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453rd Bombardment Group - 460th Bombardment Group
453rd Bombardment Group
Constituted as 453rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained with B-14's. Moved to England, Dec
1943-Jan 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began combat on 5 Feb 1944
with an attack against an airfield at Tours. Throughout combat, served
chiefly as a strategic bombardment organization. Targets included a fuel
depot at Dulmen, marshalling yards at Paderborn, aircraft assembly
plants at Gotha, railroad centers at Hamm, an ordnance depot at Glinde,
oil refineries at Gelsenkirchen, chemical works at Leverkusen, an
airfield at Neumunster, a canal at Minden, and a railroad viaduct at
Altenbeken. Took part in the concentrated attack against the German
aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Besides strategic
operations, engaged in support and interdictory missions. Bombed
V-weapon sites, airfields, and gun batteries in France prior to the
invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944; on 6 Jun hit shore installations
between Le Havre and Cherbourg and other enemy positions farther inland.
Attacked enemy troops in support of the Allied breakthrough at St Lo in
Jul. Bombed German communications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec
1944-Jan 1945. Ferried cargo on two occasions: hauled gasoline,
blankets, and rations to France in Sep 1944; dropped ammunition, focal,
and medical supplies near Wesel during the airborne assault across the
Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission in Apr. Returned to the US
in May. Inactivated on 12 Sep 1945.
Squadrons. 732d: 1943-1945. 733d: 1943-1945. 734th: 1943-1945. 735th:
1943-1945.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jun 1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho,
29 Jul 1943; March Field, Calif, 30 Sep-2 Dec 1943; Old Buckenham,
England, 23 Dec 1943-9 May 1945; New Castle AAFld, Del, 25 May 1945;
Fort Dix AAB, NJ, 18 Jun-12 Sep 1945.
Commanders. Col Joseph A Miller, 29 Jun 1943; Col Ramsay D Potts Jr,
19 Mar 1944; Col Lawrence M Thomas, 7 Jul 1944; Lt Col Edward F Hubbard,
25 Jan 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
454th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 454th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy,
Dec 1943-Jan 1944, and operated with Fifteenth AF until Apr 1945. Flew
some interdictory and support missions, bombing bridges, marshalling
yards, troop concentrations, and rail lines. Participated in the drive
to Rome, the invasion of Southern France, and the defeat of Axis forces
in northern Italy. Engaged primarily, however, in long-range strikes
against enemy oil refineries, aircraft and munition factories,
industrial areas, harbors, and airfields in Italy, France, Germany,
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece.
Received a DUC for a raid on an airdrome at Bad Voslau on 12 Apr 1944.
Received second DUC for performance on 25 Jul 1944 when, despite severe
opposition, the group led the wing formation in an attack against steel
plants at Linz. Returned to the US in Jul 1945. Redesignated 454th
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 27 Apr 1947. Redesignated 454th
Bombardment Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. Ordered into active service on 1
May 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1951.
Redesignated 454th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 13 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 1 Jan 1953.
Squadrons. 81st: 1947-1949. 736th: 1943-1945; 1947-1951; 1952-1953.
737th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1953. 738th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949;
1952-1953. 739th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jun 1943; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz,
1 Jul 1943; McCook AAFld, Neb, c. 31 Jul 1943; Charleston AAFld, SC, 3
Oct-Dec 1943; San Giovanni, Italy, Jan 1944-Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld,
SD, 1 Aug 1945; Pyote AAFld, Tex, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945. McChord Field,
Wash, 27 Apr 1947; Spokane AFB, Wash, 27 Jun 1949-16 Jun 1951. Portland
Intl Aprt, Ore, 13 Jun 1952-1 Jan 1953.
Commanders. Col Horace D Aynesworth, c. Jun 1943; Col John A Way, 22
Mar 1945; Lt Col William R Large Jr, 21 May 1945; Lt Col Edward R Casey,
24 May 1945-unkn. Unkn, 1 May-16 Jun 1951.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Bad Voslau, Austria, 12
Apr 1944; Linz, Austria, 25 Jul 1944.
Insigne. None.
455th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 455th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained with B-24's. Moved to Italy, arriving
in Jan and Feb 1944. Served in combat with Fifteenth AF from Feb 1944 to
Apr 1945. Engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets such as
factories, marshalling yards, oil refineries, storage areas, harbors,
and airdromes in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia,
Hungary, Austria, and the Balkans. Received a DUC for a mission on 2 Apr
1944 when the group contributed to Fifteenth AF's campaign against enemy
industry by attacking a ball-bearing plant at Steyr. Although meeting
severe fighter opposition and losing several of its bombers on 26 Jun
1944, the group proceeded to attack an oil refinery at Moosbierbaum,
receiving another DUC for this performance. In addition to strategic
missions in the Balkans, the group bombed troop concentrations, bridges,
marshalling yards, and airdromes during the fall of 1944 to hamper the
enemy's withdrawal from the region. The group also supported ground
forces at Anzio and Cassino in Mar 1944; knocked out gun positions in
preparation for the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944; and
assisted the final Allied drive through Italy in Apr 1945 by hitting
such targets as bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations.
Inactivated in Italy on Sep 1945.
Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated in the US on 25 Mar 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Redesignated 455th Fighter-Day Group. Activated on 25 Jul 1956.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command.
Squadrons. 740th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1956-. 741st: 1943-1945;
1947-1949; 1956-. 742d: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1956-. 743d: 1943-1945;
1947-1949.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jun 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 6 Sep
1943; Langley Field, Va, c. 5 Oct-2 Dec 1943; San Giovanni, Italy, 15
Jan 1944-9 Sep 1945. Hensley Field, Tex, 25 Mar 1947-27 Jun 1949. Myrtle
Beach AFB, SC, 25 Jul 1956-.
Commanders. Col Kenneth A Cool, c. Jul 1943; Col William L Snowden,
c. 16 Sep 1944; Lt Col William R Boutz, May 1945; Maj Jerome Hoss, Jul
1945-unkn. Maj John C Smith, 25 Jul 1956-.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Anzio;
Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Scuthern France; North Apennines;
Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Steyr, Austria, 2 Apr
1944; Austria: 16 Jun 1944.
Insigne. None.
456th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained with B-24's for duty overseas. Moved to
Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat with Fifteenth AF in Feb 1944,
operating chiefly against strategic targets until late in Apr 1945.
Early operations included attacks against such objectives as marshalling
yards, aircraft factories, railroad bridges, and airdromes in Italy,
Austria, and Rumania. Received a DUC for performance at Wiener Neustadt
on 10 May 1944: when other groups turned back because of adverse
weather, the 456th proceeded to the target and, withstanding repeated
attacks by enemy interceptors, bombed the manufacturing center. Helped
to prepare the way for and supported the invasion of Southern France
during Jul and Aug 1944. At the same time, expanded previous operations
to include attacks on oil refineries and storage facilities, locomotive
works, and viaducts in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary,
Austria, and the Balkans. Received second DUC for a mission in Hungary
on 2 Jul 1944 when the group braved severe fighter attacks and
antiaircraft fire to bomb oil facilities at Budapest. In Apr 1945 bombed
gun positions, bridges, roads, depots, and rail lines to support US
Fifth and British Eighth Army in their advance through Italy.
Transported supplies to airfields in northern Italy after V-E Day.
Returned to the US in Jul 1945. Redesignated 456th Bombardment Group
(Very Heavy) in Aug. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 1 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27
Jun 1949.
Redesignated 456th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated on 1 Dec
1952. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with C-119's.
Inactivated on 1 Mar 1955.
Squadrons. 744th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1955. 745th: 1943-1945;
1947-1949; 1952-1955. 746th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1955. 747th:
1943-1945; 1947-1949.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jun 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 14
Jul 1943; Bruning AAFld, Neb, c. 30 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 11 Sep
1943; Muroc AAB, Calif, Oct-Dec 1943; Cerignola, Italy, Jan 1944;
Stornara, Italy, Jan 1944-Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 1 Aug 1945;
Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945. McChord Field, Wash, 12 Jul
1947-27 Jun 1949. Miami Intl Aprt, Fla, 1 Dec 1952; Charleston AFB, SC,
15 Aug 1953-1 Mar 1955.
Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jun-14 Jul 1943; Col Thomas W Steed, 14 Jul 1943;
Lt Col Joseph G Russell, 16 Jul 1944; Col Thomas W Steed, Oct 1944; Lt
Col Robert C Whipple, c. 19 May 1945-unkn; Col George E Henry, 31 Aug
1945; Col John W White, 4 Sep 1945-unkn. Col Leonard J Barrow Jr, c. Dec
1952; Lt Col Malcolm P Hooker, c. Feb 1953; Col Jay D Bogue, 1953-1 Mar
1955.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Wiener Neustadt, Austria,
10 May 1944; Budapest, Hungary, 2 Jul 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a bar gemel debased argent over-all on a pile
quarterly of the second and gules four stylized birds counterchanged.
(Approved 7 Jul 1953.)
457th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to
England, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew first mission on
21 Feb 1944 during Big Week, taking part in the concentrated attacks of
heavy bombers on the German aircraft industry. Until Jun 1944, engaged
primarily in bombardment of strategic targets, such as ball-bearing
plants, aircraft factories, and oil refineries in Germany. Bombed
targets in France during the first week of Jun 1944 in preparation for
the Normandy invasion, and attacked coastal defenses along the Cherbourg
peninsula on D-Day. Struck airfields, railroads, fuel depots, and other
interdictory targets behind the invasion beaches throughout the
remainder of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic objectives in
Jul 1944 and engaged chiefly in such operations until Apr 1945.
Sometimes flew support and interdictory missions, aiding the advance of
ground forces during the St Lo breakthrough in Jul 1944 and the landing
of British 1 Airborne Division during the airborne attack on Holland in
Sep 1944; and participating in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan
1945, and the assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat
mission on 20 Apr 1945. Transported prisoners of war from Austria to
France after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Jun 1945. Inactivated on 18
Aug 1945.
