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Book: Air Force
Combat Units of World War II Author: Maurer, Maurer Affiliation: USAF Date: 1986 Overview of Air Force Combat Units of World War II - Part 1 This book traces
the lineage of each Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force combat group that was
active in World War II. In addition to serving as a valuable Air Force history
document, it also provides unit commanders with a practical and accurate source
of vital statistics. Foreword Like all chronologies, bibliographies,
and encyclopedias, Air Force Combat Units of World War II serves a very special
historical function. It traces the lineage of each Army Air Corps and U.S. Air
Force combat group or higher organization active in World War II, from its
origins to 1956. It is a concise official record of
those units: their assignments, subordinate organizations, stations,
commanders, campaigns, aircraft, and decorations. But it is more than that. As an important source of ready
information, this volume not only serves as a reference tool for historians and
researchers; but it also provides commanders with a corporate memory of vital
statistics. With these facts, a unit documents its heritage, the basis for unit
esprit de corps. Originally this volume had been printed
in 1961. Its worth has been proven, and the demand for it has been great. With
this reprint, it will continue to serve the United States Air Force in all
quarters in years to come. Richard H. Kohn Chief, Office of Air
Force History Preface Purpose: Over a period of several years
the USAF Historical Division has received hundreds of requests for brief
histories of Air Force organizations. Air Force units ask for historical data
they can use for the orientation of new personnel and for building morale and
esprit de corps. USAF Headquarters and the commands need historical data for
organizational planning. Information officers throughout the Air Force want
historical materials for public relations purposes. Members and former members
of the Air Force are interested in the units with which they have served.
Government agencies and private individuals, for various reasons, seek
information about Air Force units and their histories. As a result of the great
demand for and the interest in such histories, it appeared that a book
containing brief sketches of Air Force combat organizations would be of value
as a reference work. The task of preparing such a volume was undertaken by the
USAF Historical Division as a phase of its work on World War II. Scope. This book is concerned primarily
with the combat (or tactical) groups that were active during the Second World
War. Although such groups had numerous designations, nearly all fell within
four major categories: bombardment, fighter, reconnaissance, and troop carrier.
The book covers both the combat groups that served overseas and those that
remained in the United States. It also covers combat organizations above the group
level. It does not deal with provisional organizations or with air base,
maintenance, supply, medical, transport, and other service or support
organizations. Although this book is devoted
exclusively to organizations that were active during World War II, its coverage
of those organizations is not confined to the World War II period. Instead,
each organization is traced back to its origin and forward to 1 January 1956,
with later activations being mentioned if they took place prior to the time the
draft of the book was prepared in 1957-1958. The organizations are presented under
the designations they carried on 2 September 1945. For each organization there
is information concerning insigne, lineage, operations, assignments, aircraft
(for groups only), components, stations, commanders, campaigns, and
decorations. A guide to the way these materials are treated is provided in the
Explanatory Notes that follow this Preface. Revision. It is impossible to handle the vast amount of detailed data used
in the preparation of a work of this kind without some errors appearing in the
published volume. A considerable portion of the material in this book
represents judgments that historians made in their efforts to determine facts
from conflicting data found in various sources. Because of the nature of the
volume, there was little opportunity to employ the qualifying words and phrases
that historians normally use to indicate weaknesses in their sources or suggest
the possibility of other interpretations of available data. Like any historical
work, this book is subject to revision in the light of evidence that may be
discovered or may become available in the future. Sources. Most of the sources used in the preparation of this volume are
found in the archives of the USAF Historical Division. The most important of
these are histories that Air Force organizations at all echelons have forwarded
periodically to the archives in accordance with directives pertaining to the
Air Force historical program. These histories consist of narratives, plus
supporting documents, such as plans, orders, directives, operational reports,
organizational charts, statistical summaries, and correspondence. The
narratives and documents for many organizations are excellent. Unfortunately,
the coverage for some organizations is inadequate and in some cases is lacking
for considerable periods of time. Coverage is especially thin, or absent, for
the years before 1943, the date the historical program became operative, and
for the period immediately following World War II, when the program was
disrupted by demobilization and by numerous changes in Air Force organization.
Lower echelons of some commands, as well as reserve and national guard
organizations not in active service, have not forwarded narratives and
documents to the archives. Other important sources were papers of
the Air Service, the Air Corps, and the Air Staff of Army Air Forces; numbered
letters of the War Department and the Department of the Air Force; general and
special orders; reports and staff studies; statistical digests; organizational
directories; personnel rosters; and station lists. Monographs prepared by the USAF
Historical Division and by the historical offices of the various commands were
very useful. Another secondary source of great value was the USAF Historical
Division's seven-volume history, The Army Air Forces in World War II, edited by
W. F. Craven and J. L. Cate, and published by the University of Chicago Press. Acknowledgments. This volume is, in a
large measure, the work of Miss Mary Frances Morgan (M.A., University of
Georgia), Miss Merlin Elaine Owen (M.A., Tulane University), Mr. Sam H. Frank
(M.A., Florida State University), Mr. Herman A. Higgins (M.A., Peabody
College), Mr. Richard C. Lukas (B.A., Florida State University), and Mr. Wesley
P. Newton, Jr. (M.A., University of Alabama). These young graduate students,
who joined the USAF Historical Division in the summer of 1957, were well
qualified for the task of conducting the research and preparing the draft of
the book. Each had excellent training in history and historical methodology.
Each proved to be a first-class researcher. But these historians brought more
than technical competence to their job. They had enthusiasm for their work, a
vast store of good humor, and the personal qualities that enable people to work
together in the finest spirit of cooperation. When this team broke up in the
summer of 1958, Miss Morgan and Mr. Newton stayed on for another year to finish
the draft and assist with the editing. Many other persons contributed to the
production of this volume. Miss Marguerite Kennedy and her staff in the
archives of the USAF Historical Division provided numerous services that
expedited the research. Mr. David Schoem of the Air University Historical
Liaison Office in Washington assisted with many administrative matters. Mr.
Gordon W. Benson and members of his staff furnished copies of the unit history
cards maintained by the Organization Branch, Directorate of Statistical
Services, Headquarters USAF. Miss Eleanor Cox, Chief of the Heraldic Section,
Directorate of Military Personnel, Headquarters USAF, assisted by Miss Anna D.
Osso of the Heraldic Section, supplied the insignia and their descriptions. Dr.
Chauncey E. Sanders, Mr. Robert T. Finney, Dr. Wilson Howell, Dr. Edith C.
Rodgers, Major Ruth P. Boehner, Lieutenant James D. Secor, Lieutenant Eugene
Pascuzzi, and other members or former members of the USAF Historical Division
who at various times were associated with the Division's unit history program,
prepared many unit histories that supplied valuable data for this volume. Mrs.
Lois L. Lynn maintained the voluminous files required for the project and typed
the various drafts of the book. Although this brief note can not name all the
persons who assisted in one way or another, it should mention two men whose
interest and support were vital to the project: Col. G. C. Cobb, Director of
Research Studies Institute during the time the book was being written; and Dr.
