Professional Documents
Culture Documents
USAAF Combat Units of WWII
USAAF Combat Units of WWII
OF WORLD WAR I1
Edited by
Maurer Maurer
Richard H. Kohn
Chief, Office of Air Force History
...
1EE
United States Air Force
Historical Advisory Committee
(As of September 1, 1983)
vi
rupted by demobilization and by numerous changes in Air Force
organization. Lower echelons of some commands, as well as reserve
and national guard organizations not in active service, have not
forwarded narratives and documents to the archives.
Other important sources were papers of the Air Service, the Air
Corps, and the Air Staff of Army Air Forces; numbered letters of
the War Department and the Department of the Air Force; general
and special orders; reports and staff studies; statistical digests; or-
ganizational directories; personnel rosters; and station lists.
Monographs prepared by the USAF Historical Division and by
the historical ofices of the various commands were very useful.
Another secondary source of great value was the USAF Historical
Division’s seven-volume history, The Army Air Forces in World
War ZZ, edited by W. F. Craven and J. L. Cate, and published by
the University of Chicago Press.
Acknowledgments. This volume is, in a large measure, the
work of Miss Mary Frances Morgan (M.A., University of Georgia),
Miss Merlin Elaine Owen (M.A., Tulane University), Mr. Sam H.
Frank (M.A., Florida State University), Mr. Herman A. Higgins
(M.A., Peabody College), Mr. Richard C. Lukas (B.A., Florida
State University), and Mr. Wesley P. Newton, Jr. (M.A., Uni-
versity of Alabama). These young graduate students, who joined
the USAF Historical Division in the summer of 1957, were well
qualified for the task of conducting the research and preparing the
draft of the book. Each had excellent training in history and his-
torical methodology. Each proved to be a first-class researcher.
But these historians brought more than technical competence to
their job. They had enthusiasm for their work, a vast store of good
humor, and the personal qualities that enable people to work together
in the finest spirit of cooperation. When this team broke up in the
summer of 1958, Miss Morgan and Mr. Newton stayed on for
another year to finish the draft and assist with the editing.
Many other persons contributed to the production of this volume.
Miss Marguerite Kennedy and her staff in the archives of the USAF
Historical Division provided numerous services that expedited the
vii
research. Mr. David Schoem of the Air University Historical
Liaison Office in Washington assisted with many administrative
matters. Mr. Gordon W. Benson and members of his staff furnished
copies of the unit history cards maintained by the Organization
Branch, Directorate of Statistical Services, Headquarters USAF.
Miss Eleanor Cox, Chief of the Heraldic Section, Directorate of
Military Personnel, Headquarters USAF, assisted by Miss Anna D.
Osso of the Heraldic Section, supplied the insignia and their de-
scriptions. Dr. Chauncey E. Sanders, Mr. Robert T. Finney, Dr.
Wilson Howell, Dr. Edith C . Rodgers, Major Ruth P. Boehner,
Lieutenant James D. Secor, Lieutenant Eugene Pascuzzi, and other
members or former members of the USAF Historical Division who
at various times were associated with the Division’s unit history
program, prepared many unit histories that supplied valuable data
for this volume. Mrs. Lois L. Lynn maintained the voluminous
files required for the project and typed the various drafts of the
book. Although this brief note can not name all the persons who
assisted in one way or another, it should mention two men whose
interest and support were vital to the project: Col. G. C. Cobb,
Director of Research Studies Institute during the time the book was
being written; and Dr. Albert F. Simpson, Chief, USAF Historical
Division.
15 September 1959
...
Ull1
Explanatory Notes
These notes, which are designed as an aid to the use of this vol-
ume, are keyed to the various kinds of information presented in thd
historical sketches of the combat organizations.
Heading. The heading gives the numerical and general func-
tional designation of the organization at the end of World War 11.
Insigne. The insigne is the last one approved prior to the end of
World War I1 if such an insigne was available. If the organization
had no insigne at that time but had one approved after the war, the
latter is shown. A regulation issued in 1953 required each combat
group to use the insigne of the combat wing of the same number;
consequently, in this book wing insignia are given for some groups.
Lineage. The lineage, which was traced through official docu-
ments, is presented in a narrative that also covers the major activities
of the organization. Organizational actions (e.g., activation, re-
designation, etc.) relating to lineage are highlighted by means of
italics. Minor redesignations (e.g., a change from Bombardment
Group, H to Bombardment Group, Heavy), as well as organiza-
tional changes that had no effect on lineage, were omitted. The
terms used to describe actions that establish the lineage of Air Force
organizations are defined in Appendix I :Organizational Terms.
Operations. The narrative for each group gives a brief summary
of the organization’s major activities, especially its combat opera-
tions. A general statement concerning major functions or area of
operations is provided for organizations above the group level.
Assignments. The narrative includes information concerning
the organization’s assignments, or its attachments for operational
control. For World War 11, this information is generally restricted
to the numbered air forces with which the organization operated;
iX
for the post-World War I1 period, it is usually confined to the major
command. Because of peculiarities and changes in the Air Force
structure between 1946 and 1950, assignments to Air Defense, Tactical
Air, and Continental Air Command during that time are, as a gen-
eral rule, not shown. In references to Air National Guard (ANG)
organizations, names of states, shown as abbreviations in paren-
theses, indicate allotments of headquarters.
Aircraft. The narrative for each group supplies information
concerning the aircraft used by the organization.
Organizational Components. The major combat elements are
listed immediately following the narrative. The list shows only the
components at the first subordinate echelon in any particular period.
Components were omitted in some cases in which the structure of the
subject organization changed frequently and the assignments of
components usually were of brief duration. Attached components,
as well as service and support elements, were omitted. Components
of national guard organizations are given only for those periods in
which the guard organizations were on extended active service.
Only numerical designations are shown if the functional desig-
nations (e.g., fighter, bomber) of the components and subject organ-
ization were similar. For components assigned during World War
11, the numerical designation shown is the one in use at the end of the
war. If the numerical designation of a component changed during
the period of assignment to the subject Organization, the former or
later designation is supplied in parentheses.
A semicolon separating dates indicates that the subject organ-
ization was inactivated. A comma indicates that the component
was relieved of assignment and later reassigned during a period in
which the subject organization remained active.
Stations. The list of stations shows the locations and move-
ments of the organization. Temporary stations are not listed. The
name given for each base is the one in use at the time the organization
arrived. Webster’s Geographical Dictionary was used as the pri-
mary authority for the spelling of place names. For plcaces not
listed there, the NIS Gazetteers were used. For places not given
in either of those sources, it was necessary to rely on station lists
x
and other Air Force documents. Geographical place names, rather
than base names, are generally shown for stations overseas. If the
organization moved frequently, as some organizations did in the
Mediterranean and Pacific areas during World War 11, countries,
rather than specific places, are shown. Stations for national guard
organizations are given only for those periods in which the guard
organizations were on extended active service.
A single date indicates the arrival of the organization’s head-
quarters or, if that could not be determined, the arrival of the first
major element of the organization. Where double dates are given,
the second date, if followed by a semicolon, shows when the organ-
ization (or the first major element) began an extended movement
either overseas or within a theater; if followed by a period, the second
date indicates that the organization was inactivated.
Commanders. The list of commanders gives the names of the
organization’s commanding officers, the highest rank held by each
during the period of command, and the date each assumed command.
As a general rule, temporary or acting commanders are not shown.
Because of difficultiesencountered in obtaining data concerning com-
manders of reserve and national guard organizations, commanders
of such organizations are shown only for those periods the organiza-
tions were on extended active service.
Where double dates are shown, the second date, if followed by a
period, indicates that the organization was inactivated; if followed
by a semicolon, the second date indicates that there is, or may be, a
gap in the list of commanders.
Campaigns. The campaigns listed are those in which the or-
ganization participated, the determination in each instance being
based upon a careful analysis of the organization’s operations. If
the listing shows Asiatic-Pacific Theater or European-African-aid-
dle Eastern Theater, the organization served, but was not engaged
in combat, in the theater. If the listing includes American Theater,
the organization either served in the theater area outside the
United States, or was stationed in the United States for a total time
of one year or more. The theater is not shown if any campaign in
the theater is listed. When some components of the organization
xi
were engaged in activities that could not be attributed to the entire
organization, those activities are not covered by the list of the organ-
ization’s campaigns. For example, if a squadron on detached serv-
ice from a group in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater
served in combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, the campaigns listed
for the group do not include the Asiatic-Pacific campaigns in which
the squadron participated. A list of all the campaigns in which Air
Force organizations have participated is provided in Appendix I1 :
Theaters and Campaigns.
It should be emphasized that the listings in this book are for
groups, wings, divisions, commands, and air forces rather than for
the headquarters of these organizations or for the squadrons. Conse-
quently, units are cautioned not to use the listings in this volume as
the basis or authority for claiming or displaying service streamers.
The Awards Branch, Personnel Services Division, Directorate of
Military Personnel, Headquarters USAF is responsible for determin-
ing what service streamers each unit is entitled to display.
Decorations. Under decorations are listed the citations and
other awards made to the organization. In cases where citations were
found to be suitable for such treatment, they are mentioned in the
narrative in connection with operations (as well as listed under
“Decorations”) in order to provide additional data about the activities
covered by the citations. In many instances dates for citations have
been omitted or have been revised and set in brackets because the
dates given in orders pertaining to the citations are obviously incor-
rect. For example, the dates given in an order may extend over a
period before or after the organization was engaged in the activity
for which it was cited. Information concerning the various citations
and other awards that have been bestowed on organizational ele-
ments of the Air Force is provided in Appendix 111: Decorations.
As in the case of the campaigns, the listings in this volume are
not to be used by units as the basis or authority for claiming or dis-
playing streamers and other devices that represent awards. The
Awards Branch determines the awards to which each unit is entitled.
xii
Contents
Page
FOREWORD ...........................................................
...
zzz
PREFACE ................................................................. V
EXPLANATORY NOTES ....................................... ix
INTRODUCTION .................................................. 1
Air Force Combat Organization .............................. 1
Commanders ........................................................ 14
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS
Groups ................................................................ 19
Wings ................................................................. 373
Divisions ............................................................. 431
Commands ........................................................... 437
Air Forces ............................................................ 457
APPENDIXES
I . Organizational Terms .................................... 475
I1. Theaters and Campaigns ................................ 478
I11. Decorations .................................................... 492
IV . Abbreviations ................................................ 493
INDEX OF UNITS .................................................. 495
...
XI12
INTRODUCTION
At the peak of its strength in World War 11, the United States
Army Air Forces (AAF) had more than 2,400,000 men and women
in uniform. There were pilots, navigators, bombardiers, gunners,
and radio operators, clerks and typists, artists and flautists, teachers,
mechanics, statisticians, and engineers-for it took many talents and
skills to conduct and support the war in the air. All these persons,
from privates to generals, had to be welded into an organization
capable of giving direction and coordination to their diverse activ-
ities. For combat the men were formed into squadrons, and squad-
rons into groups. Above the groups were wings, and wings were
organized into commands, and commands into the 16 air forces
of the AAF. The upper part of the structure had to be built while
the war was on, but the foundation WAS old. Some of the squadrons,
two of the groups, and one wing had combat records from the First
World War. One squadron, the oldest in the Air Force, could trace
its history back to 1913.
'9'3'9'7
unit had moved to San Diego for training, it was organized officially
as an Army squadron. Following Pancho Villa’s raid on Columbus,
New Mexico, in March 1916, the squadron joined the force that
Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing organized to try to capture the Mexican
bandit. Thus the 1st Aero Squadron, which provided communica-
tion and reconnaissance services during the Mexican expedition, was
the first American aviation unit to take the field for a military
campaign.
Meanwhile, although war had broken out in Europe, little
progress had been made toward expanding the Army’s air arm.
Congress created an Aviation Section in the Signal Corps by an act
approved on 18 July 1914, but the legislators provided little money
for the new service. Moreover, the Signal Corps naturally used the
meager resources to develop aviation as a means of communication,
observation, and reconnaissance, rather than as an instrument for
combat. One company of the 2d Aero Squadron was organized in
1915 and sent to the Philippines. The following year plans were
made for five more squadrons. One, the 7th, was formed in February
1917 for duty in the Panama Canal Zone. Another, the 6th, was
organized in Hawaii in March 1917. Three others, the 3d, 4th, and
5th, were being formed in the United States at the time the nation
entered World War I in April 1917.