Squadrons. 748th: 1943-1945. 749th: 1943-1945. 750th: 1943-1945.
751st: 1943-1945.
Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Jul 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, 9 Jul
1943; Ephrata AAB, Wash, 28 Oct 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 4 Dec 1943-1
Jan 1944; Glatton, England, 22 Jan 1944-1 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld,
SD, 20 Jul-18 Aug 1945.
Commanders. Col Herbert E Rice, 24 Jul 1943; Lt Col Hugh D Wallace, 3
Sep 1943; Col James R Luper, 4 Jan 1944; Col Harris E Rogner, 11 Oct
1944-Aug 1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
458th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to
England, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew diversionary
missions on 24 and 25 Feb 1944 to draw enemy fighters from German
targets being attacked by other AAF bombers. Began bombardment on 2 Mar
1944, and afterward operated primarily against strategic objectives in
Germany. Hit such targets as the industrial area of Saarbrucken, oil
refineries at Hamburg, an airfield at Brunswick, aircraft factories at
Oschersleben, a fuel depot at Dulmen, a canal at Minden, aircraft works
at Brandenburg, marshalling yards at Hamm, and an aircraft engine plant
at Magdeburg. Carried out some interdictory and support operations in
addition to the strategic missions. Helped to prepare for the invasion
of Normandy by striking gun batteries, V-weapon sites, and airfields in
France; hit coastal defenses in support of the assault on 6 Jun 1944;
afterward, bombed bridges and highways to prevent the movement of enemy
materiel to the beachhead. Attacked enemy troops to aid the Allied
breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Ceased bombardment during Sep 1944 to haul
gasoline to airfields in France. Struck transportation lines during the
Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Attacked enemy airfields to
assist the Allied assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat
mission on 25 Apr 1945. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Redesignated
458th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Trained with B-29's.
Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
Squadrons. 752d: 1943-1945. 753d: 1943-1945. 754th: 1943-1945. 755th:
1943-1945.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jul 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 28
Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, 11 Sep 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 15 Sep 1943;
Tonopah AAFld, Nev, 31 Oct-29 Dec 1943; Horsham St Faith, England, Jan
1944-14 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 12 Jul 1945; Walker AAFld, Kan,
25 Jul 1945; March Field, Calif, 21 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
Commanders. Lt Col Robert F Hardy, 28 Jul 1943; Col James H Isbell,
16 Dec 1943; Col Allen F Herzberg, 10 Mar 1945; Capt Patrick Hays, 13
Aug 1945; Maj Bernard Carlos, 17 Aug 1945; Maj V R Woodward, 22 Aug
1945; Lt Col Wilmer C Hardesty, 3 Sep-17 Oct 1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
459th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 459th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy,
Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Engaged primarily in
strategic bombardment, Mar 1944-Apr 1945, attacking such targets as oil
refineries, munitions and aircraft factories, industrial areas,
airfields, and communications centers in Italy, France, Germany, Poland,
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and
Greece. Received a DUC for leading the 304th Wing through enemy
interceptors and intense flak to raid an airfield and aircraft assembly
plant at Bad Voslau on 23 Apr 1944. During combat the group also flew
some support and interdictory missions. Struck railroads in Mar 1944 to
cut enemy supply lines leading to the Anzio beachhead. Participated in
the preinvasion bombing of southern France in Aug 1944. Hit railroad
bridges, depots, and marshalling yards during Apr 1945 to assist Allied
forces in northern Italy. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 18
Aug 1945.
Redesignated 459th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 19 Apr 1947. Redesignated 459th Bombardment Group
(Medium) in Jun 1949. Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951. Assigned to
Strategic Air Command. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1951.
Redesignated 459th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 26 Jan 1955.
Squadrons. 57th: 1947-1949. 756th. 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1955-.
757th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1955-. 758th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949. 759th:
1943-1945; 1947-1951.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 31 Aug
1943 Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, c. 20 Sep 1943; Westover Field, Mass, c.
1 Nov 1943-2 Jan 1944; Giulia Airfield, Italy, Feb 1944-c. Jul 1945;
Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 16-28 Aug 1945. Long Beach AAFld, Calif, 19
Apr 1947; Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz, 27 Jun 1949-16 Jun 1951. Andrews AFB,
Md, 16 Jan 1955-.
Commanders. Col Marden M Munn, 2 Jul 1943; Col Henry K Mooney, 13 Aug
1944; Lt Col William R Boutz, 19 May 1945; Lt Col J C Bailey, 30 May
1945-unkn. Unkn, 1 May-16 Jun 1951.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Bad Voslau, Austria, 23 Apr
1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, an American eagle proper flying over clouds
in the base argent between two parachutes, one in chief transporting an
airman, one in base transporting supplies all of the last; in chief a
canton argent charged with the Capitol dome of the second. Motto: In
Honor Of Congress. (Approved 17 Jan 1956.)
460th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 460th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy,
Jan-Feb 1944, and became part of Fifteenth AF. Entered combat in Mar
1944 and operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization
until Apr 1945. Attacked oil refineries, oil storage facilities,
aircraft factories, railroad centers, industrial areas, and other
objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary,
Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for leading the
wing formation through adverse weather and heavy enemy fire to attack an
airdrome and aircraft facilities in Zwolfaxing on 16 Jul 1944. Also flew
some interdictory and support missions. Participated in the invasion of
Southern France in Aug 1944 by striking submarine pens, marshalling
yards, and gun positions in the assault area. Hit bridges, viaducts,
ammunition dumps, railroads, and other targets to aid the advance of
Allied forces in northern Italy. Moved to Trinidad and then to Brazil in
Jun 1945, being assigned to Air Transport Command to assist in moving
redeployed personnel from Europe to the US. Inactivated in Brazil on 26
Sep 1945.
Squadrons. 760th: 1943-1945. 761st: 1943-1945. 762d: 1943-1945. 763d:
1943-1945.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, 31 Aug
1943; Chatham AAFld, Ga, Oct 1943-3 Jan 1944; Spinazzola, Italy, Feb
1944-Jun 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, 15 Jun 1945; Natal, Brazil, 30
Jun-26 Sep 1945.
Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jul-12 Aug 1943; Col Robert T Crowder, 12 Aug
1943; Lt Col Bertram C Harrison, 16 Apr 1944; Lt Col Harold T Babb, Sep
1944; Col John M Price, 18 Oct 1944-1945.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive,
Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North
Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Austria, 26 Jul 1944.
Insigne. None.
461st Bombardment Group - 468th Bombardment Group
461st Bombardment Group
Constituted as 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Jan-Feb
1944, the air echelon flying B-14's via the South Atlantic and stopping
in North Africa before joining the ground echelon in Italy. Began combat
with Fifteenth AF in Apr 1944. Engaged chiefly in bombardment of
communications, industries, and other strategic objectives in Italy,
France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia,
and Greece. Supported Fifteenth AF's counter-air operations by bombing
enemy airdromes and aircraft centers, receiving a DUC for a mission on
13 Apr 1944 when the group battled its way through enemy defenses to
attack an aircraft components plant in Budapest. Participated in the
effort against the enemy's oil supply by flying missions to such oil
centers as Brux, Blechhammer, Moosbierbaum, Vienna, and Ploesti.
Received second DUC for a mission against oil facilities at Ploesti in
Jul 1944 when, despite flak, clouds, smoke, and fighter attacks, the
group bombed its objective. Also operated in support of ground forces
and flew some interdictory missions. Hit artillery positions in support
of the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944 and flew supply missions
to France in Sep. Aided the Allied offensive in Italy in Apr 1945 by
attacking gun emplacements and troop concentrations. Dropped supplies to
prisoner-of-war camps in Austria during May 1945. Returned to the US in
Jul. Inactivated on 18 Aug 1945.
Redesignated 461st Bombardment Group (Light). Activated on 23 Dec
1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with B-16's and later
converted to B-57's. Redesignated 461st Bombardment Group (Tactical) in
Oct 1955.
Squadrons. 764th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 765th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 766th:
1942-1945; 1953-. 767th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jul 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 29
Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, 11 Sep 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 30 Sep 1943;
Hammer Field, Calif, 30 Oct 1943-Jan 1944; Torretto Airfield, Italy, c.
20 Feb 1944-Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 22 Jul-18 Aug 1945. Hill
AFB, Utah, 23 Dec 1953-.
Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jul-12 Aug 1943; Lt Col Willis G Carter, 12 Aug
194. Col Frederic E Glantzberg, c. 25 Oct 1943; Col Philip R Hawes, 22
Sep 1944; Col Brooks A Lawhon, 20 Dec 1944; Col Craven C Rogers, 16 Apr
1945-unkn. Maj Gordon Baker, c. Dec 1953; Lt Col Donald F Blake, 4 Feb
1954; Lt Col Robert F Price, 20 Feb 1954; Col Maxwell W Roman, c. 14 Jul
1954; Lt Col John A McVey, c. 16 May 1955; Lt Col William F Furman, c. 1
Aug 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Budapest, Hungary, 13 Apr
1944; Ploesti, Rumania, 15 Jul 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and light blue, superimposed over the
bend a thunderbolt, bendwise, or, piercing through a cloud formation
proper, over an increscent moon to the sinister chief, and a sun to the
dexter base of the third; on a chief argent, over a bar to base of
chief, embattled gules, an olive branch and seven arrows in saltire,
between two spheres all proper. (Approved 4 Aug 1955.)
462nd Bombardment Group
Constituted as 462nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Redesignated 462nd Bombardment Group (Very
Heavy) in Nov 1943. Prepared for combat with B-29's. Moved to the CBI
theater, via Africa, Mar-Jun 1944. Assigned to Twentieth AF in Jun 1944.
