. 455th: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1955-. 456th: 1942-1945;
1947-1951.
Stations. Columbia AAB, SC, 4 Aug 1942; MacDill Field, Fla, 21 Aug
1942; Myrtle Beach Bombing Range, SC, 2 Nov 1942-25 Apr 1943; Horham,
England, 1 May 1943; Earls Colne, England, 14 Jun 1943; Beaulieu,
England, 21 Jul 1944; Lessay, France, 26 Aug 1944; Chartres, France, 21
Sep 1944; Laon/Athies, France 13 Oct 1944; Denain/Prouvy, France, Feb
1945; Gablingen, Germany, 15 May 1945; Landsberg, Germany, 16 Jul 1945;
Clastres, France, Oct-Dec 1945; Camp Myles Standish, Mass, 11-12 Dec
1941; Tinker Field, Okla, 9 Sep 1947-17 May 1951. Bunker Hill AFB, Ind,
8 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Col Herbert B Thatcher, Sep 1942; Col Wilson R Wood, c.
13 Nov 1943; Col Rollin M Winingham, 14 Feb 1945; Lt Col George O
Commenator, Aug 1945-unkn. Col John C Haygood, 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Belgium and Germany, 24-27
Dec 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend gules and azure, a bend between a mailed
dexter gauntlet grasping a dagger and the winged hat of Mercury argent.
Motto: Vincamus Sine Timoris - Without Fear We Conquer. (Approved 16 Feb
1943. This insigne was replaced 21 Jun 1957.)
324th Fighter Group
Constituted as 324th Fighter Group on 24 Jun 1942. Activated on 6 Jul
1942. Moved to the Middle East, Oct-Dec 1942, for operations with Ninth
AF. Trained for several weeks with P-40 aircraft. While headquarters
remained in Egypt, squadrons of the group began operating with other
organizations against the enemy in Tunisia. Reunited in Jun 1943, the
324th group engaged primarily in escort and patrol missions between
Tunisia and Sicily until Jul 1943. Received a DUC for action against the
enemy from Mar 1943 to the invasion of Sicily. Trained during Jul-Oct
1943 for operations with Twelfth AF. Resumed combat on 30 Oct 1943 and
directed most of its attacks against roads, bridges, motor transports,
supply areas, rolling stock, gun positions, troop concentrations, and
rail facilities in Italy until Aug 1944. Patrolled the beach and
protected convoys during the assault on Anzio in Jan 1944. Aided the
Allied offensive in Italy during May 1944, receiving another DUC for
action from 12 to 14 May when the group bombed an enemy position on
Monastery Hill (Cassino), attacked troops massing on the hill for
counterattack, and hit a nearby stronghold to force the surrender of an
enemy garrison. Continued to give close support to ground forces until
the fall of Rome in Jun 1944. Converted to P-47's in Jul and supported
the assault on southern France in Aug by dive-bombing gun position,
bridges, and radar facilities, and by patrolling the combat zone.
Attacked such targets as motor transports, rolling stock, rail lines,
troops, bridges, gun emplacements, and supply depots after the invasion,
giving tactical support to Allied forces advancing through France. Aided
the reduction of the Colmar bridgehead Jan-Feb 1945, and supported
Seventh Army's drive through the Siegfried defenses in Mar. Received the
French Croix de Guerre with Palm for supporting French forces during the
campaigns for Italy and France, 1944-1945. Moved to the US, Oct-Nov
1945. Inactivated on Nov 1945.
Redesignated 103d Fighter Group. Allotted to ANG (Conn) on 24 May
1946. Extended federal recognition on 7 Aug 1946. Ordered to active duty
on 1 Mar 1951. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Redesignated 103d
Fighter-Interceptor Group in Mar 1951. Used F-47 aircraft. Inactivated
on 6 Feb 1952. Returned to the control of ANG (Conn) on 1 Dec 1952.
Squadrons. 118th: 1951-1952. 314th: 1942-1945. 315th: 1942-1945.
316th: 1942-1945.
Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 6 Jul 1942; Baltimore Mun Aprt, Md, 6
Jul-8 Oct 1942; El Amiriya, Egypt, Dec 1942; El Kabrit, Egypt, 2 Feb
1943; Kairouan, Tunisia, 2 Jun 1943; El Haouaria, Tunisia, c. 18 Jun
1943; Menzel Heurr, Tunisia, 3 Oct 1943; Cercola, Italy, 25 Oct 1943;
Pignataro Maggiore, Italy, 6 May 1944; Le Banca Airfield, Italy, 6 Jun
1944; Montalto Di Castro, Italy, 14 Jun 1944; Corsica, 19 Jul 1944; Le
Luc, France, 25 Aug 1944; Istres, France, 2 Sep 1944; Amberieu, France,
6 Sep 1944; Tavaux, France, 20 Sep 1944; Luneville, France, 4 Jan 1945;
Stuttgart, Germany, 8 May-20 Oct 1945; Camp Shanks, NY, Nov 1945.
Bradley Field, Conn, 1 Mar 1951; Suffolk County Aprt, NY, 1 Jun 1951-6
Feb 1952.
Commanders. Col William K McNown, c. Jul 1942; Col Leonard C Lydon,
25 Dec 1943; Lt Col Franklin W Horton, 23 May-Nov 1945. Col Glenn T
Eagleston, 1951-6 Feb 1952.
Campaigns. Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Northern
France; Southern France; Rhineland; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: North Africa and Sicily,
Mar-[Jul] 1943; Cassino, 12-14 May 1944. French Croix de Guerre with
Palm.
Insigne. Shield: Or, a representation of a Connecticut colonial
secretary running, with the Colony's Charter in his left hand proper
(hat, coat, and breeches - blue; hair, vest, tie, shoes, and stockings -
black; face, hands, shirt collar, shoe buckles, and charter - white) all
within a diminished bordure tri-parted black, white, and black the white
part separated to chief to form in code the letters FEA. (Approved 1 May
1953.)
325th Fighter Group
Constituted as 325th Fighter Group 01 24 Jun 1942. Activated on 3 Aug
1942. Trained with P-40's. Moved to North Africa during Jan-Feb 1943.
Assigned to Twelfth AF. Entered combat on 17 Apr. Escorted medium
bombers, flew strafing missions, and made sea sweeps from bases in
Algeria and Tunisia. Participated in the defeat of Axis forces in
Tunisia, the reduction of Pantelleria, and the conquest of Sicily.
Received a DUC for action over Sardinia on 30 Jul 1943 when the group,
using diversionary tactics, forced a superior number of enemy planes
into the air and destroyed more than half of them. Flew no combat
missions from the end of Sep to mid-Dec 1943, a period in which the
group changed aircraft and moved to Italy. Began operations with
Fifteenth AF on 14 Dec, and afterward engaged primarily in escort
operations, using P-47's until they were replaced by P-51's in May 1944.
Escorted heavy bombers during long-range missions to attack the
Messerschmitt factory at Regensburg, the Daimler-Benz tank factory at
Berlin, oil refineries at Vienna, and other targets, such as airfields,
marshalling yards, and communications in Italy, France, Germany,
Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia. Also covered
operations of reconnaissance aircraft and strafed such targets as
trains, vehicles, and airfields. Received second DUC for a mission on 30
Jan 1944 when the group flew more than 300 miles at very low altitude to
surprise the enemy fighters that were defending German airdromes near
Villaorba; by severely damaging the enemy's force, the 325th group
enabled heavy bombers to strike vital targets in the area without
encountering serious opposition. Continued combat operations until May
1945. Returned to the US in Oct. Inactivated on 28 Oct 1945.
Activated on 21 May 1947. Organized as an all-weather fighter group.
Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (All Weather) in May 1498, and 325th
Fighter-Interceptor Group in May 1951. Equipped with P-61's in 1947,
F-82's in 1948, and F-94's in 1950. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952.
Redesignated 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense). Activated on 18 Aug
1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with F-86 aircraft.
Squadrons. 317th: 1942-1945; 1947-1952; 1955-. 318th: 1942-1945;
1947-1952; 1955-. 319th: 1942-1945; 1947-1952.
Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 3 Aug 1942; Hillsgrove, RI, c. 31 Aug
1942-23 Jan 1943; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 28 Feb 1943; Montesquieu, Algeria,
5 Apr 1943; Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia, 3 Jun 1943; Mateur, Tunisia, 19 Jun
1943; Soliman, Tunisia, 4 Nov 1943; Foggia, Italy, 11 Dec 1943; Lesina,
Italy, 29 Mar 1944; Rimini, Italy, c. 5 Mar 1945; Mondolfo, Italy, Apr
1945; Vincenzo Airfield, Italy, July-9 Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 26-28
Oct 1945. Mitchel Field, NY, 21 May 1947; Hamilton Field, Calif, 2 Dec
1947; Moses Lake AFB, Wash, 26 Nov 1948; McChord AFB, Wash, 23 Apr
1950-6 Feb 1952. McChord AFB, Wash, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Leonard C Lydon, 3 Aug 1942; Lt Col Gordon H Austin,
10 Dec 1942; Lt Col Robert L Baseler, 5 Jul 1943; Col Chester L Sluder,
1 Apr 1944; Lt Col Ernest H Beverly, 11 Sep 1944; Col Felix L Vidal, 2
Mar 1945; Lt Col Wyatt P Exum, 6 Jun 1945; Lt Col Wilhelm C Freudenthal,
c. 30 Aug 1945- unkn. Unkn, May-Dec 1947; Lt Col Gordon D Timmons, 2 Dec
1947; Col Harold E Kofahl, c. Jan 1948; Lt Col Walter C Hearne, 1948; Lt
Col Kermit A Tyler, 6 Mar 1950; Col George W Prentice, 27 Mar 1950-unkn;
Col Raymond K Gallagher, 1951-c. Feb 1952. Unkn, 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia;
Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France;
Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Sardinia, 30 Jul 1943;
Italy, 30 Jan 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per fess, sable and azure, a fess arched, argent,
upper line nebuly, over all a lightning flash or, issuing from dexter
chief. Motto: Locare Et Liquidare - Locate and Liquidate. (Approved 1
Oct 1951.)
326th Fighter Group
Constituted as 326th Fighter Group on 24 Jun 1942. Activated on 19
Aug 1942. Assigned to First AF. Became part of the air defense force and
also served as an operational training unit. Later became a replacement
training unit, preparing pilots for combat duty in P-47's. Disbanded on
10 Apr 1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 326th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
Equipped with F-86's.
Squadrons. 320th: 1942-1943. 321st: 1942-1944; 1955-. 322d:
1942-1944. 442d: 1943. 538th: 1943-1944. 539th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 19 Aug 1942; Bradley Field, Conn, 1 Sep
1942 Westover Field, Mass, 1 Nov 1942; Seymour Johnson Field, NC, 13 Oct
1943-10 Apr 1944. Paine AFB, Wash, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Lt Col Gilbert L Meyers, c. 24 Aug 1942; Lt Col William S
Steele, c. 14 Jun 1943-10 Apr 1944. Col Ira Wintermute, 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a cockatrice volant or crested and beaked
gules. Motto: Fortiter Et Sincere - Boldly and Sincerely. (Approved 31
Dec 1942.)
327th Fighter Group
Constituted as 327th Fighter Group on 24 Jun 1942. Activated on 25
Aug 1942. Assigned to First AF. Became part of the air defense force and
also served as an operational training unit, using P-40's until Feb 1943
when they were replaced by P-47's. In 1944 began training replacement
pilots for combat duty. Disbanded on 10 Apr 1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 327th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command
and equipped with F-86's.
Squadrons. 323d: 1942-1944; 1955-. 324th: 1942-1944. 325th:
1942-1944; 1955-. 443d: 1943-1944.
Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 25 Aug 1942; Philadelphia Mun Aprt, Pa,
27 Aug 1942; Richmond AAB, Va, c. 22 Sept 1942-10 Apr 1944. Truax Field,
Wis, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Col Nelson P Jackson, unkn; Lt Col Frederick Nelander,
unkn. Col Oris B Johnson, 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Or, the head of the mythical Gorgon Medusa affronte
azure, armed gumes. Motto: Ne Deficit Animus - Courage Does Not Fail Me.
(Approved 27 Feb 1943. This insigne was replaced 16 May 1958.)
