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Constituted as 375th Troop Carrier Group on 12 Nov 1942 and activated on 18 Nov. Used C-47's in training for overseas duty. Moved to the Pacific theater, Jun-Jul 1943, and assigned to Fifth AF. Operated from New Guinea and Biak from Jul 1943 until Feb 1945, transporting men, supplies, and equipment to forward bases on New Guinea and New Britain and in the Solomon and Admiralty Islands. Used armed B-17's for the more hazardous missions that involved landing on fields that were under enemy attack. Took part in the first airborne operation in the Southwest Pacific, dropping paratroops to seize enemy bases and cut overland supply lines at Nadzab, New Guinea, on 5 Sep 1943. Converted to C-46 aircraft late in 1944. Moved to the Philippines in Feb 1945 and during the next few months most of its missions were supply flights to ground forces on Luzon and neighboring islands. Transported cargo to forces in the Ryukyus, Jun-Jul 1945. Moved to Okinawa in Aug, and after the war helped transfer troops from Luzon to the Ryukyus for staging to Japan. Also ferried liberated prisoners from Okinawa to Luzon. Moved to Japan in Sep 1945. Inactivated on 25 Mar 1946.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 3 Aug 1947. Redesignated 375th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. Called to active duty on 15 Oct 1950. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with C-82's. Inactivated on 14 Jul 1952.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 14 Jul 1952.
Squadrons. 14th: 1947-1949. 55th: 1942-1946; 1947-1952; 1952-. 56th: 1942-1946; 1947-1952; 1952-. 57th: 1942-1946; 1947-1952; 1952-. 58th: 1942-1946; 1947-1950.
Stations. Bowman Field, Ky, 18 Nov 1942; Sedalia AAFld, Mo, 23 Jan 1943; Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, 5 May 1943; Baer Field, Ind, 2-15 Jun 1943; Brisbane, Australia, 13 Jul 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 31 Jul 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, 19 Aug 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 19 Dec 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 22 Apr 1944; Biak, 27 Sep 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, 17 Feb 1945; Porac, Luzon, 20 May 1945; Okinawa, Aug 1945; Tachikawa, Japan, Sep 1945-25 Mar 1946. Greater Pittsburgh Aprt, Pa, 3 Aug 1947; Donaldson AFB, SC, 15 Oct 1950-14 Jul 1952. Pittsburgh, Pa, 14 Jul 1952-.
Commanders. Col Joel G Pitts, 20 Nov 1942; Lt Col Maurice W Wiley, 25 Dec 1944; Lt Col John L Ames Jr, Aug 1945; Lt Col Benjamin C King, Sep 1945; Col Marshall S Roth, Oct 1945-unkn. Capt Charles Newell, 15 Oct 1950; Lt Col Charles R Gianque, 7 Nov 1950; Col Kenneth L Johnson, 13 Nov 1951; Lt Col Arthur J Staveley, 1 Feb 1952; Col Stewart H Nichols, 17 Apr-14 Jul 1952.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Ryukyus.
Decorations. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, between a bend, compony of seven or and azure, cottised argent, a Pegasus rampant argent, and a parachute between two wings of the last. Motto: Nolle Secundis - None but the Best. (Approved 12 Feb 1952.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms, medals, insignia, gear, manuals, and training material. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material. Contact Today
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