World W a r 1
Pershing, who became commander of the American Expedition-
ary Forces (AEF) soon developed a plan for the deployment of 260
combat squadrons to France. Later the plan was revised with the
number of squadrons reduced to 202, all of which were to be at the
front by 30 June 1919. In Pershing’s view, the main functions of the
AEF’s Air Service were to drive off hostile aircraft and to obtain in-
formation about enemy movements. Half of the 202 squadrons,
therefore, were to be observation units assigned to 3 armies and 16
corps. Of the remainder, 60 were to be pursuit squadrons. But the
plan also provided for 27 night-bombardment and 14 day-bombard-
ment squadrons.
The first American aviation unit to reach France was the 1st
Aero Squadron, an observation organization, which sailed from New
INTRODUCTION
‘9’9-’939
After the war the Army quickly demobilized most of its air
arm, including the wing, all of the groups, and most of the squadrons.
Almost immediately, however, it began to create new organizations
for peacetime service. In many instances these new organizations
had no connection with those that had been active during the war.
For example, at Selfridge Field in August 1919 the Army organized
a 1st Pursuit Group that was in no way related to the AEF’s 1st
Pursuit Group, which had been demobilized in France in December
1918. A little later, however, the Army began a series of organiza-
tional actions that eventually enabled many active organizations to
trace their histories back to World War I. In the case of the 1st
Pursuit Group, for instance, the Army reconstituted the World War I
group of that name and consolidated it with the active group.
This process of reconstituting old units and consolidating them with
active units has continued up to the present time.
In 1920 an act of Congress (approved on 4 June) created the Air
Service as a combatant arm of the United States Army. But the Air
Service and the Air Corps that replaced it in 1926 (act of 2 July) did
not control the combat units, for their training and operations came
under the jurisdiction of ground forces. With this arrangement the
Air Service and Air Corps were responsible for matters relating to
personnel and materiel logistics, particularly training individual
pilots and other specialists, and developing, procuring, storing, and
distributing aeronautical equipment.
The composition, organization, and command of the combat
elements of the air arm during the 1920’sand early 1930’swere based
on principles laid down by the War Department General Staff in
1920. These principles, as they related to military aviation, were
INTRODUCTION 5
reflected in a war plan that called for the following aviation organiza-
tions as part of an expeditionary force: one observation squadron for
each of 54 divisions and one for each of 18 corps; one observation
group (four squadrons), plus one attack wing (one attack and two
pursuit groups), for each of 6 armies; one attack wing, one observa-
tion group, and one bombardment group for General Headquarters
(GHQ). Thus the war plan placed the greatest emphasis on ob-
servation aviation. It gave lesser roles to pursuit aviation, which was
to destroy enemy planes and assist in attacking enemy troops and
other objectives, and to attack aviation, which was to harass the
enemy’s ground forces. It assigned a minor place to bombardment
aviation, with the mission of destroying military objectives in the
combat theater and in the enemy’s zone of interior. Furthermore, it
placed aviation under the command of ground officers at division,
corps, army, and GHQ levels. As a result, the structure was con-
demned by Billy Mitchell and other Air Service officers who dis-
counted the importance of observation aviation, sought recognition
for bombardment as a major instrument of warfare, desired a greater
proportion of pursuit units for counter-air operations, and wanted
aviation units organized as an air force under the command of air-
men. One of the important facets of the history of the Army’s air
arm during the 1920’s and 1930’s was the conflict between air and
ground officers over the composition, organization, and command of
military aviation. While this is not the place for a detailed review
of that subject, the progress that the airmen made toward gaining
acceptance for their point of view is reflected in organizational
changes mentioned in subsequent paragraphs.
The principles behind the war plan were applied to the smaller
peacetime organization that was to be capable of rapid expansion in
an emergency. For several years the striking force based in the
United States consisted of three groups, the 1st Pursuit, the 2d Bom-
bardment, and the 3d Attack. There also was one observation group
(the gth), and there was one observation squadron for each of the
Army corps. During the same period there were three composite
groups on foreign service, the 4th being in the Philippines, the 5th in
Hawaii, and the 6th in Panama.
6 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
In 1926 the Army began to expand its air arm, and in the years
that followed new groups were activated: the 18th Pursuit (in
Hawaii) in 1927; the 7th Bombardment in 1928; the 12th Observa-
tion and 20th Pursuit in 1930; the 8th and 17th Pursuit in 1931; and
the 16th Pursuit (in the Canal Zone) and the 19th Bombardment in
1932. Consequently by the end of 1932 there were 15 groups (45
squadrons). The distribution of the squadrons by function is sig-
nificant. The number of attack squadrons (4) was the same as it
had been a decade earlier, while the strength in observation aviation
had decreased from 14 to 13 squadrons. The growth had, therefore,
been in other types of aviation, the number of bombardment squad-
rons having increased from 7 to 12, and pursuit squadrons from 7 to
16. Five more pursuit squadrons were activated in 1933, bringing the
total strength to 50 squadrons.
The most important change in the combat organization of the
air arm in the two decades between World Wars I and I1 came on I
March 1935. At that time the War Department established General
Headquarters Air Force (GHQAF) and placed it under the com-
mand of an air officer to serve as an air defense and striking force.
Some observation units remained assigned to corps areas, but all the
pursuit, bombardment, and attack units in the United States became
part of the new combat organization. The combat elements of
GHQAF were organized into three wings: the 1st Wing (with head-
quarters at March Field) had two bombardment groups, one attack
group, and three observation squadrons; the 2d Wing (Langley
Field) had two bombardment and two pursuit groups, plus three
observation squadrons; the 3d Wing (Barksdale Field) had an at-
tack and a pursuit group, plus one bombardment, one attack, and
two pursuit squadrons. The commanding general of GHQAF, who
reported to the Army’s Chief of Staff and was to report to the com-
mander of the field force in time of war, was responsible for the or-
ganization, training, and operations of this air force. The Chief of
the Air Corps still retained the responsibilities associated with per-
sonnel and materiel logistics.
The change of the 9th Group from observation to bombardment
in 1935 should be noted because that redesignation was an indication
of the decline of observation and the growth of bombardment avia-
INTRODUCTION 7
tion. Two years later the 12th Observation Group was inactivated.
And the same year (1937) the 10th Transport Group, the first group
of its kind, was activated. But there were no other significant
changes, the number of groups remaining at 15 (10 in the United
States and 5 on foreign service), until 1939.
World War 11
In January 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress
to strengthen America’s air power, which, the President said, was
“utterly inadequate.” On I September 1939 Hitler attacked Poland,
and the Second World War began. In the months that followed,
as Axis forces won one victory after another, the Army’s air arm
expanded rapidly. By the end of 1940 there were 30 groups. Within
another year, that is, by the time the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
and the United States entered the war, the number of active groups
had increased to 67, but many of them were still in the process of
being organized and few had aircraft suitable for combat.
The air arm grew even more rapidly in the months following
Pearl Harbor, and by the end of 1943 there were 269 groups. At that
time 133 of the groups were in the United States: 77 were being
manned or trained; 56, which provided the strategic reserve, served
as part of the defense force, as operational training units (OTU’s)
that prepared new units for combat, or as replacement training units
(RTU’s) that trained replacements for organizations overseas. Early
in 1944 most of the OTU’s and RTU’s were inactivated or disbanded,
the.training activities being given to base units. As a result the num-
ber of combat groups fell to 218, but the formation of new groups
brought the figure up to another peak of 243 in February 1945.
When Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June
1944, the United States had 148 combat groups in the European-
African-Middle Eastern Theater for the war against Germany. By
August 1945, when combat operations in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
came to an end, the United States had 86 groups in the war against
Japan.
In addition to the expansion, other important changes had taken
place in the air arm. By 7 December IWI more emphasis was being
8 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
World War I1 combat groups that had been inictivated. The Air
Force decided, therefore, to bestow the histories of combat groups on
like-numbered wings. For example, the 9th Bombardment Wing,
created after World War 11, received the history of the 9th Bombard-
ment Group, together with the campaign credits and decorations that
had been earned by the group during the war.
Despite all the changes that had taken place since V-J Day, the
Air Force in 1956 was to a large extent made up of elements that car-
ried on the traditions of organizations that had been active during
World War 11. The history of each of those organizations had been
shaped by many forces. Domestic politics, the national economy,
and international affairs were important factors in fixing the size,
and hence the number of active groups or wings, of the Air Force.
Science and technology determined the kind of equipment available
at any particular time. Fortune, too, had a part in forming the
histories of the various organizations. It is evident, for example, that
chance, rather than design, sometimes decided which organizations
would be kept active and which would be retired. The results are
reflected in the historical sketches presented in this book. Some
groups, for instance, have lengthy records of service; others were
created at a relatively late date or have been inactive for long periods.
Some were sent overseas for combat; others were kept at home. Some
received the newest planes from the production lines; others were
forced to use old, worn-out craft.
But no organization had its life shaped entirely by forces beyond
its control, for its own people, the men and women who gave the
organization a living existence, made history in many ways. A
fighter pilot flew out to battle and came back an ace. A gunner
returned from a bombing mission to be decorated for bravery above
and beyond the call of duty. But one did not have to be a hero to
have a place in history. The mechanic armed with his wrench, the
clerk with his typewriter-each had his own important part to play.
And at their head to lead them was a commander who, by virtue
of his authority and responsibility, had a special role in the historical
process.
Thus, through the workings of numerous and diverse forces, each
organization acquired a historic character and personality of its own.
14 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
COMMANDERS
I. Aeronautical Division, Signal corps
OAicer in Charge: Capt Charles DeF Chandler, I Aug
1907; Capt A S Cowan, I July 1910; Capt Charles DeF
Chandler, 20 Jun 1911; Lt Henry H Arnold, 18 Nov 1912;
Maj Edgar Russell, 15 Dec 1912; Lt Col Samuel Reber, 10
Sep 1913-18 Jul 1914.
11. Aviation Section, Signal Corps
Officer in Charge: Lt Col Samuel Reber, 18 Jul 1914;
Lt Col George 0 Squier, 20 May 1916; Lt Col J B Bennett,
rg Feb 1917; Maj Benjamin D Foulois, 30 Jul 1917; Brig Gen
A L Dade, 12 Nov 1917; Col Laurence Brown, 28 Feb
1918-21 May 1918.
I11 a. Division Military Aeronautics
of
Director: Maj Gen William L Kenly, 27 Apr 1918-
(under Director, Air Service after 27 Aug 1918).
I11 b. Bureau of Aircraft Production
Director: Mr John D Ryan, 21 May IgIS-(under Director,
Air Service after 27 Aug 1918).
IV. Air Service
Director: Mr John D Ryan, 27 Aug 1918; Maj Gen Charles
T Menoher, 23 Dec 1918-4 Jun 1920.
Chief: Maj Gen Charles T Menoher, 4 Jun 1920; Maj
Gen Mason M Patrick, 5 Oct 1921-2 Jul 1926.
V a. Air Corps
Chief: Maj Gen Mason M Patrick, 2 Jul 1926;Maj Gen
J E Fechet, 14 Dec 1927;Maj Gen Benjamin D Foulois, 19
Dec 1931; Maj Gen Oscar Westover, 22 Dec 1935; Maj Gen
Henry H Arnold, 22 Sep 1938;Maj Gen George H Brett, 30
May 1g41-(under Chief, AAF after 20 Jun 1941).