328th Fighter Group
Constituted as 328th Fighter Group 0 24 Jun 1942. Activated on 10 Jul
1942. Assigned to Fourth AF. Served as part of the air defense force and
also trained replacement pilots in P-39 aircraft. Disbanded on 31 Mar
1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 328th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
Equipped with F-86's.
Squadrons. 326th: 1942-1944; 1955-. 327th: 1942-1944. 329th:
1942-1944. 444th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 10 Jul 1942-31 Mar 1944. Grandview
AFB, Mo, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Frederick D Granbo, 10 Jul 1942; Lt Col Harry N
Renshaw, 11 Jan 1943; Lt Col Milton B Adams, 7 Jul 1943; Lt Col Kyle L
Riddle, 13 Nov 1943; Col J C Crosthwaite, 4 Jan 1944; Col John W Weltman,
31 Jan-31 Mar 1944. Col Richard F Weltzin, 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a natural panther rampant affronte or,
incensed proper. Motto: Fast And Furious. (Approved 23 Feb 1943. This
insigne was replaced 24 Nov 1958.)
329th Fighter Group - 339th Fighter Group
329th Fighter Group
Constituted as 329th Fighter Group on 24 Jun 1942. Activated on 10
Jul 1942. Assigned to Fourth AF. Used P-38's to train replacement
pilots. Also provided cadres for fighter groups. Disbanded on 31 Mar
1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 329th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command
and equipped with F-86's.
Squadrons. 330th: 1942-1944; 1955-. 331st: 1942-1944; 1955-. 332d:
1942-1944. 337th: 1942-1944.
Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 10 Jul 1942; Paine Field, Wash, 14
Jul 1942; Glendale, Calif, 11 Sep 1942; Ontario AAFld, Calif, 27 Feb-31
Mar 1944. Stewart AFB, NY, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Ernest W Keating, 12 Jul 1942; Maj Harold E Kofahl, 8
Nov 1942; Maj Leo F Dusard, 18 Dec 1942; Lt Col Paul W Blanchard, c. 14
Feb 1943; Lt Col Leo F Dusard, 11 May 1943; Lt COl John P Randolph, 26
Oct 1943-31 Mar 1944. Col Emil L Sluga, 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: On a background of the sky proper, a sinister arm
embowed, fessways, issuing from sinister, habited azure, with leather
falconer's glove proper, a falcon or, perched for flight on the gloved
hand. (Approved 25 Jul 1957.)
330th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 330th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 1 Jul 1942 and
activated on 6 Jul. Assigned to Second AF. Functioned as an operational
training and later as a replacement training unit, using B-24 aircraft.
Inactivated on 1 Apr 1944.
Redesignated 330th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 1 Apr
1944. Prepared for combat with B-29's. Moved to Guam, Jan-Apr 1945, and
assigned to Twentieth AF. Entered combat on 12 Apr 1945 with an attack
on the Hodogaya chemical plant at Koriyama, Japan. From Apr to May 1945,
struck airfields from which the Japanese were launching suicide planes
against the invasion force at Okinawa. After that, operations were
principally concerned with incendiary attacks against urban-industrial
areas of Japan. Received a DUC for incendiary raids on the industrial
sections of Tokushima and Gifu and for a strike against the
hydroelectric power center at Kofu, Japan, in Jul 1945. Received another
DUC for attacking the Nakajima-Musashino aircraft engine plant near
Tokyo in Aug 1945. Dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners and
participated in several show-of-force missions over Japan after the war.
Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945. Inactivated on 3 Jan 1946.
Redesignated 330th Bombardment Group (Medium). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 27 Jun 1949. Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951.
Inactivated on 16 Jun 1951.
Redesignated 330th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) and allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 14 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 14 Jul 1952.
Squadrons. 457th: 1942-1944; 1944-1945; 1949-1951; 1952. 458th:
1942-1944; 1944-1945; 1952. 459th: 1942-1944; 1944-1945; 1952. 460th:
1942-1944; 1944.