Albert F. Simpson, Chief, USAF Historical Division. 15 September 1959 Explanatory
Notes These notes, which are designed as an
aid to the use of this volume, are keyed to the various kinds of information
presented in the historical sketches of the combat organizations. Heading. The heading gives the numerical and general functional
designation of the organization at the end of World War II. Insigne. The insigne is the last one approved prior to the end of World
War II if such an insigne was available. If the organization had no insigne at
that time but had one approved after the war, the latter is shown. A regulation
issued in 1953 required each combat group to use the insigne of the combat wing
of the same number; consequently, in this book wing insignia are given for some
groups. Lineage. The lineage, which was traced through official documents, is
presented in a narrative that also covers the major activities of the
organization. Organizational actions (e.g., activation, redesignation, etc.)
relating to lineage are highlighted by means of italics. Minor redesignations
(e.g., a change from Bombardment Group, H to Bombardment Group, Heavy), as well
as organizational changes that had no effect on lineage, were omitted. The
terms used to describe actions that establish the lineage of Air Force
organizations are defined in Appendix I: Organizational Terms. Operations. The narrative for each group gives a brief summary of the
organization's major activities, especially its combat operations. A general
statement concerning major functions or area of operations is provided for
organizations above the group level. Assignments. The narrative includes information concerning the organization's
assignments, or its attachments for operational control. For World War II, this
information is generally restricted to the numbered air forces with which the
organization operated; for the post-World War II period, it is usually confined
to the major command. Because of peculiarities and changes in the Air Force
structure between 1946 and 1950, assignments to Air Defense, Tactical Air, and
Continental Air Command during that time are, as a general rule, not shown. In
references to Air National Guard (ANG) organizations, names of states, shown as
abbreviations in parentheses, indicate allotments of headquarters. Aircraft. The narrative for each group supplies information concerning the
aircraft used by the organization. Organizational Components. The major combat elements are listed immediately following the
narrative. The list shows only the components at the first subordinate echelon
in any particular period. Components were omitted in some cases in which the
structure of the subject organization changed frequently and the assignments of
components usually were of brief duration. Attached components, as well as
service and support elements, were omitted. Components of national guard
organizations are given only for those periods in which the guard organizations
were on extended active service. Only numerical designations are shown
if the functional designations (e.g., fighter, bomber) of the components and
subject organization were similar. For components assigned during World War II,
the numerical designation shown is the one in use at the end of the war. If the
numerical designation of a component changed during the period of assignment to
the subject organization, the former or later designation is supplied in
parentheses. A semicolon separating dates indicates
that the subject organization was inactivated. A comma indicates that the
component was relieved of assignment and later reassigned during a period in
which the subject organization remained active. Stations. The list of stations shows the locations and movements of the
organization. Temporary stations are not listed. The name given for each base
is the one in use at the time the organization arrived. Webster's Geographical
Dictionary was used as the primary authority for the spelling of place names.
For places not listed there, the NIS Gazetteers were used. For places not given
in either of those sources, it was necessary to rely on station lists and other
Air Force documents. Geographical place names, rather than base names, are
generally shown for stations overseas. If the organization moved frequently, as
some organizations did in the Mediterranean and Pacific areas during World War
II, countries, rather than specific places, are shown. Stations for national
guard organizations are given only for those periods in which the guard
organizations were on extended active service. A single date indicates the arrival of
the organization's headquarters or, if that could not be determined, the
arrival of the first major element of the organization. Where double dates are
given, the second date, if followed by a semicolon, shows when the organization
(or the first major element) began an extended movement either overseas or
within a theater; if followed by a period, the second date indicates that the
organization was inactivated. Commanders. The list of commanders gives the names of the organization's
commanding officers, the highest rank held by each during the period of
command, and the date each assumed command. As a general rule, temporary or
acting commanders are not shown. Because of difficulties encountered in
obtaining data concerning commanders of reserve and national guard
organizations, commanders of such organizations are shown only for those
periods the organizations were on extended active service. Where double dates are shown, the
second date, if followed by a period, indicates that the organization was
inactivated; if followed by a semicolon, the second date indicates that there
is, or may be, a gap in the list of commanders. Campaigns. The campaigns listed are those in which the organization
participated, the determination in each instance being based upon a careful
analysis of the organization's operations. If the listing shows Asiatic-Pacific
Theater or European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, the organization served,
but was not engaged in combat, in the theater. If the listing includes American
Theater, the organization either served in the theater area outside the United
States, or was stationed in the United States for a total time of one year or
more. The theater is not shown if any campaign in the theater is listed. When
some components of the organization were engaged in activities that could not
be attributed to the entire organization, those activities are not covered by
the list of the organization's campaigns. For example, if a squadron on
detached service from a group in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater
served in combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, the campaigns listed for the
group do not include the Asiatic-Pacific campaigns in which the squadron
participated. A list of all the campaigns in which Air Force organizations have
participated is provided in Appendix II: Theaters and Campaigns. It should be emphasized that the
listings in this book are for groups, wings, divisions, commands, and air
forces rather than for the headquarters of these organizations or for the
squadrons. Consequently, units are cautioned not to use the listings in this
volume as the basis or authority for claiming or displaying service streamers.
The Awards Branch, Personnel Services Division, Directorate of Military
Personnel, Headquarters USAF is responsible for determining what service
streamers each unit is entitled to display. Decorations. Under decorations are listed the citations and other awards made
to the organization. In cases where citations were found to be suitable for
such treatment, they are mentioned in the narrative in connection with
operations (as well as listed under "Decorations") in order to
provide additional data about the activities covered by the citations. In many
instances dates for citations have been omitted or have been revised and set in
brackets because the dates given in orders pertaining to the citations are
obviously incorrect. For example, the dates given in an order may extend over a
period before or after the organization was engaged in the activity for which
it was cited. Information concerning the various citations and other awards
that have been bestowed on organizational elements of the Air Force is provided
in Appendix III: Decorations. As in the case of the campaigns, the
listings in this volume are not to be used by units as the basis or authority
for claiming or displaying streamers and other devices that represent awards.
The Awards Branch determines the awards to which each unit is entitled. Introduction Air Force Combat Organization At the peak of its strength in World
War II, the United States Army Air Forces (AAF) had more than 2,400,000 men and
women in uniform. There were pilots, navigators, bombardiers, gunners, and
radio operators, clerks and typists, artists and flautists, teachers, mechanics,
statisticians, and engineers - for it took many talents and skills to conduct
and support the war in the air. All these persons, from privates to generals,
had to be welded into an organization capable of giving direction and
coordination to their diverse activities. For combat the men were formed into
squadrons, and squadrons into groups. Above the groups were wings, and wings
were organized into commands, and commands into the 16 air forces of the AAF.
The upper part of the structure had to be built while the war was on, but the
foundation was old. Some of the squadrons, two of the groups, and one wing had
combat records from the First World War. One squadron, the oldest in the Air
Force, could trace its history back to 1913. 1913-1917 The Army had established an
Aeronautical Division in the Signal Corps on 1 August 1907 and had acquired its
first plane in 1909. Army men had learned to fly, but for some time the
aviators were not organized into units for operations. Consequently in 1913,
when relations between the United States and Mexico were strained as a result
of a revolution in Mexico, there was no aviation unit for service along the
Mexican border. The Army, however, sent some of its flyers and planes to Texas,
and on 5 March 1913 these were formed into the 1st Aero Squadron, a provisional
organization made up of two companies. Later that year, in December, after the
provisional unit had moved to San Diego for training, it was organized
officially as an Army squadron. Following Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus, New
Mexico, in March 1916, the squadron joined the force that Brig. Gen. John J.
Pershing organized to try to capture the Mexican bandit. Thus the 1st Aero
Squadron, which provided communication and reconnaissance services during the
Mexican expedition, was the first American aviation unit to take the field for
a military campaign. Meanwhile, although war had broken out
in Europe, little progress had been made toward expanding the Army's air arm.
Congress created an Aviation Section in the Signal Corps by an act approved on
18 July 1914, but the legislators provided little money for the new service.
Moreover, the Signal Corps naturally used the meager resources to develop
aviation as a means of communication, observation, and reconnaissance, rather
than as an instrument for combat. One company of the 2nd Aero Squadron was
organized in 1915 and sent to the Philippines. The following year plans were
made for five more squadrons. One, the 7th, was formed in February 1917 for
duty in the Panama Canal Zone. Another, the 6th, was organized in Hawaii in
March 1917. Three others, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, were being formed in the
United States at the time the nation entered World War I in April 1917. World War I Pershing, who became commander of the
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) soon developed a plan for the deployment of
260 combat squadrons to France. Later the plan was revised with the number of
squadrons reduced to 202, all of which were to be at the front by 30 June 1919.