INTRODUCTION 15
demonstrations, took part in National when the group carried out a strafing at-
Air Races, tested equipment, and experi- tack on Italian airdromes, destroying great
mented with tactics, using Spad, Nieu- numbers of enemy aircraft that presented
port, DeHavilland, SE-5, MB-3, PW-8, a serious threat to the Allies’ plans for
P-I, P-6, PT-3, P-16, P-26, P-35, P-36, landing troops at Salerno. Also escorted
P-38, P-41, P-43, and other aircraft during bombers to Italy, receiving another DUC
the period 1919-1941. Was the only pur- for a mission on 30 Aug 1943 when the
suit group in the Army’s air arm for sev- group beat off enemy aircraft and thus
eral years; later, furnished cadres for new enabled bombers to inflict serious damage
units. Moved to the west coast imme- on marshalling yards at Aversa. Support-
diately after the Japanese attack on Pearl ed the invasion at Salerno in Sep and con-
Harbor and flew patrols for several weeks. tinued operations with Twelfth AF until
Redesignated 1st Fighter Group in May Nov 1943. Assigned to Fifteenth AF with
‘942. the primary mission of escorting bombers
Moved to England, Tun-Jul 1942. As- that attacked targets in Italy, France, Ger-
signed to Eighth AF. Entered combat many, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary,
with P-38 aircraft on 28 Aug and flew a Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and
number of missions to France before being Greece. Received third DUC for covering
assigned to Twelfth AF for duty in the the withdrawal of B-17’s after an attack
Mediterranean theater. Moved to North on Ploesti on 18 May 1944. Also flew straf-
Africa, part of the ground echelon landing ing and dive-bombing missions in an area
with the assault forces at Arzeu beach on from France to the Balkans. Supported
8 Nov 1942. The air echelon arrived a the landings at Anzio in Jan 1944 and the
few days later and the group soon began invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944.
operations, attacking enemy shipping, es- Continued operations until May 1945.
corting bombers, flying strafing missions, Znactitrated in Italy on 16 Oct 1945.
and performing reconnaissance duties dur- Activated in the US on 3 Jul 1946.
ing the campaign for Tunisia. Partici- Equipped first with P-80’s and later
pated in the reduction of Pantelleria. ( 1949) with F-86‘s. Redesignated 1st
Escorted bombers to targets in Sicily and Fighter-Interceptor Group in Apr 1950.
later aided ground forces during the con- Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952.
quest of that island by strafing and dive- Redesignated 1st Fighter Group (Air
bombing roads, motor transports, gun Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955. As-
emplacements, troop conce.ntrations, signed to Air Defense Command and
bridges, and railways. Flew missions equipped with F-86 aircraft.
against the enemy in Italy and received a SQUADRONS. z7th (formerly 147th) :
DUC for its performance on 25 Aug 1943 1918; 1919-1940. 27th: 1918; 19191945;
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 23
second fimbriated argent. Crest: Upon a 6th: 1943-1944. 19th: 1943. gist: 1943-
wreath of the colors or and vert upon a 1944.
hurte wavy an arrow palewise reversed be- STATIONS.Bolling Field, DC, 10 Jun
tween two wings displayed conjoined in 1941; Peterson Field, Colo, Dec 1943;
lure or. Motto: AUT VINCERE AUT Buckley Field, Colo, Jul-5 Oct 1944.
MORI-Conquer or Die. (Approved 10 COMMANDERS. Lt Col Minton W Kaye,
Feb 1924.) 10 Tun 1941; Lt Col George G Northrup,
c. I Feb 1942; Col Paul T Cullen, 8 Jul
1st PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP 1942; Col Minton W Kaye, c. I Jul 1943;
Col George G Northrup, c. 18 Nov 1943;
Lt Col Frank N Graves, c. I Dec 1943-
unkn.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.Shield: Per pale, vert and
azure, a pile or debruised by a barrulet
arched of the field upon and over the pile
a camera lens proper rimmed sable.
Motto: FIDELITER ET DILIGENTER
-Faithfully and Diligently. (Approved
24 Oct 1942.)
primarily with radar training for combat training; in Jun the group’s C-47’s were
crews. Used B-17, B-18, and B-24 air- sent to Ledo to move road-building equip-
craft. Disbanded on TO Apr 1944. ment; during Tun-Jul most of its L-5’s
SQUADRONS. zd: 1942-1944. 3d: 1942- were turned over to Fourteenth AF. The
1944. q h (formerly 18th Antisubma- group returned to the US during Oct-Nov
rine) : 1943-1944. 1945. Inactivated on 12 Nov 1945. Dis-
STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, 17 Jun banded on 8 Oct 1948.
1942-10 Apr 1944. SQUADRONS. zst Fighter : 1944-1945.
COMMANDERS. Col William C Dolan, 2d Fighter: 1944-1945. 127th Liaison :
17 Jun 1942-10 Apr 1944. 1944-1945. 255th Liaison : 1944-1945.
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American 156th Liaison: 1944-1945. 317th Troop
Theater. Carrier: 1944-1945.
DECORATIONS. None. STATIONS. Drew Field, Fla, 22 Apr-28
INSIGNE.None. Srp 1944; Kalaikunda, India, 12 Nov
1944-4 Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 11-12
NOV1945.
2d AIR COMMANDO GROUP COMMANDERS. Capt L H Couch, 22 Apr
1944; Col Arthur R DeBolt, I May 1944;
Constituted as 2d Air Commando
Col Alfred J Ball Jr, 15 May 1945-unkn.
Group on 11 Apr 1944 and activated on
CAMPAIGNS. India-Burma; Central
22 Apr. Trained for operations with P-51,
Burma.
G47, and L-j aircraft. Moved to India,
DECORATIONS. None.
SepNov 1944. Between Nov 1944 and
INSIGNE.None.
May 1945 the group dropped supplies to
Allied troops who were fighting the Japa- 2d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
nese in the Chindwin Valley in Burma;
moved Chinese troops from Burma to Organized as 1st Day Bombardment
China; transported men, food, ammuni- Group in France on 10 Sep 1918.
tion, and construction equipm$ri\, to Equipped with DH-4 and Breguet air-
Burma; dropped Gurka paratroops during craft and entered combat on 12 Sep. At-
the assault on Rangoon; provided fighter tacked troop concentrations and com-
support for Allied forces crossing the Ir- munications to interfere with the enemy’s
rawaddy River in Feb 1945; struck enemy movement of reinforcements and supplies
airfields and transportation facilities; es- to the front during the Allied offensive at
corted bombers to targets in the vicinity of St Mihiel. Also took part in the Meuse-
Rangoon; bombed targets in Thailand; Argonne campaign, attacking the enemy
and flew reconnaissance missions. After behind the line, and conducting bombing
May 1945 the fighter squadrons were in operations that helped to protect Allied
26 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
tories at Regensburg, it met similar opposi- 1927-Sep 1930; Capt Eugene L Eubank,
tion equally well and was awarded a 26 Dec 1933; Maj Willis H Hale, I Jul
second DUC. Served as part of the occupa- 1934; Lt Col Charles B Oldfield, 1935; Lt
tion force in Italy after V-E Day. Znacti- Col Robert C Olds, c. 1937-unkn; Lt Col
vated in Italy on 28 Feb 1946. Harold L George, Feb 1940-unkn; Lt Col
Redesignated 2d Bombardment Group Darr H Alkire, 6 Jan 1942; Col Dale 0
(Very Heavy). Activated in the US on I Smith, c. Sep 1942; Col Ford J Lauer, 29
Jul 1947. Assigned to Strategic Air Com- Oct 1942; Lt Col Joseph A Thomas, 20
mand and equipped with B-29’s. Re- Apr 1943; Col Herbert E Rice, 5 Sep 1943;
designated 2d Bombardment Group Col John D Ryan, 8 Jul 1944; Col Paul T
(Medium) in May 1948. Converted to Cullen, 25 Sep 1944; Col Robert K Martin,
B-50’s early in 1950. Znactivated on 16 Jun 23 May 1945-20 Feb 1946. Unkn, Jul-
1952. Sep 1947; Col Dalene E Bailey, 24 Sep
SQUADRONS. zzth : 1918 ; 1919-1927. 1947; Col William E Eubank Jr, 3 Aug
20th: 1918; 1919-1946; 1947-1952. 49th 1948; Col James B Knapp, Jan 1950; Col
(formerly 166th) : 1918; 1919-1946; 1947- Earl R Tash, Jan 1951; Brig Gen Frederic
1952. 96th: 1918; 1919-1946; 1947-1952. E Glantzberg, 10 Feb 1951; Col John M
429th: 1942-1946. Reynolds, c. 14 Feb-16 Jun 1952.
STATIONS. Amanty, France, 10 Sep 1918; CAMPAIGNS. World War I: St Mihiel;
Maulan, France, 23 Sep-Nov 1918. Elling- Lorraine; Meuse-Argonne. World War
ton Field, Tex, 18 Sep 1919; Kelly Field, ZZ: Antisubmarine, American Theater;
Tex, c. 25 Sep 1919; Langley Field, Va, I Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offen-
Jul 1922; Ephrata, Wash, 29 Oct 1942; sive, Europe; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Fog-
Great Falls AAB, Mont, 27 Nov 1942-13 gia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy;
Mar 1943; Navarin, Algeria, Apr 1943; Northern France; Southern France; North
Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria, 27 Apr Apennines; Rhineland ; Central Europe;
1943; Ain M’lila, Algeria, 17 Jun 1943; Po Valley.
Massicault, Tunisia, 31 Jul 1943; Bizerte, DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Tunisia, 2 Dec 1943; Amendola, Italy, c. tions: Steyr, Austria, 24 Feb 1944; Ger-
9 Dec 1943; Foggia, Italy, 19 Nov 1945- many, 25 Feb 1944.
28 Feb 1946. Andrews Field, Md, I Jul INSIGNE.Shield: Or, in fess four aerial
1947; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 24 Sep bombs dropping bend sinisterwise azure,
1947; Chatham AFB, Ga, c. I May 1949; on a chief engrailed paly of five vert and
Hunter AFB, Ga, 22 Sep 1950-16 Jun 1952. sable a fleur-de-lis argent. Crest: A cloud
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Sep-Nov 1918. (gray) rifted disclosing the firmament
Unkn, Sep IgIg-May 1921 ;Maj Thomas J (blue) crossed by a bolt of lightning (yel-
Hanley Jr, May-Sep 1921; Maj Lewis H low) striking bend sinisterwise all proper.
Brereton, Jun 1925; Maj Hugh Knerr, Jul Motto: LIBERTATEM DEFENDI-
28 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
squadron could withdraw safely-an ac- 1935-1936. 89th (formerly 10th) : 1941-
tion for which Maj Wilkins was posthu- 1946. 90th: 1919.
mously awarded the Medal of Honor. STATIONS. Kelly Field, Tex, I Jul 1919;
The group moved to the Philippines late Ft Bliss, Tex, 12 Nov 1919; Kelly Field,
in 1944. Equipped with A-~o’s, it Tex, 2 Jul 1921; Ft Crockett, Tex, I Jul
bombed and strafed airfields; supported 1926; Barksdale Field, La, 28 Feb 1935;
ground forces on Mindoro, Luzon, and Savannah, Ga, 6 Oct 1940-19 Jan 1942;
Mindanao; attacked industries and rail- Brisbane, Australia, 25 Feb 1942; Charters
ways on Formosa; and struck shipping Towers, Australia, -10 Mar 1942; Port
along the China coast. Moved to Oki- Moresby, New Guinea, 28 Jan 1943;
nawa early in Aug 1945 and flew some Dobodura, New Guinea, 20 May 1943;
missions to Japan before the war ended. Nadzab, New Guinea, 3 Feb 1944; Hol-
Moved to Japan in Sep 1945 and, as part landia, New Guinea, 12 May 1944; Dulag,
of Far East Air Forces, became part of the Leyte, 16 Nov 1944; San Jose, Mindoro,
army of occupation. c. 30 Dec 1944; Okinawa, 6 Aug 1945;
Served in combat in the Korean War Atsugi, Japan, c. 8 Sep 1945; Yokota,
from 27 Jun 1950 until the armistice on 27 Japan, I Sep 1946; Johnson AB, Japan, c.
