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Constituted as 403d Troop Carrier Group on 7 Dec 1942 and activated on 12 Dec. Trained for overseas duty with C-47's. Moved to the South Pacific, Jul-Sep 1943, and assigned to Thirteenth AF. Transported men and supplies to forward areas in the Solomons and flew passenger and cargo routes to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and New Caledonia. Moved personnel of Thirteenth AF units to the Southwest Pacific. Supported the New Guinea and Philippines campaigns by transporting men and cargo to combat areas, evacuating casualties, and landing or dropping supplies for guerrilla forces. Dropped paratroops at Laguna de Bay, Luzon, on 23 Feb 1945, to free civilian internees held by the Japanese. Received a DUC for operations from Apr to Jun 1945 when it transported ammunition, food, and other supplies to Eighth Army forces in Mindanao and often landed on jungle airstrips to evacuate wounded personnel. Moved to Leyte in Jun 1945 and remained in the Philippines after the war as part of Far East Air Forces. Ferried occupation troops to Japan, evacuated prisoners who had been liberated, and flew cargo and passenger routes to Japan and Australia. Inactivated in Manila on 15 Oct 1946.
Redesignated 403d Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 27 Jun 1949. Called to active duty on 1 Apr 1951. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with C-46 and C-47 aircraft. Moved to Japan, Mar-Apr 1952, and attached to Far East Air Forces for operations in the war against communist forces in Korea. Using C-119's, aided UN forces in Korea by dropping paratroops and supplies, transporting personnel and equipment, and evacuating casualties. Relieved from active duty and inactivated in Japan, on 1 Jan 1953. Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 1 Jan 1953.
Squadrons. 6th: 1946. 9th: 1946. 19th: 1946. 63d: 1942-1946; 1949-1953; 1953-. 64th: 1942-1946; 1949-1953; 1953-. 65th: 1942-1946; 1949-1953; 1953-. 66th: 1942-1946; 1949-1951.
Stations. Bowman Field, Ky, 12 Dec 1942; Alliance, Neb, 18 Dec 1942; Pope Field, NC, 3 May 1943; Baer Field, Ind, 20 Jun-c. 15 Jul 1943; Espiritu Santo, 15 Sep 1943; Los Negros, 30 Aug 1944; Biak, 4 Oct 1944; Leyte, 25 Jun 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, Jan 1946; Manila, c. Jun-15 Oct 1946. Portland Mun Aprt, Ore, 27 Jun 1949-29 Mar 1952; Ashiya, Japan, 14 Apr 1952-1 Jan 1953. Portland Intl Aprt, Ore, 1 Jan 1953-.
Commanders. Col Harry J Sands Jr, 12 Dec 1942; Lt Col Norton H Van Sicklen, 24 Aug 1945-unkn; Col Audrin R Walker, c. Jun-15 Oct 1946. Lt Col Robert B Asbury, 1 Apr 1951; Lt Col Henry C Althaus, 25 Jul 1951; Maj Wallace C Forsythe, 22 Apr 1952; Lt Col Ernest W Burton, Aug 1952-1 Jan 1953.
Campaigns. World War II: New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines. Korean War: Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Philippine Islands, 17 Apr-30 Jun 1945. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [1952].
Insigne. Shield: Azure, two hands in bend sinister proper, the upper a dexter hand issuing from a cloud argent and holding an olive branch of the second, a lightning flash or and a sword sable, the lower sinister hand in profile issuing from a fan indented of seven sections (blue, white, orange, black, white, yellow and red) which in turn issues from base, above the cloud four mullets of four points of the third; all within a diminished bordure of the last. Motto: Spectate Ad Caelum - Look to the Skies. (Approved 9 Jan 1953.)
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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