In Pershing's view, the main functions of the AEF's Air Service were to drive
off hostile aircraft and to obtain information about enemy movements. Half of
the 202 squadrons, therefore, were to be observation units assigned to 3 armies
and 16 corps. Of the remainder, 60 were to be pursuit squadrons. But the plan
also provided for 27 night-bombardment and 14 day-bombardment squadrons. The first American aviation unit to
reach France was the 1st Aero Squadron, an observation organization, which
sailed from New York in August 1917 and arrived at Le Havre on 3 September. As
other squadrons were organized at home, they too were sent overseas, where they
continued their training. It was February 1918 before any American aviation
squadron entered combat, but by Armistice Day, 11 November 1918, 45 combat
squadrons (20 pursuit, 18 observation, and 7 bombardment) had been assigned to
the front. During the war the aero squadrons played important roles in such
famous battles as the Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne. Some,
like the 94th Squadron that had Captain Eddie Rickenbacker for its commander,
or the 27th that had "balloon buster" Frank Luke as one of its
aviators, made distinguished records in combat. Observation planes frequently operated
individually, and pursuit pilots often went out alone to attack a balloon or to
meet the enemy in a dogfight. But the tendency was toward formation flying for
pursuit as well as for bombardment operations. The dispersal of squadrons among
the various army organizations made it difficult, however, to obtain
coordination of aerial activities. Some higher organization was required.
Squadrons with similar functions were formed into groups, the first of these
being the 1st Corps Observation Group, organized in April 1918. The following
month the 1st Pursuit Group was formed, and by 11 November 1918 the AEF had 14
groups (7 observation, 5 pursuit, and 2 bombardment). In July 1918 the AEF
organized its first wing, made up of the 2d and 3rd Pursuit Groups and, later,
the 1st Day Bombardment Group. Some airmen, including William
Mitchell, were advocating the formation of an air force that would concentrate
control over military aviation for heavy blows against the enemy. In September
1918, for the Allied assault against the German salient at St. Mihiel, Mitchell
brought together almost 1,500 American and French planes for coordinated
operations in which observation and pursuit supported ground forces, while the
other two-thirds of the air force bombed and strafed behind the lines. Later,
during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, Mitchell attained a somewhat smaller
concentration of air power for use in keeping the enemy on the defensive. In France the Air Service was part of
Pershing's expeditionary force. In the United States the Chief Signal Officer
was responsible for organizing, training, and equipping aviation units until 21
May 1918. At that time the President created a Bureau of Aircraft Production
and made it responsible for aeronautical equipment; training of personnel and
units was the responsibility of the Division of Military Aeronautics, which had
been created by the War Department on 27 April 1918. Although the bureau and
division were recognized by the War Department on 24 May 1918 as forming the
Army's Air Service, no Director of Air Service was appointed until 27 August
1918. 1919-1939 After the war the Army quickly
demobilized most of its air arm, including the wing, all of the groups, and
most of the squadrons. Almost immediately, however, it began to create new
organizations for peacetime service. In many instances these new organizations
had no connection with those that had been active during the war. For example,
at Selfridge Field in August 1919 the Army organized a 1st Pursuit Group that
was in no way related to the AEF's 1st Pursuit Group, which had been
demobilized in France in December 1918. A little later, however, the Army began
a series of organizational actions that eventually enabled many active
organizations to trace their histories back to World War I. In the case of the
1st Pursuit Group, for instance, the Army reconstituted the World War I group
of that name and consolidated it with the active group. This process of
reconstituting old units and consolidating them with active units has continued
up to the present time. In 1920 an act of Congress (approved on
4 June) created the Air Service as a combatant arm of the United States Army.
But the Air Service and the Air Corps that replaced it in 1926 (act of 2 July)
did not control the combat units, for their training and operations came under
the jurisdiction of ground forces. With this arrangement the Air Service and
Air Corps were responsible for matters relating to personnel and materiel
logistics, particularly training individual pilots and other specialists, and
developing, procuring, storing, and distributing aeronautical equipment. The composition, organization, and
command of the combat elements of the air arm during the 1920's and early
1930's were based on principles laid down by the War Department General Staff
in 1920. These principles, as they related to military aviation, were reflected
in a war plan that called for the following aviation organizations as part of
an expeditionary force: one observation squadron for each of divisions and one
for each of 18 corps; one observation group (four squadrons), plus one attack
wing (one attack and two pursuit groups), for each of 6 armies; one attack
wing, one observation group, and one bombardment group for General Headquarters
(GHQ). Thus the war plan placed the greatest emphasis on observation aviation.
It gave lesser roles to pursuit aviation, which was to destroy enemy planes and
assist in attacking enemy troops and other objectives, and to attack aviation,
which was to harass the enemy's ground forces. It assigned a minor place to
bombardment aviation, with the mission of destroying military objectives in the
combat theater and in the enemy's zone of interior. Furthermore, it placed
aviation under the command of ground officers at division, corps, army, and GHQ
levels. As a result, the structure was condemned by Billy Mitchell and other
Air Service officers who discounted the importance of observation aviation,
sought recognition for bombardment as a major instrument of warfare, desired a
greater proportion of pursuit units for counter-air operations, and wanted
aviation units organized as an air force under the command of airmen. One of
the important facets of the history of the Army's air arm during the 1920's and
1930's was the conflict between air and ground officers over the composition,
organization, and command of military aviation. While this is not the place for
a detailed review of that subject, the progress that the airmen made toward
gaining acceptance for their point of view is reflected in organizational
changes mentioned in subsequent paragraphs. The principles behind the war plan were
applied to the smaller peacetime organization that was to be capable of rapid
expansion in an emergency. For several years the striking force based in the
United States consisted of three groups, the 1st Pursuit, the 2nd Bombardment,
and the 3rd Attack. There also was one observation group (the 9th), and there
was one observation squadron for each of the Army corps. During the same period
there were three composite groups on foreign service, the 4th being in the
Philippines, the 5th in Hawaii, and the 6th in Panama. In 1926 the Army began to expand its
air arm, and in the years that followed new groups were activated: the 18th
Pursuit (in Hawaii) in 1927; the 7th Bombardment in 1928; the 12th Observation
and 20th Pursuit in 1930; the 8th and 17th Pursuit in 1931; and the 16th
Pursuit (in the Canal Zone) and the 19th Bombardment in 1932. Consequently by
the end of 1932 there were 15 groups (45 squadrons). The distribution of the
squadrons by function is significant. The number of attack squadrons (4) was
the same as it had been a decade earlier, while the strength in observation
aviation had decreased from 14 to 13 squadrons. The growth had, therefore, been
in other types of aviation, the number of bombardment squadrons having
increased from 7 to 12, and pursuit squadrons from 7 to 16. Five more pursuit
squadrons were activated in 1933, bringing the total strength to 50 squadrons. The most important change in the combat
organization of the air arm in the two decades between World Wars I and II came
on 1 March 1935. At that time the War Department established General
Headquarters Air Force (GHQAF) and placed it under the command of an air
officer to serve as an air defense and striking force. Some observation units
remained assigned to corps areas, but all the pursuit, bombardment, and attack
units in the The change of the 9th Group from
observation to bombardment in 1935 should be noted because that redesignation
was an indication of the decline of observation and the growth of bombardment
aviation. Two years later the 12th Observation Group was inactivated. And the
same year (1937) the 10th Transport Group, the first group of its kind, was activated.
