21st Troop Carrier Squadron (21st TCS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG)

Background
The 21st Troop Carrier Squadron (21st TCS) operated transport aircraft in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II. Also abbrevated as the 22d Troop Carrier Squadron (22d TCS).

Warime History
On April 3, 1942 activated at Archerfield Airfield near Brisbane in Australia.

On April 8, 1943 lost is C-49 "Calamity Mary Jane" 41-7694 pilot Guest on a flight bound for Cooktown Airfield.

On May 25, 1942 crashed is C-39 38-505 on a flight bound for Batchelor Field with all killed in the crash.

On August 17, 1942 parked DC-5 VH-CXA was destroyed during a Japanese bombing raid at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby.

On October 5, 1942 and October 6, 1942 C-47s from 21st Troop Carrier Squadron (21st TCS) and 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron (22nd TCS) air lift of Australian Army Australian Army 2/10 Battalion, 18 Brigade plus U.S. Army engineers and anti-aircraft gunners from Milne Bay to Wanigela Airfield.

On February 18, 1943 the squadron moves to Port Moresby.

On September 28, 1943 the squadron moves back to Archerfield Airfield.

On November 16, 1943 lost is C-47A 42-23420 pilot 1st Lt. Raymond E. Anglin (KIA) crashed south of Springsure.

On November 21, 1943 lost is C-47 "Star Duster" 41-18648 pilot 1st Lt. Victor N. Gibson (KIA) on a ferry flight and crashed near Monto. The crash site was not found until 1948 and the remains of the crew recovered.

On August 26, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield.

On October 14, 1944 moves to Biak Island.

On September 22, 1945 lost is C-46D Commando 44-78455 pilot 1st Lt. David S. Leatherman (KIA) on a flight from Biak bound for Atsugi Airfield and crashed into a mountain on Japan.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 113-114 (21st Troop Carrier) [PDF pages 125-126]

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