Stations. Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, 6 Jul 1942; Alamogordo, NM, 1 Aug
1942; Biggs Field, Tex, 5 Apr 1943-1 Apr 1944. Walker AAFld, Kan, 1 Apr
1944-7 Jan 1945; North Field, Guam, 18 Feb-15 Nov 1945; Camp Stoneman,
Calif, unkn-3 Jan 1946. March AFB, Calif, 27 Jun 1949-16 Jun 1951.
Greater Pittsburgh Aprt, Pa, 14 Jun-14 Jul 1952.
Commanders. Maj Leroy A Rainey, 1 Aug 1942; Lt Col John R Sutherland,
5 Sep 1942; Lt Col John A Way, 1 Dec 1942; Lt Col Samuel C Mitchell, 6
Mar 1943; Lt Col Frank P Bostrom, 15 May 1943; Lt Col Troy W Crawford,
27 Jul 1943; Col Frank P Bostrom, 11 Nov 1943; Lt Col Troy W Crawford,
27 Nov 1943-1 Apr 1944. 1st Lt James J Shaffner, 29 Apr 1944; Maj John G
Reiber, 3 May 1944; Col Estley R Farley, 26 May 1944; Col Elbert D
Reynolds, 23 Jun 1944; Col Douglas C Polhamus, 12 Aug 1944-unkn. Unkn, 1
May-16 Jun 1951.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Western Pacific.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 3-9 Jul 1945;
Tokyo, Japan, 8 Aug 1945.
Insigne. None.
331st Bombardment Group
Constituted as 331st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 1 Jul 1942 and
activated on 6 Jul. Assigned to Second AF. Equipped with B-17's and
B-24's for duty as a replacement training unit. Inactivated on 1 Apr
1944.
Redesignated 331st Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 12
Jul 1944. Assigned to Second AF. Trained for combat with B-29's. Moved
to Guam, Apr-Jun 1945, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Bombed
Japanese-held Truk late in Jun 1945. Flew first mission against the
Japanese home islands on 9 Jul 1945 and afterward operated principally
against the enemy's petroleum industry on Honshu. Despite the hazards of
bad weather, fighter attacks, and heavy flak, the 331st bombed the coal
liquefaction plant at Ube, the Mitsubishi-Hayama petroleum complex at
Kawasaki, and the oil refinery and storage facilities at Shimotsu, in
Jul 1945, and received a DUC for the missions. After the war the group
dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners of war in Japan.
Inactivated on Guam on 15 Apr 1946.
Squadrons. 355th: 1944-1946. 356th: 1944-1946. 357th: 1944-1946.
461st: 1942-1944. 462d: 1942-1944. 463d: 1942-1944. 464th: 1942-1944.
Stations. Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, 6 Jul 1942; Casper AAFld, Wyo, 15
Sep 1942-1 Apr 1944. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 12 Jul 1944; McCook AAFld, Neb,
14 Nov 1944-6 Apr 1945; Northwest Field, Guam, 12 May 1945-15 Apr 1946.
Commanders. Unkn, Jul-Sep 1942; 2d Lt William B Moeser, 17 Sep 1942;
Lt Col Frank P Hunter Jr, 29 Sep 1942; Lt Col William Lewis Jr, 5 Mar
1943; Lt Col Marcus A Mullen, 1 Feb-1 Apr 1944. Maj Willard W Wilson, 26
Jul 1944; Lt Col Hadley V Saehlenou, 30 Jul 1944; Col Hoyt L Prindle, 19
Aug 1944; Col James N Peyton, 24 Jan 1945; Lt Col Roland Barnick, Oct
1945-15 Apr 1946.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates;
Western Pacific.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan, 22-29 Jul 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, three sea gulls volant or, on a chief of the
last a thunderbolt gules, irradiated of the field. Motto: Imparido
Pectore - With Undaunted Heart. (Approved 22 Dec 1942.)
