Airdrome Squadrons
8th Airdrome Squadron (See CBI Unit Histories)
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Source: Mr. John Collier
Initially stationed at Kweilin, China, under the 5308th Air Service Area Command on 1 Apr 1944. The report dated 1 Aug 1944 was addressed to China Air Service Area Command (CASAC), Sector #3. On 16 Sep 1944 they were relieved from CASAC, Sector #3, and assigned to CASAC, Sector #2 with station at Heingching, China. On 1 Mar 1945 they were relieved from CASAC, Sector #2, and assigned to the 315th Air Service Group. And on 21 Jul 1945, they were releived from the 315th Air Service Group, and assigned to the Northern Sub-Depot, 14th Air Service Command. The Squadron moved to Peishiyi, China on 26 Nov 1945, where it remained until it was deactivated on 16 Feb 1946.
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72nd Airdrome Squadron (See 10th AF Units)
Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
72d Airdrome Sq was activated 1 Feb 43 at Salt Lake City AAB UT, moved to Rapid City AAF SD 8 Dec 43, left 25 Jan 44; Ondal in 1944, Ledo by 1 Aug 45; Burma (based on campaign credit for Central Burma Campaign) assigned to 1st Air Commando Gp; disbanded 8 Oct 48, reconstituted 16 Sep 94 & consolidated with 72d Operations Sq & 654th Operations Support Sq as 72d Operations Support Sq.
Source: Hope College Joint Archives of Holland: 1st Air Commando Group
Serviced 1st Air Commando Group
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86th Airdrome Squadron
Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
Lineage: Disbanded 8 Oct 48, reconstituted 1991 as 86th Operations Support Sq, activated 1 May 91 at Ramstein AB, assigned to 86th Operations Gp, inactivated 15 Jan 04, reactivated 5 Feb 05.
Source: Ex-CBI Roundup
Serviced the 492nd Bomb Sq / 7th Bomb Gp.
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87th Airdrome Squadron
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Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
Lineage: Active at Hunter Fld GA Jul 43, at Kahuku AAF by Oct 43, redesignated 87th Airdrome Sq (Reinforced) 15 Dec 43, subsequently stationed in the Marshall Islands and Guam, disbanded 8 Oct 48.
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89th Airdrome Squadron
 Photo courtesy of Lt. Herman H. Hayes, USAAF
& Mrs. Barb Hayes
Source: Lt. Herman H. Hayes, USAAF, Mrs. Barb Hayes, and AFHRA records
3 Apr 43: The 89th Airdrome Sq. was activated at Hunter Field, Savannah, GA. Maneuvers and duty at Lebanon, TN Airport with Tennessee Air Support Command from Aug-Oct 43.
6 Dec 43: Unit began travel to overseas duty; departed from Camp Patrick Henry, Newport, VA, on 13 Dec 43 by liberty ship SS William H. Mulholland. Arrived and debarked at Oran, Algeria c. 1 Jan 44 and moved on to Algiers before boarding a ship for transport to a permanent assignment at an Indian location.
3 Jan 44: 89th Airdrome Sq broken up and personnel placed under administrative control of the China-Burma-India Chinese American Operational Training Unit (CAOTU).
Jul 45: Unit assigned at Agra, India but moved to the Central India Air Depot on 31 Jul 45.
Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
Lineage: Activated 1 Apr 43 at Hunter Fld, GA to Oran, Algeria Jan 44, Algiers. Algeria Jan 44, Bombay, India Feb 44, Camp Malir to 1 May 45, disbanded 8 Oct 48, reconstituted 1991 as 89th Operations Support Sq, activated 12 Jul 91, assigned to 89th Operations Gp at Andrews AFB.
Source: Mr. Michael Brown
The unit was known as Cantrel’s Kittens, after the unit commander. The patch was unofficial and was made in mid-to-late 1945 as a momento for the unit members.
Source: Ex-CBI Roundup, January 1951 issue
Serviced 308th Bomb Group
Source: dcmilitary.com
The 89th Operations Support Squadron provides vital mission support including intelligence, weather, airfield operations, mission operations, current operations, operational training and flight management. Airfield operations manages the nation's executive airfield which includes two major runways, and coordinates operations with nine partner flying units from all the military services, including active, guard and reserve; and the Department of Energy, Maryland State Police and Civil Air Patrol.
The flight management section is the largest in the Air Force. The unique mission operations section conducts mission planning, coordinates en route support and gains diplomatic clearances for hundreds of missions each year. The current operations flight provides operational scheduling and command and control of all SAM aircraft in harmonization with Andrews Command Post and the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Special Missions Office.
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90th Airdrome Squadron
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Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
Lineage: Activated 1 Apr 43 at Hunter Fld, GA; MacDill Fld, FL 12 Oct 43; Calcutta, India unknown; Kunming, China, assigned to China Air Service Command -Nov 1945; disbanded 8 Oct 48.
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98th Airdrome Squadron
Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
Lineage: Activated 12 Apr 43 at Rapid City AAF until 10 Nov 43. Moved to Camp Anza, CA around 10 Nov 1943. Arrived India 26 Dec 1943. Later stationed at Sylhet, India and Dinjan Adme, India until 1 May 45. Moved to Chanyi, China in July 1945. Disbanded 8 Oct 48, reconstituted 1 Aug 92 and consolidated with 98th Operations Sq as 98th Operations Support Sq at Barksdale AFB, LA; Nellis AFB, NV 5 Nov 2001.
Source: Nellis AFB Website (98th Range Wing)
The 98th Range Wing (RANW) operates, maintains, and develops the Nevada Test and Training Range comprising of 2.9 million acres and 12,000 square miles of airspace. The Wing operates two airfields at Creech AFB and the Tonopah Test Range, the instrumentation for Air Warrior at the National Training Center (NTC) and Leach Lake Range.
The Wing also supports the Department of Defense (DOD) advance composite force training, tactics development, and electronic combat testing as well as DOD and Department of Energy (DOE) testing requirements and research and development. The Wing hosts numerous Red Flag, and U.S. Air Force Weapons School exercises each year, as well as various test and tactics development missions.
The Wing coordinates operational and support matters with major commands, other services, DOE and Department of Interior, as well as other federal, state, and local government agencies. The 98th Range Wing acts as the single point of contact for range customers.
