823d Tactical Missile Squadron

World War II

The 823d was not manned prior to about 20 June 1943; it was raised in Australia from a cadre of parent 38BG and replacements. The unit flew missions from Northern Queensland over New Guinea Following that, it moved to forward airfields in New Guinea and followed MacArthur's advance along the northern coast of the island into the Netherlands East Indies flying tactical bombardment missions against Japanese strong points and airfields. It moved to Luzon, Philippines, as part of the United States liberation forces in 1945, then moved to Okinawa during the summer in preparation for the Invasion of Japan. Following the end of the war, the unit moved to Japan and became part of the Occupation Forces. It was inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.

European missile unit

The unit was reactivated in West Germany in 1958 as a MGM-1 Matador tactical missile squadron when the unit was ordered out of France. Prior to its activation, personnel were assigned to the 38th TMW / 587th Tactical Missile Group / 822d Tactical Missile Squadron as "B-Flight".

The 823d remained as a tactical missile unit until 1966 when the MGM-13 Mace was retired.

Assignments

• 38th Bombardment Group, 20 April 1943 – 12 April 1946
• United States Air Forces in Europe, 10 September 1962 (not organized)
• 38th Tactical Missile Wing, 25 September 1962 – 25 September 1966^[2]

Stations

Dispersed Matador/Mace missile location

• Site II "Invent" – 3.0 miles (4.8 km) SSE of Sembach AB49°28′06″N 007°53′53″E / 49.46833°N 7.89806°E / 49.46833; 7.89806 (Site II)

Closed 1966, Abandoned state, buildings in various states of deterioration, missile shelters removed, concrete pads remain.

Aircraft and missiles

• B-25 Mitchell, 1943–1946
• MGM-13 Mace, 1962–1966

Notes

Bibliography

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
• Mindling, George; Bolton, Robert (2008). U.S. Air Force Tactical Missiles, 1949-1969: The Pioneers. Raleigh, NC: Lulu Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0-557-00029-6. LCCN 2008908364.
• Watkins, Robert A. (2013). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Volume V, Pacific Theater of Operations. Atglen,PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-4346-9.