The 9th AF participated in Egypt and Libya, the campaign in Tunisia, and the invasions of Sicily and Italy. The 9th transferred to England in October, 1943 and participated in Normandy invasion and the rest of the European continent until the VE-Day.
Visit our 9th Air Force Honor Project with rosters of servicemen who served in the groups of the 9th.
Constituted as V Air Support Command on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 1 Sep 1941. Redesignated Ninth AF in Apr 1942. Moved to Egypt and began operations on 12 Nov 1942, participating in the Allied drive across Egypt and Libya, the campaign in Tunisia, and the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Moved to England in Oct 1943 to become the tactical air force for the invasion of the Continent. Helped prepare for the assault on Normandy, supported operations on the beach in Jun 1944, and took part in the drive that carried the Allies across France and culminated in victory over Germany in May 1945. Inactivated in Germany on 2 Dec 1945.
Activated in the US on 28 Mar 1946. Assigned to Tactical Air Command until Dec 1948 when the Ninth, reassigned to Continental Air Command, lost its role as a tactical air organization and became concerned chiefly with reserve and national guard activities. Redesignated Ninth AF (Tactical) in Aug 1950. Assigned to Tactical Air Command in Dec 1950 and again became concerned primarily with tactical air operations. Redesignated Ninth AF in Jun 1951.
Components. 9th Air Division (formerly IX Bomber Command): 1942-1945. IX Air Defense Command: 1944-1945. IX Fighter Command: 1942-1945. IX Tactical Air Command: 1943-1945. IX Troop Carrier Command: 1943-1944. XIX Tactical Air Command: 1944-1945. XXIX Tactical Air Command: 1945.
Stations. Bowman Field, Ky, 1 Sep 1941; New Orleans AAB, La, 24 Jan 1942; Bolling Field, DC, 22 Jul-Oct 1942; Egypt, 12 Nov 1942-Oct 1943; England, 16 Oct 1943-Sep 1944; France, 15 Sep 1944; Germany, 6 Jun-2 Dec 1945. Biggs Field, Tex 28 Mar 1946; Greenville AAB, SC, 31 Oct 1946; Langley AFB, Va, 14 Feb 1949; Pope AFB, NC, 1 Aug 1950; Shaw AFB, SC, 20 Aug 1954-.
Commanders. Brig Gen Junius W Jones, Sep 1941; Col Rosenham Beam, 1942; Lt Gen Lewis H Brereton, 12 Nov 1942; Lt Gen Hoyt S Vandenburg, 8 Aug 1944; Maj Gen Otto P Weyland, 23 May 1945; MajGen William E Kepner, 4 Aug-2 Dec 1945. Brig Gen Homer L Sanders, 28 Mar 1946; Maj Gen Paul L Williams, 1 Nov 1946; Maj Gen William D Old, 15 Sep 1947; Maj Gen Willis H Hale, 20 OCt 1949; Maj Gen Willard R Wolfinbarger, 1 Aug 1950; Maj Gen Edward J Timberlake, 7 Sep 1951-.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Egypt-Libya; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a bezant winged argent charged with the Arabic numeral "9" gules, in honor point a mullet of the second bearing a torteau. (Approved 16 Sep 1943.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
100th Fighter Wing 10th Reconnaissance Group 303d Fighter Wing 313th Troop Carrier Group 314th Troop Carrier Group 315th Troop Carrier Group 316th Troop Carrier Group 322d Bombardment Group 323d Bombardment Group 344th Bombardment Group 354th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Group 362d Fighter Group 363d Reconnaissance Group 365th Fighter Group 366th Fighter Group 367th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Group 36th Fighter Group 370th Fighter Group 371st Fighter Group 373d Fighter Group 386th Bombardment Group 387th Bombardment Group 391st Bombardment Group 394th Bombardment Group 397th Bombardment Group 404th Fighter Group 405th Fighter Group 406th Fighter Group 409th Bombardment Group 410th Bombardment Group 416th Bombardment Group 434th Troop Carrier Group 435th Troop Carrier Group 436th Troop Carrier Group 437th Troop Carrier Group 438th Troop Carrier Group 439th Troop Carrier Group 441st Troop Carrier Group 442nd Troop Carrier Group 474th Fighter Group 48th Fighter Group 50th Fighter Group 50th Troop Carrier Wing 52d Troop Carrier Wing 53d Troop Carrier Wing 61st Troop Carrier Group 70th Fighter Wing 71st Fighter Wing 84th Fighter Wing 97th Bombardment Wing 99th Bombardment Wing 9th Air Division 9th Fighter Wing IX Air Defense Command IX Fighter Command IX Tactical Air Command IX Troop Carrier Command XIX Tactical Air Command Melvin MillerDo you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear and other artifacts? Read more about Supporting the AALCM.
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