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Constituted as 5th Heavy Bombardment Processing Headquarters on 9 Feb 1943 and activated on 17 Feb. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 73d Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Inactivated on 15 Oct 1943.
Redesignated 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy). Activated on 20 Nov 1943. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Sep 1944, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Engaged in very heavy bombardment operations from Oct 1944 to Aug 1945. Returned to the US late in 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 31 May 1946.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 12 Jun 1947. Redesignated 73d Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Redesignated 73d Air Division (Weapons). Activated on 8 Jul 1957. Assigned to Air Defense Command. No combat elements were assigned at the time of activation.
Groups. 338th: 1947-1949. 381st: 1947-1949. 497th: 1943-1946. 498th: 1943-1946. 499th: 1943-1946. 500th: 1943-1946.
Stations. Walker AAFld, Kan, 17 Feb 1943; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 30 Jun-15 Oct 1943. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 20 Nov 1943; Colorado Springs, Colo, 29 Feb-17 Jul 1944; Isley Field, Saipan, 24 Aug 1944-20 Oct 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, 15 Jan-31 May 1946. Orchard Place Aprt, Ill, 12 Jun 1947-27 Jun 1949. Tyndall AFB, Fla, 8 Jul 1957-.
Commanders. Col Thomas H Chapman, 2 Jul-15 Oct 1943. Col Thomas H Chapman, 27 Nov 1943; Brig Gen Emmett O'Donnell Jr, 15 Mar 1944; Col Morris Lee, 16 Sep 1945; Col Neil B Harding, 28 Jan-14 May 1946. Col Milton H Ashkins, 1957-.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a diminished border argent, issuant from base and sinister two piles throughout bendwise the sinister overlapping the dexter and terminating upon the border of the last, each charged with an arrowhead sable garnished of the second and emitting a flight trail throughout or edged gules. Motto: Mors Aggressoribus - Death to Aggressors. (Approved 9 Apr 1958.)
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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