332d Fighter Group
Constituted as 332d Fighter Group on 4 Jul 1942. Activated on 13 Oct
1942. Trained with P-39 and P-40 aircraft. Moved to Italy, arriving
early in Feb 1944. Began operations with Twelfth AF on 5 Feb. Used
P-39's to escort convoys, protect harbors, and fly armed reconnaissance
missions. Converted to P-47's during Apr-May and changed to P-51's in
Jun. Operated with Fifteenth AF from May 1944 to Apr 1945, being engaged
primarily in protecting bombers that struck such objectives as oil
refineries, factories, airfields, and marshalling yards in Italy,
France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia,
Rumania, Bulgaria, and Greece. Also made strafing attacks on airdromes,
railroads, highways, bridges, river traffic, troop concentrations, radar
facilities, power stations, and other targets. Received a DUC for a
mission on 24 Mar 1945 when the group escorted B-17's during a raid on a
tank factory at Berlin, fought the interceptors that attacked the
formation, and strafed transportation facilities while flying back to
the base in Italy. Returned to the US in Oct 1945. Inactivated on 19 Oct
1945.
Activated on 1 Jul 1947. Equipped with P-47's. Inactivated on 1 Jul
1949.
Squadrons. 99th: 1944-1945; 1947-1949. 100th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949.
301st: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 302d: 1942-1945.
Stations. Tuskegee, Ala, 13 Oct 1942; Selfridge Field, Mich, 29 Mar
1943; Oscoda, Mich, 12 Apr 1943; Selfridge Field, Mich, 9 Jul-22 Dec
1943; Montecorvino, Italy, 3 Feb 1944; Capodichino, Italy, 15 Apr 1944;
Ramitelli Airfield, Italy, 28 May 1944; Cattolica, Italy, c. 4 May 1945;
Lucera, Italy, c. 18 Jul-Sep 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 17-19 Oct 1945.
Lockbourne AAB, Ohio, 1 Jul 1947-1 Jul 1949.
Commanders. Lt Col Sam W Westbrook Jr, 19 Oct 1942; Col Robert R
Selway Jr, 16 May 1943; Col Benjamin O Davis Jr, 8 Oct 1943; Maj George
S Roberts, 3 Nov 1944; Col Benjamin O Davis Jr, 24 Dec 1944; Maj George
S Roberts, 9 Jun 1945-unkn. Unkn, 1 Jul-28 Aug 1947; Maj William A
Campbell, 28 Aug 1947-1 Jul 1949.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 24 Mar 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Azure on a fess nebule or, a panther passant sable
armed and incensed gules. Motto: Spit Fire. (Approved 15 Jan 1943.)
333d Bombardment Group
Constituted as 333d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 9 Jul 1942 and
activated on 15 Jul. Assigned to Second AF and equipped with B-17's.
Served first as an operational training and later as a replacement
training unit. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1944.
Redesignated 333d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 7 Jul
1944. Assigned to Second AF. Trained for combat with B-29 aircraft.
Moved to the Pacific theater, Jun-Aug 1945, and assigned to Eighth AF.
AAF operations against Japan terminated before the group could enter
combat. For a time after the war the group ferried Allied prisoners of
war from Japan to the Philippine Islands. Inactivated on Okinawa on 28
May 1946.
Squadrons. 435th: 1944-1946. 460th: 1944-1946. 466th: 1942-1944.
467th: 1942-1944. 468th: 1942-1944. 469th: 1942-1944. 507th: 1944-1946.
Stations. Topeka, Kan, 15 Jul 1942; Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 22 Feb 1943-1
Apr 1944. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 7 Jul 1944; Great Bend AAFld, Kan, 13
Jan-18 Jun 1945; Kadena, Okinawa, 5 Aug 1945-28 May 1946.
Commanders. Unkn, Jul-Aug 1942; Col Leo W De Rosier, c. 25 Aug 1942;
Lt Col Ted Faulkner, 1943; Lt Col Donald W Saunders, Sep 1943; Maj
Walter D Atkins, 3 Jan 1944-unkn. Capt Harry J Whelchel, 26 Jul 1944;
Col Milton F Summerfelt, 11 Aug 1944; Lt Col Ray H Martin, 15 Aug
1945-unkn.
Campaigns. American Theater; Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
334th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 334th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 9 Jul 1942 and
activated on 16 Jul. Assigned to Third AF. Equipped with B-25's. Trained
replacement crews for combat. Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Squadrons. 470th: 1942-1944. 471st: 1942-1944. 472d: 1942-1944. 473d:
1942-1944.
Stations. Greenville AAB, SC, 16 Jul 1942-1 May 1944.