Transported supplies over the Hump to staging fields in China before
entering combat with an attack on railroad shops at Bangkok, Thailand,
on 5 Jun 1944. On 15 Jun 1944 took part in the first AAF strike on the
Japanese home islands since the Doolittle raid in 1942. Operating from
India and China, bombed transportation centers, naval installations,
iron works, aircraft plants, and other targets in Japan, Thailand,
Burma, China, Formosa, and Indonesia. From a staging base in Ceylon,
mined the Moesi River on Sumatra in Aug 1944. Received a DUC for a
daylight attack on iron and steel works at Yawata, Japan, in Aug 1944.
Moved to Tinian in the spring of 1945 for further operations against
targets in Japan. Participated in mining operations, bombardment of
strategic targets, and incendiary raids on urban areas. Bombed
industrial areas in Tokyo and Yokohama in May 1945, being awarded a DUC
for the action. Received another DUC for a daylight attack on an
aircraft plant at Takarazuka on 24 Jul 1945. Returned to the US late in
1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on
31 Mar 1946.
Squadrons. 345th: 1945-1946. 768th: 1943-1946. 769th: 1943-1946.
770th: 1943-1946. 771st: 1943-1944.
Stations. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 Jul 1943; Walker AAFld, Kan, 28
Jul 1943-12 Mar 1944; Piardoba, India, 7 Apr 1944-26 Feb 1945; West
Field, Tinian, 4 Apr-5 Nov 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, Nov 1945-31 Mar
1946.
Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jul-5 Aug 1943; Col Alan D Clark, 5 Aug 1943; Col
Richard H Carmichael, 26 Aug 1943; Col Alfred F Kalberer, 20 Aug
1944-unkn.
Campaigns. American Theater; India-Burma; Air Offensive, Japan; China
Defensive; Western Pacific; Central Burma.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Yawata, Japan, 20 Aug
1944; Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan, 23, 25, and 29 May 1945; Takarazuka,
Japan, 24 Jul 1945.
Insigne. None.
463d Bombardment Group
Constituted as 463rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Trained with B-17's for duty overseas. Moved to
Italy, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Entered combat on 30
Mar 1944 and operated chiefly against strategic objectives. Attacked
such targets as marshalling yards, oil refineries, and aircraft
factories in Italy, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Rumania,
Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for bombing oil refineries at
Ploesti on 18 May 1944: when clouds limited visibility to such an extent
that other groups turned back, the 463rd proceeded to Ploesti and,
though crippled by opposition from interceptors and flak, rendered
destructive blows to both the target and the enemy fighters. Received
second DUC for leading the wing through three damaging enemy attacks to
bomb tank factories in Berlin on 24 Mar 1945. Also engaged interdictory
and support missions. Bombed bridges during May and Jun 1944 in the
campaign for the liberation of Rome. Participated in the invasion of
Southern France in Aug 1944 by striking bridges, gun positions, and
other targets. Hit communications such as railroad bridges, marshalling
yards, and airdromes in the Balkans. Operated primarily against
communications in northern Italy during Mar and Apr 1945. After V-E Day,
transported personnel from Italy to Casablanca for return to the US.
Inactivated in Italy on 25 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 463rd Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US
on 16 Jan 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with
C-119's.
Squadrons. 772d: 1943-1945; 1953-. 773d: 1943-1945; 1953-. 774th:
1943-1945; 1953-. 775th: 1943-1945; 1955-.
Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Aug 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, Aug
1943; MacDill Field, Fla, 5 Nov 1943; Lakeland AAFld, Fla, Jan-1 Feb
1944; Celone Airfield, Italy, 9 Mar 1944-25 Sep 1945. Memphis Mun Aprt,
Tenn, 16 Jan 1953; Ardmore AFB, Okla, 24 Aug 1954-.
Commanders. Lt Col Elmer H Stambaugh, 9 Aug 1943; Col Frank A Kurtz,
27 Aug 1943; Col George W McGregor, 11 Sep 1944; Col Ephraim M Hampton,
Apr-c. Sep 1945. Col John R Roche, 16 Jan 1953; Col Woodrow T Merrill,
10 Aug 1953; Col Benjamin M Tarver Jr, 12 Aug 1954-.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Ploesti, Rumania, 18 May
1944; Germany, 24 Mar 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, on a representation of a cloud argent a
silhouette of mythical Pegasus drawing a chariot driven by Mars, the
mythical Roman God of War, all sable. (Approved 30 Aug 1954.)
464th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to the
Mediterranean theater, Feb-Apr 1944, with the air echelon training for a
few weeks in Tunisia before joining the remainder of the group in Italy.
Served with Fifteenth AF, Apr 1944-May 1945, operating primarily as part
of the strategic bombardment force that disrupted German industry and
communications. Flew long-range missions to attack such objectives as
marshalling yards, oil refineries, oil storage facilities, aircraft
factories, and chemical plants in Italy, France, Germany, Poland,
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece.
Received a DUC for leading the 55th Wing in compact formation through
heavy opposition to bomb marshalling yards and an oil refinery at Vienna
on 8 Jul 1944. Received another DUC for a mission on 24 Aug 1944 when
the group scored hits not only on the target, an oil refinery at
Pardubice, but also on nearby railroad tracks. Sometimes engaged in
support and interdictory operations. Supported Allied forces during the
invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944. Hit railroad centers to assist
the advance of Russian troops in southeastern Europe in Mar 1945. Bombed
enemy supply lines to assist the advance of US Fifth and British Eighth
Army in northern Italy in Apr 1945. Moved to Trinidad in Jun 1945.
Assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1945.
Redesignated 464th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US
on 1 Feb 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Used C-46 and C-119
aircraft.
Squadrons. 776th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 777th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 778th:
1943-1945; 1953-. 779th: 1943-1945; 1955-.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Aug 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 22
Aug 1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 2 Oct 1943-9 Feb 1944; Pantanella
Airfield, Italy, Mar 1944; Gioia, Italy, 21 Apr 1944; Pantanella
Airfield, Italy, c. 1 Jun 1944-c. May 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad,
Jun-31 Jul 1945. Lawson AFB, Ga, 1 Feb 1953; Pope AFB, NC, 16 Sep 1954-.
Commanders. Unkn, 1 Aug-1 Sep 1943; Col Marshall Bonner, 2 Sep 1943;
Col Arnold L Schroeder, 30 Jun 1944; Col A J Bird Jr, 13 Mar 1945-unkn.
Col James A Evans, c. 1 Feb 1953; Col Charles F Franklin, 1954; Lt Col
Adam A Reaves, 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive,
Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North
Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Vienna, Austria, 8 Jul
1944; Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, [24] Aug 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, surmounting a cloud argent, an American eagle
descendant, wings, endorsed proper, between his beak four lightning
streaks, two and two gules, speed lines of the first all inclosed by two
bendlets sinister vert, edged or. Motto: Certissimus In Incertis - Most
Certain (in the sense of unerring or dependable) in Uncertainties.
(Approved 15 Apr 1954.)
465th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 465th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Prepared for duty overseas with B-24's. Moved
to the Mediterranean theater, Feb-Apr 1944; the air echelon received
additional training in Tunisia before joining the ground echelon in
Italy. Assigned to Fifteenth AF. Entered combat on 5 May 1944 and served
primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until late in Apr
1945. Attacked marshalling yards, dock facilities, oil refineries, oil
storage plants, aircraft factories, and other objectives in Italy,
France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans. On
two different missions - to marshalling yards and an oil refinery at
Vienna on 8 Jul 1944 and to steel plants at Friedrichshafen on 3 Aug
1944 - the group bombed its targets despite antiaircraft fire and
fighter opposition, being awarded a DUC for each of these attacks. Other
operations included bombing troop concentrations and bivouac areas in
May 1944 to aid the Partisans in Yugoslavia; attacking enemy troops and
supply lines to assist the drive toward Rome, May-Jun 1944; striking
bridges, rail lines, and gun emplacements prior to the invasion of
Southern France in Aug 1944; bombing rail facilities and rolling stock
in Oct 1944 to support the advance of Russian and Rumanian forces in the
Balkans; and hitting troops, gun positions, bridges, and supply lines
during Apr 1945 in support of Allied forces in northern Italy. Moved to
the Caribbean area in Jun 1945. Assigned to Air Transport Command.
Inactivated in Trinidad on 31 Jul 1945.
Redesignated 465th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US
on 1 Feb 1953. Trained with C-119's. Moved to France in Dec 1953 to
become part of United States Air Forces in Europe.
Squadrons. 780th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 781st: 1943-1945; 1953-. 782d:
1943-1945; 1953-. 783d: 1943-1945.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Aug 1943; Kearns, Utah, Sep 1943;
McCook AAFld, Neb, c. 5 Oct 1943-1 Feb 1944; Pantanella Airfield, Italy,
Apr 1944-Jun 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, 15 Jun-31 Jul 1945. Donaldson
AFB, SC, 1 Feb-30 Nov 1953; Toul/Rosiere AB, France, Dec 1953; Evreux
AB, France, c. 20 May 1955-.
Commanders. Col Elmer Rogers Jr, 24 Aug 1943; Col Charles A Clark Jr,
13 Mar 1944; Lt Col Joshua H Foster, 1 Dec 1944; Lt Col William F Day Jr,
26 Apr 1945-unkn. Maj Clifford F Harris, Feb 1953; Col Earl W Worley, c.
Mar 1953; Lt Col James D Barlow, 10 May 1954; Col James A Evans Jr, 19
Sep 1954; Col James D Barlow, 7 Apr 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive,
Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North
Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Vienna, Austria, 8 Jul
1944; Germany, 3 Aug 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend gules and vert, a bend argent charged with
a bendlet azure, between a wing of the third and a compass proper
(bezant, with diapering green, bordered argent, thereover a four-pointed
star compass, gules and azure). Motto: Onus Ferens Vitam - Cargo
Carrying Life. (Approved 1 Jun 1955.)