But there were no other significant changes, the number of groups remaining at
15 (10 in the World War II In January 1939 The air arm grew even more rapidly in
the months following In addition to the expansion, other
important changes had taken place in the air arm. By 7 December 1941 more
emphasis was being placed on bombardment. Of the 67 groups active at that time,
26 were bombardment organizations; half of the 26 were heavy and the other half
were medium and light bombardment groups, the light groups having replaced the
attack organizations of an earlier time. There also were 26 pursuit, 9
observation, and 6 transport groups. During the war, pursuit units were
redesignated fighter, observation became reconnaissance, and transport became
troop carrier. With the development of B-29 aircraft, very heavy bombardment
organizations were added to the combat force. In the spring of 1945, when
America's air strength in the overseas theaters of operations reached its peak,
the 243 combat groups of the AAF were divided as follows: 25 very heavy, 72
heavy, 20 medium, and 8 light bombardment groups; 71 fighter groups; 29 troop
carrier groups; 13 reconnaissance groups; and 5 composite groups. At the same
time there were 65 separate squadrons, mostly reconnaissance and night fighter,
which were not assigned to groups but to higher echelons of organization. As the number of groups increased, the
number of wings multiplied. Earlier, during World War I and in GHQAF, wings had
been composite organizations, that is, had been made up of groups with
different kinds of missions. Most of the wings of World War II, however, were composed
of groups with similar functions. The growth of the air arm resulted in
important organizational changes and developments above the group and wing
levels. The separation of the combat organization (GHQAF) from the logistic
organization (Air Corps) created serious problems of coordination. To correct
this condition, GHQAF was placed under the Chief of the Air Corps, During the war most of the AAF's combat
groups and wings were assigned to numbered air forces. The first four of these
air forces had their origins late in 1940 when GHQAF was becoming so large that
its headquarters could not exercise adequate control over the training and
operations of the various GHQAF organizations. General Headquarters Air Force
was subdivided, therefore, into four air districts (Northeast, Northwest,
Southeast, and Southwest), which were redesignated First, Second, Third, and
Fourth Air Forces early in 1941. These four air forces remained in the United
States throughout the war, but others were established for service overseas:
the Fifth, Seventh, Tenth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Twentieth served in the
Asiatic-Pacific Theater; the Eighth, Ninth, Twelfth, and Fifteenth operated in
the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, the Eighth being redeployed to the
Pacific after the war ended in Europe; the Sixth was in the Panama Canal Zone
and the Eleventh in Alaska. Some air forces, particularly the
larger ones, had subordinate commands (or sometimes divisions) that provided an
additional echelon of organization, by bringing together wings (or groups) with
similar functions. An air force, such as the Ninth, could have a bomber, a
fighter, a troop carrier, and a tactical air command, the number and kind
depending upon the size, functions, and peculiar needs of the air force. There
also were some separate commands, such as the Antisubmarine Command, which were
not assigned to numbered air forces. The arrangement of the various layers
of organization is best seen by looking at the organizational position of some
particular squadron, such as the 93rd Bombardment Squadron, which took part in
the B-29 offensive against This volume is not concerned with all
of this vast organization but with the AAF structure from groups to numbered
air forces. Within those limits, the major attention is focused on the groups,
the basic operational organizations in the aerial war that 1946-1956 Once the victory had been gained, the Then came the Korean War, precipitated
by the Communist attack on the Republic of Korea on 25 June 1950. The United
States rushed combat forces across the Pacific to strengthen those already
present in the Far East. Others were sent to Europe to meet the increasing
threat of Communist aggression in that part of the world. At home the air
defense force was expanded. Under these conditions the number of groups jumped
from 48 to 87 within a year. In June 1952, when the strength was stated in
terms of wings rather than groups, the Air Force had 95. By the end of the
Korean War on 27 July 1953 the number of wings had increased to 106. The
expansion had been accomplished in part by ordering reserve and national guard
organizations to active duty. Those organizations were called for 21 months, but
some were relieved before the end of that period. In fact, some reserve
organizations were in active service for only a few days, just long enough to
assign their personnel to other organizations. Most of the reserve and guard
elements that served the full term of 21 months were replaced by
newly-activated organizations of the regular Air Force. The program for expansion had first
provided for 95 wings, but that goal was revised in November 1951 when the
Joint Chiefs of Staff authorized a force of 143 wings to be attained by
mid-1955. In 1953 the goal was reduced temporarily to 120 wings by June 1956,
but later the same year it was changed to provide for 137 wings by June 1957.
Under these changing programs the strength of the Air Force, in terms of the number
of active wings, increased steadily. By he beginning of 1956 there were 127
wings, made up of 392 combat squadrons. There had been many organizational
changes in the period from 1946 to 1956, but the most important one in the view
of the professional airmen was that which gave the Air Force its independence.
Congress provided the necessary legislation in 1947 when it created a
Department of the Air Force and established the United States Air Force as a
separate service equal to the Army and the Navy in the nation's military
establishment. On 18 September 1947, W. Stuart Symington became the first
Secretary of the Air Force. And a week later, on 26 September, Gen. Carl
Spaatz, who had succeeded Arnold as Commanding General of the Army Air Forces,
became the first Chief of Staff, United States Air Force. Earlier, on 21 March 1946, Spaatz had
undertaken a major reorganization that had included the establishment of three
new combat commands in the United States: Strategic Air Command (soon known
everywhere as SAC), to provide a long-range striking force capable of
bombardment operations in any part of the world Air Defense Command (ADC), to
defend the United States against attack from the air; and Tactical Air Command
(TAC), to support the operations of ground forces. TAC and ADC were reduced
from major commands to operating commands when they were assigned to the
Continental Air Command (ConAC) at the time the latter was established on 1
December 1948. ADC was discontinued on 1 July 1950 but re-established as a
major command on 1 January 1951. A month earlier, on 1 December 1950, TAC had
been removed from the control of ConAC and again made a major command. As a
result of these changes ConAC became responsible mainly for supervising reserve
and national guard affairs. In addition to its commands in the United States,
the Air Force had combat forces stationed overseas, with Far East Air Forces,
United States Air Forces in Europe, Caribbean Air Command, and Alaskan Air
Command as the major commands for the various areas of operations. The World War II commands, which had
been subordinate to the numbered air forces, were eliminated in the
reorganization of 1946, and the numbered air forces were made components of the
major commands at home and overseas. The new organizational hierarchy thus
contained the following levels: squadron, group, wing, air force, command. In
1948, and afterward, wings were redesignated divisions, and placed immediately
below the numbered air forces in the organizational pyramid, new wings being
constituted and activated to take the place of the ones that had been elevated
to the division level. In addition to support and service elements, each of
these new wings, as a general rule, had one combat group, which carried the
same numerical designation as the wing itself. In 1952, however, the Air Force
began to inactivate the combat groups and assign their combat squadrons
directly to the wings. Consequently no organizations in the Air Force
perpetuated the histories of the World War II combat groups that had been
inactivated. The Air Force decided, therefore, to bestow the histories of
combat groups on like-numbered wings. For example, the 9th Bombardment Wing,
created after World War II, received the history of the 9th Bombardment Group,
together with the Campaign credits and decorations that had been earned by the
group during the war. Despite all the changes that had taken
place since V-J Day, the Air Force in 1956 was to a large extent made up of
