439th Troop Carrier Group HistoryThe following squadrons where part of the 439th TCG:The 439th was activated on 14 May 1943. The 439th trained for the allied invasion in France with formation flying, re-supply drops and glider towing. It moved to England in February and March 1944, just before the invasion. After it's arrival the 439th continued it's exercises for the invasion in combination with the other Troop Carrier groups and the 101st airborne divisions. The 439th dropped paratroopers of the 101st airborne division on D-day. For their actions 439th Troop Carrier Group earned the Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation for the Normandy missions. After D-day the 439th flew supply missions and evacuated the wounded from France. In July a detachment of the group was send to Italy. It took part in the invasion of Southern France. On 15 August 1944 it dropped paratroopers from the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. On the days after the invasion it towed gliders into the area and dropped supplies. The detachment rejoined the 439th ten days later and the group as a whole moved to France on 11 September 1944. The group took part in operation Market Garden. It dropped troops from the 82nd Airborne division near Groesbeek on 17 September. The 439th towed gliders into Holland on 18 September and 23 September. |
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