Commanders. 1st Lt Francis M Whitlock Jr, 18 Jul 1942; Col A J Bird
Jr, 5 Aug 1942-Apr 1944.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, on a fess or between in chief three
drop-bombs and in base four of the like of the second, three similar
bombs of the first. Motto: Auxiliam Ab Alto - Aid from Above. (Approved
18 Feb 1943.)
335th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 335th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 9 Jul 1942 and
activated on 17 Jul. Assigned to Third AF. Equipped with B-26's. Served
as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Squadrons. 474th: 1942-1944. 475th: 1942-1944. 476th: 1942-1944.
477th: 1942-1944.
Stations. Barksdale Field, La, 17 Jul 1942-1 May 1944.
Commanders. Col Millard Lewis, 17 July 1942; Col Roland O S Akre, 10
Feb 1943; Lt Col Joe R Brabson, 12 May 1943; Col Joe W Kelly, 26 Jun
1943; Lt Col George R Anderson, 6 Nov 1943-1 May 1944.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, from a fess nebuly a demi lion rampant
issuant or. Motto: Fidus Et Fortis - Faithful and Brave. (Approved 19
Nov 1942.)
336th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 336th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 9 Jul 1942 and
activated on 15 Jul. Assigned to Third AF. Served as a replacement
training unit for B-26 crews. Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Squadrons. 478th: 1942-1944. 479th: 1942-1944. 480th: 1942-1944.
481st: 1942-1944.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 15 Jul 1942; Ft Myers, Fla, 10 Aug
1942; Avon Park, Fla, 13 Dec 1942; MacDill Field, Fla, 13 Oct 1943; Lake
Charles AAFld, La, 6 Nov 1943-1 May 1944.
Commanders. Lt Col Joshua T Winstead, 8 Aug 1942; Col Guy L McNeil, 3
Sep 1942; Lt Col Joshua T Winstead, 7 Oct 1942; Lt Col Hugh B Manson, 10
Dec 1943-1 May 1944.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
337th Fighter Group
Constituted as 337th Fighter Group on 16 Jul 1942 and activated on 23
Jul. Assigned to Third AF. Equipped with variety of aircraft, primarily
P-40's (1942-1943) and P-51's (1944). Trained replacement crews for duty
overseas. Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 337th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
Equipped with F-86's.
Squadrons. 98th: 1942-1944. 303rd 1942-1944. 304th: 1942-1944. 440th:
1943-1944. 460th: 1955-.
Stations. Morris Field, NC, 23 Jul 1942; Drew Field, Fla, 7 Aug 1942;
Sarasota, Fla, c. 3 Jan 1943-1 May 1944. Portland Intl Aprt, Ore, 18 Aug
1955-.
Commanders. Lt Col James Ferguson, 27 Jul 1942; Col Charles Kegelman,
12 Nov 1943-1 May 1944. Col George F Ceuleers, 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Per fess abaisse embattled, and per pale, in the
first quarter two stylized delta wing aircraft flying in close
formation, noses to dexter chief, a contrail from the two aircraft,
bendwise across the shield to the embattlement; four stars arched over
the sinister chief, all colors counterchanged, or and sable. (Approved
26 Jun 1957.)
338th Fighter Group
Constituted as 338th Fighter Group on 16 Jul 1942 and activated on 22
Jul. Assigned to Third AF. Trained replacement crews, using a variety of
aircraft (P-39's, P-40's, P-47's, and P-51's) during the first year and
P-47's after Sep 1943. Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Reconstituted, redesignated 338th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), and
allotted to the reserve, on 5 May 1947. Activated on 12 Jun 1947.
Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Squadrons. 42d: 1947-1949. 305th. 1942-1944. 306th: 1942-1944. 312th:
1942-1944. 441st: 1943-1944. 560th: 1947-1949. 561st: 1947-1949. 562d:
1947-1949. 563d: 1947-1949.
Stations. Dale Mabry Field, Fla, 22 Jul 1942-1 May 1944. Orchard
Place Aprt Ill, 12 Jun 1947-27 Jun 1949.