466th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 466th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Prepared for duty overseas with B-24's. Moved
to England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on
22 Mar 1944 by participating in a daylight raid on Berlin. Operated
primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, attacking such
targets as marshalling yards at Liege, an airfield at St Trond, a repair
and assembly plant at Reims, an airdrome at Chartres, factories at
Brunswick, oil refineries at Bohlen, aircraft plants at Kempten, mineral
works at Hamburg, marshalling yards at Saarbrucken, a synthetic oil
plant at Misburg, a fuel depot at Dulmen, and aeroengine works at
Eisenach. Other operations included attacking pillboxes along the coast
of Normandy on D-Day (6 Jun 1944), and afterward striking interdictory
targets behind the beachhead; bombing enemy positions at St Lo during
the Allied breakthrough in Jul 1944; hauling oil and gasoline to Allied
forces advancing across France in Sep; hitting German communications and
transportation during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and
bombing the airfield at Nordhorn in support of the airborne assault
across the Rhine on 24 Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr
1945, striking a transformer station at Traunstein. Returned to the US
in Jul. Redesignated 466th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945.
Trained with B-29's. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
Squadrons. 784th: 1943-1945. 785th: 1943-1945. 786th: 1943-1945.
787th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Aug 1943; Kearns, Utah, 31 Aug
1943; Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 24 Nov 1943; Topeka AAFld, Kan, 5-13 Feb
1944; Attlebridge, England, 7 Mar 1944-6 Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld,
SD, 15 Jul 1945; Pueblo AAB, Colo, 25 Jul 1945; Davis-Monthan Field,
Ariz, 15 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
Commanders. Maj Beverly E Steadman, 23 Aug 1943; Maj Walter A Smith
Jr, 29 Aug 1943; Col Walter G Bryte Jr, 2 Sep 1943; Col Arthur Pierce,
17 Dec 1943; Col Luther J Fairbanks, 1 Aug 1944; Col William H
Cleveland, 1 Nov 1944-1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
467th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to
England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began operations on 10
Apr 1944 with an attack on an airfield at Bourges. Served chiefly as a
strategic bombardment organization, attacking the harbor at Kiel,
chemical plants at Bonn, textile factories at Stuttgart, power plants at
Hamm, steel works at Osnabruck, the aircraft industry at Brunswick, and
other objectives. In addition to strategic operations, engaged
occasionally in support and interdictory missions. Bombed shore
installations and bridges near Cherbourg on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. Struck
enemy troop and supply concentrations near Montreuil on 25 Jul 1944 to
assist the Allied drive across France. Hauled gasoline to France in Sep
for mechanized forces. Attacked German communications and fortifications
during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Hit enemy
transportation to assist the Allied assault across the Rhine in Mar
1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul.
Redesignated 467th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Assigned
to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Trained with B-17 and B-29
aircraft. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.
Squadrons. 788th: 1943-1944, 1944-1946. 789th: 1943-1946. 790th:
1943-1946. 791st: 1943-1946.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Aug 1943; Mountain Home AAFld,
Idaho, 8 Sep 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 17 Oct 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 1
Nov 1943-12 Feb 1944; Rackheath, England, 11 Mar 1944-12 Jun 1945; Sioux
Falls AAFld, SD, c. 15 Jul 1945; Fairmont AAFld, Neb, 25 Jul 1945;
Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 25 Aug 1945; Harvard AAFld, Neb, 8 Sep 1945;
Clovis AAFld, NM, Dec 1945-4 Aug 1946.
Commanders. Capt Garnet B Palmer, 9 Sep 1943; Col Frederic E
Glantzberg, 17 Sep 1943; Col Albert H Shower, 25 Oct 1943-1945; Maj
Frank E McCarthy, Sep 1945; Col Audrin R Walker, 16 Sep 1945; Lt Col
William W Amorous, Mar 1946; Lt Col Kenneth S Steele, Apr 1946; Col
Thomas Gent Jr, 21 Jun-Aug 1946.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy;
Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
468th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 468th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Redesignated 468th Bombardment Group (Very
Heavy) in Nov 1943. Equipped with B-29's. Moved, via Africa, to the CBI
theater, Mar-Jun 1944. Assigned to Twentieth AF in Jun 1944. Flew over
the Hump to carry supplies from India to staging fields in China before
entering combat with an attack on railroad shops at Bangkok, Thailand,
on 5 Jun 1944. On 15 Jun participated in the first AAF attack on Japan
since the Doolittle raid in 1942. From bases in India, China, and
Ceylon, mined shipping lanes near Saigon, French Indochina, and
Shanghai, China, and struck Japanese installations in Burma, Thailand,
French Indochina, Indonesia, Formosa, China and Japan. Targets included
iron works, aircraft factories, transportation centers and naval
installations. Received a DUC for participation in a daylight raid on
the iron and steel works at Yawata, Japan, 11 Aug 1944. Evacuated
advanced bases in China in Jan 1945 but continued operations from India,
bombing storage areas in Rangoon, Burma, a railroad bridge at Bangkok,
Thailand, railroad shops at Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, and the drydock in
Singapore harbor. Flew additional missions against Japan after moving to
Tinian during Feb-May 1945. Took part in mining operations, incendiary
raids on area targets, and high-altitude missions against strategic
objectives. Dropped incendiaries on Tokyo and Yokohama in May 1945,
being awarded a DUC for the attacks. Received another DUC for a daylight
strike on an aircraft plant at Takarazuka, Japan, in Jul 1945. After the
war, dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners and participated in
show-of-force missions over Japan. Returned to the US in Nov 1945.
Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 31 Mar
1946.
Squadrons. 512th: 1945-1946. 792d: 1943-1946. 793d: 1943-1946. 794th
(later 6th): 1943-1946. 795th: 1943-1946.
Stations. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 Aug 1943-12 Mar 1944; Kharagpur,
India, 13 Apr 1944-24 Feb 1945; West Field, Tinian, 6 Apr-15 Nov 1945;
Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, 1 Dec 1945; Roswell AAFld, NM, 12 Jan-31 Mar 1946.
Commanders. Col Howard E Engler, 8 Sep 1943; Col Ted S Faulkner, 3
Aug 1944; Col James V Edmundson, 5 Nov 1944-31 Mar 1946.
Campaigns. India-Burma; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive;
Western Pacific; Central Burma.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Yawata, Japan, 20 Aug
1944; Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan, 23-29 May 1945; Takarasuka, Japan, 24
Jul 1945.
Insigne. None.
469th Bombardment Group - 479th Antisubmarine Group
469th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 469th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1943.
Activated on 1 May 1943. Assigned to Second AF. Equipped with B-17's.
Served as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 Apr 1944.
Squadrons. 796th: 1943-1944. 797th: 1943-1944. 798th: 1943-1944.
799th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Pueblo AAB, Colo, 1 May 1943; Alexandria, La, 7 May 1943-1
Apr 1944.
Commanders. Maj Walter E Chambers, 7 May 1943; Lt Col William I
Marsalis, 17 May 1943; Lt Col William E Creer, 21 Aug 1943; Lt Col
Marshall R Gray, 5 Sep 1943; Lt Col Quentin T Quick, 12 Nov 1943-unkn.
Campaigns. None.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
470th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 470th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1943.
Activated on 1 May 1943. Assigned to Second AF; reassigned to Fourth AF
in Jan 1944. Equipped with B-14's. Served first as an operational
training and later as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 31 Mar
1944.
Squadrons. 800th: 1943-1944. 801st: 1943-1944. 802d: 1943-1944. 803d:
1943-1944.
Stations. Mountain Home AAFld, Idaho, 1 May 1943; Tonopah AAFld, Nev,
6 Jan-31 Mar 1944.
Commanders. Maj Henry H Covington Jr, 7 Jul 1943; Lt Col Roland
Barnick, 12 Nov 1943-unkn.
Campaigns. None.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
471st Bombardment Group
Constituted as 471st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1943.
Activated on 1 May 1943. Assigned to Second AF and later (Jan 1944) to
First AF. Served as a replacement training unit, using B-24 aircraft.
Disbanded on 10 Apr 1944.
Squadrons. 804th: 1943-1944. 805th: 1943-1944. 806th: 1943-1944.
807th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Alexandria, La, 1 May 1943; Pueblo AAB, Colo, 7 May 1943;
Westover Field, Mass, 28 Jan-20 Apr 1944.
Commanders. Lt Col Raymond L Cobb, 1 Jun 1943; Lt Col Wilson H Banks,
16 Oct 1943-unkn.
Campaigns. None.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
472nd Bombardment Group
Constituted as 472nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Sep 1943. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 472nd
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 1 Dec 1943. Trained crews for combat
with B-29's. Disbanded on 1 Apr 1944.
Squadrons. 808th: 1943-1944. 809th: 1943-1944. 810th: 1943-1944.
811th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 Sep 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 7 Dec
1943-1 Apr 1944.
Commanders. Maj Conrad H Diehl, Oct 1943; Col Thomas H Chapman, 22
Oct 1943-unkn.
Campaigns. None.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
473rd Fighter Group
Constituted as 473rd Fighter Group on 12 Oct 1943. Activated on 1 Nov
1943. Assigned to Fourth AF. Equipped primarily with P-38 aircraft.
Operated as replacement training unit. Disbanded on 31 Mar 1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 473d Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 8
Jul 1955. Activated on 8 Apr 1956. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Had
no combat squadrons assigned.
Squadrons. 451st: 1943-1944. 482d: 1943-1944. 483d: 1943-1944. 484th:
1943-1944.
Stations. Grand Central Air Terminal, Calif, 1 Nov 1943; Ephrata AAB,
Wash, 28-31 Mar 1944. K I Sawyer Mun Aprt, Mich, 8 Apr 1956-.
Commanders. Lt Col Robert L Johnston, Nov 1943; Col Romulus W Puryear,
27 Nov 1943; Lt Col Milton H Ashkins, 20 Dec 1943-31 Mar 1944. Lt Col
Robert L Brocklehurst, 1956-.