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309th Airdrome Squadron (See 10th AF Units)
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Source: Ex-CBI Roundup, April 1992 issue
Serviced 1st Air Commando Gp, 4th Combat Cargo Group, 89th Fighter Squadron
Stationed at Asansol by 1 Aug 45
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310th Airdrome Squadron
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Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
Lineage: Activated 5 Apr 43 at Alamogordo Bombing Range, NM, to Gulfport AAF, MS (probably before 13 May 43 when another 310th Airdrome Sq (Spl) was activated -- that squadron was redesignated 43d Airdrome Sq), later to Karachi, India (Landhi Airfield); active through 1 May 45; disbanded 8 Oct 48. Reconstituted 1 Feb 08 and redesignated the 310th Operations Support Flight. Activated 7 Mar 08 at Schreiver AFB, CO and assigned to the 310th Operations Group of the 310th Space Wing per DAF/A1M 913s, 1 Feb 2008; SO #GB-0013, Hq AFRC, 5 Feb 2008; AFOSCR-AFRC, 31 Mar 2008.
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326th Airdrome Squadron (See 10th AF Units)
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Serviced 1st Air Commando Group
Stationed at Asansol by 1 Aug 45
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327th Airdrome Squadron (See 10th AF Units)
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Serviced 2nd Air Commando Group
Stationed at Kalaikunda by 1 Aug 45
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328th Airdrome Squadron (See 10th AF Units)
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Serviced 2nd Air Commando Group
Stationed at Kalaikunda by 1 Aug 45
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329th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 4th Combat Cargo Group
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330th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 4th Combat Cargo Group
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331st Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 4th Combat Cargo Group
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332nd Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 4th Combat Cargo Group
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340th Airdrome Squadron (See 10th AF Units)
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Serviced 2nd Air Commando Group
Stationed at Kalaikunda by 1 Aug 45
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342nd Airdrome Squadron (See 10th AF Units)
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Serviced 2nd Air Commando Group
Stationed at Kalaikunda by 1 Aug 45
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344th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 1st Combat Cargo Group
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345th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 1st Combat Cargo Group
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346th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 1st Combat Cargo Group
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347th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 1st Combat Cargo Group
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348th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 2nd Combat Cargo Group
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349th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 2nd Combat Cargo Group
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350th Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 2nd Combat Cargo Group
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351st Airdrome Squadron (See Combat Cargo Units)
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Serviced 2nd Combat Cargo Group
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Armed Forces Radio Service
(See CBI Unit Histories)
Source: Radio Heritage Foundation - Archive Top Ten AFRS China - Burma - India
Almost 50 American Forces Radio Service stations are known to have been on the air from 'The Forgotten Theater' of WWII operations ranging from China to India.
China
| Location | Call Sign | Year on Air | Frequency |
| Chanyi | XNAC | 1945 | 1510 AM |
| Chengtu | XJOY
(See CBI Unit Histories) | 1945 | 1450 AM |
| Chengtu | XGOX | | |
| Chungking | XGOA | 1944 | |
| Chungking | XGOY | 1944 | |
| Chungking | KJAM | 1945 | 1500 AM |
| Chungking | XUSF | 1945 | 1365 AM |
| Kunming | XNEW | 1944 | 620 AM |
| Kunming | XPRA | 1944 | 690 AM |
| Kweilin | XGOE | 1944 | |
| Kweiyang | XWRA | 1945 | 1000 AM |
| Liangshan | XEAN | 1945 | 1580 AM |
| Luhsien | XREC | 1945 | 1600 AM |
| Luliang | XJAX | 1945 | 1270 AM |
| Nanking | XMAG | 1945 | 1540 AM |
| Nanking | XMAG | 1945 | 4275 SW |
| Nanking | XMNG | 1947 | 7340 SW |
| Pehtaiho | KRAY | 1945 | |
| Peishiya | XWOB | | |
| Peking | XONE | 1945 | 1480 AM |
| Peking | XRAY | 1947 | 8890 SW |
| Shanghai | XMHA | | |
| Tientsin | XBOR | 1946 | 1500 AM |
| Tsingtao | KABV | | |
| Tsingtao | XABU | 1946 | 1580 AM |
| Tunnanyi | XEAW | 1945 | 1225 AM |
| Yangkai | XROL | 1945 | 1270 AM |
India, Burma, Ceylon
| Location | Region | Call Sign | Year on Air | Frequency |
| Agra | [North West Province] | VU2ZW | 1944 | 1355 AM |
| Bangalore | [Mysore] | VU2ZP
(See CBI Unit Histories) | 1944 | 1305 AM |
| Bhamo | [North East Burma] | USAF/AFRS | 1944 | 1390 AM |
| Calcutta | [West Bengal] | VU2ZU | 1944 | 1395 AM |
| Calcutta | [West Bengal] | VU2ZZ | 1945 | 14983 SW |
| Chabua | [Assam] | VU2ZV | 1943 | 1305 AM |
| Gaya | [West Central Bihar] | VU2ZQ | 1944 | 1355 AM |
| Jorhat | [Assam] | VU2ZR | 1944 | 1340 AM |
| Kandy | [Ceylon] | AFRS | 1944 | 1355 AM |
| Karachi | [Sind] | VU2ZX | 1944 | 1330 AM |
| Lalmahirmat | [East Bengal] | VU2ZK | 1944 | 1330 AM |
| Ledo | [Assam] | VU2ZN | 1944 | 1330 AM |
| Misamari | [Assam] | VU2ZS | 1944 | 1330 AM |
| Myitkyina | [North East Burma] | USAF/AFRS | 1944 | 1305 AM |
| New Delhi | [Territory] | VU2ZY | 1944 | 1305 AM |
| Ramgarh | [East Bengal] | VU2ZT | 1944 | 1330 AM |
| Shingbwiyang | [North East Burma] | USAF/AFRS | 1944 | 1390 AM |
| Tezgaon | [Dacca, East Bengal] | VU2ZJ | 1944 | 1305 AM |
| Tezpur | [Assam] | AFRS | 1944 | |
Bands
Source:
Calcutta Base Section Band (later redesignated 474th AAF Band) *
558th AAF Band
Isley Field, Saipan (attached to 73d Bombardment Wing)
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560th AAF Band (See CBI Unit Histories)
The 560th AAF Band has credit for service in the CBI Theater. It was activated as the 60th AAF Band 11 Jul 42 at Birmingham AAF, moved to Greenville AAB in Aug 42 (assigned to 3 AF), redesignated 560th Army Band 27 Dec 43, 560th AAF Band Mar 44, reassigned to 1 AF May 45, moved to Los Angeles CA 4 Apr 45 and to the CBI Theater later that month, inactivated 15 Mar 46. Alloted to the National Guard 24 May 46. Redesignated 560th USAF Band c. 26 Sep 47 and activated 18 Apr 48 at Ft Wright, assigned to the Washington ANG, moved to Geiger Fld in 1948, activated in Mar 51 and assigned to Western Air Def Force, moved to Larson AFB 2 Apr 51 and McChord AFB that October, inactivated 31 Dec 52. Reactivated in the Washington ANG 1 Jan 53 at Geiger Fld, redesignated 560th AF Band 1 Jul 55, moved to Fairchild AFB Jul 76, assigned to the 141st Air Refueling Wg and redesignated ANG Band of the Northwest c. 8 Jun 00. Unofficial Nickname from about 1976-2000 "Band of the Evergreen state."
