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Lt. Col. William J.
Reed
Commanding Officer |
432nd Air Service Group
Insignia
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Lt. Col. Raymond D. Jolicoeur - Group Executive
Officer
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Major Olas D. Miller -
682nd Air Material Squadron Commander |
Capt. Mitchell M. Hall -
858th Air Engineering Squadron Commander |
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Staff Aids:
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432nd ASG Summary
As of April 15, 1945, a new alignment went into effect on the station. The bombardment squadrons retained their identity, and continued to form the 381st Bombardment Group. The various ground units, however, with the exception of the detachment of the 881st Chemical Company, were disbanded and their personnel were rearranged to make up the 432nd Air Service Group, composed of the 432nd Headquarters and Air Base Service Squadron, the 682nd Air Material Squadron, and the 858th Air Engineering Squadron.
Lt. Col. William J. Reed, for the past two years ground executive of the 381st, became commanding officer of the new service group.
Among the organizations which list their identity was the 448th Sub-Depot, commanded by Lt. Col. Raymond D. Jolicoeur. In addition to its great contribution to the maintenance records set by the Group, the Sub-Depot had compiled remarkable records in its own right. Consistently among the leaders in its field, it three times won the monthly First Air Division competition -- based on all-round proficiency -- for the Stitt Trophy, thereby capturing permanent possession of the award. In addition, it was the first Sub-Depot in the ETO to win the Meritorious Service Unit Award, a feat which entitled all its personnel to wear miniatures of the awarded shield on the sleeves of their blouses.
The Sub-Depot won further fame by the spare time rebuilding of the Flying Fortress "Frenchy's Folly" after that aircraft had been completely smashed up in a crash landing on a return from Berlin with its hydraulic system shot out. Higher headquarters inspectors had consigned the airplane to salvage for parts.
The other organizations merged into the new Service Group were: the 7th Station Complement, commanded by Major Morton D. Joyce; the 1207th Quartermaster Company Service Group (AVN RS), commanded by 1st Lt. James M. Hinkle; the 2021st Fire Platoon, EAFFP, commanded by 1st Lt. Gilbert E. Schill; the 1142nd M.P. Company (AVN), Less Det. "A," commanded by Capt. Reuben W. Porter; the 1775th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance commanded by Capt. Nelson F. Unamaker, and the 242nd Medical Dispensary (AVN RS), commanded by Capt. Geo J. Pease.