Campaigns. None.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
474th Fighter Group
Constituted as 474th Fighter Group on 26 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug
1943. Trained for combat with P-38's. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944.
Assigned to Ninth AF. Flew first combat mission, an area patrol along
the coast of France, on 25 Apr 1944. Attacked bridges and railroads in
France in preparation for the Normandy invasion. Provided cover for the
invasion force that was crossing the Channel on the night of 5/6 Jun and
flew bombing missions to support the landings on the following day.
Began armed reconnaissance missions after D-Day to assist ground forces,
and attacked highways and troops to aid the Allied breakthrough at St
Lo, 25 Jul. Moved to the Continent in Aug 1944 for continued operations
in support of ground forces. Bombed and strafed such targets as
airfields, hangars railroads, bridges, highways, barges, fuel dumps,
ammunition depots, gun emplacements, and troop concentrations until the
end of the war; also escorted bombers that struck marshalling yards,
factories, cities, and other objectives. Received a DUC for a mission in
France on 23 Aug 1944: participating in a joint air-ground attack
against retreating enemy forces in the Falaise-Argentan area, the group
discovered an immense quantity of enemy equipment massed along the Seine
River; despite severe fire from small arms and from antiaircraft guns
that the Germans had placed at two bridges to protect the materiel and
cover the retreat, the group repeatedly bombed and strafed the enemy,
knocking out motor transports, barges bridges, and other objectives,
thereby disrupting the evacuation and enabling Allied ground forces to
capture German troops and equipment. Other operations included
bombardment of flak positions near Eindhoven in advance of British 1
Airborne Division during the attack on Holland in Sep 1944;
participation in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and patrols
along the route of the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945.
Continued operations until V-E Day. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945.
Inactivated on 8 Dec 1945.
Redesignated 474th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated in Japan on 10 Jul
1952. Assigned to Tactical Air Command but attached to Far East Air
Forces for duty in the Korean War. Served in combat from Aug 1952 until
the armistice in Jul 1953, operating from Korea and using F-84 aircraft.
Bombed and strafed such targets as bunkers, troops, artillery positions,
bridges, vehicles, airfields, and power plants, and sometimes escorted
bombers that attacked munitions factories and other objectives. After
the armistice, trained with F-84 and F-86 aircraft. Moved to the US,
Nov-Dec 1954, and continued training with F-86's.
Squadrons. 428th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 429th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 430th:
1943-1945; 1952-.
Stations. Glendale, Calif, 1 Aug 1943; Van Nuys Metropolitan Aprt,
Calif, 11 Oct 1943; Oxnard Flight Strip, Calif, 5 Jan-6 Feb 1944;
Moreton, England, 12 Mar 1944; Neuilly, France, 6 Aug 1944; St Marceau,
France, 29 Aug 1944; Peronne, France, 6 Sep 1944; Florennes, Belgium, 1
Oct 1944; Strassfeld, Germany, 22 Mar 1945; Langensalza, Germany, 22 Apr
1945; Schweinfurt, Germany, 16 Jun 1945; Stuttgart, Germany, 25 Oct-21
Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 6-8 Dec 1945. Misawa, Japan, 10 Jul 1952;
Kunsan, Korea, 10 Jul 1952; Taegu, Korea, 1 Apr 1953-22 Nov 1954; Clovis
AFB, NM, 13 Dec 1954-.
Commanders. Col Clinton C Wasem, 1 Aug 1943; Lt Col Earl C Hedlund,
c. 17 Feb 1945; Lt Col David L Lewis, Apr 1945-unkn. Lt Col William L
Jacobsen, 10 Jul 1952; Lt Col Francis J Vetort, 29 Aug 1952; Col Joseph
Davis Jr, 16 Dec 1952; Col Richard N Ellis, 1953; Col John S Loisel, May
1953-unkn; Col Franklin H Scott, May 1954-.
Campaigns. World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Korean War: Korea
Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: France, 23 Aug 1944;
Korea, 1 Dec 1952-30 Apr 1953. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian
Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944; 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 10 Jul 1952-30 Mar 1953.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and or in bend a lightning bolt
throughout bendwise gules, fimbriated or, between a sphere argent, grid
lines sable, and a stylized jet tail pipe vert, emitting eight fire
blasts gules, the pipe charged with an annulet of the first, fimbriated
or, a semee of stars of the fourth on the azure field. (Approved 22 Jun
1955.)
475th Fighter Group
Activated in Australia on 14 May 194 by special authority granted to
Fifth AF prior to constitution as 475th Fighter Group on 15 May 1943.
Equipped with P-38's and trained to provide long-range escort for
bombers during daylight raids on Japanese airfields and strongholds in
the Netherlands Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago. Moved to New Guinea
and began operations in Aug 1943. Received a DUC for missions in Aug
1943 when the group not only protected B-15's that were engaged in
strafing attacks on airdromes at Wewak but also destroyed a number of
the enemy fighter planes that attacked the formation. Received second
DUC for intercepting and destroying many of the planes the Japanese sent
against American shipping in Oro Bay on 15 and 17 Oct 1943. Covered
landings in New Guinea, New Britain, and the Schouten Islands. After
moving to Biak in Jul 1944, flew escort missions and fighter sweeps to
the southern Philippines, Celebes, Halmahera, and Borneo. Moved to the
Philippines in Oct 1944 and received another DUC for bombing and
strafing enemy airfields and installations, escorting bombers, and
engaging in aerial combat during the first stages of the Allied campaign
to recover the Philippines, Oct-Dec 1944. Maj Thomas B McGuire Jr was
awarded the Medal of Honor: while voluntarily leading flights of P-38's
escorting bombers that struck Mabalacat Airdrome on 25 Dec 1944 and
Clark Field the following day, he shot down seven Japanese fighters; on
7 Jan 1944, while attempting to save a fellow flyer from attack during a
fighter sweep over Los Negroes Island, Maj McGuire risked a hazardous
maneuver at low altitude, crashed, and was killed. The group flew many
missions to support ground forces on Luzon during the first part of
1945. Also flew escort missions to China and attacked railways on
Formosa. Began moving to Ie Shima in Aug but the war ended before the
movement was completed. Moved to Korea in Sep 1945 for occupation duty
as part of Far East Air Forces. Converted to P-51's in 1946. Moved to
Japan in 1948. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1949.
Redesignated 475th Fighter Group (Air Defense). Activated in the US
on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with
F-89's.
Squadrons. 431st: 1943-1949. 432d: 1943-1949; 1955-. 433d: 1943-1949.
Stations. Amberley Field, Australia, 14 May 1943; Dobodura, New
Guinea, 14 Aug 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 24 Mar 1944; Hollandia, New
Guinea, 15 May 1944; Biak, c. 14 Jul 1944; Dulag, Leyte, 28 Oct 1944;
San Jose, Mindoro, 5 Feb 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, 28 Feb 1945; Lingayen,
Luzon, c. 20 Apr 1945; Ie Shima, 8 Aug 1945; Kimpo, Korea, c. 23 Sep
1945; Itazuke, Japan, 28 Aug 1948; Ashiya, Japan, 25 Mar-1 Apr 1949.
Minneapolis-St Paul Intl Aprt, Minn, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Lt Col George W Prentice, 21 May 1943; Col Charles H
MacDonald, 26 Nov 1943; Lt Col Meryl M Smith, Aug 1944; Col Charles H
MacDonald, 13 Oct 1944; Lt Col John S Loisel, 15 Jul 1945; Col Henry G
Thorne Jr, 18 Apr 1946; Col Ashley B Packard, 20 Jul 1946; Col Leland S
Stranathan, 22 Mar 1947; Col Carl W Pyle, 7 Jun 1947; Col William O
Moore, 19 Sep 1947; Lt Col Woodrow W Ramsey, 28 Aug 1948-25 Mar 1949.
Col David Gould, Aug 1955-.
Campaigns. China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western
Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; China Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: New Guinea, 18 and 21 Aug
1943; New Guinea, 15 and 17 Oct 1943; Philippine Islands, 25 Oct-25 Dec
1944. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, over a crossbow or, string argent, bow
striped red and silver; a lightning bolt gules, highlighted of the
third, surmounting the stock; a pair of wings argent, issuing from the
end of the stock; between four seven-pointed stars and one five-pointed
star, spattered over the field; all within a diminutive border per pale
argent and gules. Motto: In Proelio Gaudete - Be Joyful in Battle.
(Approved 26 Nov 1956.)
476th Fighter Group
Constituted as 476th Fighter Group on 20 Apr 1943. Assigned to
Fourteenth AF Activated in China on 19 May 1943 with no squadrons
assigned. Disbanded in China on 31 Jul 1943.
Reconstituted on 11 Oct 1943. Activated in the US on 1 Dec 1943.
Assigned to First AF as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 Apr
1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 476th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
11 Dec 1956. Activated on 8 Feb 1957. Assigned, without combat
squadrons, to Air Defense Command.
Squadrons. 453d: 1943-1944. 541st: 1943-1944. 542d: 1943-1944. 543d:
1943-1944.
Stations. Kunming, China, 19 May-31 Jul 1943. Richmond AAB, Va, 1 Dec
1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 26 Mar-1 Apr 1944. Glasgow AFB, Mont, 8
Feb 1957-.
Commanders. Unkn.
Campaigns. Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
477th Composite Group
Constituted as 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 13 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Assigned to Third AF. Trained with B-26
aircraft. Inactivated on 25 Aug 1943.
Activated on 15 Jan 1944. Assigned to First AF. Trained with B-15's.
Redesignated 477th Composite Group in Jun 1945. Equipped with B-25's and
P-47's. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1947.