Jul 1953. Operated first from Japan and 15 Mar 1950; Iwakuni, Japan, I Jul 1950;
later from Korea, using B-26 aircraft. Kunsan, Korea, 22 Aug 1951; Johnson
Flew most of its missions at night to at- AB, Japan, c. 5 Oct 1g54-.
tack such targets as airfields, vehicles, and COMMANDERS. Maj B B Butler, I Jul
railways. Capt John S Walmsley Jr was 1919; Maj William G Schauffler Jr, I Sep
posthumously awarded the Medal of 1919; Lt Col Henry B Clagett, 27 Sep
Honor for his actions on 14 Sep 1944: fly- 1919; Maj Leo A Walton, 20 Nov 1919;
ing a night mission in a B-26, Capt Walms- Maj Leo G Heffernan, 10 Oct 1921; Lt
Col Seth W Cook, 22 Aug 1922; Maj
ley discovered and attacked an enemy sup-
Lewis H Brereton, 5 Feb 1923; Maj Har-
ply train, and after exhausting his ammuni-
vey B S Burwell, 25 Jun 1924; Capt
tion he flew at low altitude to direct other
Joseph H Davidson, Feb 1926; Maj Frank
aircraft to the same objective; the train
D Lackland, 26 Jun 1926; Maj John H
was destroyed but Walmsley’s plane Jouett, 15 Aug 1928; Maj Davenport John-
crashed in the target area. The group re- son, 27 Feb 1930; Lt Col Horace M.
turned to Japan in 1954. Redesignated Hickam, 18 Jun 1932; Lt Col Earl L
3d Bombardment Group (Tactical) in Oct Naiden, 5 Nov 1934; Col J A Rader, Jul
1955- 1937; Maj 0 S Ferson, Aug 1938; Col John
SQUADRONS. 8th: 1919. 12th: 1919- C McDonnell, Sep 1938; Lt Col R G Breen,
1921. 13th (formerly 104th): 1919- Nov 1940;Lt Col Paul L Williams, Dec
1924; 1 9 2 ~ .26th: 1921-1929. 51st: 1940; Lt Col Phillips Melville, 18 Aug
32 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
1941; 1st Lt Robert F Strickland, 19 Jan Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Win-
1942; Col John H Davies, 2 Apr 1942; Lt ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
Col Robert F Strickland, 26 Oct 1942; Maj DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Donald P Hall, 28 Apr 1943; Lt Col tions: Papua, 23 Jul 1942-23 Jan 1943;
James A Downs, 20 Oct 1943; Col John P New Guinea, 17 Aug 1943; Korea, 27
Henebry, 7 Nov 1943; Lt Col Richard H Jun-31 Jul1950; Korea, 22 Apr-8 Jul1951;
Ellis, 27 Jun 1944; Col John P Henebry, Korea, I May-27 Jul 1953. Philippine
30 Oct 1944; Col Richard H Ellis, 28 Dec Presidential Unit Citation. Republic of
1944; Col Charles W Howe, I May 1945; Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 27
Lt Col James E Sweeney, 7 Dec 1945; Maj Jun-31 Jul 1950.
L B Weigold, c. 7 Feb 1946; Col Edward INSIGNE.Shield: Party per bend vert
H Underhill, 23 Apr 1946; Lt Col John and sable in chief a cactus (prickly pear)
P Crocker, 3 Jan 1947; Col Edward H or, a bend azure fimbriated of the third,
Underhill, 28 Mar 1947; Col James R all within a bordure argent charged with
Gunn Jr, 2 Jun 1947; Lt Col Joseph E nineteen crosses patee of the second.
Payne, 27 Sep 1948; Col Donald L Clark, Crest: On a wreath of the colors an arm
3 Jan 1950; Lt Col Leland A Walker, Jr, couped near the shoulder paleways with
5 Aug 1950; Col Henry C Brady, 17 Oct hand clenched proper between two wings
1950; Col Chester H Morgan, 4 Jan 1952; conjoined in lure argent. Motto: NON
Col William G Moore, 17 Jan 1952; Col SOLUM ARMIS-Not by Arms Alone.
Sherman R Beaty, 1952; Col John G (Approved 17 Jan 1922. This insigne was
Napier, I Apr 1953; Col Straughan D modified 22 Dec 1952.)
Kelsey, 22 Jul 1953; Col William H Mat-
thews, 18 Aug 1953; Col Sam L Barr, 2 3d COMBAT CARGO GROUP
Feb 1954; Col Rufus H Holloway, 21 Sep
1954; Lt Col William D Miner, 9 Jun Constitzrted as 3d Combat Cargo Group
1955; Lt Col Charles E Mendel, 25 Jul on I Jun 1944 and activated in India on 5
1955; Col Rufus H Holloway, 17 Aug Jun. Equipped with C-47’s. Supported
1955-* ground forces during the battle for north-
CAMPAIGNS.World War ZZ: East In- ern Burma and the subsequent Allied drive
dies; Air Offensive, Japan; China De- southward. Flew Allied troops and ma-
fensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck teriel to the front, transporting gasoline,
Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; oil, vehicles, engineering and signal equip-
Luzon ; China Offensive. Korean War: ment, and other items that the group
UN Defensive; UN Offensive; CCF In- either landed or dropped in Burma. Also
tervention; 1st U N Counteroffensive; evacuated wounded personnel to India.
CCF Spring Offensive; U N Summer-Fall Moved to Burma in Jun 1945. Hauled
Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea gasoline and other supplies to bases in
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 33
ing the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944. Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. 9-10 Nov 1945. Self-
Supported the airborne invasion of Hol- ridge Field, Mich, 9 Sep 1946;Andrews
land in Sep. Participated in the Battle of Field, Md, Mar 1947;Langley AFB, Va,
the Bulge, Dec 1g44-Jan 1945. Covered c. 30 Apr 1949;New Castle County Aprt,
the airborne assault across the Rhine in Del, Aug-Nov 1950;Johnson AB, Japan,
Mar 1945. Moved to the US in Nov. Zn- Dec 1950; Suwon, Korea, Mar 1951;
activmd on 10Nov 1945. Kimpo, Korea, Aug 1951;Chitose, Japan,
Activated on 9 Sep 1946. Equipped C. I NOVI954-.
with P-80’s. Converted to F-86 aircraft COMMANDERS. Col Edward W Ander-
in 1949. Redesignated 4th Fighter-Inter- son, Sep 1942; Col Chesley G Peterson,
ceptor Group in Jan 1950. Moved to Ja- Aug 1943;Col Donald J M Blakeslee, I
pan, Nov-Dec 1950, for duty with Far Jan 1944;Lt Col Claiborne H Kinnard Jr,
East Air Forces in the Korean War. Be- Nov 1944;Lt Col Harry J Dayhuff, 7 Dec
gan operations from Japan on 15 Dec 1950 1944;Col Everett W Stewart, 21 Feb 1945-
and moved to Korea in Mar 1951. unkn. Col Ernest H Beverly, Sep 1946;
Escorted bombers, made fighter sweeps, Lt Col Benjamin S Preston Jr, Aug 1948;
engaged in interdiction of the enemy’s Col Albert L Evans Jr, Jun 1949;Col John
lines of communications, flew armed re- C Meyer, c. I Sep 1950;Lt Col Glenn T
connaissance sorties, conducted counter- Eagleston, May 1951; Col Benjamin S
air patrols, served as an air defense or- Preston Jr, Jul 1951;Col Walker M Ma-
ganization, and provided close support for hurin, 18Mar 1952;Lt Col Ralph G Kuhn,
ground forces. One member of the group, 14 May 1952;Col Royal N Baker, I Jun
Maj George A Davis Jr, commander of 1952;Col Thomas D DeJarnette, 18 Mar
the 334th squadron, was awarded the 1953;Col Henry S Tyler Jr, c. 28 Dec 1953;
Medal of Honor for action on 10Feb 1952 Lt Col Dean W Dutrack, c. 19 Jul 1954;
when, leading a flight of two F-86’~~ Davis Col William D Gilchrist, c. 9 Aug 1954;
spotted twelve enemy planes (MIG’s), at- Col George I Ruddell, c. 4 May 1955-.
tacked, and destroyed three before his CAMPAIGNS. World War ZZ: Air Of-
plane crashed in the mountains. The fensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
group returned to Japan in the fall of 1954. France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace;
Redesignated 4th Fighter-Bomber Group Central Europe. Korean War: CCF In-
in Mar 1955. tervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive;CCF
SQUADRONS. 334th: 1942-1945; 1946. Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Of-
335th: 1942-1945; 1946. 336th: 1942- fensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea
1945; 1946. Summer-Fall, 1952;Third Korean Win-
STATIONS.Bushey Hall, England, 12 ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
Sep 1942; Debden, England, Sep 1942; DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Steeple Morden, England, Jul-Nov 1945; tions: France, 5 Mar-24 Apr 1944;Korea,
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 37
22 Apr-8 Jul 1951; Kora, g Jul-27 Nov assessment photographs and to provide
1951. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit army and navy units with intelligence on
Citations: I Nov 1951-30 Sep 1952; I Oct Japanese troop concentrations, installa-
1952-31 M a 1953. tions, shore defenses, supply routes, and
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure on a bend or, a shipping. It also produced maps of Allied
spear garnished with three eagle feathers and enemy-held territory and prepared
and shaft flammant to base all proper. navigation charts for US units. During
Crest: On a wreath of the colors, or and the last three months of the war the group
azure, a lion’s face or. Motto: FOURTH photographed Japanese positions and in-
BUT FIRST. (Approved 26 Sep 1949.) stallationson Mindanao and Borneo to aid
US and Australian operations. Moved to
4th RECONNAISSANCE GROUP Leyte in Sep 1945. Znactivated on 15 Jan
1946. Disbanded on 6 Mar 1947.
SQUADRONS. 17th : 1942-1946. 18th:
1942-1944. I g t h : 1942-1943. 20th: 1942-
1943. 38th : 1945-1946.
STATIONS.Colorado Springs, Colo, 23
Jul-24 Oct 1942; New Caledonia, 22 Nov
1942; Espiritu Santo, 22 Jan 1943; Guadal-
canal, 6 May 1944; Morotai, 12 Dec 1944;
Leyte, Sep 1945-15 Jan 1946.
COMMANDERS. 2d Lt Everett E Shaw, 23
Jul1942; Lt Col Francis L Rivard, 10 Aug
Constituted as 4th Photographic Group 1942; Lt Col Charles P Hollstein, 3 Sep
on 14 Jul 1942 and activated on 23 Jul. 1942; Col Paul C Schauer, 18 Jul 1943;
Trained for overseas duty with F-4’s. Lt Col Hillford R Wallace, 7 Jun 1944;
Moved to the South Pacific late in 1942. Maj Sidney L Hardin, 4 Aug 1944; Lt
Assigned to Thirteenth AF in Jan 1943. Col Hershel1E Parsons, 20 Jan 1945-unkn.
Redesignated 4th Photographic Reconnais- CAMPAIGNS. Guadalcanal;New Guinea;
sance and Mapping Group in May 1943, Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipel-
4th Photographic Group (Reconnais- ago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Southern
sance) in Nov 1943, and 4th Reconnais- Philippines.
sance Group in May 1945. From Dec 1942 DECORATIONS. Philippine Presidential
to May 1945 the group, based successively Unit Citation.
on New Caledonia, Espiritu Santo, Guad- INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, three piles and
alcanal, and Morotai, flew reconnaissance three like ordinaries transposed conjoined
missions over enemy territory to supply in honor point or. (Approved 28 Nov
air force units with target and damage- 19424
38 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
5th BOMBARDMENT GROUP patrol missions off Hawaii from Dec 1941
to NOV1942.
Left Hawaii in Nov 1942 and, operating
from bases in the South and Southwest
Pacific with B-17 and B-24 aircraft,
served in combat with Thirteenth AF dur-
ing the~Allieddrive from the Solomons to
the Philippines. Flew long patrol and
photographic missions over the Solomon
Islands and the Coral Sea, attacked
Japanese shipping off Guadalcanal, and
raided airfields in the northern Solomons
until Aug 1943. Then struck enemy bases
and installations on Bougainville, New
Britain, and New Ireland. Raided the
KAY heavily defended Japanese base on Woleai
during Apr and May 1944 and received a
Aathorized as 2d Group (Observation) DUC for the action. Helped to neutralize
on 15 Aug 1919 and organized in Hawaii. enemy bases on Yap and in the Truk and
Redesignated 5th Group (Observation) in Palau Islands, Jun-Aug I ~ Mpreparatory
,
Mar 1921, 5th Group (Pursuit and Bom- to the invasion of Peleliu and Leyte. Flew
bardment) in Jun 1922, and 5th Group missions to the Netherlands Indies, receiv-
(Composite) in Jul 1922. Used DH-4, ing a DUC for an attack, conducted
MB-2, B-12, LB-5, LB-6, PW-, P-12, through heavy flak and fighter defenses, on
0-19, and other aircraft. Activities in- oil installations at Balikpapan, Borneo, on
cluded training, participating in Army- 30 Sep 1944. Completed a variety of mis-
Navy maneuvers, staging aerial reviews, sions from Oct 1944 until the end of the
sowing seeds from the air for the Terri- war, these operations including raids on
torial Forestry Division, and bombing a enemy bases and installations on Luzon,
stream of lava flowing from Mauna Loa Ceram, Halmahera, and Formosa ;support
to divert it from the city of Hilo. Re- for ground forces in the Philippines and
designated 5th Bombardment Group in Borneo; and patrols off the China coast.
