Valor Without Arms: A History of the 316th Troop Carrier Group 1942-1945

This is the 6th book I've read about WWII glider/troop carrier operations. It is as good and well documented as Green Light by Wolfe and 32nd Troop Carrier Squadron by VanReken. If you are interested in researching a Troop Carrier Group or Squadron's history, this is the book that will show you through its extensive reference listings and footnotes where to find the information (both records and location of records). In fact, some of the footnotes provide detail as interesting as the text! Mr. Ingrisano really did the 316th TCG a great service in writing this book and telling their story. I am sad to have recently learned that he is no longer with us. I am researching my Grandfather's history as a Glider Pilot of the 314th TCG/32nd TCS (one of a few he served with) and this book is helpful because the 316th and 314th were sister Groups and often located closely to one another, with mirroring movements.Additionally, the Appendices have a wealth of detailed information, like tabulated combat missions, service members killed in action, their Army Serial Number (ASN), squadron affiliation and place of internment that would be expensive in travel and time to chase down yourself. For those of you researching a particular aircraft tail number, Mr. Ingrisano was thoughtful enough to link crews and aircraft in Appendix IV and V. A list of Glider Pilots is in Appendix VI, and tabulated lists and information of combat crews for each of their combat missions. On p. 363 is a listing of aircraft nose codes of the IX Troop Carrier Command by Wings and Groups. Wing Mission Reports are listed in Appendix XI and 316th TCG Roster is in Appendix XII. And, for the newbie, a handy glossary of military acronyms are found in Appendix XIII. If you want to get a good idea of life and service with the Troop Carrier Wings during WWII, you're looking for a better understanding of Wing organization and/or you are looking for a particular detail about a person or airplane, buy this book! It is fantastic and we owe Mr. Ingrisano a great deal of thanks for putting so much effort into this book.

A well written history of this group transport group and glider pilots which my father was one of.

The author writes a compelling history of his experience as a radio man in WWII. Having known him personally, you can tell he put countless hours into this book, scrupulously capturing statistics and other information that would have otherwise been forgotten. I am so glad he wrote this book. I particularly loved the footnotes, derived from the many letters he sent Bette.There is a reason they are called the greatest generation!

I have reread this book many times as it is full of details about the 316 Troop Carrier Group in Africa, Sicily, England and France. Mike Ingrisano was a Radio Operator on a C-47 in the war and after the war organized annual reunions for the 316th TC Group. My uncle, Glider Pilot Sylvan Lucier, was in the 36th Squadron of the 316 and died shortly after returning from the Holland mission. With Mike's help I was able to learn about my uncle's death in the line of duty and verify the missions he flew as a glider pilot, making it possible to write my uncle's commemorative blog.

This edition is no longer available, but a new edition is available in both paperback and hardcover. The paperback link near the top of this page will take you to the currently available edition.

Excellent, thanks

I have a personal interest in Op Varsity & found it very rewarding in its detail