69th Composite Wing

Constituted as 69th Bombardment Wing on 9 Aug 1943. Activated in China on 3 Sep 1943. Assigned to Fourteenth AF. Redesignated 69th Composite Wing in Dec 1943. Served in combat from Dec 1943 until Aug 1945. Assigned to Tenth AF in Aug. Engaged in transport operations after V-J Day, being awarded a DUC for the period 1-30 Sep 1945 when the wing ferried troops and supplies in China, helped to evacuate prisoners of war, and flew mercy and other special missions to areas in China, French Indochina, and Manchuria. Inactivated in China on 26 Dec 1945.

Redesignated 69th Troop Carrier Wing. Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 23 Mar 1947. Redesignated 69th Air Division (Troop Carrier) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Groups. 51st Fighter: 1943-1945. 341st Bombardment: 1943-1945. 375th Troop Carrier: 1947-1949. 419th Troop Carrier: 1947-1949. 433d Troop Carrier: 1947-1949.

Stations. Kunming, China, 3 Sep 1943; Tsuyung, China, c. 12 Jan 1944; Kunming, China, Apr 1944-c. 26 Dec 1945. Greater Pittsburgh Aprt, Pa, 23 Mar 1947-27 Jun 1949.

Commanders. Brig Gen John C Kennedy, c. 23 Dec 1943; Col Charles H Anderson, 1 Sep 1945; Maj James F Rhodes, c. 15 Nov 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. India-Burma; China Defensive; China Offensive.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: China, French Indochina, Manchuria, 1-30 Sep 1945.

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986