Background
On February 2, 1942 constituted as the 40th Transport Squadron (40th TS) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On February 18, 1942 activated at the San Antonio Air Depot in Texas. On February 22, 1942 assigned to the 317th Transport Group (317th TCG). On June 19, 1942 moves to Bowman Field in Kentucky. On July 4, 1942 redesignated 40th Troop Carrier Squadron (40th TCS). On October 10, 1942, moves to Lawson Field in Georgia. On December 2, 1942 moves to Maxton Field in North Carolina. On December 10, 1942 begins a movement overseas to Australia.
Wartime History
On January 18, 1943 C-47s from the squadron transport Australian Army 16th Brigade, 2/6th Battalion personnel from Port Moresby to Wau Airfield. Lost is C-47 41-38667 pilot 2nd Lt. Robert Wood Sams (KIA) approached too low and clipped trees and crashed while landing. This was the first fatal accident during the airlift operation to Wau.
On January 23, 1943 arrives Garbutt Field in Townsville.
On August 7, 1943 lost is C-47 "Eager Beaver" 41-7733 pilot F/O Harold Gene Wilson crashed crashed into Cleveland Bay.
On November 16, 1943 lost is C-47A "Betty El" 42-23589 pilot
1st Lt. Raymond E. Anglin crashed at Carnarvon Gorge.
On October 4, 1943 moves to 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby.
On April 21, 1944 moves to Finschafen Airfield.
On June 21, 1944 moves to Hollandia Airfield.
On November 19, 1944 moves to Leyte in the Philippines.
On March 5, 1945 moves to Clark Field on Luzon.
On August 16, 1945 moves to Okinawa in southern Japan.
Postwar
On October 21, 1945 moves to Itami Airfield near Osaka in Japan. On January 19, 1946 moves to Tachikawa Airfield and begins operating the C-46 and C-54. On October 17, 1946 moves to Matsushima Airfield. On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On August 1, 1948 returns to Tachikawa Airfield.
On November 16, 1948 moves to Wiesbaden Airfield in West Germany. On December 15, 1948 moves to Celle RAF Station in West Germany. On July 14, 1952 moves to Rhein/Main Air Base in West Germany and begins operating the C-119. On May 15, 1953 moves to Neubiberg Air Base in West Germany. In 1957 begins operating the C-130. On March 12, 1957 assigned to the 317th Troop Carrier Wing (317th TCW). On December 6, 1957 moves to Evreux-Fauville Air Base in France.
On September 25, 1958 assigned to the 322nd Air Division.
Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation: Papua January 1943–February 1943, Philippines February 16-17, 1945
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: October 29, 1956–December 16, 1956, July 8, 1960–August 10, 1960, September 1, 1962–April 15, 1963
References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 189 (40th Troop Carrier) [PDF pages 201]
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