77th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 77th Observation Group on 5 Feb 1942. Activated on 2 Mar 1942. Redesignated 77th Reconnaissance Group in Apr 1943, and 77th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Aug 1943. Aircraft included P-39's, P-40's, A-20's, B-25's, O-47's, O-52's, and L-5's. Supported ground units in training by flying reconnaissance, artillery adjustment, fighter, and bomber missions, and in the process trained reconnaissance personnel who later served overseas. One squadron (113th) flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico from Mar until Jun 1942 when it was relieved by another squadron (128th). Still another squadron (120th) patrolled the Mexican border, Mar-Jul 1942. A detachment of the 77th served in India from Feb until Jul 1943. The group was disbanded on 30 Nov 1943.

Squadrons. 5th: 1942-1943. 27th: 1942-1943. 35th: 1943. 113th: 1942-1943. 120th: 1942-1943. 125th: 1942-1943. 128th: 1942-1943.

Stations. Salinas AAB, Calif, 2 Mar 1942; Brownwood, Tex, c. 17 Mar 1942; DeRidder AAB, La, 25 Jul 1942; Alamo Airfield, Tex, 28 Sep 1942; Abilene AAFld, Tex, 6 Apr 1943; Esler Field, La, 13 Sep 1943; Birmingham AAFld, Ala, 14-30 Nov 1943.

Commanders. Maj Harrison W Wellman, Mar 1942; Lt Col Christopher C Scott, c. 3 Apr 1942; Col J C Kennedy, 1942-unkn; Lt Col Joseph E Barzynski, c. 19 Apr 1943-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Or, a broad-winged hawk volant proper holding in its beak a mullet gules and emitting from its eyes seven flashes of the last, issuant from base a mountain range of seven peaks azure. Motto: All Seeing. (Approved 28 Feb 1943.)

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986