The 3rd Air Force was constituted as Southeast Air District on October 19, 1940 and activated on December 18, 1940. It was redesignated 3rd AF in early 1941.
The 3rd AF trained units and crews for bombardment, fighter, and reconnaissance operations. 3rd AF was engaged in antisubmarine activities from December 1941 to October 1942. During 1940-1941 the 3rd AF also had some continental air defense assignments.
Constituted as Southeast Air District on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Redesignated Third AF early in 1941. Trained units, crews, and individuals for bombardment, fighter, and reconnaissance operations. Also had some air defense responsibilities during 1940-1941 and engaged in antisubmarine activities from Dec 1941 to Oct 1942. Assigned in Mar 1946 to Tactical Air Command to serve as a troop carrier organization. Inactivated on 1 Nov 1946.
Organized in England on 1 May 1951. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe.
Commands. II Air Support: 1943. III Air Support: 1941-1942. III Bomber: 1941-1946. III Fighter: 1941-1946. III Reconnaissance (formerly I Ground Air Support): 1942-1946. III Tactical Air: 1942-1945.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 18 Dec 1940; Tampa, Fla, Jan 1941; Greenville AAB, SC, 21 Mar-1 Nov 1946. South Ruislip, England, 1 May 1951-.
Commanders. Maj Gen Barton K Yount, 18 Dec 1940; Maj Gen Lewis H Brereton, 29 Jul 1941; Maj Gen Walter H Frank, 6 Oct 1941; Brig Gen Carlyle H Wash, 25 Jun-26 Nov 1942; Maj Gen St Clair Streett, 12 Dec 1942; Maj Gen Westside T Larson, 11 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Edmund C Lynch, 14 May 1945; Brig Gen Thomas W Blackburn, 26 May 1945; Lt Gen Lewis H Brereton, 1 Jul 1945; Maj Gen Elwood R Quesada, 1-21 Mar 1946; Maj Gen Paul L Williams, 28 Mar-1 Nov 1946. Maj Gen Leon W Johnson, 3 May 1951; Maj Gen Francis H Griswold, 6 May 1952-20 Apr 1954; Maj Gen Roscoe C Wilson, 30 Apr 1954-.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. On and over a blue disc within a yellow border an Arabic numeral "3" in white, in bend sinister, shaded in red perspective with a white star charged with a red disc in the lower loop. (Approved 1 Sep 1943.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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