65th Troop Carrier Squadron (65th TCS)
U.S. Army Air Force, 403rd Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG)

Background
On December 7, 1942 constituted as the 66th Troop Carrier Squadron (66th TCS) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On December 12, 1942 activated in the 403rd Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG) at Bowman Field in Kentucky operating the C-47. On December 18, 1942 moves to Alliance, Nebraska. On May 3, 1943 moves to Pope Field in North Carolina. On June 19, 1943 moves to Baer Field in Indiana. On July 4, 1943 begins a movement overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
On July 26, 1943 moves to Port Moresby in New Guinea and the same day assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF) and that same day flies their first mission.

On August 13, 1943 assigned to the 54th Troop Carrier Wing (54th TCW).

On September 18, 1943 begins operating from Tsili Tsili Airfield until October 31, 1943 moves to Nadzab Airfield.

On October 9, 1943 moves to Nadzab Airfield in New Guinea.

On November 9, 1943 assigned to the 433rd Troop Carrier Group (433rd TCG).

On December 8, 1943 lost is C-47A Skytrain 42-23851 pilot 1st Lt. Joe. L. Hill both engines failed and ditched into the Huon Gulf off Lae.

On February 10, 1944 during a flight, C-47A "The Green Banana" 42-92051 from 67th TCS suffered an aerial collision with C-47A Skytrain 42-92038.

On February 19, 1944 lost is C-47A 42-24398 pilot 1st Lt. Paul A. Bishop (KIA) on a flight bound for Finschafen Airfield and crashed in the vicinity of Cape Ward Hunt with two killed and two later rescued.

On March 6, 1944 lost is C-47A "Our Lillian Ethel Form 1A" 42-24228 pilot 1st Lt. John S. Hutchinson crashed on a flight via Finschafen Airfield bound for Saidor Airfield.

On May 3, 1944 begins operating from Tadji Airfield until June 2, 1944.

On October 18, 1944 moves to Biak.

On January 24, 1945 begins operating from Hill Field on Mindoro until February 27, 1945.

On February 20, 1945 returns to the 403rd Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG).

On February 27, 1945 moves to Morotai.

On July 15, 1945 moves to Dulag Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines.

On January 27, 1946 moves to Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines and the same day inactivated.

Postwar
On August 9, 1947 activated in the 419th Troop Carrier Group (419th TCG) at Richmond Army Airfield. On June 27, 1949 assigned to the 403rd Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG) at Portland Municipal Airport. On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

During 1951 begins operating the C-46. On March 29, 1952 begins a movement overseas to Japan. On April 14, 1952 moves to Ashiya Airfield in Japan until January 1, 1953. On January 1, 1953 returns to Portland Municipal Airport. On April 15, 1955 moves to Paine ARB. On November 16, 1957 assigned to the 442nd Troop Carrier Group (442nd TCG) at Davis Field. On April 14, 1959 assigned to the 403rd Troop Carrier Wing (403rd TCW). During 1962 begins operating the C-119. On February 11, 1963 assigned to the 929th Troop Carrier Group (929th TCG).

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation: Philippines Feb 23, 1945, April 17, 1945–June 30, 1945
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 247-248 (66th Troop Carrier) [PDF pages 259-260]

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?