elements that carried on the traditions of organizations that had been active
during World War II. The history of each of those organizations had been shaped
by many forces. Domestic politics, the national economy, and international
affairs were important factors in fixing the size, and hence the number of
active groups or wings, of the Air Force. Science and technology determined the
kind of equipment available at any particular time. Fortune, too, had a part in
forming the histories of the various organizations. It is evident, for example,
that chance, rather than design, sometimes decided which organizations would be
kept active and which would be retired. The results are reflected in the
historical sketches presented in this book. Some groups, for instance, have
lengthy records of service; others were created at a relatively late date or
have been inactive for long periods. Some were sent overseas for combat; others
were kept at home. Some received the newest planes from he production lines;
others were forced to use old, worn-out craft. But no organization had its life shaped
entirely by forces beyond its control, for its own people, the men and women
who gave the organization a living existence, made history in many ways. A
fighter pilot flew out to battle and came back an ace. A gunner returned from a
bombing mission to be decorated for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
But one did not have to be a hero to have a place in history. The mechanic
armed with his wrench, the clerk with his typewriter - each had his own
important part to play. And at their head to lead them was a commander who, by
virtue of his authority and responsibility, had a special role in the
historical process. Thus, through the workings of numerous
and diverse forces, each organization acquired a historic character and personality
of its own. At the same time, each contributed to the development of a larger
history that goes back to a day in 1907 when the Army named a captain to take
"charge of all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines,
and all kindred subjects." Commanders I. Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps
Officer in Charge: Capt Charles DeF Chandler, 1 Aug 1907; Capt A S Cowan, 1
July 1910; Capt Charles DeF Chandler, 20 Jun 1911; Lt Henry H Arnold, 18 Nov
1912; Maj Edgar Russell, 15 Dec 1912; Lt Col Samuel Reber, 10 Sep 1913-18 Jul
1914. II. Aviation Section, Signal Corps
Officer in Charge: Lt Col Samuel Reber, 18 Jul 1914; Lt Col George O Squier, 20
May 1916; Lt Col J B Bennett, 19 Feb 1917; Maj Benjamin D Foulois, 30 Jul 1917;
Brig Gen A L Dade, 12 Nov 1917; Col Laurence Brown, 28 Feb 1918-21 May 1918. III a. Division of Military Aeronautics
Director: Maj Gen William L Kenly, 27 Apr 1918 - (under Director, Air Service
after 27 Aug 1918). III b. Bureau of Aircraft Production
Director: Mr John D Ryan, 21 May 1918 - (under Director, Air Service after 27
Aug 1918). IV. Air Service Director: Mr John D
Ryan, 27 Aug 1918; Maj Gen Charles T Menoher, 23 Dec 1918-4 Jun 1920. Chief:
Maj Gen Charles T Menoher, 4 Jun 1920; Maj Gen Mason M Patrick, 5 Oct 1921-2
Jul 1926. V a. Air Corps
Chief: Maj Gen Mason M Patrick, 2 Jul 1926; Maj Gen J E Fechet, 14 Dec 1927;
Maj Gen Benjamin D Foulois, 19 Dec 1931; Maj Gen Oscar Westover, 22 Dec 1935;
Maj Gen Henry H Arnold, 22 Sep 1938; Maj Gen George H Brett, 30 May 1941 -
(under Chief, AAF after 20 Jun 1941). V b. General Headquarters Air Force,
redesignated Air Force Combat Command Commanding General: Maj Gen Frank M
Andrews, 1 Mar 1935; Lt Gen Delos C Emmons, 1 Mar 1939 - (under Chief, AAF
after 20 Jun 1941). VI. Army Air Forces Chief: Lt Gen Henry H Arnold, 20 Jun
1941-9 Mar 1942. Commanding General: General of the Army Henry H Arnold, 9 Mar
1942; Gen Carl Spaatz, 15 Feb 1946-26 Sep 1947. VII. United States
Air Force Chief of Staff: Gen Carl Spaatz, 26 Sep
1947; Gen Hoyt S Vandenberg, 30 Apr 1948; Gen Nathan F Twining, 30 Jun 1953;
Gen Thomas D White, 1 Jul 1957-. 1st Air Commando Group - 2nd
Bombardment Group 1st Air
Commando Group Constituted as 1st Air Commando Group
on 25 Mar 1944 and activated in India on 29 Mar. The group, which began
operations immediately, was organized to provide fighter cover, bombardment
striking power, and air transportation services for Wingate's Raiders, who were
operating behind enemy lines in Burma. The organization consisted of a headquarters
plus the following sections: bomber (equipped with B-25's); fighter (P-51's);
light-plane (L-1's, L-5's, and helicopters) transport (C-47's); glider (CG-4A's
and TG-5's); and light-cargo (UC-64's). The group supported operations in Burma
by landing and dropping troops, food, and equipment; evacuating casualties; and
attacking airfields and transportation facilities. Received a DUC for
operations against the enemy, Mar-May 1944. Withdrew from the front late in May
1944 and, with the bomber section eliminated and the P-51's replaced by P-47's,
began a training program. Reorganized later, with the sections being eliminated
and with fighter, liaison, and troop carrier squadrons being assigned.
Transported Chinese troops and supplies from Burma to China in Dec 1944, and
carried out supply, evacuation, and liaison operations for Allied troops in
Burma until the end of the war. Attacked bridges, railroads, barges, troop
positions, oil wells, and airfields in Burma and escorted bombers to Rangoon
and other targets during the early months of 1945. Changed from P-47's to
P-51's in May 1945, the fighter squadrons being engaged in training from then
until the end of the war. Moved to the US in Oct 1945. Inactivated on 3 Nov
1945. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Squadrons. 5th Fighter: 1944-1945. 6th
Fighter: 1944-1945. 164th Liaison: 1944-1945. 165th Liaison:
1944-1945. 166th Liaison: 1944-1945. 319th Troop Carrier: 1944-1945. Stations. Hailakandi, India, 29 Mar
1944; Asansol, India, 20 May 1944-6 Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 1-3 Nov 1945. Commanders. Col Philip G Cochran, 29
Mar 1944; Col Clinton B Gaty, 20 May 1944; Col Robert W Hall, c. 7 Apr
1945-unkn. Campaigns. India-Burma; Central Burma. Decorations. Distinguished Unit
Citation: Burma and India, [Mar 1944]-20 May 1944. Insigne. None. 1st Combat
Cargo Group Constituted as 1st Combat Cargo Group
on 11 Apr 1944 and activated on 15 Apr. Equipped with C-47's. Moved to the CBI
theater in Aug 1944. Began operations in Sep 1944 by transporting supplies and
reinforcements to and evacuating casualties from Imphal, Burma. Continued to
support Allied operations in Burma, flying in men and supplies from India,
moving equipment required to construct and operate airstrips, dropping dummy
cargoes to lead the enemy away from Allied offensives, dropping paratroops for
the assault on Rangoon (May 1945), and evacuating prisoners of war who were
freed by Allied advances. Meanwhile, part of the group had been sent to China,
and for a short time (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) the group's headquarters was located
there. Operations in China included helping to evacuate the air base at Kweilin
during a Japanese drive in Sep 1944, moving Chinese troops, and flying many
supply missions, some of which involved ferrying gasoline and materiel over the
Hump from India. The group, partially re-equipped with C-46's in Jun 1945,
engaged primarily in transporting men, food, arms, and ammunition until the end
of the war. Redesignated 512th Troop Carrier Group in Sep 1945. Returned to the
US in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 24 Dec 1945. Redesignated 512th Troop Carrier Group
(Medium) and allotted to the reserve. Activated on 2 Sep 1949. Equipped with
C-46's. Ordered to active service on 15 Mar 1951. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1951. Allotted to the reserve. Activated on
14 Jun 1952. Equipped with C-46's. Squadrons. 1st (later 326th):
1944-1945; 1949-1951; 1952-. 2d (later 327th): 1944-1945; 1949-1951; 1952-. 3rd
(later 328th): 1944-1945; 1949-1951; 1952-. 4th (later 329th): 1944-1945;
1949-1951. Stations. Bowman Field, Ky, 15 Apr-5
Aug 1944; Sylhet, India, 21 Aug 1944; Tulihal, India, 30 Nov 1944; Tsuyung,
China, 20 Dec 1944; Dohazari, India, 30 Jan 1945; Hathazari, India, 15 May
1945; Myitkyina, Burma, Jun 1945; Liuchow, China, 30 Aug 1945; Kiangwan, China,
9 Oct-3 Dec 1945; Camp Anza, Calif, 23-24 Dec 1945. Reading Mun Aprt, Pa, 2
Sept 1949; New Castle County Aprt, Del, 1 May 1950-1 Apr 1951. New Castle
County Aprt, Del, 14 Jun 1952-. Commanders. Lt Col Robert Rentz, 21 Apr
1944; Lt Col Walter P Briggs, 28 Apr 1945; Maj Samuel B Ward, 18 Aug 1945; Maj
Maurice D Watson, 9 Sep 1945; Maj Wilbur B Sprague, 18 Sep 1945; Col H Snyder,
24 Nov 1945; Capt Dixon M Jordan, 29 Nov-c. 24 Dec 1945. Campaigns. India-Burma; China
Defensive; Central Burma; China Offensive. Decorations. None. Insigne. Shield: On a shield azure,
over a sphere argent, with shading of the field, a stylized aircraft gules,
with highlights of the second, its road-like jet stream encircling the sphere
or, shaded gules, with center dash-like markings and all outlines of the first.