Squadrons. 99th Fighter: 1945-1947. 616th Bombardment: 1943;
1944-1945. 617th Bombardment: 1943; 1944-1947. 618th Bombardment: 1943;
1944-1945. 619th Bombardment: 1943; 1944-1945.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Jun-25 Aug 1943. Selfridge Field,
Mich, 15 Jan 1944; Godman Field, Ky, 6 May 1944; Lockbourne AAB, Ohio,
13 Mar 1946-1 Jul 1947.
Commanders. Lt Col Andrew O Lerche, 1943. Col Robert R Selway Jr, 21
Jan 1944; Col Benjamin O Davis Jr, 21 Jun 1945-1 Jul 1947.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
478th Fighter Group
Constituted as 478th Fighter Group on 12 Oct 1943. Activated on 1 Dec
1943. Assigned to Fourth AF. After a delay in obtaining personnel and
equipment, the group began operations in Mar 1944 as a replacement
training unit, using P-39 aircraft. Disbanded on 31 Mar 1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 478th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
11 Dec 1956. Activated on 8 Feb 1957. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
Squadrons. 18th: 1957-. 454th: 1943-1944. 544th: 1943-1944. 545th:
1943-1944. 546th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 1 Dec 1943; Santa Rosa AAFld, Calif,
12 Dec 1943; Redmond AAFld, Ore, 3 Feb-31 Mar 1944. Grand Forks AFB, ND,
1 Feb 1957-.
Commanders. Col John W Weltman,; Dec 1943; Lt Col Ernest C Young, 31
Jan-31 Mar 1944. Unkn, 1957.
Campaigns. None.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
479th Antisubmarine Group
Constituted as 479th Antisubmarine Group on 1 Jul 1943 and activated
in England on 8 Jul. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine Command. Began
operations with B-24 aircraft on 13 Jul. The 479th's most effective
antisubmarine patrols were in the Bay of Biscay from 18 Jul to 2 Aug
1943, the period in which the group made nearly all of its attacks on
enemy U-boats After that time the enemy avoided surfacing during
daylight and adopted a police of evasion, but the group continued its
patrols, often engaging enemy aircraft in combat. Ended operations in
Oct 1943. Disbanded in England on 11 Nov 1943.
Squadrons. 4th: 1943. 6th: 1943. 19th: 1943. 22d: 1943.
Stations. St Eval, England, 8 Jul 1943; Dunkeswell, England, 6 Aug
1943; Podington, England, Nov-11 Nov 1943.
Commanders. Col Howard Moore, 8 July. Nov 1943.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
479th Fighter Group - 488th Bombardment Group
479th Fighter Group
Constituted as 479th Fighter Group on 12 Oct 1943 and activated on 15
Oct. Equipped with P-38's. Trained for combat and served as an air
defense organization. Moved to England, Apr-May 1944, and assigned to
Eighth AF. From May 1944 to Apr 1945, escorted heavy bombers during
operations against targets on the Continent, strafed targets of
opportunity, and flew fighter-bomber, counter-air, and area-patrol
missions. Engaged primarily in escort activities and fighter sweeps
until the Normandy invasion in June 1944. Patrolled the beachhead during
the invasion. Strafed and dive-bombed troops, bridges, locomotives,
railway cars, barges, vehicles, airfields, gun emplacements, flak
towers, ammunition dumps, power stations, and radar sites while on
escort or fighter-bomber missions as the Allies drove across France
during the summer and fall of 1944; flew area patrols to support the
breakthrough at St Lo in Jul and the airborne attack on Holland in Sep.
Received a DUC for the destruction of numerous aircraft on airfields in
France on 18 Aug and 5 Sep and during aerial battle near Munster on 26
Sep. Continued escort and fighter-bomber activities from Oct to mid-Dec
1944, converting to P-51's during this period. Participated in the
Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) by escorting bombers to and from
targets in the battle area and by strafing transportation targets while
on escort duty. Flew escort missions from Feb to Apr 1945, but also
provided area patrols to support the airborne attack across the Rhine in
Mar. Returned to the US in Nov 1945. Inactivated on Dec 1945.
Redesignated 479th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 1 Dec 1952.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Equipped successively with F-51, F-86
and F-100 aircraft. Redesignated 479th Fighter-Day Group in Feb 1954.
Squadrons. 434th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 435th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 436th:
1943-1945; 1952-.
Stations. Grand Central Air Terminal Calif, 15 Oct 1943; Lomita
Flight Strip, Calif, c. Feb 1944; Santa Maria AAFld, Calif, c. 8-c. 12
Apr 1944; Wattisham, England, c. 15 May 1944-c. 23 Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer,
NJ, c. 29 Nov-1 Dec 1945. George AFB, Calif, 1 Dec 1952-.
Commanders. Lt Col Leo F Dusard Jr, c. 28 Oct 1943; Maj Francis Pope,
c. 14 Nov 1943; Lt Col Kyle L Riddle, c. 16 Dec 1943; Col Hubert Zemke,
12 Aug 1944; Col Kyle L Riddle, 1 Nov 1944-unkn. Col Woodrow W Ramsey,
1952- unkn; Lt Col Verl D Luehring, 1953; Col Jacob W Dixon, c. 19 Aug
1953; Col William B Harris, c. 31 May 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: ETO, 18 Aug, 5 and 26 Sep
1944. French Croix de Guerre with Palm.
Insigne. Shield: Or, a broad sword gules in bend piercing a cloud
proper, between a point sinister pointed gules, charged with six stars
argent three, two and one, and a point in base vert, all within a
diminutive border azure. Motto: Protectores Libertatis - Defenders of
Liberty. (Approved 10 Sep 1954.)
480th Antisubmarine Group
Constituted as 480th Antisubmarine Group on 19 Jun 1943 and activated
in North Africa on 21 Jun. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine Command. Using
B-24's, the group had the primary mission of carrying out antisubmarine
patrols in an area of the Atlantic extending north and west from
Morocco. Its antisubmarine activity reached a peak in Jul 1943 when
enemy U-boats concentrated off the coast of Portugal to intercept
convoys bound for the Mediterranean; by destroying and damaging several
submarines during the month, the group aided in protecting supply lines
to forces involved in the campaign for Sicily. The group also covered
convoys and engaged numerous enemy aircraft in combat. In Sep 1943 part
of the group moved temporarily to Tunisia and operated in connection
with the assault on Italy; missions included searching for enemy
submarines, covering Allied convoys, and protecting the Italian fleet
after the surrender of Italy. The group was awarded a DUC for actions
that contributed to the winning of the Battle of the Atlantic. Moved to
the US in Nov and Dec 1943. Disbanded on 29 Jan 1944.
Squadrons. 1st: 1943-1944. 2d: 1942-1944.
Stations. Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 21 Jun-Nov 1943; Langley
Field, Va, c. 18 Nov 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 1-29 Jan 1944.
Commanders. Col Jack Roberts, 21 Jun 1943-unkn.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, EAM Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: North African Theater of
Operations [1943].
Insigne. None.
482nd Bombardment Group
Constituted as 482nd Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) on 10 Aug 1943
and activated in England on 20 Aug. Assigned to Eighth AF. Provided a
pathfinder force of radar-equipped aircraft to precede bomber formations
and indicate targets obscured by weather. Flew its first mission on 27
Sep 1943, leading bombers of 1st and 3rd Bombardment Divisions to attack
the port at Emden. Operated chiefly as a pathfinder organization until
Mar 1944, detaching its B-17 and B-24 aircraft, with crews, to other
stations in England to lead Eighth AF elements on specific missions to
the Continent. Led attacks on factories at Gotha, Brunswick, Schweinfurt,
and other industrial centers during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Also
served as the pathfinder force for bombers attacking airfields,
submarine installations, cities, marshalling yards, and other targets,
primarily in Germany. Received a DUC for a mission on 11 Jan 1944 when
it led organizations of Eighth AF into central Germany to attack
aircraft industries; although weather conditions prevented effective
fighter protection against severe attack by enemy aircraft, the group
not only bombed the assigned targets, but also destroyed a number of
enemy planes. Removed from combat status in Mar 1944 and after that
operated a school for pathfinder crews with the objective of training a
pathfinder squadron for each Eighth AF bombardment group; made
radarscope photographs of France, the Low Countries, and Germany for use
in training and briefing combat crews; and tested radar and other
navigational equipment. Often bombed such targets as bridges, fuel
depots, power plants, and railroad stations while on experimental
flights; flew a pathfinder mission to assist the bombardment of coastal
defenses in Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and later that day led attacks on
traffic centers behind the beachhead; sometimes dropped propaganda
leaflets. Redesignated 482nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1944.
Continued its training and experimental work until V-E Day. Moved to the
US, May-Jun 1945. Inactivated on 1 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 482nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 26 Jun 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Redesignated 482nd Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the
reserve. Activated on 14 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 1 Dec 1952.
Redesignated 482nd Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve.
Activated on 18 May 1955.
Squadrons. 6th: 1947-1949. 812th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952; 1955-.
813th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952. 814th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952.
Stations. Alconbury, England, 20 Aug 1943-21 May 1945; Victorville
AAFld, Calif, c. 5 Jul-1 Sep 1945. New Orleans Mun Aprt, La, 26 Jun
1947-27 Jun 1949. Miami Intl Aprt, Fla, 14 Jun-1 Dec 1952; Dobbins AFB,
Ga, 18 May 1955-.
Commanders. Col Baskin R Lawrence Jr, 20 Aug 1943; Col Howard Moore,
1 Dec 1943; Lt Col Clement W Bird, 15 Dec 1944-1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.
Insigne. None.
483d Bombardment Group
Constituted as 483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and
activated on 20 Sep. Trained with B-17's. Moved to Italy, Mar-Apr 1944,
and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Began operations in Apr 1944 and served in
combat until late in Apr 1945, hitting such targets as factories, oil
refineries, marshalling yards, storage areas, airdromes, bridges, gun
positions, and troop concentrations in Italy, France, Germany, Poland,
Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece.
