On December 7, 1941, “a day that will live in infamy,” Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor with devastating effect and brought the United States into World War II. At this point, Army Aviation existed as only a hope and a dream of the Field Artillery, who since 1939 had been desperately working to bring effective aerial observation back to the ground forces. On 6 June 1942, almost 6 months later, the dream became reality and Organic Air Observation for Field Artillery was established by order of the Secretary of War.
When Army Ground Forces announced the establishment of organic aviation for Field Artillery, this was but one item in a cascade of papers inundating commanders mobilizing for war. With no planes and no pilots (except for those used in the test unit used to prove the viability of organic aviation) and no established doctrine or logistical base, the Department of Air Training at Fort Sill. Oklahoma quickly began necessary preparations.
Army Aviation saw its first combat with the invasion of North Africa on 9 November 1942. And, through the hard work, determination, ingenious adaptation of techniques and equipment, heroism and sacrifice, these pioneers of Army Aviation quickly proved themselves in the campaigns across North Africa to Sicily, Anzio to southern France, the invasion of Normandy and the drive to Berlin. And so too in the Pacific, launching from the decks of LSTs to support the Armed Forces in the retaking of New Hebrides, Marianas, Philippines and Okinawa.
Organic Army Aviation had arrived!