Stationed at Birmingham AAF, AL 1942-Aug 42, Greenville AAB, SC -4 Apr 45, Los Angeles CA POE 8 Apr 45-16 Apr 45, India -1946. Ft George Wright, WA 1948-1948, Geiger Fld, WA -2 Apr 51, Larson AFB, WA -Oct 51, McChord AFB, WA -1952. Geiger Fld, WA 1953-30 Jun 76(?) Fairchild AFB WA.
Assigned to 3 AF -Feb 45, 1 AF -May 45, Hq, CBI Theater -1946. Washington ANG 1948-Mar 51, Western Air Defense Force -1952. Washington ANG(?) -unknown 141 Air Refueling Wing.
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574th AAF Band
Constituted 1 Oct 41 as Air Forces Band, Jackson, activated 1 May 42 at Jackson AAB, MS, redesignated 74th AAF Band 19 Aug 42 and later the 574th Army Band c. Dec 43. It was at Jackson AAB at least through March 44. The 574th AAF Band was at the Bengal Air Depot, Malir, and at Titagarh in early 1946. It was active again at Parks AFB as the 574th AF Band from 9 Jan 52-8 Aug 55 and was disbanded 26 Sep 84.
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576th AAF Band
Activated 1 Oct 41 as Air Forces Band, MacDill Field; redesignated 76 AAF Band 10 Aug 42; redesignated 576 Army Band 30 Dec 43; redesignated 576 AAF Band 7 Mar 44. The 576th AAF Band was in China and probably passed through India on its way.
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592nd AAF Band
North Field, Tinian (attached to 313th Bombardment Wing)
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595th AAF Band
North Field, Guam (attached to 314th Bombardment Wing)
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597th AAF Band
West Field, Tinian (attached to 58th Bombardment Wing)
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644th AAF Band
Located at Gunter Fld (its last station before the POE) on 1 Jan 45. Location prior to Gunter unknown. The 644th AAF Band was active between 1945 and 8 Jun 46 at Tezpur, Misamari, and Calcutta (dates unknown). This band probably started life as the 344th AAF Band (later 644th Army Band).
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671st AAF Band
The 671st AAF Band moved from Congaree AAF in 1944 and was located at Karachi and Calcutta (dates unknown) and was inactivated 25 Feb 46. This band started life as the 371st AAF Band and was redesignated the 671st Army Band on 27 Dec 43 and the 671st AAF Band about March 1944. It was redesignated 671st AF Band on 26 Sep 47, was not active and was disbanded 26 Sep 84.
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681st AAF Band
Bhamo (attached to North Burma Air Task Force by 1 Aug 45); Later in China.
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706th AAF Band
Northwest Field, Guam (attached to 315th Bombardment Wing)
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741st AAF Band
The 741st AAF Band was active between Mar 45 and 15 Feb 46 at Tezgaon Apt, Jorhat, Chabua, and Barrackpore Apt. It was organized as the 441st AAF Band at Garden City AAF on 15 Apr 43 and was probably briefly designated the 741st Army Band. It was redesignated 741st AF Band on 26 Sep 47, was not active and was disbanded 26 Sep 84.
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765th AAF Band ("Bengal Wing Band")
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Organized as the 465th AAF Band at Drew Fld on 10 May 43 and activated 3 Jun 43. Apparently remained at Drew Fld at least through the spring of 1944; redesignated 765th Army Band 26 Dec 43, 765th AAF Band 3 Mar 44; redesignated 765th AF Band on 26 Sep 47, was not active and was disbanded 26 Sep 84. Active in India between Mar 45 and 15 Feb 46, moving to Jorhat around March and later to Tezgaon and Barrackpore Apt.
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Base Headquarters Squadrons
1st Base Hq Sq (Prov) - Myitkyina, Burma
2nd Base Hq Sq (Prov) - Tingkwak Sakan, Burma
3d Base Hq Sq (Prov) - Shingbwiyang, Burma
4th Base Hq Sq (Prov) - Warzarup, India
5th Base Hq Sq (Prov) - Ledo, India
6th Base Hq Sq (Prov) - Moran, India
489th Base Hq and Air Base Sq - Piardoba by 1 Aug 45
Chemical Units
45th Chemical Laboratory Company - Chabua
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 15 Apr-15 Oct 44, GO 79, Hq SOS IBT, dtd 21 Apr 45.
95th Chemical Service Company - Burma
Photos courtesy of Mr. David Truncer, son of PFC Harry Truncer, 95th Chemical Service Co.
 95th Decontamination Chemical Platoon, Corozol, Panama, 1942
 95th Chemical Service Company, Corozol, Panama, 1942
128th Chemical Processing Company *
129th Chemical Processing Company - Balijan, India (east of Chabua) *
241st Chemical Service Company
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 25 Jul 44-25 Jan 45, GO 242, Hq USF IBT, dtd 24 Nov 45.
752nd Chemical Company, Depot, Avn - North Field, Guam
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 21 Jan-2 Sep 45, GO 113, Hq 12th AF, dtd 26 Nov 45.
769th Chemical Company, Depot, Avn - Calcutta, Kalikunda -13 Dec 44, Kharagpur 13 Dec 44-unknown
Awarded Occupation Medal, Japan, 20 Feb-5 Mar 46
771st Chemical Company, Depot, Avn - 305 ASG - Ondal, India
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 6 Jun 44-1 Mar 45, GO 33, Hq I-B Air Svc Cmd, dtd 11 Apr 45.