Mar 1938, 5th Bombardment Group Remained in the theater as part of Far East
(Medium) in Dec 1939, and 5th Bombard- Air Forces after the war, but all personnel
ment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1940. evidently had been withdrawn by early in
Equipped with B-17’s and B-18’s by Dec 1946. Redesignated 5th Bombardment
1941. Assigned to Seventh AF in Feb Group (Very Heavy) in Apr 1946, and 5th
1942. Engaged primarily in search and Reconnaissance Group in Feb 1947. Re-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 39
manned in Mar 1947, equipped with 1943; Lt Col Joseph E Reddoch Jr, 31 Dec
FB-q’s and F-~’s,and engaged in map- 1943; Col Thomas C Musgrave Jr, 4 Apr
ping areas of the Philippines, Formosa, 1944; Col Joseph E Reddoch Jr, 21 Apr
and the Pescadores. 1944; Col Thomas C Musgrave Jr, 15 Aug
Moved to the US in May 1949. Assigned 1944; Maj Albert W James, 28 Feb 1945;
to Strategic Air Command. Redesignated Col Isaac J Haviland, 15 Mar 1945; Lt Col
5th Strategic Reconnaissance Group in Jul Albert W James, 5 Jul 1g45-unkn; Col
1949. Equipped with RB-29’s. Redesig- Herbert K Baisley, 16 Jan 1947-unkn; Col
nated 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Group William E Basye, 1949; Col Walter E
(Heavy) in Sep 1950. Began converting Arnold, 27 Feb 1950-16 Jun 1952.
to B-36’s. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952. CAMPAIGNS. Cectral Pacific; Guadal-
SQUADRONS. 6th Pursuit: 1919-1927. canal; New Guinea; Northern Solomons;
19th Pursuit: 1924-1927. 23d: 1922-1930, Eastern Mandates ;Bismarck Archipelago;
1g38-1g47, 1947-1952. 26th Attack: 1930- Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern
1938. jrst: 1938-1947, 1949-1952. 38th: Philippines.
1947- 1949. 72d: 1923- 1930, 1938-1 947, DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
1949-1952- 338th: 1947-1949- 394th tions: Woleai Island, 18 Apr-15 May 1944;
(formerly 4th) : 1920-1922, 1927-1938, Borneo, 30 Sep 1944. Philippine Presi-
19391946. 431st (formerly 5oth, later dential Unit Citation.
5th) : 1930-’938,1946, 1947. INSIGNE. Shield: Party per pale nebuly
STATIONS.Luke Field, TH, 15 Aug vert and sable a death’s head argent winged
1919; Hickam Field, TH, I Jan 1939; or. Crest: On a wreath of the colors
Espiritu Santo, I Dec 1942; Guadalcanal, (argent and vert), a bull’s head caboshed
19 Aug 1943; Munda, New Georgia, 4 azure and armed or. Motto: KIA1 0 KA
Feb 1944; Momote Airfield, Los Negros, LEWA-Guardians of the Upper Regions
7 Apr 1944; Wakde, 17 Aug 1944; Noem- (Approved 21 Jun 1924.)
foor, 22 Sep 1944; Morotai, Oct 1944;
Samar, 5 Mar 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, 5th RECONNAISSANCE GROUP
Dec 1945-6 May 1949; Mountain Home
AFB, Idaho, 26 May 1949; Fairfield- Constituted as 5th Photographic Group
Suisun AFB, Calif, g Nov 1949-16 Jun on 14 Jul 1942 and activated on 23 Jul.
1952. Redesignated 5th Photographic Recon-
COMMANDERS. Unkn, 1919-1938; Col naissance and Mapping Group in May
Shepler W FitzGerald, c. Sep 1g38-unkn; 1943, and 5th Photographic Reconnais-
Lt Col Edwin B Bobzien, 1941;Col Arthur sance Group in Aug 1943. Trained and
W Meehan, 1942; Col Brooke E Allen, I participated in maneuvers. Moved to the
Nov 1942; Col Marion D Unruh, 10 Aug Mediterranean theater, Jul-Sep 1943. As-
40 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
1949; Col John A Roberts, 17 Aug 1949; ditions. Prior to Jun 1944, photographed
Col Richard T Black, c. 24 Oct 1950; Col airfields, cities, industrial establishments,
John A Roberts, Feb 1951; Col George T and ports in France, the Low Countries,
Chadwell, c. May 1951; Col John A and Germany. Received a DUC for oper-
Roberts, Apr-Jun 1952. ations during the period, 31 May-30 Jun
CAMPAIGNS. Burma, 1942; East Indies; 1944, when its coverage of bridges, mar-
India-Burma; China Defensive; Central shalling yards, canals, highways, rivers,
Burma; China Offensive. and other targets contributed much to the
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- success of the Normandy campaign.
tions: Netherlands Indies, 14 Jan-1 Mar Covered missile sites in France during Jul,
1942; Thailand, 19 Mar 1945. and in Aug carried out photographic map-
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, on a bend or ping missions for ground forces advancing
three crosses pattee sable. Crest: On a across France. Provided reconnaissance
wreath of the colors (or and azure) a drop support for the airborne attack on Holland
bomb palewise sable piercing a cloud in Sep and for the Battle of the Bulge, Dec
proper. Motto: MORS AB ALTO- 1944-Jan 1945. Used P-51’s to escort its
Death from Above. (Approved 30 Jan own reconnaissance planes during the last
1933. This insigne was modified 12 Sep months of the war as the group supported
1952.) the Allied drive across the Rhine and into
Germany. Took part in the final bomb-
7th RECONNAISSANCE GROUP damage assessment following V-E Day.
Znactivated in England on 21 Nov 1945.
Constituted as 7th Photographic Group Disbanded on 6 Mar 1947.
on 5 Feb 1943. Activated on I May 1943. SQUADRONS. 13th: 1943-1945. zqth:
Redesignated 7th Photographic Recon- 1943-1945. 22d: 1943-1945. 27th: 1943-
naissance and Mapping Group in May 1945. 28th: 1943. 29th: 1943. 30th:
1943, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnais-
1943.
sance) in Nov 1943, and 7th Reconnais-
STATIONS.Peterson Field, Colo, I May-
sance Group in Jun 1945. Transferred,
7 Jul 1943; Mount Farm, England, 7 Jul
without personnel and equipment, to Eng-
1943; Chalgrove, England, Mar 1945;
land on 7 Jul 1943 and assigned to Eighth
AF. Used Spitfires and L-5’s to obtain Hitcham, England, Oct-21 Nov 1945.
information about bombardment targets COMMANDERS. Col James G Hall, 7 Jul
and damage inflicted by bombardment 1943; Col Homer L Saunders, Sep 1943;
operations; provide mapping service for Col Paul T Cullen, I Jan 1944; Lt Col
air and ground units; observe and report George A Lawson, 17 Feb 1944; Lt Col
on enemy transportation, installations, and Norris E Hartwell, 7 May 1944; Lt Col
positions; and obtain data on weather con- Clarence A Shoop, 9 Aug 1944; Col George
46 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
W Humbrecht, Oct 1944; Maj Hubert M Redesignated 8th Fighter Group in May
Childress, 18 Jun 1945-unkn. 1942. Became part of Fifth AF.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe; Equipped first with P-39’s, added P-38’s
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; and P-40’s in 1943, and used P-38’s after
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. May 1944.
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- Established headquarters in Australia
tion: France, 31 May-30 Jun 1944. French in Mar 1942 but sent detachments to New
Croix de Guerre With Palm: 1944. Guinea for operations. Moved to New
INSIGNE.None. Guinea in Sep 1942 and served in com-
bat until malaria forced the organization
8th FIGHTER GROUP to withdraw to Australia in Feb 1943.
Resumed operations in Apr 1943 and
served in the theater through the rest of
the war. Covered Allied landings,
escorted bombers, and attacked enemy air-
fields in New Guinea; supported opera-
tions of the US Marines at Cape Glouces-
ter, Feb-Mar 1944; flew long-range
escort and attack missions to Borneo,
Ceram, Halmahera, and the southern
Philippines; provided cover for convoys,
attacked enemy shipping, and won a DUC
far strafing a strong Japanese naval force
off Mindoro (26 Dec 1944) ;covered land-
ings at Lingayen; supported ground forces
on Luzon; escorted bombers to targets on
Authorized on the inactive list as 8th the Asiatic mainland and on Formosa;
Pursuit Group on 24 Mar 1923. Activated and, in the last days of the war, attacked
on I Apr 1931. Redesignated 8th Pursuit airfields and railways in Japan. Remained
Group (Fighter) in 1939, and 8th Pursuit in the theater after V-J Day, being based
Group (Interceptor) in 1941. Trained, in Japan far duty with Far East Air Forces.
took part in maneuvers and reviews, and Converted to P-51’s early in 1946 and to
tested planes and equipment, using PB-2, F-80’s early in 1950. Redesignded 8th
P-6, P-12, P-35, P-36, P-39, and P-40 air- Fighter-Bomber Group in Jan 1950.
craft prior to World War 11. In Dec 1941, Began operations in the Korean War on
became part of the defense force for the 26 Jun 1950 by providing cover for the
New York metropolitan area. Moved to evacuation of US personnel from Seoul.
the Asiatic-Pacific Theater early in 1942. Entered combat the following day.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 47
Shifted to F-51 aircraft in Oct 1950 but Japan, 20 May 1946; Itazuke, Japan, Sep
converted back to F-80’s in Dec 1950. 1946; Ashiya, Japan, 13 Apr 1947; Itazukr,
Began operating from bases in Korea in Japan, 25 Mar 1949; Tsuiki, Japan, 11 Aug
Oct 1950, but resumed operations from 1950; Suwon, Korea, 7 Oct 1950; Kimpo,
Japan in Dec 1950 when Communist forces Korea, 28 Oct 1950; Pyongyang, Korea, 25
drove far south in Korea. Returned to Nov 1950; Seoul, Korea, 3 Dec 1950;
Korea in Jun 1951. Served in combat until Itazuke, Japan, 10 Dec 1950; Kimpo,
the end of the war, supporting UN ground Korea, 25 Jun 1951; Suwon, Korea, 24
forces and attacking such targets as air- Aug 1951; Itazuke, Japan, 20 Oct 1954-.
fields, supply lines, and troop concentra- COMMANDERS. Unkn, 1931-1932; Maj
tions. Maj Charles J Loring Jr was Byron Q Jones, 25 Jun 1932; Capt Albert
awarded the Medal of Honor for his action M Guidera, 31 Mar 1934; Lt Col Adlai H
on 22 Nov 1952: after his plane had been Gilkeson, I Jul 1935; Lt Col William E
hit and badly crippled as he was leading Kepner, 7 Jul 1938; Lt Col Edward M
a flight of four F-80’s against enemy ar- Morris, I Feb 1940; Lt Col Frederic H
tillery at Sniper Ridge, Maj Loring de- Smith Jr, 17 Jan 1941; Lt Col William H
liberately dived his plane into the gun Wise, 22 May 1942; Lt Col Leonard B
emplacements. The group converted to Storm, 8 Mar 1943; Lt Col Philip H Greas-
F-86’s in the spring of 1953 and returned ley, 10 Apr 1943; Lt Col Emmett S Davis,
to Japan the following year. 18 Jan 1944; Lt Col Philip H Greasley,
SQUADRONS. 33d: 1932-1941. 35th: 28 Jun 1944; Col Earl H Dunham, 8 Aug
1932-. 36th: 1931, I932-. 55th: 1931- 1944; Lt Col Emmett S Davis, 16 Jun 1945;
1932. 68th: 1945-1947. 80th: 1942-1945, Lt Col Robert L Harriger, Dec 1945; Lt
‘947-. Col Fergus C Fay, 24 May 1946; Lt Col
STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, I Apr Luther H Richmond, Jul 1946; Col Stan-
1931; Mitchel Field, NY, c. 5 Nov 1940- ley R Stewart, Feb 1947; Col Henry G
26 Jan 1942; Brisbane, Australia, 6 Mar Thorne Jr, 12 Apr 1947; Col Charles T
1942; Townsville, Australia, 29 Jul 1942; Olmstead, c. 28 May 1948; Lt Col Richard
Milne Bay, New Guinea, 18 Sep 1942; C Banbury, I8 Aug 1948; Lt Col Woodrow
Mareeba, Australia, Feb 1943; Port W Ramsey, 18 Mar 1949; Lt Col Charles
Moresby, New Guinea, 16 May 1943; D Chitty Jr, 21 May 1949; Col William T
Finschhafen, New Guinea, 23 Dec 1943; Samways, I May 1950; Col Edward 0
Cape Gloucester, New Britain, c. 20 Feb McComas, 19 May 1951; Col Harvey L
1944; Nadzab, New Guinea, 14 Mar 1944; Case Jr, 31 Jul 1951; Col Levi R Chase, 22
Owi, Schouten Islands, 17 Jun 1944; Jan 1952; Col Walter G Benz Jr, 12 Sep
Morotai, 19 Sep 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, 1952; Col John L Locke, 16 Sep 1953; Lt
20 Dec 1944; Ie Shima, 6 Aug 1945; Col Walter A Rosenfield, 13 May 1954;
Fukuoka, Japan, 22 Nov 1945; Ashiya, Col Woodrow B Wilmot, 16 Jul 1954-.
