38th TMW

38th Tactical Missile Wing

Operations:

The USAF 38th Tactical Missile Wing (TMW) was originally established as the 38th Bombardment Wing in 1948. Following multiple deactivations, reactivations and redesignations, the 38th Bombardment Wing was eventually redesignated as the 38th Tactical Missile Wing in June 1958, at which time it replaced the 701st Tactical Missile Wing headquartered at Hahn AB, Germany. It became involved in tactical missile operations and training with Matador and later Mace missiles, both of which were tactical surface-launched missiles designed to destroy ground targets. On August 20, 1959, 38th TMW headquarters was moved to Sembach AB, Germany where it remained until the 38th TMW was deactivated on September 25, 1966.

For additional information, refer to –>> US Air Force Tactical Missiles

Commanders:

Col. Harry J. Sands Jr. (deceased) — 21 Jul 1958 to 16 Jun 1961
Col. Arthur T. Frontczak — 16 Jun 1961 to 6 Jun 1962
Col. Rollo C. Lawrence Jr. — 6 Jun 1962 to 4 Aug 1963

Rollo C. Lawrence Jr.

Col. Linus F. Upson Jr. — 4 Aug 1963 to 10 Aug 1963

Linus F. Upson Jr.

Col. Otto R. Haney (Littleton, Colorado) — 10 Aug 1963 to 18 Jun 1965

Otto R. Haney

Col. Britt S. May — 18 Jun 1965 to 5 Jul 1966

Britt S. May

Col. Bertram A. Kibler Jr. — 5 Jul 1966 to 25 Sep 1966

Components:
Groups (18 Jun 1958 to 25 Sep 1962):
  • 585th Tactical Missile Group (Bitburg) – Matador / Mace “B”
  • 586th Tactical Missile Group (Hahn) – Matador / Mace “A”
  • 587th Tactical Missile Group (Sembach) – Matador / Mace “A”
Squadrons (25 Sep 1962 to 25 Sep 1966):
  • 71st Tactical Missile Squadron (Bitburg) – Mace “B”
    – 25 Sep 1962 to 1 Oct 1965
  • 89th Tactical Missile Squadron (Hahn) – Mace “A”
  • 405th Tactical Missile Squadron (Hahn) – Mace “A”
  • 822nd TMS (Sembach; Site I / Mehlingen) – Mace “A”
  • 823rd TMS (Sembach; Site II / Enkenbach) – Mace “A”
  • 887th TMS (Sembach; Site III / Grünstadt) – Mace “A”
Missiles:

TM = Tactical Missile
MGM = Mobile Launched Ground Attack Missile

Decorations:
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:
  • 1 Apr 1959 to 30 Jan 1961
  • 1 Jun 1964 to 1 Jun 1966

Outstanding Unit Award

Standardization
  • Maj. Thomas S. Robinson – Deceased
  • Lt. Col. Zaden O. Lee – 38th TMW Training – Blanco, Texas
  • Capt. Richard P. Guest Jr. – RFML Chief Trainer – Deceased
Personnel
  • Lt. Col. John J. Legrand
  • Maj. Jack T. Hall – San Antonio, Texas – deceased
    Maj. Jack T. Hall
  • Maj. Barbara J. Owens
Quality Control
  • TSgt. Trevis Moss – Santa Maria, California
Assignment Unknown
  • TSgt. Max Allegree
  • SMSgt. George T. Davis
  • 1st Lt. Daniel “Dan” Everhart
  • Capt. James Gallagher
  • SSgt. Russell D. Gifford
  • SMSgt. Charles E. Gifford Sr.
  • A3C Beauford W. Greb
  • TSgt. Frank J. Haas
  • CMsgt. Warren G. Harding
  • Capt. William Haygood
  • MSgt. Tilbert F. Henderson
  • MSgt. Winfield F. Hutchinson
  • A2C Truman M. Jacques
  • TSgt. Carl L. McGraw
  • A1C Mason H. McInville
  • Lt. Col. Eugene “Gene” Miller
  • Maj. Eugene C. Murphy
  • TSgt. Paul R. Myers
  • SSgt. Theodore P. Nietzold
  • TSgt. Leo E. Owen Jr.
  • TSgt. Joseph R. Sams
  • Capt. R. O. Sondrol
  • SSgt. Gerald H. Spahr
  • SSgt. Robert G. Tudor
38th Combat Support Group
  • TSgt. Budd E. Benner
  • SMSgt. Charles R. Carver
  • TSgt. Otis A. Collins Jr.
  • A1C Carl J. Dahle
  • SSgt. Clarence E. Donley
  • SSgt. John O. Downs – Enon, Ohio
  • A2C Joseph J. “Joe” Grimm – New Windsor, NY
  • A1C Stanislaw Hofman
  • A1C Robert E. LeBlanc
  • A1C George L. Sigferson
  • TSgt. Earl Varney – Aircraft & Missile Records – Citrus Heights, California