802nd Chemical Company, Air Opn - 314th Bombardment Wing, North Field, Guam
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 21 Jan-12 Oct 45, GO 113, Hq 12th AF, dtd 26 Nov 45.
805th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 58th Bombardment Wing, West Field, Tinian
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 1 Jul-31 Dec 44, GO 90, Hq Army AF Svc Cmd, dtd 5 Jun 45.
(Unit moved from MTO - Campaign credit for Po Valley & North Appenines)
812nd Chemical Company, Air Opn - 315th Bombardment Wing, Northwest Field, Guam
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 1 Jan-1 Mar 45, GO 117, Hq 12th AF, dtd 29 May 45.
(Unit moved from MTO - Campaign credit for Rome-Arno & North Appenines)
813th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 313th Bombardment Wing, North Field, Tinian
816th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 305 ASG
827th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 58th Bombardment Wing, West Field, Tinian
870th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 73d Bombardment Wing, Isley Field, Saipan
875th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 315th Bombardment Wing, Northwest Field, Guam
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 1 Jul-31 Dec 44, GO 90, Hq Army AF Svc Cmd, dtd 5 Jun 45.
(Unit moved from MTO - Campaign credit for Naples-Foggia (Ground) & Rome-Arno)
887th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 73d Bombardment Wing, Isley Field, Saipan
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 16 Feb-2 Sep 45, GO 83, Hq 20th AF, dtd 4 Oct 45.
890th Chemical Company, Air Opn - 314th Bombardment Wing, North Field, Guam
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 23 May-2 Sep 45, GO 113, Hq 20th AF, dtd 26 Nov 45.
(Unit moved from Alaska - Campaign credit for Aleutian Islands)
891st Chemical Company, Air Opn - 313th Bombardment Wing, North Field, Tinian
* Source: various issues of Ex-CBI Roundup
Military Police Battalions (See CBI Unit Histories)
40th Military Police Service Battalion
Meritorious Unit Commendation: 1 Nov 45-15 Mar 46, GO 90, Hq USF China Theater, dtd 21 Apr 46.
502nd Military Police Battalion (See CBI Unit Histories)
167th MP Company
269th MP Company
Source: History of 502nd MP Battalion, WWII
Courtesy of Mr. Todd Chisam
Unit was formed in January of 1943 at Camp McCain, Mississippi. Nearest town was Grenada, and located about halfway between Memphis and Jackson, MS. The camp was about 35 square miles in size with many black tarpaper clad buildings and barracks. Barracks were heated with coal burning stoves. Cadre was mainly made up of non-coms from Camp Shelby and trainees were mostly from Philadelphia and Pennsylvania coal mining country. We received basic training as combat MPs.
July 1943, the unit was sent by train to Arlington reception Center at Riverside, CA and on July 27th. Boarded the Hermitage, a converted Italian liner. With 5-6000 troops aboard we sailed unescorted to Pearl Harbor, then unescorted to Wellington, N.Z. zig-zagging all the way as a precaution against submarine attack. From Wellington we went to Perth, Australia and then to Bombay, India, escorted by two Dutch corvettes. We were 33 days at sea.
Disembarked in Bombay, were shipped by train to a British camp called Deolali for two week stay. Then by train north to a river I assume to be what is now known as the Narmada and put aboard a large paddlewheel steamboat for a long ride. Then by train again to Ledo, Assam, India. October of 1943 found us living in tents and clearing ground for bashas to be built by native contractors.
July, 1944. Unit moves to Shingbwiyang, Burma, sets up motor pool performing guard duty on quartermaster warehouses and road patrol. September 1944, 502nd is disbanded and companies are working as separate MP companies. Headquarters Co. is now known as Hdqs & Headquarters detachment, 158th MP service Battalion. In December of 1944 it became a part of the 624th MP Company. I don’t know what designation was given to the other companies
In late December, 1944, the 624th moved to Myitkyina, Burma and set up camp. Unit performed traffic control on the road and patrolled villages in surrounding areas. August, 1945 heard about the atomic bombing. Late November, 1945, the 624th disbanded in increments and sent by train to Karachi for ship ride home.
Source: CBIVA Sound-off, Winter 1999 Issue
By Ellery J. Temple
The unit was activated at Camp McCain, Mississippi, in January 1943. After four months of intensive training, these drafted strangers became friends and a very unique military team. In June 1943, the Battalion traveled by train to Camp Anza, CA, for more training and preparation for an overseas tour of duty. In early July, with destination unknown, they boarded the USS Hermitage, a converted Italian liner and sailed from Long Beach, CA. After brief stops in New Zealand, Melbourne, and Fremantle, Australia, they docked in Bombay, India, in late August 1943.
The 502nd Combat M.P. Bn was the only Combat Battalion of Military Police in the China-Burma-India Theater of War during WW II. They were under the command of General "Vinegar" Joe Stilwell from 1943 to 1946.
After traveling for several days by rail and riverboat, the unit arrived in Ledo, Assam, India. They were divided into smaller units, Ledo was the beginning of the Ledo Road, which many foreign governments said, "could never be built." At that time, it was only a trail through the dense Burmese Jungles and the treacherous Himalayan Mountains. The famous Ledo Road, joined the Burma Road in Central Burma and became the only land route from India to China.
The primary mission of the 502nd Combat M.P. Battalion was to establish, operate and maintain traffic check points at various locations over the entire Ledo Road. This task was honorably and successfully completed. It played an important role in driving the Japanese from Burma and the overall victory in the CBI.
At the end of the war, the 502nd Combat Battalion of Military Police returned to the Ledo Assam area. There it was deactivated and reorganized into smaller service police companies. They returned home in 1946.
"The greatest reward we could have received is the cherished, everlasting friendships we have enjoyed for so many years," said Temple. "Each year we still get together, renew those friendships, and talk over old times. Each year it has been a very happy and successful reunion, and each one seems to get better," he commented. "We think the 502nd Combat MP Bn is still a Unique Unit....."
