Ninth Air Force Association

The Ninth Air Force was unofficially created during World War II on June 28, 1942 when Major General Lewis H. Brereton was placed in command of the U.S. Army - Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF). Its first missions were to provide air support in the defense and recapture of North Africa from Field Marshall Rommel's previous successes. The USAMEAF was re-designated the Ninth Air Force on November 12, 1942 with Brereton still in command. It developed three tactical goals for the remainder of the war: gain air superiority, deny enemy supplies and reinforcements, and support ground troops. The Ninth enforced these goals when it turned its sights to Italy following victories in North Africa, helping to gain an allied foothold on the European mainland. After Italy they were relocated to England to help the Eighth Air Force gain air superiority and cripple the German Luftwaffe in preparation of the D-Day Invasion. By June 6, 1944, the Ninth was the largest tactical Air Force ever assembled under one command. It was a menagerie of units from fighter and bomber groups to engineering and troop carrier squadrons. After victory in Europe, the Ninth Air Force was inactivated on December 2, 1945. The Ninth was reactivated a year later and has participated in every major war including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm. The Ninth Air Force Association was established in 1990 when representatives of nine World War II combat units gathered in St. Louis, Missouri to discuss ways to broaden public knowledge of the deeds and history of the Ninth Air Force. It was decided that an umbrella organization would best augment the efforts of individuals, organizations, and associations in educating, honoring and commemorating the sacrifices made by members of the Ninth Air Force. The founders of the organization included: Leonard Bennett, Harold Crocker, Martin Engler, Jr., Fred Fehsenfeld, Larry Gaughran, George T. Johnson, Lloyd Johnson, Edward MacLean, Charles F. Mann, Fred Munder, John F. Peterson, Marvin Rosvold, George Wagasky, and John B. Yarger. Within the first year, there were over 1,300 members who voted every three years for the organization's officials. The first of these were President Edward MacLean, Vice President John Yarger, Secretary Marvin Rosvold, Assistant Secretary Charles Mann, Treasurer Harold Crocker, and Assistant Treasurer George Wagasky. Annual conventions were held around the country to bring members together to honor, promote and remember the Ninth's wartime experiences. The first convention was held in Dayton, Ohio. These conventions were advertised and promoted through the newsletter, The Ninth Flyer, published several times a year by the organization. Printed between 1991 and 2012, the newsletter kept members of the organization informed about upcoming reunions, member obituaries, correspondence between members, and wartime remembrances. To further promote and preserve the Ninth Air Force, an archives was established at The University of Akron in 1994 with the help of Charles Mann, John Yarger, and John Moench. The group was disbanded in 2012.

From the guide to the Archives of the Ninth Air Force Association, 1932-2012, (Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron)