6th Troop Carrier Squadron (6th TCS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG)
Background
On October 14, 1933 activated as 6th Transport Squadron (6th TS) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On October 14, 1939 assigned to the 10th Transport Group. On December 1, 1940 assigned to the 60th Transport Group. On May 19, 1941 assigned to the 61th Transport Group. On June 20, 1941 became the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).
Wartime History
During March 1942 assigned to the 315th Transport Group.
During June 1942 assigned to the 63rd Transport Group (63rd TG) later redesignated the 63rd Troop Carrier Group (63rd TCG).
On July 4, 1942 redesignated 6th Troop Carrier Squadron (6th TCS).
On October 13, 1942 arrives at 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby in New Guinea.
On October 16, 1942 lost is
C-47 "Maxine" 41-18585 pilot 2nd Lt. Wilson C. Cater crashed on a mission to air drop food and supplies to Australian Army on the Kokoda Trail
On November 12, 1942 assigned to the 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG).
On November 26, 1942 lost is C-47 "Swamp Rat" 41-38601 pilot 2nd Lt. Earl B. Lattier shot down by Zeros near Popondetta in New Guinea.
On December 3, 1942 lost is C-47 "Johnny Reb" 41-18571 force landed at Popondetta.
On November 5, 1942 lost is C-47 "The Broadway Limited" 41-38615 pilot 2nd Lt Harold B. Majure crashed on a mission to drop supplies at Bofu.
On March 8, 1943 lost is
C-47 pilot unkown overshot the runway landing at Bulolo Airfield and was written off.
On October 2, 1943 moves to
Garbutt
Field at Townsville in Queensland in Australia.
On August 26, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield in New Guinea.
On October 20, 1944 moves to Biak Island. During 1945, begins operating the C-46 Commando.
On March 12, 1945 moves to Tacloban Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines until the end of the Pacifci War.
Postwar
On October 10, 1945 lost is C-46D Commando 44-78490 pilot
F/O John L. Zagata on a flight from Biak bound for Finschafen Airfield and crashed in the Saruwaged Range.
On January 1, 1946 moves to Nielson Field on Luzon in the Philippines.
On May 10, 1946 moves to Nichols Field on Luzon in the Philippines.
On May 15, 1946 assigned to the 403rd Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG).
On June 10, 1946 moves to Okinawa.
On October 15, 1946 returned to the 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG). During 1947 begins operating the C-54 Skymaster.
On April 13, 1947 moves to Tachikawa Airfield in Japan.
On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
On December 1, 1947 moves to Harmon Field on Guam.
On March 5, 1949 returns to
Tachikawa Airfield in Japan. In 1952 begins operating the C-124 Globemaster II.
On November 18, 1953 assigned to the 1503d Air Transport Wing.
Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major John R. Dunn (October 14, 1939)1
Major George J. Cressey (Nov 4, 1939)
Captain John J. Keough (28 Mar 28, 1940)
1Lt Hamish McClelland (Jun 10, 1940)
Major John H. Lackey Jr (Feb 17, 1942)
Captain Frank W. Smith (acting C.O. of ground echelon while air and ground echelons were separated: Sep 23–Dec 1, 1942)
Captain William D. Wells (May 22, 1943–December 3, 1943
Captain William A. Peterson (December 3 1943–February 1944)
Major Harvey E. Rehrer (February 1944– September 15, 1944)
Maj Isaac W. Smith (September 15, 1944)
Capt Donald K. Hartley (May 15, 1945)
Col John L. Sullivan (circa 1945–1946)
Lt Col James L. Cole (June 19, 1946)
Capt Fred H. Towne (April 7, 1947)
Lt Col Roland J. Barnick (May 5, 1947)
Lt Col William R. Calhoun Jr. (August 25, 1947)
Maj Albert W. Brownfield (June 30, 1949)
References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 41-42 (6th Troop Carrier) [PDF pages 53-54]
C-141 Flying Squadrons - 6th Airlift Squadron / 6th Military Airlift Squadron / 6th Troop Carrier Squadron
Oz@War - 6th Troop Carrier Squadron 374th Troop Carrier Group in Australia in Australia during WWII
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