General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

le, thunder storni8, rain, fog, and high . winds being encountered - perpetually. -
re~utring most skillful piloting and navigation. After the completion of the airborne
owration and the evacuation by air of the personnel involred, this squadron
at once undertook the task of supplying Allied ground forces in northern Burma.
Performing more than its normal duties and transporting such large quantities
of war materiel that Allicd forces were enabled,to more forward to their ohjeetires,
despite monsoon torrents nnd determined enemy resistance. In addition
to the intensive air dropping and sup~iy ferr~ing operations, this muadron flew
into Burma the fuel pipeline wilich provided vital gaeoline and oil for force,
in that area, completing tile project far ahead of schedule. The constantly superior
performance of the S15tk Troop Cmrier Squadron, 445d Troop Carrier ffroup.
in action against the enemy, llnder severe handicaps of ciimate and terrain. mnde
posslble by the outstanding combat efficieucy of its air crcws and the exceptional
maintenii~ce and support given by its ground personnel, contributed in great
dcgree to Allied successes in thi~ theater and reflects the highest credit on
the military forces of the United States. (General Orders 13, Headquarters
Tenth Air Force, €I January lH5.)
8. The 448d Troop Uahw Group is cited for outstanding Performance of duty
in action from 5 to 30 September 1945. Upon the capitulatioe af the Japanesr.
and the cessation of hostilities in China, it was necessary immedintcly that
Chinese forces be placed in position to control the beaten euemy and to enforce
surrender term Because of tire extreme urgency of the situation, trarel b9
the fastest means was essential. The 44Sd Troop Carrier Group, consisting of
the Hcndyuarters 413d Troop Carrier Group, the lst, 2d, and 315th Troop Carrier
Souallrons assigned, and 322d Troop Carrier Squadron sttriched, was given the
hlgh priority mission of transportiug from Chihkiang to Nanking an entire
Chinese army consisting of 30,000 men. Within 1 week, this group mored itself
by alr from its form- base at Dinjau, India, over the "Hump" to Chihkiang,
China, where a field camn was establishfd at once and onerations bemn . under
arduous Geld conditions. In 26 days, this group moved more than 33,000 Chinese
troons and 7W other personnel to Nanking. the seat of supplies - - and equipmeot - ~
Flyiog without adequate navigational aids over mountainous and rugged terrain
and through unpredictable weather conditions, tbis group maintained a
high aving safety record undcr operating conditions more severe than uormallY
encountered in combat operations. An average number of 82 trips per day was
completed. Approximately 8,000 hours were flown in the rompletion of this
mission, which was accomplished 17 days prior to the original target date.
Durinz . this mission, all nersonnel of the hhSd . . Prom Carrier Groun . disnlaved ..
exceptional determination, aggressiveness, courage, and flying skill, attaining
operational results so outstartding as to aid considerably the Chinese Government
in their occupation tasks and the United States armed forcps in China in attaining
the objectives allotted them by higher authority. The 4hSd Troop Car&T
~ - ~ ~
Group'8 superior performance of duty had profound elfect upon the progress of
the mission of American forces in China, b piorthy of the highest trnditions Of
the military service, and rcflects credit in the highest degree an the armed forces
of the United States. (General Orders 378, Headquarters Tenth Air Force, I1
October 1945.)
9. The 466th Parachute Pield ArtiClcry Battalim is cited for extraordinary
heroism, efficiency, and acllierement in action against the enemy near Wesel.
Germany, on 24 March 1945. Jumping by parachute, north of Wesel, the 466th
Parachute Pidd ArtiUay Battalion encountered some of the bitternst Gghting
AGO 802R