436th Operations Group

The 436th received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its Operation Neptune missions, which were flown during the Normandy invasion; dropping paratroops of 101st Airborne Division inland from the Utah beachhead early on 6 June; releasing 82nd Airborne Division gliders with reinforcement troops and supplies in the evening of D-Day; and carrying out re-supply drops and glider delivery the following day.

In July 1944, the group deployed 49 aircraft and crews to Italy to take part in the invasion of southern France, Operation Dragoon, releasing gliders carrying the First Airborne Task Force paratroops in the assault area on 15 August.

The 436th also flew transport missions almost daily when not engaged in airborne operations, hauling such things as gasoline, ammunition, medical supplies, rations, clothing, and evacuated the wounded to hospitals in England and France.

After V-E Day, the group continued to evacuate patients and prisoners of war, and flew practice missions with French paratroops before being redeployed to the U.S. and inactivated.

Trained primarily with C-47s in the Reserves June 1949 – April 1951, ordered to active service during Korean War and inactivated almost immediately, personnel serving as fillers for other USAF units.

Began flying worldwide airlift, including mail and other high priority cargo, aero-medical evacuation, personnel transport, and humanitarian and diplomatic missions.