Commanders. 2d Lt Alfred T Bishop, 23 Jul 1942; Maj Robert B Richard,
7 Sep 1942; Col Lee Q Wasser, 18 Sep 1942; Lt Col Robert B Richard, 5
May 1943; Lt Col Oswald W Lunde, 10 Aug 1943; Lt Co] Dale D Brannon, 11
Jan-1 May 1944.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, issuing from fess nebuly debased, a winged
lion rampant or. Motto: Ad Metam - To the Goal. (Approved 14 Nov 1942.)
339th Fighter Group
Constituted as 339th Bombardment Group (Dive) on 3 Aug 1942 and
activated on 10 Aug. Equipped with A-24's and A-25's; converted to
P-39's in Jul 1943. Redesignated 339th Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943.
Trained and participated in maneuvers. Moved to England, Mar-Apr 1944.
Assigned to Eighth AF and equipped with P-51's. Began operations with a
fighter sweep on 30 Apr. Redesignated 339th Fighter Group in May 1944.
Engaged primarily in escort duties during its first five weeks of
operations, and afterwards flew many escort missions to cover the
operations of medium and heavy bombers that struck strategic objectives,
interdicted the enemy's communications, or supported operations on the
ground. Frequently strafed airdromes and other targets of opportunity
while on escort missions. Received a DUC for operations on 10 and 11 Sep
1944. On the first of those days, when it escorted bombers to a target
in Germany and then attacked an airdrome near Erding, the group
destroyed or damaged many enemy planes despite the intense fire it
encountered from antiaircraft guns and small arms. The following day the
bomber formation being escorted to Munich was attacked by enemy
fighters, but members of the 339th group destroyed a number of the
interceptors and drove off the others; at the same time, other members
of the 339th were attacking an airdrome near Karlsruhe, where they
encountered heavy fire but were able to destroy or damage many of the
aircraft parked on the field. The group provided fighter cover over the
Channel and the coast of Normandy during the invasion of France in Jun
1944. Strafed and dive-bombed vehicles, locomotives, marshalling yards,
antiaircraft batteries, and troops while Allied forces fought to break
out of the beachhead in France. Attacked transportation targets as
Allied armies drove across France after the breakthrough at St Lo in
Jul. Flew area patrols during the airborne attack on Holland in Sep.
Escorted bombers to, and flew patrols over the battle area during the
German counterattack in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Dec 1944-Jan
1945. Provided area patrols during the assault across the Rhine in Mar
1945. Among all these varied activities, the outstanding feature of this
group's combat record is the large number of enemy aircraft it destroyed
in the air or on the ground during its one year of operations. Returned
to the US in Oct. Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945.
Redesignated 107th Fighter Group. Allotted to ANG (NY) on 24 May
1946. Extended federal recognition on 8 Dec 1948. Redesignated 107th
Fighter-Interceptor Group in Sep 1952.
Squadrons. 485th: 1942-1943. 503d (formerly 482d): 1942-1945. 504th
(formerly 483d): 1942-1945. 505th (formerly 484th): 1942-1945.
Stations. Hunter Field, Ga, 10 Aug 1942; Drew Field, Fla, Feb 1943;
Walterboro AAFld, SC, Jul 1943; Rice AAFld, Calif, Sep 1943-Mar 1944;
Fowlmere, England, 4 Apr 1944-Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. 16-18 Oct
1945.
Commanders. 2d Lt Harold Garret, c. 18 Aug 1942-unkn; Lt Col Marvin S
Zipp, Feb 1943; Maj Harry L Galusha, 19 Feb 1943; Col John B Henry Jr,
Aug 1943; Lt Col Harold W Scruggs, c. 1 Oct 1944; Lt Col Carl T
Goldenberg, 24 Dec 1944; Col John B Henry Jr, 29 Dec 1944; Lt Col
William C Clark, 14 Apr 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy;
Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 1-11 Sep 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per fess enhanced embattled light blue and azure
(dark blue) fimbriated argent in sinister base a mailed fist proper
grasping a lance bendwise or, enfiling a cockatrice proper (light green)
armed, combed, wattled, and scaled or, all between two clouds of the
third. Crest: A dexter hand proper, grasping a winged torch or, flamed
proper, above a wreath of the colors, argent and arzure. Motto: Strength
Through Alertness. (Approved 30 Jul 1954.)
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