Received a DUC for action on 18 Jul 1944 when, without fighter escort,
the group engaged numerous enemy aircraft in the target area and also
bombed the objective, an airdrome and installations at Memmingen.
Assisting the strategic bombardment of enemy industry the group received
another DUC for braving fighter assaults and antiaircraft fire to bomb
tank factories at Berlin on 24 May 1945. Struck targets in southern
France in preparation for the invasion in Aug 1944. Operated in support
of ground force in northern Italy during the Allied offensive in Apr
1945. After V-E Day, transported personnel from Italy to North Africa
for movement to the US. Inactivated in Italy on 25 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 483rd Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in Japan
on 1 Jan 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command but attached to Far East
Air Forces for duty in the Korean War. Used C-119's to transport
personnel and supplies to Korea, receiving a Korean DUC for the
missions. Received an AFOUA for operations during 1953-1954: while
transporting supplies to UN forces in Korea and training with airborne
troops, the group also assisted the French in Indochina by hauling
supplies and training personnel for airlift operations in C-119's.
Assigned to Far East Air Forces in 1954.
Squadrons. 815th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 816th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 817th:
1943-1945; 1953-. 840th (formerly 818th): 1943-1945.
Stations. Ephrata AAB, Wash, 20 Sep 1943; MacDill Field, Fla, 7 Nov
1943-2 Mar 1944; Tortorella, Italy, 30 Mar 1944; Sterparone Airfield,
Italy, 22 Apr 1944; Pisa, Italy 15 May-25 Sep 1945. Ashiya AB, Japan, 1
Jan 1953-.
Commanders. Col Paul L Barton, c. 26 Sep 1943; Col Joseph B Stanley,
8 May-c. Sep 1945. Lt Col Ernest W Burton, 1 Jan 1953; Col George M
Foster, 1 Mar 1953; Lt Col Kenneth C Jacobs, Jul 1955; Col Horace W
Patch, c. Aug 1955-.
Campaigns. World War II: Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive,
Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North
Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley. Korean War: Third
Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Germany, 18 Jul 1944;
Germany, 24 Mar 1945. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation:
[Jan]-27 Jul 1953. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 6 May 1953-10 Sep
1954.
Insigne. Shield: Azure (sky blue), a sphere encircled with an orbit
all or, latitude and longitude lines azure (deep blue), over the sphere
a hand proper supporting a parachute proper, an aircraft proper, and
artillery proper; encircling the upper section of the sphere, three
clouds proper and an increscent moon and four stars of the second color;
on a chief of the third, thirteen stars argent, the chief fimbriated or.
Motto: Effective Airlift Support. (Approved 2 Feb 1956.)
484th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and
activated on 20 Sep. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy,
Mar-Apr 1944. Assigned to Fifteenth AF. Redesignated 484th Bombardment
Group (Pathfinder) in May 1944 but did not perform pathfinder functions.
Redesignated 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1944. Operated
primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, Apr 1944-Apr 1945.
Attacked such targets as oil refineries, oil storage plants, aircraft
factories, heavy industry, and communications in Italy, France, Germany,
Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia. On 13 Jun
1944 a heavy smoke screen prevented the group from bombing marshalling
yards at Munich; however, in spite of severe damage from flak and
interceptors, and despite heavy gunfire encountered at the alternate
target, the group bombed marshalling yards at Innsbruck and received a
DUC for its persistent action. Received second DUC for performance on 21
Aug 1944 when, unescorted, the organization fought its way through
intense opposition to attack underground oil storage installations in
Vienna. In addition to strategic missions the 484th participated in the
drive toward Rome by bombing bridges, supply dumps, viaducts, and
marshalling yards, Apr-Jul 1944; ferried gasoline and oil to Allied
forces in southern France, Sep 1944; and supported the final advance
through northern Italy, Apr 1945. Moved to Casablanca in May 1945.
Assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated in French Morocco on 25
Jul 1945.
Squadrons. 824h: 1943-1945. 825th: 1943-1945. 826th: 1943-1945.
827th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Harvard AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943-2 Mar 1944; Torretto
Airfield, Italy, Apr 1944; Casablanca, French Morocco, c. 25 May-25 Jul
1945.
Commanders. Col William B Keese, Oct 1943; Lt Col Chester C Busch,
Apr 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Munich, Germany, and
Innsbruck, Austria, 13 Jun 1944; Vienna, Austria, 21 Aug 1944.
Insigne. None.
485th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 485th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and
activated on 10 Sep. Trained with B-24's. Moved to the Mediterranean
theater, Mar-Apr 1944, with the air echelon receiving additional
training in Tunisia before joining the ground echelon in Italy. Assigned
to Fifteenth AF. Entered combat in May 1944 and engaged primarily in
flying long-range missions to targets in Italy, France, Germany,
Austria, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia, bombing marshalling yards,
oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other
strategic objectives. Received a DUC for combating intense fighter
opposition and attacking an oil refinery at Vienna on 26 Jun 1944. Also
carried out some support and interdiction operations. Struck bridges,
harbors, and troop concentrations in Aug 1944 to aid the invasion of
Southern France. Hit communications lines and other targets during Mar
and Apr 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army in northern
Italy. Returned to the US in May 1945. Redesignated 485th Bombardment
Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Equipped with B-29's. Assigned to
Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.
Squadrons. 506th: 1946. 828th: 1943-1946. 829th: 1943-1946. 830th:
1943-1946. 831st: 1943-1945.
Stations. Fairmont AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943-11 Mar 1944; Venosa,
Italy, Apr 1944-15 May 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 30 May 1945; Sioux
City AAB, Iowa, 24 Jul 1945; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 8 Sep 1945-4 Aug
1946.
Commanders. Col Walter E Arnold Jr, 27 Sep 1943; Col John P Tomhave,
c. 29 Aug 1944; Col John B Cornett, 17 Feb 1945; Lt Col Douglas M
Cairns, 23 Mar ~94~-unkn; Lt Col Richard T Lively, 6 Aug 1945; Col John
W White, 15 Sep 1945; Col Walter S Lee, 1946-Aug 1946.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive,
Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North
Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Vienna, Austria, 16 Jun
1944.
Insigne. None.
486th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 486th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and
activated on 20 Sep. Moved to England in Mar 1944 and assigned to Eighth
AF. Entered combat in May 1944 with B-14 aircraft but soon converted to
B-17's. Operated chiefly against strategic objectives in Germany until
May 1945. Targets included marshalling yards in Stuttgart, Cologne, and
Mainz; airfields in Kassel and Munster; oil refineries and storage
plants in Merseburg, Dollbergen, and Hamburg; harbors in Bremen and
Kiel; and factories in Mannheim and Weimar. Other missions included
bombing airfields, gun positions, V-weapon sites, and railroad bridges
in France in preparation for or in support of the invasion of Normandy
in Jun 1944; striking road junctions and troop concentrations in support
of ground forces pushing across France, Jul-Aug 1944; hitting gun
emplacements near Arnheim to minimize transport and glider losses during
the airborne invasion of Holland in Sep 1944; and bombing enemy
installations in support of ground troops during the Battle of the Bulge
(Dec 1944-Jan 1945) and the assault across the Rhine (Mar-Apr 1945).
Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Squadrons. 832d: 1943-1945. 833d: 1943-1945. 834th: 1943-1945. 835th:
1943-1945.
Stations. McCook AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz,
9 Nov 1943-Mar 1944; Sudbury, England, Mar 1944-Aug 1945; Drew Field,
Fla, 3 Sep-7 Nov 1945.
Commanders. Col Glendon P Overing, 20 Sep 1943; Col William B Kieffer,
c. 13 Apr 1945; Lt Col J James Grater, Jul 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air-Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
487th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 487th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and
activated on 20 Sep. Prepared for overseas duty with B-24's. Moved to
England, Mar-Apr 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began combat in May
1944, bombing airfields in France in preparation for the invasion of
Normandy; then pounded coastal defenses, road junctions, bridges and
locomotives during the invasion. Attacked German troops and artillery
positions to assist British forces near Caen in Jul; struck gun
emplacements to support the Allied effort at Brest in Aug and to cover
the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944. Flew a few missions against
German industries, refineries, and communications during the period
May-Aug 1944, but operated almost solely against strategic targets from
Aug 1944, when conversion to B-17's was completed, until Mar 1945.
Attacked oil refineries in Merseburg, Mannheim, and Dulmen; factories in
Nurnberg, Hannover, and Berlin; and marshalling yards in Cologne,
Munster, Hamm, and Neumunster. Aided ground forces during the Battle of
the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, and turned again to support and
interdictory operations in Mar 1945 as the Allies crossed the Rhine and
made the final thrust into Germany. Returned to the US, Aug-Sep 1945.
Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Squadrons. 836th: 1943-1945. 837th: 1943-1945. 838th: 1943-1945.
839th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Bruning AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943; Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 15
Dec 1943-c. 13 Mar 1944; Lavenham, England, 5 Apr 1944-26 Aug 1945; Drew
Field, Fla, 3 Sep-7 Nov 1945.
Commanders. Lt Col Charles E Lancaster, 4 Oct 1943; Lt Col Beirne Lay
Jr, 28 Feb 1944; Col Robert Taylor III, 12 May 1944; Col William K
Martin, 28 Dec 1944; Lt Col Howard C Todt, May 1945; Col Nicholas T
Perkins, 3 Jun 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
488th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 488th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943.
Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Assigned to Second AF; reassigned to Third AF
in Nov 1943. Equipped with B-17's. Served as a replacement training
unit. Disbanded on 1 May 1944:
Squadrons. 818th (formerly 840th): 1943-1944. 841st: 1943-1944. 842d:
1943-1944. 843d: 1943-1944.
Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Oct 1943; MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Nov
1943-1 May 1944.
