374th Troop Carrier Group 1942-1945

The history of the 374th Troop Carrier Group written and is now published as a result of hundreds of requests from members of the group. their feeling toward their World War II organization was one of loyalty, love, and a strong desire to have their accomplishments recorded for history and posterity. Most men and women who performed deeds of valor in war were not writers. It was necessary for others to record their great deeds in combat operations.

Most of the material in this book is supported by solid evidence of facts. The prime source of the raw material emanated from official documents, on-the-spot writing by individual officers, and men who had the ability to write short articles and essays of the events in which they were a part. Further, official orders and detail records at the squadron level provided precise times and places of events for accuracy of information. Occasional newspaper articles written by seasoned war correspondents provided background information and scenes and events by trained and qualified observers for national and international distribution.

Every effort was made to check and recheck information which was not officially documented by military authorities. The sources of many of the officers and men of the 374th still living were tapped to their limits. Literally hundreds of telephone calls were made to likely sources of information through contacts emanating from the numerous squadron, group and wing reunions held periodically since WWII.