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782nd Military Police Battalion - base Section II, Calcutta; replaced by 792 MP BN) *
792nd Military Police Battalion *
273d MP Company *
274th MP Company - Ledo, Myitkyina, Bhamo, Kweiyung *
275th MP Company *
276th MP Company *
The above battalions were deactivated 5 September 1944. The following battalions were activated at that time:
158th Military Police Battalion - Ledo
Source: U.S. Army Center of Military History (525th Military Police Battalion)
- Constituted 30 August 1944 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 158th Military Police Service Battalion
- Activated 5 September 1944 in India
- Inactivated 1 November 1945 in India
- Redesignated 25 April 1949 as Headquarters, 525th Military Police Service Battalion and allotted to the Regular Army
- Activated 11 May 1949 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas
- Reorganized and redesignated 15 December 1950 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 525th Military Police Service Battalion
- Inactivated 20 March 1953 in Korea
- Redesignated 18 January 1966 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 525th Military Police Battalion
- Activated 23 March 1966 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma
- Inactivated 25 July 1968 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma
- Activated 16 October 2004 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Campaign Participation Credit:
- World War II: India-Burma; Central Burma
- Korean War: UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea, Summer-Fall 1952; Third Korean Winter
Decorations:
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for KOREA 1950-1952
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for KOREA 1952-1953
Lineage and Honors Information as of 19 June 2006
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159th Military Police Battalion - Chabua (See CBI Unit Histories)
Source: Military Police Unit Histories - Ft. Leonard Wood
Constituted on August 30, 1944 as the 159th Military Police Service Battalion.
Activated on September 5, 1944 at Chabua, India as a result of the inactivation of the 502d, 782d, and 792d Military Police Battalions. It was organized under the table of organization and equipment (TOE) 19-500.
152nd MP Company
156th MP Guard Platoon
167th MP Company
Meritorious Unit Commendation: 1 May-20 Aug 45, GO 192, Hq USF IBT, dtd 10 Sep 45.
269th MP Company - Makum Junction
271st MP Company
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160th Military Police Battalion - Calcutta
273d MP Company *
274th MP Company - Ledo, Myitkyina, Bhamo, Kweiyung *
275th MP Company *
276th MP Company *
* Source: various issues of Ex-CBI Roundup
Other Military Police Companies / Detachments
45th Military Police Criminal Investigation Detachment
Meritorious Unit Commendation: 1 Sep-31 Oct 45, GO 35, Hq China Theater, dtd 13 Feb 46.
117th MP Company
118th MP Company *
153d MP Company *
154th MP Company *
167th MP Company
270th MP Company
271st MP Company *
272nd MP Company *
274th MP Company
624th MP Company *
698th MP Company
699th MP Company *
700th MP Company
701st MP Company *
1114th MP Company (Avn) - Dudhkundi by 1 Aug 45 (See CBI Unit Histories)
1115th MP Company (Avn) - Karachi, India / Myitkyina, Burma
1116th MP Company (Avn) - Karachi, India, Tezpur, India
Det A - Misamari, India
Det B - Mohanbari, India
1117th MP Company (Avn) - Karachi; Myitkyina; Bhamo by 1 Aug 45 (Assigned to North Burma Air Task Force)
1211th MP Company - Kunming Army Air Base by 11 May 45
1212th MP Company (Avn) - (Bengal Air Depot) (See CBI Unit Histories)
1213th MP Company (Avn) - Karachi; Dinjan by 1 Aug 45
Det A - Bhamo, Burma
Source: 1213th Military Police of the 10th Army Air Force
Stateside 1942-43
Basic training at Miami Beach, FL (with 80,000 others) Feb 14-March 16, 1943
MP training March-May 1943
Infantry and MP training at Fort Benjamin Harrison (Indianapolis, IN) May 28-Aug 17, 1943
One week at Camp Anza near Riverside, CA (entertained by the Harpo Marx and Lena Horne while there)
San Francisco, CA (left unescorted Sep 7, 1943)
Hobart, Tasmania - arrived Sep 29, 1943
Bombay, India - Oct 20, 1943 (stayed 2 weeks in a British camp in Doelali)
Madras, India
Calcutta, India
Air bases in India and Burma
Pandavaswar and Panagarh near Asansol, India Dec 3, 1943 - Sep 27, 1944
(stayed with the 7th Bomb Group (B-24's) and the 1st Air Commandos)
Dinjan, India Sept 1944 (here the 1213th was split and assigned to different bases, closer to the front)
Ledo, India at the head of the Ledo Road
Myitkyina, Burma
Shingbwiyang, Burma
Dibrugarh and Chabua in Assam, India
Moran, India
Warazup-Tinkoksikan, Burma
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1214th MP Company (Avn) - Karachi, India / Kurmitola, India
1279th MP Company (Avn) - 25 ASG - Kharagpur, India
1280th MP Company (Avn) - Calcutta, India
1295th MP Company (Avn) - Calcutta, India
1361st MP Company (Avn) - Calcutta, India
Det A - Ondal, India
Det B - Bangalore, India
1362nd MP Company (Avn) - Calcutta, India / Chakulia, India
Meritorious Unit Commentation: 21 Mar-21 Sep 44, GO 70, Hq 12th Air Force, dtd 5 Apr 45.
(NOTE: Unit was in India by May 1944. MUC may have been awarded to higher Hq while still under 12th AF.)
Occupation Credit: 20 Feb-5 Mar 46, Okinawa
1363d MP Company (Avn) - Kharagpur, Chakulia, Chabua (51st ASG)
Det A - Myitkyina, Burma
1364th MP Company (Avn) - Kharagpur; Chengtu c. Dec 44 and was reasssigned from 10 AF to 14 AF
1365th MP Company (Avn) - 305 ASG
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Source: CBIVA Sound-off, Fall 1989 Issue
Stations: Camp Ripley, Minnesota 10 Aug-25 Sep 43; Camp Barkeley. Texas 27 Sep 43-28 Feb 44; Ship 0621-P (CP Anza) 01-07 Mar 44; "U.S.S. Mariposa" 07 Mar-09 Apr 44; Camp Worli, India 09-15 Apr 44; Ondal, India 16 Apr 44-27 Sep 45; En Route 27-29 Sep 45; Shanghai, China 29 Sep 45-31 Mar 46.
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1369th MP Company (Avn)
 On a blue shield, a yellow tiger dressed as an MP.
This company was assigned to the 312th Fighter Wing, 14th AF.
(Ex-CBI Roundup, January 1980 issue)
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Overseas training at Camp Barkley, Abilene, TX. Departed Camp Barkley 28 Feb 44 for Camp Anza, CA. Departed Camp Anza 9 Mar 44 on S.S. Mariposa. Arrived Bombay 8 Apr 44. Attached to 48th ADG until 30 Aug 44. Departed 30 Aug 44 for Chengtu, performing MP duties. -- Ex-CBI Roundup, July 1975 issue
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1389th MP Company
Source: U.S. Army Center of Military History (108th Military Police Company)
- Constituted 27 October 1944 in the Army of the United States as the 1389th Military Police Company
- Activated 4 November 1944 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana
- Reorganized and redesignated 24 April 1945 as the 1389th Military Police Company, Aviation
- Inactivated 27 December 1945 in India
- Redesignated 27 September 1966 as the 108th Military Police Company and allotted to the Regular Army
- Activated 25 November 1966 at Fort Polk, Louisiana
- Inactivated 25 June 1968 at Fort Polk, Louisiana
- Activated 1 November 1970 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Campaign Participation Credit:
- World War II: Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Streamer without inscription
- Armed Forces Expeditions: Panama
- Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait; Cease-Fire
- War on Terrorism: Iraq
Decorations: Army Superior Unit Award for 1997
Lineage and Honors Information as of 1 June 2007
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1390th MP Company *
1395th MP Company (Avn) (509th Comp. Gp) - Activated 17 Dec 44.
* Source: various issues of Ex-CBI Roundup
Photographic Units
 Combat Photographer Insignia
10th Combat Camera Unit - Tollygunge, India (see 8th Photo Recon Gp, 10th AF Units)
11th Combat Camera Unit - Depot Fld (later Harmon Fld), Guam
16th Combat Camera Unit
3d Photographic Technical Unit - India, Burma (see 8th Photo Recon Gp, 10th AF Units)
4th Photographic Technical Unit - Chabua, Kunming, Chengtu, Chunking (see 14th AF Units)
Meritorious Unit Commendation: 5 Feb-31 May 45, GO 102, Hq 14th AF, dtd 5 Aug 45.
7th Photographic Technical Unit (see 8th Photo Recon Gp, 10th AF Units)
- Kharagpur, India (1944)
- Calcutta, India (1945)
10th Photographic Technical Unit
Meritorious Unit Commendation: 8 Apr-8 Oct 44, GO 79, Hq 20th AF, dtd 5 Apr 45.
35th Photographic Technical Unit - Harmon Field, Guam (see 20th AF Units)
40th Photographic Technical Unit
10th Photo Lab, Bomber Cmd (VH) (see XX BC, 20th AF Units)
11th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 40th BG, 20th AF Units)
12th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 444th BG, 20th AF Units)
13th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 462nd BG, 20th AF Units)
14th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 468th BG, 20th AF Units)
15th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 497th BG, 20th AF Units)
16th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 498th BG, 20th AF Units)
17th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 499th BG, 20th AF Units)
18th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 500th BG, 20th AF Units)
19th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH
20th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH
21st Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH
22nd Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 6th BG, 20th AF Units)
23d Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH
24th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH
25th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH
26th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 16th BG, 20th AF Units)
27th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 39th BG, 20th AF Units)
28th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 501st BG, 20th AF Units)
29th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 502nd BG, 20th AF Units)
30th Photo Lab, Bomb Gp, VH (see 331st BG, 20th AF Units)
17th Photo Intelligence Det (Less Det) (see 8th Photo Recon Gp, 10th AF Units)
Det, 10th AF Hq - Tinsukia, Myitkyina, Bhamo
Det - Dinjan, India
18th Photo Intelligence Det
2nd Photo Procurement Detachment - New Delhi, India (see Signal Corp Units)
133d Photographic Interpreter Team
134th Photographic Interpreter Team
Southeast Asia Command Photo Unit
Statistical Control Units
Source: Statistical Control in the Army Air Forces (AFHRA document)
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"Statistical control, as a fully developed concept, means the centralization of administrative controls over statistical reporting, the employment of standardized reporting procedures, and the use of the data thus derived as an essential factor in planning and as the quantitative measure of achievement."
"Complete integration of statistical control organizations was never achieved in the CBI because of the confused jurisdictional relationship between the Fourteenth Air Force and the CBI Sector Command. The 22d SCU, which had been authorized for establishment in the Tenth Air Force in February 1943, was reassigned to Headquarters CBI Sector Command in September of that year. In October the 24th SCU was activated at Headquarters Fourteenth Air Force. Maj. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer at Headquarters CBI Sector Command demanded that the reports of the 24th SCU be routed through the 22d, so that his staff might have the benefit of them, whereas Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, in command of the Fourteenth Air Force, which had become independent of the CBI Sector Command, insisted that the reports go directly to Washington. The controversy ended in a compromise, with the 24th SCU sending its reports directly to Headquarters AAF, but furnishing the 22d SCU with copies. The 24th SCU, however, did not operate, and never had operated, under the technical supervision of the 22d. The only SCU which came to operate under the jurisdiction of the 22d was the 39th, activated in November 1944 in the CBI Air Service Command."
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9th Statistical Control Det, Overseas, Type A - Calcutta, India
10th Statistical Control Det, Overseas, Type A - Calcutta, India
22nd Statistical Control Unit, Overseas, Type A - New Delhi, India
1st Det (Type A) - Bhamo by 1 May 45; Kunming by 1 Aug 45
2nd Det (Type A) - Calcutta, India
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Source:
Lineage: Assigned to 10th AF, Feb 43; CBI Sector Command, Sep 43. Inactivated 5 Dec 45. Disbanded 8 Oct 48.
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24th Statistical Control Unit (14th AF: Oct 43-30 Jun 44) - Kunming, China
Meritorious Unit Commendation: 1 May-30 Jun 44, GO 12, Hq 14th AF, dtd 7 Feb 45.
33d Statistical Control Unit - Harmon Field, Guam
37th Statistical Control Unit, Overseas - Kharagpur, India
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Source: 37th Training Wing Lineage, Honors, and Emblems
Lineage: Constituted 37th Statistical Control Unit, Overseas on 25 Sep 1944. Activated on 12 Oct 1944. Redesignated: 37th Statistical Control Unit on 7 May 1945; 37th Statistical Services Unit on 3 Jun 1949. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1950. Redesignated 37th Comptroller Squadron on 5 Apr 1995. Activated on 15 May 1995.
Stations: Kharagpur, India, 12 Oct 1944-c. Jun 1945; Kadena AB, Okinawa, Jul 1945-1 Apr 1950. Lackland AFB TX, 15 May 1995-.
Honors
Service Streamers: World War II: Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
Campaign Streamers: None.