48 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
CAMPAIGNS.World War ZZ: East In- French Indochina, and Thailand. Also
dies ; Air offensive, Japan ; China Defen- bombed and strafed enemy installations
sive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck and provided escort for bombardment
Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; units. Redesignated 8th Reconnaissance
Luzon; Southern Philippines. Korean Group in Jun 1945. Returned to the US,
War: UN Defensive;UN Offensive ; CCF Oct-Nov 1945. Inactivated on 5 Nov 1945.
Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive; Disbanded on 6 Mar 1947.
CCF Spring Offensive ; UN Summer-Fall SQUADRONS. 9th: 1944-1945. 20th:
Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea 1944-1945. 24th: 1944-1945. 40th: 1944-
Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Win- 1945.
ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953. STATIONS.Peterson Field, &lo, I Oct
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- 1943; Gainesville AAFld, Tex, 26 Oct
tions: Papua, [Sep] 1942-23 Jan 1943; 1943-12 Feb 1944; Bally, India, 31 Mar
Philippine Islands, 26 Dec 1944; Korea, 1944-7 Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 3-5
16 Sep-2 Nov 1950. Philippine Presiden- NOV1945.
tial Unit Citation. Republic of Korea COMMANDERS. Lt Col Paul A Zartman,
Presidential Unit Citations: 27 Tun 1950- I Oct 1943; (201 Charles P Hollstein, 12
31 Jan 1951; I Feb 1951-31 Mar 1953. Dec 1943; Col James W Anderson Jr, 24
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a chevron ne- Jan 1945; Lt Col John R Gee, Oct 1945-c.
bule or. Crest: On a wreath of the colors 5 Nov 1945.
(or and azure) three fleur-de-lisor in front CAMPAIGNS. India-Burma ; China De-
of a propeller fesswise azure. Motto: AT- fensive; Central Burma.
TAQUEZ ET CONQUEREZ-Attack DECORATIONS. None.
and Conquer. (Approved 6 Sep 1934.) INSIGNE.None.
H Frank, Aug 1934-1936; Lt Col Carl W units for photographic reconnaissance and
Connell, I Sep 1936-unkn; Col Ross F combat mapping. Aircraft included B-
Cole, Apr 1940; Maj Charles F Born, Aug 17’s, B-24’~, F-4’s, F-5’s, F-7’s, and A-
1941-unkn; Lt Col Stuart P Wright, 1942; 20’s. Disbanded on 6 May 1944.
Lt Col Gerald E Williams, 1942; Col SQUADRONS. (See narrative.)
Harry G Montgomery, 10 Nov 1942; Col STATIONS.Will Rogers Field, Okla, I
James T Connally, 15 Dec 1942; Col Don- Oct 1943-6 May 1944.
ald W Eisenhart, I May 1944; Col Henry COMMANDERS. Lt Col Paul A Zartman,
C Huglin, 6 Mar-Aug 1945; Col David 11 Nov 1943; Lt Col Hiette S Williams
Wade, Sep 1945-c. 25 Apr 1947; unkn, Jr, c. 5 Dec 1943-unkn.
Apr 1947-20 Oct 1948. Lt Col Walter Y CAMPAIGNS. None.
Lucas, I May 1949; Col Donald W Eisen- DECORATION. None.
hart, 24 Aug 1949; Col William P. Brett, INSIGNE.None.
27 Mar 1950; Lt Col Walter Y Lucas, 24
Jun 1950; Col Clifford J Heflin, 6 Jul 10th RECONNAISSANCE
1950-16 Jun 1952. GROUP
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
Theater; Air Offensive, Japan ; Western
Pacific.
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Ci-
tations: Kawasaki, Japan, 15/16 Apr 1945;
Japan, 13-28 May 1945.
INSIGNE.Shield: Per pale vert and sable
a pallet wavy argent; over all on a fess or
four crosses patee of the second (sable).
Crest: On a wreath of the colors (argent
and vert) a rattlesnake entwined about a
prickly pear cactus all proper. Motto:
SEMPER PARATUS-Always Ready.
(Approved 20 Mar 1924.)
Constituted as 73d Observation Group
9th RECONNAISSANCE GROUP on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on I Sep 1941.
Engaged in training activities, participat-
Constituted as 9th Photographic Recon- ing in the Tennessee M ~ ~ e u v e in r s 1943.
naissance Group on 15 &p 1943. A& Redesignated 73d Reconnaissance Group
vuted on I Oct 1943. Assigned to Third in Apr 1943, 73d Tactical Reconnaissance
AF. With*squadrons attached but nonc Group in Aug 1943, and 10th Photo-
assigned, the group trained crews and graphic Group (Reconnaissance) in Dec
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 51
1943. Moved to the European theater, sonnel and equipment, to the US in Jun
Jan-Feb 1944, for duty with Ninth AF. 1947. Remanned and equipped with RF-
Used F-3, F-5, F-6, L-I, L-4, and L-5 51’s. Redesignated 10th Tactical Recon-
aircraft for operations, Feb 1944-May 1945. naissance Group in Jun 1948. Inactivated
Photographed airfields, coastal defenses, on I Apr 1949.
and ports, and made bomb-damage assess- Activated in’Germany on 10 Jul 1952.
ment photographs of airfields, marshalling Assigned to United States Air Forces in
yards, bridges, and other targets, in prep- Europe. Equipped with RB-26, RB-57,
aration for the Normandy invasion; re- RF-80, and RF-84 aircraft.
ceived a DUC for flying at low altitude to SQUADRONS. Z S t : 1945-1949; 1952-.
photograph the coast from Blankenberghe 12th: 1941-1942, 1944-1946. 14th: 1943.
to Dunkirk and from Le Touquet to St- zgth (formerly Observation) : 1942-1943,
Vaast-la-Hougue, 6-20 May 1944. Sup- 1944-19457 1947-1949- 15th (formerly
ported the invasion in Jun by making Photographic) : 1947. ~ 6 t h : 1941-1942.
visual and photographic reconnaissance 22d: 1941-1942. 30th: 1944. 3zst: 1944-
of bridges, artillery, road and railroad 1945. 32d: 1952-. 33d: 1944. 34th:
junctions, traffic centers, airfields, and 1944, 1945. 36th (formerly 28th) : 1942-
other targets. Assisted the Allied drive 1943. 38th: I952-. 39th: 1945. 42d:
toward the German border during the I952-. 9ZSt: 1941-1942, 1942-1943.
summer and early fall of 1944 by flying zzzth: 1945. z p d : 1943. 155th (for-
daylight and night photographic missions; merly 4qd, later 45th) : 1944-1945, 1945-
also performed tactical reconnaissance for 1947. 160th: 1945-1947. z62d: 1945.
ground and air units, directing artillery STATIONS.Harrisburg, Pa, I Sep 1941;
to enemy positions and -fighter-bombers Godman Field, Ky, c. 7 Nov 1941 ; Camp
to opportune targets. Aided Third Army Campbell AAFld, Ky, c. 23 Jun 1943; Key
and other Allied organizations in the bat- Field, Miss, Nov 1943-Jan 1944; Chal-
tle to breach the Siegfried Line, SepDec grove, England, Feb 1944; Rennes/St-
1944. Participated in the Battle of the Jacques, France, c. 11 Aug 1944; Chateau-
Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, by flying recon- dun, France, c. 24 Aug 1944; St-Dizier/
naissance missions in the combat zone. Robinson, France, Sep 1944; Conflans/
From Feb 1945 to V-E Day, assisted the Doncourt, France, Nov 1944; Trier/Evren,
advance of Third Army across the Rhine, Germany, Mar 1945; Ober Olm, Germany,
to Czechoslovakia, and into Austria. Re- c. 5 Apr 1945; Furth, Germany, c. 28 Apr
mained in Germany after the war as part 1945; Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, Apr-
of the army of occupation, being assigned Jun 1947; Langley Field, Va, 25 Jun 1947;
to United States Air Forces in Europe. Lawson Field, Ga, c. 8 Sep 1947; Pope
Redesignated 10th Reconnaissance Group Field, “2, c. 27 Sep 1947-1 Apr 1949.
in Jun 1945. Transferred, without per- Furstenfeldbruck AB, Germany, 10 Jul
52 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
the final phases of the air offensive against Col Frank F Everest, Dec 1942; Col Wil-
Japan, bombing railways, airfields, and liam J. Holzapfel Jr, 26 Apr 1943; Col
harbor facilities on Kyushu and striking Russell L. Waldron, 7 Jul 1944; Col John
airfields in China. After the war, flew J Morrow, Mar 1945-c. Dec 1945; Col
reconnaissance and surveillance missions Vincent M Miles Jr, 20 May 1946; Capt
to China and ferried liberated prisoners of Thomas B Ragland Jr, Nov 1946; Capt
war from Okinawa to Luzon. Remained Thomas B Hoxie, 27 Dec 1947-20 Oct
in the theater as part of Far East Air 1948. Maj Russell F Ireland, Dec 1948;
Forces but had no personnel assigned after Lt Col Harry E Goldsworthy, 11 Jan 1949;
mid-Dec 1945 when the group was trans- Col Richard H Carmichael, May 1949;
ferred to the Philippines. Redesignated Col Bertram C Harrison, 4 Mar 1950; Col
11th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) Thomas P Gerrity, 3 Apr 1950-16 Jun
in Apr 1946. Transferred to Guam in May 1952.
1946,remanned, and equipped with B-29's. CAMPAIGNS. Central Pacific; Air Of-
Terminated training and operations in fensive, Japan; Guadalcanal; Northern
Oct 1946. Znactivated on Guam on 20 Solomons; Eastern Mandates; Western
Oct 1948. Pacific ; Ryukyus ; China Offensive.
Redesignated I rth Bombardment Group DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
(Heavy). Activated in the US on I Dec tion: South Pacific, 31 Jul-30 Nov 1942.
1948. Assigned to Strategic Air Com- INSIGNE. Shield: Azure (Air Force
mand. Equipped with B-36 aircraft. blue), on a bend or (Air Force yellow),
Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952. three grey geese volant proper (in their
SQUADRONS. Z#h: 1940-1941. 26th: natural colors). Crest: On a wreath or
1940-1948; 1948-1952. 42d: 194-1948; and azure a grey goose proper with wings
1948-1952. 98th: 1941-1948; 1948-1952. displayed and inverted. Motto: PRO-
43ZSt.' 1942-1946. GRESSIO SINE T I M O R E A U T
STATIONS.Hickam Field, TH, I Feb PRAEJUDICIO-Progress without Fear
IWO; New Hebrides, Jul 1942; Hickam or Prejudice. (Approved I I Jun 1941.)
