Lt. Leo Glen Ward
75th Sta Sg 44th Air Depot GP A/S Corps
Sept. 2, 1921 - Oct. 1, 1945
Lt. LEO GLEN WARD – Copeland, KS–Final rites for Lt. Leo Glen Ward, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Ward of Copeland, who was killed Oct. 1, 1945 in the crash of a C-47 army plane near Stuttgart, Germany, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday here.
Lt. Ward was born Sept. 2, 1921 in Haskell county and was graduated from Copeland high school in 1938. He was a member of the national guard unit at Hutchinson from 1938 and was mobilized with the unit in December, 1940. In 1942 he was transferred to the air corps being commissioned at Luke Field, Ariz. Aug. 30, 1943.
He served as instrument flying instructor until October of 1944 when he was transferred to the Air Transport Command in Europe. He was killed while transporting personnel from Merville, France, to Oberpafenhofen, Germany.
(Hutchinson, Kansas, THE HUTCHINSON NEWS-HERALD, Wednesday, February 16, 1949)
A BRIEF HISTORY of The 75th Station Squadron
The 75th Station Squadron was a unit within the United States Army Air Corps, which was the aerial warfare service component of the U.S. Army between 1926 and 1941. Station squadrons like the 75th were typically responsible for providing essential support services at airfields, including maintenance, logistics, and administrative duties, ensuring that flying operations could proceed smoothly.
The 44th Air Depot Group was a unit of the Eighth Air Force during World War II, stationed at Hitcham, England. This group encompassed several squadrons, including the 44th Depot Supply Squadron and the 92nd Depot Repair Squadron. Personnel within these units performed various roles; for instance, Sergeant Douglas F. Arbaugh served as a crane operator, and Technical Sergeant Grover E. Dresbach was involved in engine repair.
Air depot groups like the 44th played a crucial role during the war by managing the supply and maintenance of aircraft and equipment, thereby ensuring the operational readiness of combat units. These groups were integral to the logistical framework that supported the extensive air operations conducted by the Allied forces.
Specific details about the 75th Station Squadron’s attachment to the 44th Air Depot Group are not readily available. However, it was common during World War II for station squadrons to be assigned to air depot groups to facilitate efficient management of airbases and support functions. This organizational structure allowed for streamlined operations, with station squadrons handling the day-to-day base activities and depot groups focusing on broader logistical and maintenance responsibilities.