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Constituted as 434th Troop Carrier Group on 30 Jan 1943. Activated on Feb 1943. Trained with C-47's for operations in Europe with Ninth AF. Moved to England in Oct 1943 and entered seven-month training period with 101st Airborne Division in preparation for the invasion of northern France. Towed gliders carrying troops to Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and flew follow-up missions later on D-Day and on 7 Jun to provide reinforcements of troops, vehicles, and ammunition. Received a DUC and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in the invasion of Normandy. Dropped paratroops in the assault area and towed gliders with reinforcements during the airborne operation in Holland, 17-25 Sep 1944. Moved to France in Feb 1945. Participated in the airborne assault across the Rhine, dropping paratroops over the east bank on 24 Mar. In addition to these airborne operations, the group reinforced ground troops in the St Lo area during the breakthrough in Jul 1944; provided supplies for Third Army during its drive across France in Aug, an action for which the group was cited by the French Government; and resupplied troops at Bastogne in Dec 1944 in the effort to stop the German offensive in the Ardennes. Also engaged in numerous transport missions, hauling mail, rations, clothing, and other supplies from England to bases in France and Germany, and evacuating the Allied wounded. After V-E Day, transported gasoline to Allied forces in Germany and evacuated prisoners of war to relocation centers in France and Holland. Returned to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Trained with C-46's. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1946.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 15 Mar 1947. Redesignated 434th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in Jul 1949. Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Used C-47 aircraft. Relieved from active service and inactivated, on 1 Feb 1953.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on Feb 1953.
Squadrons. 71st: 1943-1946; 1947-1953; 1953-. 72d: 1943-1946; 1947-1953; 1953-. 73d: 1943-1946; 1947-1948, 1949-1953; 1953-1954. 74th: 1943-1946; 1947-1951. 80th: 1948-1949. 81st: 1948-1949.
Stations. Alliance AAFld, Neb, 9 Feb 1943; Baer Field, Ind, 5 Sep-Oct 1943; Fulbeck, England, 7 Oct 1943; Welford Park, England, 10 Dec 1943; Aldermaston, England, Mar 1944-12 Feb 1945; Mourmelon-le-Grand, France, Feb-24 Jul 1945; Baer Field, Ind, 4 Aug 1945; Alliance AAFld, Neb, 15 Sep 1945; George Field, Ill, 1 Oct 1945; Greenville AAB, SC, 2 Feb-31 Jul 1946. Stout Field, Ind, 15 Mar 1947; Atterbury AFB, Ind, 1 Jul 1949; Lawson AFB, Ga, 23 Jan 1952-1 Feb 1953. Atterbury AFB, Ind, 1 Feb 1953-.
Commanders. Maj Edward F Cullerton, 9 Feb 1943; Lt Col Fred D Stevers, 18 Aug 1943; Col William B Whitacre, 29 Nov 1943; Lt Col Ben A Garland, 17 Dec 1944; Lt Col Frank W Hansley, 15 Sep 1945; Col Adriel N Williams, 1 Oct 1945-31 Jul 1946. Col Wallace L Linn, 1 May 1951; Lt Col Jack F Linn, 20 Feb 1952-1 Feb 1953.
Campaigns. American Theater; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: France, [6-7] Jun 1944. French Croix de Guerre with Palm: 6-7 Jun 1944; 20-28 Aug 1944. French Fourragere.
Insigne. Shield: Or, in chief a pair of stylized wings erect and conjoined azure, between a chevronel reversed gules; issuing from base a demi-sphere with land markings azure, longitude and latitude lines argent, thereover a parachute of the last; the sphere surmounting the apex of the chevronel. (Approved 10 Oct 1952.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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