439th Troop Carrier Group

Combat Aircraft:
C-47

Stations

Group COs

Col Adriel N Williams, 2 Apr 1943-1 Oct 1945

unkn, 1 Oct-15 Nov 1945

Constituted as 436th Troop Carrier Group on 23 Mar 1943. Activated on t Apr 1943. Trained with C-47's for duty in Europe with Ninth AF. Moved overseas, Dec 1943-Jan 1944. Began operations in Jun 19,44 and participated in four major airborne operations prior to the Allied victory in May 1945. Received a DUC.for its first missions, which were flown during the Normandy invasion: dropped paratroops of 82d Airborne Division over the beachhead early on 6 Jun; released gliders with reinforcements of troops and supplies on the afternoon of D-Day and on the following morning. In Jul 1944 a detachment was sent to Italy to take part in the invasion of Southern France: released gliders carrying troops and dropped paratroops in the assault area on 15 Aug; flew several resupply missions to France and then dropped supplies to Allied forces in Italy. The detachment returned to England late in Aug, and in Sep the group carried out airborne operations over Holland, dropping paratroops of foist Airborne Division and releasing gliders with reinforcements of troops and equipment. Towed gliders to Wesel on 24 Mar 1945 to provide troops for the airborne assault across the Rhine; carried gasoline to the front lines and evacuated patients, 3o-3i Mar. Flew transport missions almost daily when not engaged in airborne operations; hauled such things as gasoline, ammunition, medical supplies, rations, and clothing; evacuated the wounded to hospitals in England and France. After V-E Day, evacuated patients and prisoners of war and flew practice missions with French paratroops. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 15 Nov 1945

Subsequent History:

  Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 15 last; a parachute, in pale, between the four Mar 1947. Redesignated 436th Troop Car- bolts, two and two, argent, gores outlined rier Group (Medium) in Jun 1949- of the second, all superimposed Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 18 May 1955.

SQUADRONS. 73d: 1948-I949 79th: 1943-1945; 1949-1951; 1955- 80th: 1943-1947-1948, 1949-1951 81st: 1943-1947 1948, 1949-1955 82d: 1943-1945; 1947-195I 316th: 1947-1949.

STATIONS. Godman Field, Ky, 15 Mar 1947; Standiford Mun Aprt, Ky, 20 Oct 1950-16 Apr 1951 New York NAS, NY, 18 May 1955

INSIGNE. Gules, a sphere azure with longitude and latitude lines argent; the sphere issuing from four lightning bolts radiating upward from base of the VOLENTES, POTENTES-Ready, Willing and Able. (Approved 20 Jun 1957.)