Commanders. Lt Col Rudolph B Robeck, 1 Oct 1943; Maj George H Goody,
12 Oct 1943; Lt Col Ansley Watson, 25 Oct 1943; Col Gerry L Mason, 11
Dec 1943; Lt Col Ansley Watson, 11 Feb 1944; Lt Col Robert K Martin, 15
Mar-1 May 1944.
Campaigns. None.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
489th Bombardment Group - 499th Bombardment Group
489th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 489th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943.
Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained with B-24's. Moved to England, Apr-May
1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 30 May 1944, and
during the next few days concentrated on targets in France in
preparation for the Normandy invasion. In an attack against coastal
defenses near Wimereaux on 5 Jun 1944, the group's lead plane was
seriously crippled by enemy fire, its pilot was killed, and the deputy
group commander, Lt Col Leon R Vance Jr, who was commanding the
formation, was severely wounded; although his right foot was practically
severed, Vance took control of the plane, led the group to a successful
bombing of the target, and managed to fly the damaged aircraft to the
coast of England, where he ordered the crew to bail out; believing a
wounded man had been unable to jump, he ditched the plane in the Channel
and was rescued. For his action during this mission, Vance was awarded
the Medal of Honor. The group supported the landings in Normandy on 6
Jun 1944, and afterward bombed coastal defenses, airfields, bridges,
railroads, and V-weapon sites in the campaign for France. Began flying
missions into Germany in Jul, and engaged primarily in bombing strategic
targets such as factories, oil refineries and storage plants,
marshalling yards, and airfields in Ludwigshafen, Magdeburg, Brunswick,
Saarbrucken, and other cities until Nov 1944. Other operations included
participating in the saturation bombing of German lines just before the
breakthrough at St Lo in Jul, dropping food to the liberated French and
to Allied forces in France during Aug and Sep, and carrying food and
ammunition to Holland later in Sep. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1944, to
prepare for redeployment to the Pacific theater. Redesignated 489th
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Mar 1945. Equipped with B-29's.
Alerted for movement overseas in the summer of 1945, but war with Japan
ended before the group left the US. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
Squadrons. 844th: 1943-1945. 845th: 1943-1945. 846th: 1943-1945.
847th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Oct 1943-3 Apr 1944; Halesworth,
England, c. 1 May-Nov 1944; Bradley Field, Conn, 12 Dec 1944; Lincoln
AAFld, Neb, c. 17 Dec 1944; Great Bend AAFld, Kan, c. 18 Feb 1945;
Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 3 Apr 1945; Fairmont AAFld, Neb, c. 13 Jul
1945; Ft Lawton, Wash, 23 Aug 1945; March Field, Calif, 2 Sep-17 Oct
1945.
Commanders. Col Ezekiel W Napier, 20 Oct 1943; Lt Col Robert E
Kollimer, 5 Feb 1945; Col Paul C Ashworth, 11 Apr 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy;
Northern France; Rhineland.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
490th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 490th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943.
Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to
England in Apr 1944 for operations with Eighth AF. Entered combat in Jun
1944, bombing airfields and coastal defenses in France immediately
preceding and during the invasion of Normandy. Then struck bridges, rail
lines, vehicles, road junctions, and troop concentrations in France.
Supported ground forces near Caen in Jul and near Brest in Sep 1944.
After that, converted to B-17's and operated primarily against strategic
targets until the end of Feb 1945. Mounted attacks against enemy oil
plants, tank factories, marshalling yards, aircraft plants, and
airfields in such cities as Berlin, Hamburg, Merseburg, Munster, Kassel,
Hannover, and Cologne. Interrupted strategic missions to attack supply
lines and military installations during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec
1944-Jan 1945. Beginning in Mar 1945, attacked interdictory targets and
supported advancing ground forces. After V-E Day, carried food to
flood-stricken areas of Holland and transported French, Spanish, and
Belgian prisoners of war from Austria to Allied centers. Returned to the
US, Aug-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Squadrons. 848th: 1943-1945. 849th: 1943-1945. 850th: 1943-1945.
851st: 1943-1945.
Stations. Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, 1 Oct 1943; Mountain Home AAFld,
Idaho, 4 Dec 1943-Apr 1944; Eye, England, c. 1 May 1944-Aug 1945; Drew
Field, Fla, 3 Sep-7 Nov 1945.
Commanders. Maj Lyle E Halstead, 11 Oct 1943; Lt Col Beirne Lay Jr,
28 Oct 1943; Lt Col James H Isbell, Nov 1943; Col Lloyd H Watnee, 30 Dec
1943; Col Frank P Bostrom, 26 Jun 1944; Col Gene H Tibbets, c. 10 Jun
1945; Lt Col Clarence Adams, c. 9 Jul 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
491st Bombardment Group
Constituted as 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943.
Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. On 1 Jan 1944
the group, less the air echelon, was transferred without personnel and
equipment to England, where personnel were assigned later. The air
echelon continued to train in the US until it joined the group in
England in May 1944. Served in combat with Eighth AF until the end of
Apr 1945. Began operations early in Jun 1944 and attacked airfields,
bridges, and coastal defenses both preceding and during the invasion of
Normandy. Then concentrated its attacks on strategic objectives in
Germany, striking communications centers, oil refineries, storage
depots, industrial areas, shipyards, and other targets in such places as
Berlin, Hamburg, Kassel, Cologne, Gelsenkirchen, Bielefeld, Hannover,
and Magdeburg; on one occasion attacked the headquarters of the German
General Staff at Zossen, Germany. While on a mission to bomb an oil
refinery at Misburg on 26 Nov 1944, the group was attacked by large
numbers of enemy fighters; although about one-half of its planes were
destroyed, the remainder fought off the interceptors, successfully
bombed the target, and won for the group a DUC. Although engaged
primarily in strategic bombardment, the group also supported ground
forces at St Lo in Jul 1944; assaulted V-weapon sites and communications
lines in France during the summer of 1944; dropped supplies to
paratroops on 18 Sep 1944 during the airborne attack in Holland; bombed
German supply lines and fortifications during the Battle of the Bulge,
Dec 1944-Jan 1945; supported Allied forces in the airborne drop across
the Rhine in Mar 1945; and interdicted enemy communications during the
Allied drive across Germany in Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Jul.
Inactivated on 8 Sep 1945.
Squadrons. 852d: 1943-1945. 853d: 1943-1945. 854th: 1943-1945. 855th:
1943-1945.
Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Oct 1943; El Paso, Tex, 11 Nov
1943; England, 1 Jan 1944; North Pickenham, England, Feb 1944; Metfield,
England, Mar 1944; North Pickenham, England, 15 Aug 1944-Jun 1945;
McChord Field, Wash, 17 Jul-8 Sep 1945.
Commanders. Col Dwight O Monteith, 10 Oct 1943; Maj Jack G Merrell,
20 Dec 1943; Col Wilson H Banks, 5 Jan 1944; Maj Alex E Burleigh, 19 Jan
1944; Lt Col Jack G Merrell, 29 Jan 1944; Lt Col Carl T Goldenburg, 12
Feb 1944; Col F H Miller, 26 Jun 1944; Col Allen W Reed, c. 20 Oct
1944-1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Misburg, Germany, 26 Nov
1944.
Insigne. None.
492d Bombardment Group
Constituted as 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943.
Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to
England in Apr 1944 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 11 May
1944, and throughout the month operated primarily against industrial
targets in central Germany. Attacked airfields and V-weapon launching
sites in France during the first week in Jun. Bombed coastal defenses in
Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and attacked bridges, railroads, and other
interdiction targets in France until the middle of the month. Resumed
bombardment of strategic targets in Germany and, except for support of
the infantry during the St Lo breakthrough on 25 Jul 1944, continued
such operations until Aug 1944. Transferred, less personnel and
equipment, to another station in England on 5 Aug 1944 and assumed
personnel, equipment, and the Carpetbagger mission of a provisional
group that was discontinued. Operated chiefly over southern France with
B-24's and C-47's, engaging in Carpetbagger operations, that is,
transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets to patriots.
Ceased these missions on 16 Sep 1944 to haul gasoline to advancing
mechanized forces in France and Belgium. Intermittently attacked
airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other targets in France, the
Low Countries, and Germany until Feb 1945. Meanwhile, in Oct 1944, began
training for night bombardment operations; concentrated on night bombing
of marshalling yards and goods depots in Germany, Feb-Mar 1945. Ceased
these missions on 18 Mar 1945 to engage in Carpetbagger operations over
Germany and German-occupied territory, using B-24, A-26, and British
Mosquito aircraft to drop leaflets, demolition equipment, and agents.
Received a DUC for these operations, performed at night despite adverse
weather and vigorous opposition from enemy ground forces, 20 Mar-25 Apr
1945. Also cited by the French government for similar operations over
France in 1944. Flew its last Carpetbagger mission in Apr 1945 and then
ferried personnel and equipment to and from the Continent until Jul.
Returned to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Redesignated 492d Bombardment Group
(Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
Squadrons. 406th: 1945. 856th: 1943-1945. 857th: 1943-1945. 858th:
1943-1944, 1944-1945. 859th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Oct 1943-1 Apr 1944; North
Pickenham, England, 18 Apr 1944; Harrington, England, 5 Aug 1944-8 Jul
1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 14 Aug 1945; Kirtland Field, NM, 17 Aug-17
Oct 1945.
Commanders. Col Arthur Pierce, 19 Oct 1943; Maj Louis C Adams, 17 Dec
1943; Col Eugene H Snavely, 16 Jan 1944; Col Clifford Heflin, 13 Aug
1944; Lt Col Robert W Fish, 16 Aug 1944; Col Hudson H Upham, 17 Dec
1944; Lt Col Jack M Dickerson, c. 7 Jun 1945; Lt Col Dalson E Crawford,
30 Aug-Oct 1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Southern
France; Rhineland; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany and German-occupied
territory, 20 Mar-25 Apr 1945. French Croix de Guerre with Palm.
Insigne. None.
493d Bombardment Group
Constituted as 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943.
Activated |
