Air Force Combat Units of WWII

AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 303SQUADRONS. 44th: 1943. 45th: 1943.46th: 1943. 47th: 1943.STATIONS. Gainesville AAFld, Tex, IJul-15 Aug 1943.COMMANDERS. Unkn.CAMPAIGNS. None.DECORATIONS. None.INSIGNE. None.432d RECONNAISSANCEGROUPConstituted as 432d Observation Groupon 18 Feb 1943 and activated on 22 Feb.Assigned to AAF School of Applied Tactics.Redesignated 432d ReconnaissanceGroup in Apr 1943, and 432d Tactical ReconnaissanceGroup in Aug 1943. Aircraftincluded P-39’s and L-3’s. Trained,and provided reconnaissance to assistfighter, bombardment, and ground unitswith their training. Disbanded on I Nov1943.Reconstituted on 14 Jan 1954. Act&vated on 18 Mir 1954. Assigned to TacticalAir Command. Equipped with RF-~o’s, RF-84$, RB-26‘s, RB-g’s, andRB-66‘s.SQUADRONS. 3d: 1943. 20th: 1954-.29th: 1g54-. 4ist: 1g54-. 43d: 1g54-.STATIONS. Alachua AAFld, Fla, 22Feb 1943; Keystone AAFld, Fla, Mar-1Nov 1943. Shaw AFB, SC, 18 Mar 1g5p.COMMANDERS. 1st Lt Richard I Purnell,c. I Mar 1943; Capt John J Owen Jr, c.17 Mar 1943; Capt William C Collins, c.21 Mar 1943; Maj William B Merrill Jr,23 Mar 1943; Lt Col Eugene H Rice, 18Apr 1~3-unkn. Col Frank A Sharp, 18Mar 1954-unkn ; Col John G Foster, ISS-.CAMPAIGNS. None.DECORATIONS. None.INSIGNE. Shield: Gules, a stylized owl,holding in his dexter claws two lightningbolts in saltire, all sable, detail of the field.Motto: VICTORIA PER SCIENTIAM-Victory through Knowledge. (Approved2 Jun 1955.)433d TROOP CARRIER GROUPConstituted as 433d Troop CarrierGroup on 22 Jan 1943. Activated on gFeb 1943. Trained to tow gliders and totransport and drop supplies and paratroops.Moved to New Guinea, via Ha-