Field, TH, 8 Apr 1943; Funafuti, Nov
1943; Tarawa, 20 Jan 1944; Kwajalein, 5 1l t h PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP
Apr 1944; Guam, 25 Oct 1944; Okinawa,
2 Jul 1945; Manila, Dec 1945; Guam, May Constituted as I Ith Photographic Group
1946-20 Oct 1948. Carswell AFB, Tex, I (Mapping) on 19 Nov 1943. Activated on
Dec 1948-16 Jun 1952. I Dec 1943. Engaged in photographic
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Walter F Kraus, mapping in the US and sent detachments
Feb 1940; Lt Col St Clair Streett, 15 Jun to carry out similar operations in Africa,
1940;Lt Col Albert F Hegenberger, I Apr the CBI theater, the Near and Middle
1941; Col Laverne G Saunders, Mar 1942; East, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and the
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 55
Caribbean. Used B-17, B-24, B-25, AF. Attacked storage areas, motor trans-
B-29, F-2, F-g, F-10, and A-20 aircraft. ports, troop concentrations, airdromes,
Disbanded on 5 Oct 1944. bridges, shipping, marshalling yards, and
SQUADRONS. zst: 1943-1944. 3d: 1943- other targets in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia,
1944. 19th: 1943-1944. Pantelleria, Lampedusa, Crete, Sicily, and
STATIONS.Reading AAFld, Pa, I Dec Italy, Aug 1942-Jan 1944. Supported the
1943; MacDill Field, Fla, Jan-5 C-t 1944. Allied drive from Egypt to Tunisia, Oct
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Thomas D 1g42-Apr 1943. Early in 1943 two squad-
Brown, 8 Jan-5 Oct 1944. rons operated with Twelfth AF, assisting
CAMPAIGNS. None. Allied forces moving eastward across
DECORATIONS. None. North Africa, while the other squadrons
INSIGNE.None. continued operations with Ninth AF,
bombing enemy defenses along the
Mareth Line. Received a DUC for action
12th BOMBARDMENT GROUP against the enemy in North Africa and
Sicily from Oct 1942 to Aug 1943. While
attached to Twelfth AF, Jun-Aug 1943,
the group operated from bases in Tunisia
and Sicily against targets in Pantelleria,
Lampedusa, Sicily, and Italy. Assigned to
Twelfth A F in Aug 1943 and operated
primarily against targets in Italy until Jan
1944. Flew some missions to Albania and
Yugoslavia.
Moved to India, Feb-Apr 1944, and
assigned to Tenth AF. Engaged chiefly
in missions against the enemy in Burma,
Apr 19q-May 1945. Bombed communi-
Constituted as 12th Bombardment
Group (Light) on 20 Nov '1940. Acti- cations, military installations, and other
vated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18, objectives. Delivered ammunition to
B-23, and PT-17 aircraft. Patrolled the Allied forces at Imphal. Also attacked
west coast after the Japanese attack on some targets in China. Began training
Pearl Harbor. Redesignated 12th Bom- with A-26 aircraft in the summer of 1945.
bardment Group (Medium) in Dec 1941. Returned to the US, Dec 1945-J"" 1946.
Using B-25'~, began training early in 1942 Inactivated on 22 Jan 1946.
for duty overseas. Moved to the Middle Redesignated 12th Bombardment Group
East, jul-Aug 1942, and assigned to Ninth (Light). Activated on 19 May 1947. Not
56 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
-
J a n 4 Feb 1944;Tezgaon, India, c. 21 Mar
1944; Pandaveswar, India, 13 Jun 1944; tered the war the group searched for
Fenny, India, 16 Jul 194.1; Pandaveswar, enemy U-boats and covered friendly con-
India, 8 Jun 1945;Karachi, India, 15 Nov- voys off the east coast of the US. Served
24 Dec 1945;Ft Lawton, Wash, 21-22 Jan with First AF and later with AAF Anti-
1946. Langley Field, Va, 19 May 1947-
10 Sep 1948. Turner AFB, Ga, I Nov
1950; Bergstrom AFB, Tex, Dec 1950-16
Jun 1952.
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Jan-May 1941;
Col Charles G Goodrich, 6 May 1941;
Col Edward N Backus, 16 Sep 1942; Lt
Col William W Wilcox, 21 Sep 1943; Col
Lloyd H Dalton Jr, c. 29 Sep 1944; Lt Col
Samuel C Galbreath, 4 Sep 1945; Lt Col
Lewis B Wilson, 23 Sep 1945-22 Jan 1946.
Capt H Carney, Nov 1950; Col Charles
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 57
important ball-bearing works in Austria. Lt Col Troy Keith, 28 Jan 1943; Col Oliver
Also provided escort for reconnaissance B Taylor, 26 Sep 1943; Col Daniel S
operations, supported the invasion of Campbell, 18 Jul 1944; Col Thomas B
Southern France in Aug 1944, and on Whitehouse, Mar 1g45-unkn. Lt Col
numerous occasions flew long-range mis- Lewis W Chick Jr, 24 Dec 1946; Col Lor-
sions to strafe and dive-bomb motor ing F Stetson Jr, 7 Jan 1948;Col George A
vehicles, trains, bridges, supply areas, air- McHenry, Jul 1949; Lt Col Arvie E Olson
dromes, and troop concentrations in an Jr, Aug 1g4g-unkn. Col Harry L Down-
area extending from France to the Bal- ing, 1955-.
kans. Znactivated in Italy on g Sep 1945. CAMPAIGNS.Air Combat, EAME
Activated in the US on 20 Nov 1946. Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia;
Equipped first with P-47’s and later with Sicily ; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno ; Nor-
F-84’s. Inactivated on 2 Oct 1949. mandy; Northern France; Southern
Redesignated 14th Fighter Group (Air France; North Apennines; Rhineland ;
Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955. As- Central Europe; Po Valley.
signed to Air Defense Command and DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Ci-
equipped with F-86 aircraft. tation: Austria, 2 Apr 1944.
SQUADRONS. 37th: 1943-1945 ; 1946- INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend argent and
1949; I955-. 48th: 1941-1945 ; 1946-1949. sable. Motto: T O FIGHT T O DEATH.
49th: 1941-1945; 1946-1949. 50th: 1941- (Approved 17 Jun 1942.)
1942.
STATIONS. Hamilton Field, Calif, 15 Jan 15th FIGHTER GROUP
1941; March Field, Calif, c. 10 Jun 1941;
Hamilton Field, Calif, 7 Feb-16 Jul 1942; Constituted as 15th Pursuit Group
Atcham, England, 18 Aug-Nov 1942; (Fighter) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated in
Tafaraoui, Algeria, 15 Nov 1942; Maison Hawaii on I Dec 1940. Redesignated 15th
Blanche, Algeria, 18 Nov 1942; Youks-les-
Bains, Algeria, 22 Nov 1942; Berteaux, Al-
geria, g Jan 1943; Mediouna, French Mo-
rocco, 5 Mar 1943; Telergma, Algeria, 5
\
Pursuit Group (Interceptor) in Feb 1942, tories, gun positions, and hangars in the
and 15th Fighter Group in May 1942. Bonins and Japan. Assigned to Twenti-
Served as part of the defense force for the eth AF during the summer of 1945. Con-
Hawaiian Islands, using A-12, OA-g, tinued its fighter sweeps against Japanese
B-12, P-36, P-39, and P-40 aircraft. The airfields and other targets, and flew long-
Japanese attack on Hawaii on 7 Dec 1941 range escort missions to Japanese cities
caused numerous casualties in the group until the end of the war. Transferred,
and destroyed many of its aircraft; never- without personnel and equipment, in Nov
theless, during the raid several of the 1945 to Hawaii, where the group was re-
group’s pilots succeeded in taking off and manned and re-equipped. Inactivated on
in destroying some enemy planes, includ- 15 Oct 1946.
ing four shot down by Lt George Welch Redesignated 15th Fighter Group (Air
and two credited to Lt Kenneth M Taylor. Defense). Activated in the US on 18 Aug
Afterward the group, which was re- 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
manned, reorganized, and assigned to SQUADRONS. 6th: 1943-1944. 12th:
Seventh AF, remained part of the Ha- 1942. 18th: 1943-1944. 45th: 1940-1946.
waiian defense system. Sent squadrons 46th: 1940-1944. 47th: 1940-1946; 1955-.
(including some that had been attached) 78th: 1943-1946.
to the Central or South Pacific at various STATIONS.Wheeler Field, TH, I Dec
times for operations against the Japanese. 1940; Bellows Field, TH, 3 Jun 1944-5
Began training in Apr 1944 for very-long- Feb 1945; South Field, Iwo Jima, 6 Mar
range escort missions. Obtained P-51 air- 1945; Bellows Field, TH, 25 Nov 1945;
craft late in 1944. Moved to Iwo Jima in Wheeler Field, TH, 9 Feb-15 Oct 1946.
Feb 1945. Supported the invasion force Niagara Falls Mun Aprt, NY, 18 Aug
on Iwo early in Mar by bombing and
1955-.
strafing trenches, cave entrances, troop
COMMANDERS. Maj Clyde K Rich, I Dec
concentrations, and storage areas. Began
1940; Maj Lorry N Tindal, 6 Dec 1940;
strikes against enemy airfields, shipping,
Lt Col Paul W Blanchard, 20 Sep 1941; Lt
and military installations in the Bonin
Islands by the middle of Mar. Flew its Col William S Steele, 12 Feb 1942; Lt Col
first mission to Japan on 7 Apr 1945, re- Sherwood E Buckland, 5 Mar 1943; Col
ceiving a DUC for escorting BS29’s that James 0 Beckwith Jr, 27 Sep 1943; Lt Col
bombed the Nakajima aircraft plant near DeWitt S Spain, 16 Apr 1945; Lt Col
Tokvo. Struck Tapanese airfields on
- a
Julian E Thomas, 17 May 1945; Col John
Kyushu late in Apr and early in May 1945 W Mitchell, 21 Jul 1945; Col William
to curtail the enemy’s suicide attacks Eades, c. Nov 1945; Coi Oswald W Lunde,
against the invasion force at Okinawa. 25 Nov 1945-15 Oct 1946. Col Stanley E
Also hit enemy troop trains, small fac- Matthews, 1955-.
60 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
CAMPAIGNS. Central Pacific; Air Of- STATIONSDalhart AAFld, Tex, I Apr
fensive, Japan. 1944; Fairmont AAFld, Neb, 15 Aug
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- 19447 Mar 1945; Northwest Field, Guam,
tion: Japan, 7 Apr 1945. 14 Apr 1945-15 Apr 1946.
INSIGNE.Shield: Or, on a bend azure, COMMANDERS. Unkn, Apr-Jun 1944;
two (2) terrestrial lightning flashes issuant
Capt William W Hosler Jr, 24 Jun 1944;
from base of the first, over all a gunsightMaj Richard W Lavin, I Jul 1944; Col
counterchanged. Motto : PROSEQUOR Samuel C Gurney Jr, 11 Jul 1944; Lt Col
ALIS-I Pursue with Wings. (Approved Andre F Castellotti, 11 Jul 1945-1946.
5 Oct 1942.) CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan;
Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
16th BOMBARDMENT GROUP DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
tion: Japan, 29 Jul-6 Aug 1945.
Constituted as 16th Bombardment INSIGNE.None.
Group (Very Heavy) on 28 Mar 1944.
Activated on I Apr 1944. Trained for 16th FIGHTER GROUP
combat with B-29's. Moved to Guam,
Mar-Apr 1945, and assigned to Twentieth Authorized on the inactive list as 16th
AF. Entered combat on 16 Jun 1945 with Pursuit Group on 24 Mar 1923. Acti-
a bombing raid against an airfield on vated in the Panama Canal Zone on I Dec
Moen. Flew first mission against the 1932. Served as a part of the defense force
Japanese home islands on 26 Jun 1945 and for the canal. Used various types of air-
afterwards operated principally against craft, including P-IZ'S,P-26's, P-36's, and
the enemy's petroleum industry. Flying
unescorted in the face of severe enemy at-
tack, the 16th bombed the oil refinery at
Shimotsu, the Mitsubishi refinery and oil
installations at Kawasaki, and the coal
liquefaction plants at Ube, Jul-Aug 1945,
and was awarded a DUC for the missions.
After the war the group dropped food and
supplies to Allied prisoners gf war in
Japan, Manchuria, and Korea, and partici-
pated in several show-of-force missions
over Japan. Znactiuated on Guam on 15
Apr 1946.
