316th Troop Carrier Group

Combat Aircraft:
C-47

Stations

Group COs

Early History:

Constituted as 316th Transport Group on 2 Feb 1942 and activated on 14 Feb. Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. Trained with C-47 and C-53 aircraft. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, assigned to Ninth AF, and began operations, in Nov 1942. Transported supplies and evacuated casualties in support of the Allied drive across North Africa. In May 1943 began training for the invasion of Sicily; dropped paratroops over the assault area on the night of 9 July. Carried reinforcements to Sicily on 11 July and received a DUC for carrying out that mission although severely attacked by ground and naval forces. Received another DUC for supporting aerial and ground operations in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Sicily, 25 Nov 1942-25 Aug 1943, by transporting reinforcements and supplies. Assigned to Twelfth AF and moved to Sicily to take part in the invasion of Italy; dropped paratroops over the beachhead south of the Sele River on the night of 14 Sep, 1943. Transported cargo in the theater until Feb 1944, then joined Ninth AF in England and prepared for the invasion of France. Dropped paratroops near Ste-Mere-Eglise on D-Day 1944 and flew a reinforcement mission on 7 June, receiving a third DUC for these operations. During the air attack on Holland in Sep 1944, dropped paratroops and released gliders carrying reinforcements. Dropped paratroops near Wesel on 24 Mar 1945 when the Allies made the airborne assault across the Rhine. Also provided transport services in Europe while not engaged in airborne operations. Hauled supplies such as ammunition, gasoline, water, and rations; evacuated wounded personnel to rear-zone hospitals. Returned to the US in May 1945

Subsequent History:

Trained with C-82 and C-119 aircraft. Rcdesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in June 1948, 316th Troop Carrier Group (Heavy) in Oct 1949, and 316th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in Jan 1950. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to Japan on 15 Nov 1954. Assigned to Far East Air Forces, manned, and equipped with C-119's.

SQUADRONS. 16th:1950-1954. 36th:1942- 37th:1942-. 38th:1942. 44th:1942-1945 45th:1942-1945. 75th:1945-1949 1952- 77th: 1945-1946.

STATIONS. Pope Field, NC, 25 May 1945 ; Greenville AAB, SC, 25 Aug 1947 ; Smyrna AFB, Tenn, 4 Nov 1949-15 Nov 1954 ; Ashiya, Japan, 15 Nov 1954-.

COMMANDERS. Col Clarence J Galligan, 2 Feb 1946; Lt Col Leroy M Stanton, 31 Sep 1946; Col Clarence J Galligan, 1 Nov 1946; Col John H Lackey Jr, c. Apr 1947; Col Edgar W Hampton, 20 Sep 1947; Col Norton H Van Sicklen III, 1 Aug 1950; Maj Dwight E Maul, 31 Aug 1950; Maj Gordon F Blood, 6 Sep 1950; Col Norton H Van Sicklen III, 28 Dec 1950; Col William H DeLacey, 1 Jun 1952; Col Richard P Carr, Nov 1954; Col William C Lindley, 19 Mar 1955-.

INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, nine parachutes argent, three, two, three, and one, all within a bordure per bend or and gules.

Motto: VALOR WITHOUT ARMS. (Approved 17 1951.)Aug 1951.)