Decorations: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Jul 1995-30 Jun 1996; 1 Jul 1996-30 Jun 1998; 1 Jul 2000-30 Jun 2002; 1 Jul 2002-30 Jun 2003.
Emblem: Approved 2 Jun 1999. Azure, within a mascle Or a flight symbol of the second ascending pilewise and emitting three vapor trails of the like radiant to base; all within a diminished bordure Sable. Attached above the disc a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Black bordure and inscribed "37TH COMPTROLLER SQ" in Black letters. Attached below the disc a Yellow scroll edged with a narrow Black bordure and inscribed "HOMINI CONFIDERI" in Black letters.
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39th Statistical Control Unit
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Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon
Lineage: Activated 19 Nov 44, probably inactivated 2 Sep 45. Assigned to CBI Air Service Command, probably located at Darjeeling.
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Tactical Air Communications Squadrons
1st Tactical Air Communication Squadron (See CBI Unit Histories)
Lineage: Constituted as 1st Communications Squadron, Air Support, on 31 Mar 1942. Activated on 23 Apr 1942. Redesignated: 1st Air Support Communication Squadron on 11 Jan 1943; 1st Tactical Air Communications Squadron on 1 Apr 1944. Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Reconstituted, redesignated 1st Air Support Group, and activated, on 15 Jun 1992. Redesignated 1st Air Support Operations Group on 1 Jul 1994.
Assignments: Sixth Air Force, 23 Apr 1942 (attached to 72d Observation Group, Apr 1942-Apr 1943); Third Air Force, 10 Apr 1943, III Ground Air Support (later, HI Air Support; III Reconnaissance) Command, c. 19 May 1943; I Tactical Air Division, attached c. 8 Sep 1943, assigned 3 Nov 1943; Tenth Air Force, 31 Mar 1944; Fourteenth Air Force, 19 Apr 1945 (attached to XIV Air Force Tactical Air Command [Prov], 21 Jun-31 Jul 1945); Tenth Air Force, 1 Aug 1945; Fourteenth Air Force, 3 Sep 1945-unkn. 355th Wing, 15 Jun 1992; Twelfth Air Force, 1 Feb 1994-.
Stations: Albrook Field, Canal Zone, 23 Apr 1942-Apr 1943; Birmingham AAB, AL, Apr 1943; Lebanon, TN, 8 Sep 1943; Morris Field, NC. 28 Nov 1943-11 Feb 1944; Bombay, India, 31 Mar 1944; Dinjan, India, 23 Apr 1944; Myitkyina, Burma, c. 23 Oct 1944; Bhamo, Burma, 15 Feb 1945; Luliang, China, 24 Apr-Sep 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 28-29 Oct 1945. Ft Lewis, WA, 15 Jun 1992-.
Operations: Combat in Burma and China, Apr 1944-Sep 1945. Teams on duty with British, Chinese, and American ground forces, directing fighter-bomber planes on missions in air support for the ground forces they served. Participated in an assault landing on 17 May 1944 in the battle for Myitkyina, Burma.
HONORS
Service Streamers: World War II American Theater
Campaign Streamers: World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater: India-Burma 1942-1945 with Arrowhead; Central Burma 1945; China Defensive 1942-1945; China Offensive 1945
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers: None.
Decorations: None.
Emblem: None on file.
Date Prepared: 8 May 1996
Historian: Judy G. Endicott (AFHRA)
Source: 1st Air Support Operations Group (1st ASOG)
The 1st ASOG is located at Fort Lewis, Washington. The 1st ASOG is composed of over 100 Air Force personnel who directly support the U.S. Army in several different ways.
Units assigned to the group include the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, the 1st Weather Squadron, 8th Air Support Operations Flight, and the 111th Air Support Operations Center.
The group's responsibilities are divided into two main portions. One is to provide weather support Army aviation units. The 1st ASOG provide weather support to I Corps, at home and in the field.
The other is to form tactical air control parties which provide close air support to Army units. The 1st ASOG provides tactical air support for the Army's I Corps, 1st Brigade - 25th Infantry Division, 3d Brigade - 2nd Infantry Division, the 2-75 Ranger Battalion, and the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne).
The mission of the 1st ASOG is to provide superior aerospace expertise to I Corps and other US Army units to enable rapid, decisive, and sustainable airpower anytime, anywhere.
The 1st Air Support Operations Group was originally formed as the 1st Communications Squadron, Air Support, on 31 March 1942. On 11 January 1943 it was redesignated the 1st Air Support Communications Squadron and on 1 April 1944, redesignated as the 1st Tactical Air Communications Squadron. After several combat campaigns in Asia during World War II, the unit was inactivated in October 1945. It was reactivated on 15 June 1992 as the 1st Air Support Group and subsequently redesignated to its current name on 1 July 1994. The 1st Air Support Operations Group continues the Air Force liaison duties which began at Ft. Lewis in June 1964.
Source: 1st Air Support Operations Group
The 1st Air Support Operations Group was originally formed as the 1st Communications Squadron, Air Support, on 31 March 1942. On 11 Jan 1943 it was redesignated the 1st Air Support Communications Squadron and on 1 April 1944, redesignated as the 1st Tactical Air Communications Squadron. After several combat campaigns in Asia during World War II, the unit was inactivated in October 1945. It was reactivated on 15 June 1992 as the 1st Air Support Group and subsequently redesignated to its current name on 1 July 1994. The 1st Air Support Operations Group now continues the Air Force liaison duties which began at Ft. Lewis in June 1964.
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Photo courtesy of Mr. William Johnson, son-in-law of Ernest Lee "Sandy" Sanford
 1st TAC COMM SQDN, Morris Field, NC, Dec 1943
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12th Tactical Air Communications Squadron
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Source: Mr. Bernie Shearon & Ex-CBI Roundup
Started off as the 12th Air Support Communications Sq at least by 27 Nov 43; redesignated the 12th Tactical Air Communications Sq in the spring of 1944, and was active at least through August 1945. Disbanded 8 Oct 48. Stationed at Barksdale Fld, LA (probably with III Air Support Cd) in 1943 and may have passed through North Africa on its way to the Far East. Assigned to Fourteenth AF and was at Calcutta in India and Kunming, Yunanyi, Hsian in China.
