The 328th Airlift Squadron Emblem

     On a light turquoise blue disc, border ultramarine blue, a horseshoe, proper, winged Gold, in front of a stylized - silhouette, camouflaged aircraft, and over the top of a white sphere marked with ultramarine blue lines of latitude and longitude, as per record drawing. The insignia depicts the successful operation of Combat Cargo Squadrons on all parts of the globe. (28 July 1944)

     "The 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron selected its emblem shortly after arrival in Imphal, India. The actual creator of the emblem was a communications sergeant (I am sorry I do not remember his name) who entered it in a squadron contest, with a $25 war bond prize for the winning entry. The sergeant used as his basic theme the appellation of "The Lucky Third'', hence the horseshoe. This name had actually been pinned on us by some members of the other three squadrons in the Group. During our several months of orientation, training and shakedown at Bowman Field, Kentucky and also during our flight over (to India) we had had far fewer accidents as well as fewer other problems than the other squadrons. Some members of these began a little sourly to speak of "The Lucky Third", appearing to imply it was only luck that kept us from having as many problems as they. Whatever the basis for our good fortune, when Group Headquarters had to select one of its squadrons to move to Tulihal in the Imphal Valley, to operate there on its own, they selected our squadron. Later we too suffered a number of aircraft and personnel losses, both because of the rugged operating conditions and also attacks from Japanese fighters, but I think the basic theme of "The Lucky Third" was still not ill placed. I was told once by an officer at Theater Headquarters (who was a friend of mine and therefore possibly leaning a little toward hyperbole) that the 3rd C.C.S. was "the best outfit in the CBI."

    Col. John Moriarty,  First Commander,  3rd Combat Cargo \ 328th Airlift Squadrons

    NOTE: The 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron was redesignated the 328'h Troop Carrier Squadron in September of 1945 and the original emblem was retained.

    I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group,  1st, Combat Cargo Group, 2nd Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Group.  In fact I would like to hear from anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc) 

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

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