(Approved 21 Jan 1958.) 1st Fighter Group Organized as 1st Pursuit Group in
France on 5 May 1918. Began operations immediately and served at the front
until the end of the war, using Nieuport-28, Spad, and Sopwith Camel aircraft.
Protected friendly observation balloons and planes, and made strafing attacks
on enemy ground forces, but engaged primarily in counter-air patrols in which
the group's pilots gained many victories over enemy aircraft and destroyed
numerous observation balloons. Two of the group's pilots were awarded the Medal
of Honor: 1st Lt (later Capt) Edward V Rickenbacker - America's World War I
"Ace of Aces" who served as commander of the 94th (Hat-in-the-Ring)
Squadron - received the medal for action near Billy, France, on 25 Sep 1918
when, disregarding the heavy odds, he attacked a flight of seven enemy planes
and shot down two of them; 2nd Lt Frank Luke Jr - the "balloon
buster" - was awarded the medal for attacking and shooting down three
German balloons on 29 Sep 1918 before his plane was hit and forced to land near
Murvaux, France, where he died while defending himself against capture by enemy
ground troops. Demobilized in France on 24 Dec 1918. Reconstituted in 1924 and consolidated
with 1st Pursuit Group that had been organized in the US on 22 Aug 1919.
Redesignated 1st Pursuit Group (Interceptor) in Dec 1939, and 1st Pursuit Group
(Fighter) in Mar 1941. Trained, participated in exercises and maneuvers, put on
demonstrations, took part in National Air Races, tested equipment, and experimented
with tactics, using Spad, Nieuport, DeHavilland, SE-5, MB-3, PW-8, P-1, P-6,
PT-3, P-16, P-26, P-35, P-36, P-38, P-41, P-43, and other aircraft during the
period 1919-1941. Was the only pursuit group in the Army's air arm for several
years; later, furnished cadres for new units. Moved to the west coast
immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and flew patrols for
several weeks. Redesignated 1st Fighter Group in May 1942. Moved to England, Jun-Jul 1942.
Assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat with P-38 aircraft on 28 Aug and flew a
number of missions to France before being assigned to Twelfth AF for duty in
the Mediterranean theater. Moved to North Africa, part of the ground echelon
landing with the assault forces at Arzeu beach on 8 Nov 1942. The air echelon
arrived a few days later and the group soon began operations, attacking enemy
shipping, escorting bombers, flying strafing missions, and performing
reconnaissance duties during the campaign for Tunisia. Participated in the
reduction of Pantelleria. Escorted bombers to targets in Sicily and later aided
ground forces during the conquest of that island by strafing and dive-bombing
roads, motor transports, gun emplacements, troop concentrations, bridges, and
railways. Flew missions against the enemy in Italy and received a DUC for its
performance on 25 Aug 1943 when the group carried out a strafing attack on
Italian airdromes, destroying great numbers of enemy aircraft that presented a
serious threat to the Allies' plans for landing troops at Salerno. Also
escorted bombers to Italy, receiving another DUC for a mission on 30 Aug 1943
when the group beat off enemy aircraft and thus enabled bombers to inflict
serious damage on marshalling yards at Aversa. Supported the invasion at
Salerno in Sep and continued operations with Twelfth AF until Nov 1943.
Assigned to Fifteenth AF with the primary mission of escorting bombers that
attacked targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary,
Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received third DUC for covering the
withdrawal of B-17's after an attack on Ploesti on 18 May 1944. Also flew
strafing and dive-bombing missions in an area from France to the Balkans.
Supported the landings at Anzio in Jan 1944 and the invasion of Southern France
in Aug 1944. Continued operations until May 1945. Inactivated in Italy on 16
Oct 1945. Activated in the US on 3 Jul 1946.
Equipped first with P-80's and later (1949) with F-86's. Redesignated 1st
Fighter-Interceptor Group in Apr 1950. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952. Redesignated 1st Fighter Group (Air
Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command and
equipped with F-86 aircraft. Squadrons. 17th (formerly 147th): 1918;
1919-1940. 27th: 1918; 1919-1945; 1946-1952. 71st: 1941-1945; 1946-1952; 1955-.
94th: 1918; 1919-1945; 1946-1952; 1955-. 95th: 1918; 1919-1927. 185th: 1918. Stations. Toul, France, 5 May 1918;
Touquin, France, 28 Jun 1918; Saints, France, 9 Jul 1918; Rembercourt, France,
c. 1 Sep 1918; Colombey-les-Belles, France, c. 9-24 Dec 1918. Selfridge Field,
Mich, 22 Aug 1919; Kelly Field, Tex, c. 31 Aug 1919; Ellington Field, Tex, 1
Jul 1921; Selfridge Field, Mich, 1 Jul 1922; San Diego NAS, Calif, 9 Dec 1941;
Los Angeles, Calif, 1 Feb-May 1942; Goxhill, England, 10 Jun 1942; Ibsley,
England, 24 Aug 1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 13 Nov 1942; Nouvion, Algeria, 20 Nov
1942; Biskra, Algeria, 14 Dec 1942; Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria, Feb 1943;
Mateur, Tunisia, 29 Jun 1943; Sardinia, 31 Oct 1943; Gioia del Colle, Italy, c.
8 Dec 1943; Salsola Airfield, Italy, 8 Jan 1944; Vincenzo Airfield, Italy, 8
Jan 1945; Salsola Airfield, Italy, 21 Feb 1945; Lesina, Italy, Mar-16 Oct 1945.
March Field, Calif, 3 Jul 1946; George AFB, Calif, 18 Jul 1950; Griffiss AFB,
NY, 15 Aug 1950; George AFB, Calif, 4 Jun 1951; Norton AFB, Calif, 1 Dec 1951-6
Feb 1952. Selfridge AFB, Mich, 18 Aug 1955-. Commanders. Maj Bert M Atkinson, 5 May
1918; Maj Harold E Hartney, 21 Aug-24 Dec 1918. Lt Col Davenport Johnson, 22-29
Aug 1919; Capt Arthur R Brooks, unkn; Maj Carl Spaatz, c. Nov 1921-Sep 1924;
Maj Thomas G Lanphier, unkn; Maj Ralph Royce, 1928; Lt Col Charles H Danforth,
c. 1930; Maj George H Brett, unkn; Lt Col Frank M Andrews, c. Jul 1933; Lt Col
Ralph Royce, 1934; Maj Edwin House, 30 Apr 1937; Col Henry B Clagett, c. 1938;
Col Lawrence P Hickey, c. 1939; Lt Col Robert S Israel, Jul 1941; Maj John O
Zahn, 1 May 1942; Col John N Stone, 9 Jul 1942; Col Ralph S Garman, 7 Dec 1942;
Maj Joseph S Peddie, 8 Sep 1943; Col Robert B Richard, 19 Sep 1943; Col Arthur
C Agan Jr, 15 Nov 1944; Lt Col Milton H Ashkins, 31 Mar 1945; Lt Col Charles W
Thaxton, 11 Apr 1945; Col Milton H Ashkins, 28 Apr 1945-unkn. Col Bruce K
Holloway, 3 Jul 1946; Col Gilbert L Meyers, 20 Aug 1946; Col Frank S Perego,
Jan 1948; Lt Col Jack T Bradley, Jul 1950; Col Dolf E Muehleisen, Jun 1951; Col
Walker M Mahurin, 1951; Capt Robert B Bell, Jan-c. Feb 1952. Col Norman S
Orwat, 1955-. Campaigns. World War I: Lorraine;
Champagne; Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; Oise-Aisne; St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne.
