13th Troop Carrier Squadron (13th TCS) "Thirsty 13th"
U.S. Army Air Force, 13th Air Force , 403rd Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG)

Background
On November 20, 1940 constituted as the 13th Transport Squadron. On December 1, 1940 activated as part of the 61st Transport Group at Patterson Field, Ohio. On July 4, 1942 redesigned 13th Troop Carrier Squadron (13th TCS) in 61st Troop Carrier Group (61st TCG). On July 13, 1941 moves to Drew Field, FL. On May 25, 1942 moves to Pope Field, NC. On August 8, 1942 moves to Lockbourne Army Air Field, Ohio. On September 22, 1942 begins deployment to the South Pacific (SoPAC) with C-47 Skytrains. Nicknamed "Thirsty 13th" with the emblem of a twin engined plane with the fuselage a beer bottle atop a white cloud.

Wartime History
On October 10, 1942 assigned to Army Forces in South Pacific Area at Plaines des Gaiacs Airfield on New Caledonia. On December 11, 1942 attached to South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command. On December 17, 1942 moves to Tontouta Airfield on New Caledonia. On January 13, 1943 assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF). On July 1, 1943 assigned to 13th Air Force Service Command. On August 22, 1943 assigned to the 403rd Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG).

On November 2, 1943 the squadron moves to Espiritu Santo. On August 16, 1944 the the squadron begins operating from Los Negros with C-47s. On September 21, 1944 the squadron begins operating from Biak while continuing to operate from Los Negros. On October 4, 1944 the squadron based on Espiritu Santo ceases operating from Los Negros and begins operating from Wakde Airfield. On October 19, 1944 ceases operating from Wakde Airfield. On July 17, 1945 the squadron moves from Espiritu Santo to Dulag Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines until the end of the Pacific War.

Postwar
On January 7, 1946 moves to Clark Field on Luzon and begins operating the C-54. On June 15, 1946 moves to Nichols Field until deactivated. On October 15, 1946 inactivated.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Philippines April 17, 1945–June 30, 1945
Presidential Unit Citation October 10, 1942–December 9, 1942
Navy Unit Commendation December 11, 1942–July 15, 1944
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) page 75 (13th Troop Carrier) [PDF pages 87]
Thirsty 13th Newsletter
Thanks to Seth P. Washburne, Thirsty 13th Newsletter Squadron Historian for additional information

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