Summary of WW II Military Service: Cyrus B. Stafford

Army Air Corps Station Posts–US

1935-1938:  Purdue University, Army Air Corps ROTC

Aug. 1939-Nov. 1939:  Curtiss-Reynolds Field, Glenview, IL

Nov. 1939-Feb. 1940:  Randolph Field, San Antonio, TX (Rank: Cadet Sergeant)

Feb. 1940-May 1940:  Brooks Field, San Antonio, TX  (Rank: 2nd Lieutenant)

May 1940-Oct. 1940:  Barksdale Field, Shreveport, LA (27th Bombardment Group)

Oct. 1940-July 1941:  Hunter Field, Savannah, GA (27th Bomb. Grp from 10/40 to 1/41; 48th Bombardment Group, as of 1/15/41)

July 1941-Feb. 1942:  Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, OK (48th Bomb. Grp; Rank 1st Lieutenant).

Feb. 1942:  Hunter Field, GA (48th Bomb. Grp.)

Mar. 1942-July 1942:  Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, OK (48th Bomb. Grp. Rank: Captain)

July 1942-Aug. 1942:  Key Field, Meridian, MS (48th Bomb. Grp. until 7/14/42; 27th Bomb Grp as of 7/14/42 )

Aug. 1942-Oct. 1942:  Hattiesburg Army Air Field, Hattisburg, MS (27th Bombardment Group; Rank: Major)

Oct. 1942-Jan. 1943:  Harding Field, Baton Rouge, LA (27th Bombardment Group. Rank: Major)

Army Air Corps Station Posts–Overseas–12th Air Force

12th Air Force
Army Air Corps

Feb. 1943-Apr. 1943:  Nouvoin, Algeria, (27th Bombardment Group (L) Rank: Major)

Mar. 30-Apr. 8, 1943:  Thelepte, Tunisia, 12th Air Force–(27th Bomb. Grp); Summary Court Officer and Group School’s Officer.  Rank: Major.

Apr. 13-June 1, 1943:  Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia, (47th Bomb.Grp), 84th Squad.  Apr. 8–16, 1943:  flying combat missions.  Apr. 17-May21, Asst. Operations Officer.  May 21–June 20: (47th Bomb. Grp.), HQ Operations Officer.  Rank: Major.

June 1–July20, 1943: (47th Bomb. Grp). with Squadrons 84th, 85th, 86th & 97th, based in Soliman, Tunisia with A-20s.  June 20–February 12, 1944   Squadron Commander, 84th Squadron.  Rank: Major.

Insignia of the 84th Bomb. Squadron

July 21–August 13, 1943:(47th Bomb. Grp. HQ) and 84th Squadron based on Island of Malta. Cy Stafford Commanding Officer of the 84th.  Rank: Major.

August 13-20, 1943: (47th Bomb. Grp. HQ) 84th Squadron based at Torrente Comunelli, Sicily. Cy Stafford Commanding Officer of the 84th.  Rank: Major.

August 20–September 23, 1943: (47th Bomb. Grp. HQ) 84th Squadron based at Gerbini, Sicily.  Cy Stafford Commanding Officer of the 84th.  Rank: Major.

September 24–October 14, 1943: (47th Bomb. Grp. HQ), 84th Squadron based at Grottaglie, Italy.  Cy Stafford Commanding Officer of the 84th.  Rank: Major.

October 15, 1943-January 10, 1944   :  (47th Bomb. Grp. HQ) 84th Squadron based at Vincenzo Airfield near Foggia, Italy.  Cy Stafford Commanding Officer of the 84th.  (Completed 25 missions at this point; was also hospitalized with pneumonia and jaundice from 12/8/43 to 1/9/44).  Rank: Major.

January 10, 1944–February 12, 1944  :(47th Bomb Grp. HQ) 84th Squadron based at Vesuvius Airfield.  Cy Stafford Commanding Officer of the 84th.  Rank: Major.

February 13, 1944–April 23, 1944  :(47th Bomb Grp. HQ) Group Air Inspector, Naples, Italy.  Rank: Major.

April 24, 1944–July 1, 1944 (12th Air Force HQ) Communications Officer, Grottagelie, Italy.  Rank: Major.

July 2, 1944–October 19, 1944   (HQ MATAF–Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force), Communications Radio Engineer.  Bolsena & Corsica Italy.  Rank: Major.

October 20, 1944–January 8, 1945    (HQ XII Air Force) Assistant Officer, Operations-Engineering,Foggia, Italy.

January 9, 1945–  (HQ XII Air Force) Section Chief, Operations Engineering, Florence, Italy.

CITATIONS/MEDALS

The American Theater Campaign Ribbon

The American Defense Medal

The African Campaign Ribbon with three service stars

The Air Medal/With 4 Oak Leaf Clusters:  Awarded to a pilot who distinguishes himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, awarded after 10 sorties.

The Distinguished Flying Cross: Awarded to a pilot who distinguishes himself in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.

The Legion of Merit:  Awarded for for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.