World War II: Air Combat, EAME Theater;
Air Offensive, Europe; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines;
Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley. Decorations. Distinguished Unit
Citations: Italy, 25 Aug 1943; Italy, 30 Aug 1943; Ploesti, Rumania, 18 May
1944. Insigne. Shield: Vert five bendlets
enhanced sable fimbriated or, as many crosses patee in bend debased three and
two of the second fimbriated argent. Crest: Upon a wreath of the colors or and
vert upon a hurte wavy an arrow palewise reversed between two wings displayed
conjoined in lure or. Motto: Aut Vincere Aut Mori - Conquer or Die. (Approved
10 Feb 1924.) 1st Photographic Group Constituted as 1st Photographic Group on
15 May 1941. Activated on 10 Jun 1941. Redesignated 1st Mapping Group in Jan
1942, and 1st Photographic Charting Group in Aug 1943. Charted and mapped areas
of the US and sent detachments to perform similar functions in Alaska, Canada,
Africa, the Middle East, India, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South
America, and the Kurils. Used a variety of aircraft, including F-2's, F-3's,
F-7's, A-29's, B-17's, B-18's, B-24's, and B-25's. Disbanded on 5 Oct 1944. Squadrons. 1st: 1941-1943. 2d:
1941-1944. 3d: 1941-1943. 4th: 1941-1944. 6th: 1943-1944. 19th: 1943. 91st:
1943-1944. Stations. Bolling Field, DC, 10 Jun
1941; Peterson Field, Colo, Dec 1943; Buckley Field, Colo, Jul-5 Oct 1944. Commanders. Lt Col Minton W Kaye, 10
Jun 1941; Lt Col George G Northrup, c. 1 Feb 1942; Col Paul T Cullen, 8 Jul
1942; Col Minton W Kaye, c. 1 Jul 1943; Col George G Northrup, c. 18 Nov 1943;
Lt Col Frank N Graves, c. 1 Dec 1943-unkn. Campaigns. American Theater. Decorations. None. Insigne. Shield: Per pale, vert and
azure, a pile or debruised by a barrulet arched of the field upon and over the
pile a camera lens proper rimmed sable. Motto: Fideliter et Diligenter -
Faithfully and Diligently. (Approved 24 Oct 1942.) 1st Search Attack Group Constituted as 1st Sea-Search Attack
Group (Medium) on 8 Jun 1942 and activated on 17 Jun. Redesignated 1st
Sea-Search Attack Group (Heavy) in Jun 1943, 1st Sea-Search Attack Unit in Sep
1943, and 1st Search Attack Group in Nov 1943. Assigned directly to AAF in Jul
1942; assigned to First AF in Nov 1943. Tested equipment and developed
techniques and tactics for use against submarines and surface craft; also flew
patrol missions and searched for enemy submarines. Late in 1943 became
concerned primarily with radar training for combat crews. Used B-17, B-18, and
B-24 aircraft. Disbanded on 10 Apr 1944. Squadrons. 2d: 1942-1944. 3d:
1942-1944. 4th (formerly 18th Antisubmarine): 1943-1944. Stations. Langley Field, Va, 17 Jun
1942-10 Apr 1944. Commanders. Col William C Dolan, 17 Jun
1942-10 Apr 1944. Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American
Theater. Decorations. None. Insigne. None. 2nd Air Commando Group Constituted as 2nd Air Commando Group
on 11 Apr 1944 and activated on 22 Apr. Trained for operations with P-51, C-47,
and L-5 aircraft. Moved to India, Sep-Nov 1944. Between Nov 1944 and May 1945
the group dropped supplies to Allied troops who were fighting the Japanese in
the Chindwin Valley in Burma; moved Chinese troops from Burma to China;
transported men, food, ammunition, and construction equipment to Burma; dropped
Gurkha paratroops during the assault on Rangoon; provided fighter support for
Allied forces crossing the Irrawaddy River in Feb 1945; struck enemy airfields
and transportation facilities; escorted bombers to targets in the vicinity of Rangoon;
bombed targets in Thailand; and flew reconnaissance missions. After May 1945
the fighter squadrons were in training; in Jun the group's C-47's were sent to
Ledo to move road-building equipment; during Jun-Jul most of its L-5's were
turned over to Fourteenth AF. The group returned to the US during Oct-Nov 1945.
Inactivated on 12 Nov 1945. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Squadrons. 1st Fighter: 1944-1945. 2nd
Fighter: 1944-1945. 127th Liaison: 1944-1945. 155th Liaison:
1944-1945. 156th Liaison: 1944-1945. 317th Troop Carrier: 1944-1945. Stations. Drew Field, Fla, 22 Apr-28
Sep 1944; Kalaikunda, India, 12 Nov 1944-4 Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 11-12 Nov
1945. Commanders. Capt L H Couch, 22 Apr
1944; Col Arthur R DeBolt, 1 May 1944; Col Alfred Ball Jr, 15 May 1945-unkn. Campaigns. India-Burma; Central Burma. Decorations. None. Insigne. None. 2nd Bombardment Group Organized as 1st Day Bombardment Group
in France on 10 Sep 1918. Equipped with DH-4 and Breguet aircraft and entered
combat on 12 Sep. Attacked troop concentrations and communications to interfere
with the enemy's movement of reinforcements and supplies to the front during
the Allied offensive at St Mihiel. Also took part in the Meuse-Argonne
campaign, attacking the enemy behind the line, and conducting bombing
operations that helped to protect Allied ground forces by diverting German
pursuit planes from the battle zone. Participated in one of the great bombing
raids of the war Mitchell struck a concentration point where German troops were
preparing for a counterattack against the Allied offensive in the Meuse-Argonne
area. Demobilized in France in Nov 1918, soon after the armistice. Reconstituted (in 1924) and
consolidated with a group that was organized in the US as 1st Day Bombardment
Group on 18 Sep 1919 and redesignated 2d Bombardment Group in 1921. Used LB-5A,
B-10, B-17 (1937-), B-15 (1938-), and other aircraft during the 1920's and
1930's. Engaged in routine training; tested and experimented with equipment and
tactics; participated in maneuvers; took part in Mitchell's demonstrations of
the effectiveness of aerial bombardment on battleships; flew mercy missions to
aid victims of a flood in Pennsylvania in 1936 and victims of an earthquake in
Chile in 1939; and made goodwill flights to South America in the late 1930's.
Redesignated 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) in 1939. Trained with B-17's. Served on antisubmarine duty for
several months after the US entered World War II. Moved to North Africa,
Mar-May 1943, and remained in the theater until after V-E Day, being assigned
first to Twelfth and later (Dec 1943) to Fifteenth AF. Flew many support and
interdictory missions, bombing such targets as marshalling yards, airdromes,
troop concentrations, bridges, docks, and shipping. Participated in the defeat
of Axis forces in Tunisia, Apr-May 1943; the reduction of Pantelleria and the
preparations for the invasion of Sicily, May-Jul 1943; the invasion of Italy,
Sep 1943; the drive toward Rome, Jan-Jun 1944; the invasion of Southern France,
Aug 1944; and the campaigns against German forces in northern Italy, Jun
1944-May 1945. Engaged primarily in long-range bombardment of strategic targets
after Oct 1943, attacking oil refineries, aircraft factories, steel plants, and
other objectives in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary,
Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. En route to bomb a vital aircraft factory at
Steyr on 24 Feb 1944, the group was greatly outnumbered by enemy interceptors,
but it maintained its formation and bombed the target, receiving a DUC for the
performance. On the following day, while on a mission to attack aircraft
factories at Regensburg, it met similar opposition equally well and was awarded
a second DUC. Served as part of the occupation force in Italy after V-E Day.
