United States Army Air Force

The United States Army Air Force, or USAAF, was a part of the U.S. military during World War II and is considered to be the precursor to the U.S Air Force. The USAAF formally existed between 1941 and 1947.

Table of contents

1 History
2 Notable people who served in the USAAF
3 See also
4 Sources

History

Prior to the start of World War II, the USAAF was known as the U.S. Army Air Corps, or USAAC. The USAAC was a corps-level, subsidiary organization within the Army, and had little autonomy. Due to the efforts of several key USAAC officers and the changing political times, the Air Corps obtained greater organizational independence in 1941. Renamed the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and considered a separate arm of the Army, the new USAAF had an equal "voice" with the Army and Navy.

Following the immense buildup in aviation infrastructure and personnel during the war, and in recognition of the tremendous new importance and strength of airpower, then-President Harry S. Truman created the United States Department of the Air Force in 1947. This legislation renamed the aviation military group again to the United States Air Force, elevating it to a truly separate branch of the U.S. military.

Notable people who served in the USAAF

Carl Albert, congressman and Speaker of the House from 1971 to 1977
Henry H. Arnold, commanding general of the USAAF
Clyde Cowan, discovered existence of the neutrino
Nathan Bedford Forrest III, brigadier general in USAAF and grandson of Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest.
Charlton Heston, film actor and president of the National Rifle Association.
Walter Miller, science fiction writer
William Rehnquist, jurist and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Carl Spaatz, commanding general of the USAAF and later first chief of staff for Air Force
Aaron Spelling, film and television producer.
Joseph A. Walker, military test pilot

Sources

ArmyAirForces.com — comprehensive look at the USAAF. Includes searchable databases, histories, dictionary, and forum.
- USAAF air force/division/wing histories History of all USAAF subdivisions.
- USAAF jargon dictionary — contains 526 words and abbreviations.
- USAAF unit search — searchable database of groups, squadrons, squadron codes, stations, and commanders.
- USAAF missing air crew report search — searchable database of missing air crew reports (MACRs) by MACR number, date, serial number, and group.
USSAAF.net — "Published accounts of the Army Air Forces in World War II available in the public domain."
USSAF in WWII — Combat chronology. Available for ZIP download.
Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. 1986.