75th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 75th Observation Group on 5 Feb 1942 and activated on 27 Feb. Redesignated 75th Reconnaissance Group in Apr 1943, and 75th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Aug 1943. Used B-25's, A-20's, L-1's, L-2's, L-4's, O-47's, O-52's, P-9's, P-40's, and P-51's. Until the fall of 1942 the group aided ground units with their training by flying reconnaissance, artillery adjustment, strafing, and dive-bombing missions; one squadron (124th) flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico. In the fall of 1942 the group participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers. Beginning early in 1943 it functioned primarily as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 May 1944.

Squadrons. 21st: 1942-1944. 30th: 1942-1944. 124th: 1942-1944. 127th: 1942-1943.

Stations. Ellington Field, Tex, 27 Feb 1942; Birmingham, Ala, Mar 1942; Tullahoma, Tenn, Nov 1942; Key Field, Miss, Aug 1943-1 May 1944.

Commanders. Col Frederick A Bacher, c. 30 Mar 1942; Col John E Bodle, 5 Apr 1943; Maj Delwin B Avery, 15 Sep 1943; Lt Col George C P Gifford, 17 Sep 1943, Lt Col John R Dyas, 1 Jan-1 May 1944.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Azure on a ship's crow's nest issuant from base an albatross sejant or, holding in its beak a mullet gules. Motto: Apperception. (Approved 23 Sep 1942.)

76th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 76th Observation Group on 5 Feb 1942 and activated on 27 Feb. Redesignated 76th Reconnaissance Group in Apr 1943, and 76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Aug 1943. Aircraft included P-39's, P-40's, A-20's, B-25's, L-1's, L-4's, L-5's, and L-6's. Trained in aerial reconnaissance and air support techniques and aided ground units in their training, Feb 1942-May 1943; assisted Second Army on maneuvers, May-Sep 1943; participated in maneuvers with ground forces in the California-Arizona desert training area beginning in Sep 1943. Disbanded on 15 Apr 1944.

Squadrons. 20th: 1942-1943. 23d: 1942-1943, 1943-1944. 24th: 1942-1943. 70th: 1943. 91st: 1943. 97th: 1943-1944. 101st: 1943-1944. 102d: 1944. 106th: 1943. 121st: 1943.

Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 27 Feb 1942; Key Field, Miss, c. 3 Mar 1942; Pope Field, NC, c. 28 Mar 1942; Vichy, Mo, Dec 1942; Morris Field, NC, May 1943; Thermal AAFld, Calif, Sep 1943-15 Apr 1944.

Commanders. Lt Col H N Burkhalter, Mar 1942; Maj James E Ilgenfritz, c. 21 Jan 1943; Lt Col John T Shields, c. 18 Sep 1941-unkn; Maj Klem F Kalberer, 1944.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Azure a drop bomb argent surmounted by a pair of binoculars bendwise gules winged or. Motto: Our Observation, Your Security. (Approved 5 Nov 1942.)

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986