Inactivated in Italy on 28 Feb 1946. Redesignated 2d Bombardment Group (Very
Heavy). Activated in the US on 1 Jul 1947. Assigned to Strategic Air Command
and equipped with B-29's. Redesignated 2d Bombardment Group (Medium) in May
1948. Converted to B-50's early in 1950. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952. Squadrons. 11th: 1918; 1919-1927. 20th:
1918; 1919-1946; 1947-1952. 49th (formerly 166th): 1918; 1919-1946; 1947-1952.
96th: 1918; 1919-1946; 1947-1952. 429th: 1942-1946. Stations. Amanty, France, 10 Sep 1918;
Maulan, France, 23 Sep-Nov 1918. Ellington Field, Tex, 18 Sep 1919; Kelly
Field, Tex, c. 25 Sep 1919; Langley Field, Va, 1 Jul 1922; Ephrata, Wash, 29
Oct 1942; Great Falls AAB, Mont, 27 Nov 1942-13 May 1943; Navarin, Algeria, Apr
1943; Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria, 17 Jun 1943; Massicault, Tunisia, 31 Jul
1943; Bizerte, Tunisia, 2 Dec 1943; Amendola, Italy, c. 9 Dec 1943; Foggia,
Italy, 19 Nov 1945-28 Feb 1946. Andrews Field, Md, 1 Jul 1947; Davis-Monthan
Field, Ariz, 24 Sep 1947; Chatham AFB, Ga, c. 1 May 1949; Hunter AFB, Ga, 22 Sep
1950-16 Jun 1952. Commanders. Unkn, Sep-Nov 1918. Unkn,
Sep 1919-May 1921; Maj Thomas J Hanley Jr, May-Sep 1921; Maj Lewis H Brereton,
Jun 1925; Maj Hugh Knerr, Jul 1927-Sep 1930; Capt Eugene L Eubank, 26 Dec 1933;
Maj Willis H Hale, 1 Jul 1934; Lt Col Charles B Oldfield, 1935; Lt Col Robert C
Olds, c. 1937-unkn; Lt Col Darr H Alkire, 6 Jan 1942; Col Dale O Smith, c. Sep
1942; Col Ford J Lauer, 29 Oct 1942; Lt Col Joseph A Thomas, 20 Apr 1943; Col
Herbert E Rice, 5 Sep 1943; Col John D Ryan, 8 Jul 1944; Col Paul T Cullen, 25
Sep 1944; Col Robert K Martin, 23 May 1945-20 Feb 1946. Unkn, Jul-Sep 1947; Col
William E Eubank Jr, 3 Aug 1948; Col James B Knapp, Jan 1950; Col Earl R Tash,
Jan 1951; Brig Gen Frederic E Glantzberg, 10 Feb 1951; Col John M Reynolds, c.
14 Feb-16 Jun 1952. Campaigns. World War I: St Mihiel;
Lorraine; Meuse-Argonne. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; 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: Steyr, Austria, 24 Feb 1944; Germany, 25 Feb 1944. Insigne. Shield: Or, in fess four
aerial bombs dropping bend sinisterwise azure, on a chief engrailed paly of
five vert and sable a fleur-de-lis argent. Crest: A cloud (gray) rifted
disclosing the firmament (blue) crossed by a bolt of lightning (yellow)
striking bend sinisterwise all proper. Motto: Libertatem Defendimus - Liberty
We Defend. (Approved 19 Jan 1924. The motto then approved was replaced on 15
Apr 1940 by the one shown above.) 2d Combat Cargo Group - 4th Fighter
Group 2d Combat Cargo Group Constituted as 2nd Combat Cargo Group
on 25 Apr 1944. Activated on 1 May 1944. Trained with C-46 and C-47 aircraft.
Moved to the Southwest Pacific, Oct-Nov 1944, and assigned to Fifth AF.
Operated from Biak to fly passengers and cargo to US bases in Australia, New
Guinea, the Admiralties, and the Philippines. Also dropped supplies to US and
guerrilla forces in the Philippines. Moved to Leyte in May 1945. Maintained
flights to bases in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines; transported
personnel and supplies to the Ryukyus, and evacuated casualties on return
flights. Moved to Okinawa in Aug 1945. Transported personnel and equipment of
the occupation forces to Japan and ferried liberated prisoners of war to the
Philippines. Moved to Japan in Sep 1945. Inactivated on 15 Jan 1946. Disbanded
on 8 Oct 1948. Squadrons. 5th: 1944-1946. 6th:
1944-1946. 7th: 1944-1946. 8th: 1944-1946. Stations. Syracuse AAB, NY, 1 May 1944;
Baer Field, Ind, 9-27 Oct 1944; Biak, Nov 1944; Dulag, Leyte, May 1945;
Okinawa, c. 20 Aug 1945; Yokota, Japan, c. 22 Sep 1945-15 Jan 1946. Commanders. Col William Bell, May 1944;
Maj Arthur D Thomas, 10 Dec 1945-unkn. Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; New
Guinea; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus. Decorations. Philippine Presidential
Unit Citation. Insigne. None. 2d Reconnaissance Group Constituted as 2nd Photographic Group
on 1 May 1942 and activated on 7 May. Redesignated 2nd Photographic
Reconnaissance and Mapping Group in May 1943, and 2nd Photographic
Reconnaissance Group in Aug 1943. Assigned first to Second AF, later to Third
AF. Trained crews and units for photographic reconnaissance and mapping;
occasionally provided personnel to help man new groups and squadrons. Aircraft
included B-17's, B-24's, B-25's, L-4's, L-5's, P-38's, and A-20's. Disbanded on
1 May 1944. Squadrons. 6th: 1942. 7th: 1942-1944.
10th: 1942-1944. 11th (formerly 5th): 1942-1944. 29th: 1943-1944. Stations. Bradley Field, Conn, 7 May
1942; Colorado Springs, Colo, c. 13 May 1942; Will Rogers Field, Okla, c. 7 Oct
1943-1 May 1944. Commanders. Capt Paul C Schauer, 9 May
1942; Lt Col Charles P Hollstein, c. 13 May 1942; Lt Col David W Hutchinson, c.
5 Jul 1942; Lt Col Charles P Hollstein, c. 13 Aug 1942; Lt Col Hillford R
Wallace, c. 11 Sep 1942; Lt Col David W Hutchinson, c. 27 Feb 1943; Lt Col Karl
L Polifka, 13 Mar 1943; Lt Col Hillford R Wallace, c. 29 Apr 1943; Lt Col
Charles P Hollstein, 18 Sep 1943; Lt Col Frank L Dunn, 4 Dec 1943-unkn. Campaigns. American Theater. Decorations. None. Insigne. Shield: Per bend nebuly and
azure, in sinister chief a stylized camera, lens to base sable. Motto: In Ardua
Petit - He Aims at Difficult Things. (Approved 12 Nov 1942.) 3rd Air Commando Group Constituted as 3rd Air Commando Group
on 25 Apr 1944. Activated on 1 May 1944. Moved to the Philippines late in 1944.
Assigned to Fifth AF for operations with P-51, C-47, and L-5 aircraft. Attacked
Japanese airfields and installations in the Philippines, supported ground
forces on Luzon, provided escort for missions to Formosa and the China coast,
made raids on airfields and railways on Formosa, and furnished cover for
convoys. Also transported personnel, dropped supplies to ground troops and
guerrilla forces, evacuated casualties from front-line strips, adjusted
artillery fire, and flew courier and mail routes. Moved to the Ryukyus in Aug
1945. Flew some patrols over Japan, made local liaison flights, and hauled
cargo from the Philippines to Okinawa. Moved to Japan in Oct 1945. Inactivated
on 25 Mar 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Squadrons. 3rd Fighter: 1944-1946. 4th Fighter: 194 |