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Training & Replacement Units
Army Air Forces India-Burma Theater Training Command
HQ - Karachi, India
AAF Mobile Training Unit #81 (P-51) (Prov) - Calcutta, India
AAF Mobile Training Unit #91 (C-46) (Prov) - Calcutta, India
CBI Air Forces Training Command
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Source: Lt. Herman H. Hayes, USAAF, Mrs. Barb Hayes, and AFHRA records
5 Jul 43: Arrangements were made through United States Army Air Forces, China-Burma-India, to activate a Chinese Training School at Malir Field, Karachi, India.
20 Aug 43: HQ, China-Burma-India Training Unit (Prov) activated at Karachi, India, Brig Gen Julian B. Haddon commander. Unit consisted of 489 Airbase Sq., Karachi Overseas Training Unit, and Chinese Operational Training Unit. Primary mission was to direct the training of all Air Forces units and Air Forces casuals within the CBI Theater prior to their being formally released for operational employment.
1 Sep 43: HQ, Chinese-American Operational Training Unit (Prov) activated.
2 Sep 43: HQ, China-Burma-India Army Air Forces Replacement Center (Prov) activated.
25 Sep 43: HQ, Chinese-American Operational Training Unit (Prov) redesignated HQ, China-Burma-India Air Forces Training Command.
28 Sep 43: Chinese School of Aviation, American Detachment, at Lahore, India was placed under control of the CBI Air Forces Training Command.
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CBI Fighter Replacement Training Unit
Hq - Landi, India
310th Airdrome Sq
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Source: Lt. Herman H. Hayes, USAAF, Mrs. Barb Hayes, and AFHRA records
3 Jan 44: 310th Airdrome Sq., assigned to the CBI Air Forces Training Command, was placed under administrative control of the CBI Fighter Operational Training Unit (FOTU).
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Chinese Training and Combat Command
Source: Records of the U.S. Army Forces in the China-Burma-India
The Chinese Training and Combat Command was activated in November 1944, shortly after the China-Burma-India Theater was divided. It concluded the work of the Y-Force and Z-Force Operations Staff, which had been responsible for providing American training and supply to Chinese divisions. The new command took over the training programs at the Yunnan and the Kweilin Training Centers and continued to assist the Chinese Expeditionary Force in its offensive in central and southern China. In January 1945, the Command was organized in two subordinate administrative commands, the Chinese Training Command (Provisional) and the Chinese Combat Command (Provisional). Under the Chinese Combat Command were six subordinate commands for liaison with the Chinese Army Groups and a liaison team for each Chinese Army or Division. These organizations exercised no tactical or operational control over the Chinese commands.
(Presidential Unit Citation: See "Background of the Presidential Unit Citation for MIS" in CBI Unit Histories)
Subordinate Units Included:
Chinese Ordnance Training Center
General Staff School
 The school was in Kunming. The design is similar to the CTCC patch
with a "US" star rather than the Chinese Nationalist sun,
and the addition of "GSS" and crossed bamboo behind the star.
(Ex-CBI Roundup, January 1980 issue) |
Chinese Air Training Wing - Malir Cantonment
 Ex-CBI Roundup, March 1954 Issue
Source:
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Ramgarh Training Center
Merrill's Marauders Combined Operations in Northern Burma in 1944
124th Calvary Regiment History (http://124cav.org/history.htm - no longer active)
"In May 1942, he [Stillwell] had looked at the 9,000 Chinese soldiers who had retreated from Burma into India and seen the nucleus of a force that could play an important role in a campaign to retake northern Burma. Overcoming British doubts, resistance from the government of India, and Chiang K'ai-shek's reluctance, he had obtained agreement to equip and train not only those 9,000 troops but 23,000 more soldiers that were to be flown in from China. A former camp for Italian prisoners of war located northwest of Calcutta at Ramgarh was selected as the training site, and on 26 August 1942, the Ramgarh Training Center was activated. On 20 October, the first of the Chinese soldiers to be sent from China arrived in India. The first goal was to train two complete divisions, the 22d and the 38th. Later, the training program was expanded to include another division, the 30th, and the Chinese 1st Provisional Tank Group, commanded by Colonel Rothwell H. Brown of the U.S. Army."
Other Sites of Interest: "THE BULL SHEET" - Ramgarh Training Center Newspaper
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118th Military Police Company
124th Calvary Regiment (See CBI Unit Histories)
475th Infantry Regiment
527th Ordnance Company *
OSS Detachment 303 (See CBI Unit Histories)
Source: CBIVA Sound-off, Summer 1991 Issue
Ramgarh Training Center Service Pin
Casual Detachment 8925-B
Notes:
(1) All lettering and boundary outlines In gold.
(2) Pin is complete with screw fastener and nut.
Drawn by W. A. Rhoades 4/2/91
By William A. Rhoades
In Boyd Sinclair's Book Nine, "Confusion Beyond Imagination", page 204, the Ramgarh Training Center Service Pin, Casual Detachment 8925-B, is described. However, a picture of the pin is not presented. In my travels since the war, I have never seen this pin, either worn or displayed, and would guess there are many of us out there who are unfamiliar with the pin. Therefore, I have made a sketch and taken a picture of the pin for information. The description of the pin, as taken from Boyd Sinclair's Book Nine, "Confusion Beyond Imagination", is presented below for the readers information.
"The men who began the Ramgarh Training Center, Casual Detachment 8925-B, got their own special symbol approved by General Stilwell. Former Technical Sergeant Rex "Brushmush" Smith of Irving, Texas, described it 30 years after the war. The detachment wanted an insignia that signified what it was trying to accomplish, teaching and learning. The designers came up with a scroll, torch, and hand in a circle, with points of the compass signifying that men of the detachment came from all parts of the United States. The scroll was divided into three sections, with one of the three primary colors in each to signify that men of the detachment came from all branches of the service. Below the scroll, the designers placed a banner with the motto, "Victory Through Knowledge." Chinese characters repeating "Victory Through Knowledge" adorned two sections of the scroll.
Frank Dorn approved the design with a minor change, and Capt. Carl Arnold, serving as morale officer at Ramgarh, made arrangements for manufacture of the insignia in Calcutta, 180 miles to the southeast. Ramgarh next presented one to Vinegar Joe the next time he came through.
'His acceptance speech was slightly off the record,' Smith wrote 30 years later, 'but with words to
the effect that he was proud . . . and happy about the presentation.'
Stilwell, according to Smith, granted permission for the Ramgarh men to wear the insignia only on their caps."
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Replacement Depot 1 - Camp Malir, Karachi
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...please be patient.
