WWII Troop Carrier Units

434th Troop Carrier Group (434th TCG) Active Service: 1942 to 1946 Constituted as 434th Troop Carrier Group on 30 Jan 1943. Activated on 9 Feb 1943. Trained with C-47s for operations in Europe with Ninth AF. Moved to England in Oct 1943 and entered a seven-month training period with 101st Airborne Division in preparation for the invasion of northern France. Towed gliders carrying troops to Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and flew follow-up missions later on D-Day and on 7 Jun to provide reinforcements of troops, vehicles, and ammunition. Received a DUC and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in the invasion of Normandy. Dropped paratroops in the assault area and towed gliders with reinforcements during the airborne operation in Holland, 17-25 Sep 1944. Moved to France in Feb 1945. Participated in the airborne assault across the Rhine, dropping paratroops over the east bank on Mar. In addition to these airborne operations, the group reinforced ground troops in the St Lo area during the breakthrough in Jul 1944; provided supplies for Third Army during its drive across France in Aug, an action for which the group was cited by the French Government; and resupplied troops at Bastogne in Dec 1944 in the effort to stop the German offensive in the Ardennes. Also engaged in numerous transport missions, hauling mail, rations, clothing, and other supplies from England to bases in France and Germany, and evacuating the Allied wounded. After V-E Day, transported gasoline to Allied forces in Germany and evacuated prisoners of war to relocation centers in France and Holland. Returned to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Trained with C-46s. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1946.

71st Troop Carrier Squadron (71st TCS) Sqd. code: CJ 1943 to 1946

Sevety First Troop Carrier Squadron, Four Thirty Fourth Troop Carrier Group, Glider Pilots marching.
[Mark Ashley Ronan Collection]

72nd Troop Carrier Squadron (72nd TCS) Sqd. code: CU 1943 to 1946
73rd Troop Carrier Squadron (73rd TCS) Sqd. code: CN 1943 to 1946
74th Troop Carrier Squadron (74th TCS) Sqd. code: ID 1943 to 1946
Headquarters (HQ 434th) 1943 to 1945