During World War II, the group was a Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport unit assigned to IX Troop Carrier Command in Western Europe.

From Merryfield, the group participated in the D-Day operation, dropping 101st Airborne Division paratroops near Cherbourg Naval Base, then carried out resupply and glider delivery missions the following day.

Soon afterwards word was received that the 50th Troop Carrier Wing would move to France, the 441st being one of the first two groups, with headquarters leaving Merryfield on 6 September for its Advanced Landing Ground at Villeneuve-Vertus Airfield.

In December, the group transported ammunition, rations, medicine, and other supplies to troops of 101st Airborne Division surrounded by the enemy at Bastogne.

The 441st remained overseas after the war as part of United States Air Forces in Europe, performing occupation duty from Frankfurt Germany.

Assigned C-46 Commando aircraft, the wing was inactivated in March 1951 when its equipment and personnel were transferred to active duty units during the Korean War.