SQUADRONS. zsth: 1944-1946. 16th:
1944-1946. 17th: 1944-1946. zzst: 1944.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 61
the drive toward Rome, receiving a DUC Field, La, 23 Jun-Nov 1942; Telergma,
for a bombing attack on airdromes at Algeria, Dec 1942; Sedrata, Algeria, c. 10
Rome on 13 Jan I N . Also received the May 1943; Djedeida, Tunisia, 23 Jun 1943;
French Croix de Guerre with Palm for Sardinia, Nov 1943; Corsica, c. 14 Sep
operations in Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. Took 1944; Dijon, France, c. 20 Nov I W ; Hor-
part in the invasion of Southern France sching, Austria, Jun 1945; Clastres, France,
in Aug 1944,and continued bombardment c. 3 Oct-Nov 1945; Camp Myles Standish,
operations in northern Italy, France, and Mass, Nov-26 Nov 1945. Langley Field,
later in Germany. Received second DUC Va, 19 May 1947-10 Sep 1948. Pusan,
for bombing attacks on enemy defenses Korea, 10 May 1952; Miho, Japan, 10 Oct
near Schweinfurt on 10 Apr 1945. As- 1954-16 Mar 1955; Eglin AF Aux Field
sisted in the disarmament of Germany aft- No 9, Apr '955-.
er V-E Day. Returned to the US in Nov. COMMANDERS. Capt Frank O'D Hun-
Znactivated on 26 Nov 1945. ter, 193x-unkn; Lt Col Walter R Peck,
Redesignated 17th Bombardment Group Mar 1941; L; Col William C Mills, Feb
(Light). Activated on 19 May 1947. Ap- 1942; Lt Col Flint Garrison, 16 Jun 1942;
parently did not become operative. Zn- Lt Col Curtis D Sluman, 26 Jun 1942; Lt
activated on 10 Sep 1948. Col Karl E Baumeister, 11 Mar 1943; Lt
Activated in Korea on 10 May 1952. Col Charles R Greening, 25 May 1943; Lt
Assigned to Far East Air Forces and Col Robert A Zaiser, 18 Jul 1943; Col
equipped with B-26's for service in the Donald L Gilbert, 14 Oct 1943; Col R 0
Korean War. Engaged in interdiction Harrell, 21 Jul 1944; Col Wallace C Bar-
and provided close support for U N ground rett, 20 Mar 1945; Lt Col Stanford W
forces until the armistice in Jul 1953. Gregory, I Jun 1945-unkn. Unkn, 1947-
Moved to Japan in Oct 1954; returned to 1948. Col James D Kemp, 10 May 1952;
the US, Mar-Apr 1955. Assigned to Tac- Col William C Lindley Jr, 11 Jul 1952;
tical Air Command and equipped with Col Robert E Keating, 14 Feb 1953; Col
B-57 aircraft. Redezignated 17th Bom- Gordon D Timmons, 8 Apr 1953; Col
bardment Group (Tactical) in Oct 1955. George D Hughes, 1954; Col Norton W
SQUADRONS. 34th: 1931-1945; 1947- Sanders, 1954-.
1948; 1952-. 37th: 1931-1945; 1947-1948; CAMPAIGNS.World War ZZ: Antisub-
1952-. 73d: 1947-1948; 1952-. 95th: marine, American Theater; Air Combat,
1931-1945; 1947-194; I952-. 432d: 1942- EAME Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-
1945- Foggia ; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern
STATIONS. March Field, Calif, 15 Jul France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
1931;McChord Field, Wash, 24 Jun 1940; Central Europe. Korean War: Korea
Pendleton, Ore, 29 Jun 1941; Lexington Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Win-
County Aprt, SC, 9 Feb 1942; Barksdale ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 63
tacked shipping in the central Philippines, Aug 1944; Lingayen, Luzon, c. 13 Jan
covered landings on Palawan, attacked 1945; San Jose, Mindoro, c. I Mar 1945;
airfields and railways on Formosa, and Zamboanga; Mindanao, 4 May 1945; Pala-
escorted bombers to such widely-scattered wan, 10 Nov 1945; Floridablanca, Luzon,
targets as Borneo, French Indochina, and Mar 1946; Clark Field, Luzon, 16 Sep
Formosa. 1947; Taegu, Korea, 28 Jul 1950; Ashiya,
Remained in the Philippines as part of Japan, 8 Aug 1950; Tongnae, Korea, 8
Far East Air Forces after the war. Flew Sep 1950; Pyongyang, Korea, c. 21 Nov
patrols and trained with F-80’s. Lost all 1950; Suwon, Korea, I Dec 1950; Chinhae,
personnel in Mar 1947 but was remanned Korea, 9 Dec 1950; Hoengsong, Korea, 26
in Sep 1947. Equipped first with F-47’~, Dec 1952; Osan-Ni, Korea, 11 Jan 1953;
later with F-~I’s,and still later (1949) Kadena AB, Okinawa, I Nov 1954-.
with F-80’s. Redesignated 18th Fighter- COMMANDERS. Unkn, 1927-1940; Maj
Bomber Group in Jan 1950. Kenneth M Walker, 22 Mar 1940; Maj
Moved to Korea in Jul 1950 and entered William R Morgan, 1941;Lt Col Aaron W
combat, using F-51’s. Supported UN Tyer, Dec 1941; Lt Col W H Councill, 10
ground forces and attacked enemy instal- Dec 1943; Col Milton B Adams, 8 Jul1944;
lations and supply lines. Maj Louis J Col Harry L Donicht, 24 May 1945; Lt Col
Sebille was posthumously awarded the Bill Harris, I Aug 1945; Lt Col Wilbur J
Medal 9f Honor for his action on 5 Aug Grumbles, 18 Oct 1945-unkn; Col Victor
1950: although his plane was badly dam- R Haugen, 1946; Col Homer A Boushey,
aged by flak while attacking a concentra- 7 Aug 1946-Mar 1947; Maj Kenneth M
tion of enemy trucks, Maj Sebille con- Taylor, 16 Sep 1947; Lt Col Joseph J Kru-
tinued his strafing passes until he crashed zel, I Oct 1947; Col Marion Malcolm, 3
into an armored vehicle. The group con- Sep 1948;Lt Col Henry H Norman Jr, 24
verted to F-86‘s early in 1953 and remained Jul 1949; Col Ira L Wintermute, 16 Jun
in Korea for some time after the war. 1950; Lt Col Homer M Cox, 20 Feb 1951;
Moved to Okinawa in Nov 1954. Col William P McBride, May 1951; Col
SQUADRONS. 6th: 1927-1943. 12th: Ralph H Saltsman Jr, 5 Jun 1951; Col Sey-
I943-. 19th.’ 1927-1943. 36th: 1931-1932. mour M Levenson, 30 Nov 1951;( 3 1 Shel-
#h: 1941-1942, I943-. 55th: 1931. don S Brinson, 17 May 1952; Lt G l Albert
67th: 1g45-. 68th: 1945-. 70th: 1943-1945. J Freund Jr, 25 Nov 1952; Col Maurice L
73d: 1929-1931, 1941-1942. 74th: 1929- Martin, 24 Jan 1953; Lt Col Edward L
1932. 78th: 1940-1943. 333d: 1942-1943. Rathbun, 17 Dec 1953; Col John H Buck-
419th: 1943-1944. ner, I Feb 1954; Lt Col Edward L Rath-
STATIONS. Wheeler Field, TH, Jan 1927; bun, 24 May 1954; Lt Col Clifford P Pat-
Espiritu Santo, 11 Mar 1943; Guadalcanal, ton, 17 Aug 1954; Col Nathan J Adams,
17 Apr 1943; Sansapor, New Guinea, 21 7 Sep 1954;Col Tohn B Murohv. I Nov
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 65
some escaped, but most were either killed he maintained his position in the forma-
or captured. tion and withstood enemy attacks until his
Meanwhile, late in Dec 1941 the air bombs had been released on the objective;
echelon moved to Australia to transport in the air battle that continued after the
medical and other supplies to the Philip- bombers left the target, Capt Pease’s air-
pine Islands and evacuate personnel from craft fell behind the formation and was
that area. The men in Australia moved lost. The group returned to the US late
to Java at the end of 1941 and, flying B-17, in 1942 and served as a replacement train-
LB-30, and B-24 aircraft, earned a DUC ing unit. Inactivated on I Apr 1944.
for the group by attacking enemy aircraft, Redesignated 19th Bombardment Group
ground installations, warships, and trans- (Very Heavy). Activated on I Apr 1944.
ports during the Japanese drive through Trained for combat with B-29’s. Moved
the Philippines and Netherlands Indies to Guam, Dec 1944-Feb 1945, for duty
early in 1942. The men returned to Aus- with Twentieth AF. Entered combat on
tralia from Java early in Mar 1942, and 12 Feb 1945 with an attack against a Japa-
later that month the group evacuated nese airfield on Rota. Flew its first mis-
Gen Douglas MacArthur, his family, and sion against the Japanese home islands by
key members of his staff from the Philip- striking Tokyo on 25 Feb 1945. Con-
pines to Australia. After a brief rest the ducted daylight raids against strategic ob-
group resumed combat operations, par- jectives, bombing aircraft factories, chemi-
ticipating in the Battle of the Coral Sea cal plants, oil refineries, and other targets
and raiding Japanese transportation, com- in Japan. Participated in incendiary
munications, and ground forces during thc operations, receiving one DUC for its low-
enemy’s invasion of Papua. From 7 to 12
altitude attacks on the urban industrial
Aug 1942 the 19th bombed airdromes,
areas of Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaka,
ground installations, and shipping near
in Mar 1945, and another DUC for strik-
Rabaul, New Britain, being awarded
ing the industrial section of Kobe on 5
another DUC for these missions. Capt
Jun. Struck airfields from which the
Harl Pease Jr was posthumously awarded
enemy was launching kamikaze planes
the Medal of Honor for his actions during
67 Aug 1942: when one engine of his against the invasion force at Okinawa,
bomber failed during a mission over New Apr-May 1945. Dropped supplies to Al-
Britain, Capt Pease returned to Australia lied prisoners and took part in show-of-
to obtain another plane; unable to find force missions over Japan after the war.
one fit for combat, he selected the most Remained overseas as part of Far East Air
serviceable plane at the base and rejoined Forces. Trained, participated in sea-
his squadron for an attack on a Japanese search operations, and flew photographic-
airdrome near Rabaul; by skillful flying mapping missions. Redesignated 19th
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 67
Indies, I Jan-1 Mar 1942; Philippine Pursuit Group (Fighter) in 1939, 20th
Islands, 6 Jan-8 Mar 1942; Papua, 23 Jul- Pursuit Group (Interceptor) in 1941, and
[Oct 19421; New Britain, 7-12 Aug 1942; 20th Fighter Group in 1942. Equipped
Japan, g-19 Mar 1945; Kobe, Japan, 5 Jun successively with P-12, P-26, and P-36
1945; Korea, 28 Jun-15 Sep 1950. Philip- aircraft prior to World War 11; used P-
pine Presidential Unit Citation. Repub 39’s and P-q’s during the early part of
lic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: the war; converted to P-38’s in Jan 1943.
7 Jul 195*[1953I* Traified, participated in maneuvers and
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, within the tactical exercises, and took part in aerial
square of the constellation of Pegasus, a reviews and demonstrations during the
winged sword, point to base, all or. Crest: period 1930-1939. Provided personnel for
On a wreath of the colors (or and azure) and helped to train new units during
an osprey guardant, rising, wings elevated 1940-1941. Served as an air defense or-
and addorsed proper. Motto: IN ALIS ganization after the Japanese attack on
VINCIMUS-On Wings We Conquer. Pearl Harbor. Began intensive training
(Approved 19 Oct 1936.) late in 1942 for combat duty overseas.
Moved to England in Aug 1943 and be-
20th FIGHTER GROUP came part of Eighth AF. Entered combat
with P-38’s late in Dec 1943 and for sev-
Authorized on the inactive list as 20th eral months was engaged primarily in
Balloon Group on 18 Oct 1927. Redesig- escorting heavy and medium bombers to
nated 20th Pursuit Group in 1929. Acti- targets on the Continent. Frequently
vated on 15 Nov 1930. Redesignated 20th strafed targets of opportunity while on
escort missions. Retained escort as its
primary function until the end of the war,
but in Mar 1944 began to fly fighter-bom-
ber missions, which became almost as fre-
quent as escort operations. Strafed and
dive-bombed airfields, trains, vehicles,
barges, tugs, bridges, flak positions, gun
emplacements, barracks, radio stations,
and other targets in France, Belgium, and
Germany. Became known as the “Loco
Group” because of its numerous and suc-
cessful attacks on locomotives. Received
a DUC for performance on 8 Apr 1g44
when the group struck airfields in central
Germany and then, after breaking up an
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 69
1I
P-39, later with P-38, and still later (Jan
1945) with P-51 aircraft. Moved to Iwo
Jima, Feb-Mar 1945. Sustained some
casualties when Japanese troops attacked
the group's camp on the night of 26/27
Mar 1945,but flew first combat mission the
following day, bombing and strafing air-
fields on Haha Jima. Flew its first mission
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 71
1942; Woodstock, Australia, 4 Feb 1943; China Offensive. Korean War: UN De-
Dobodura, New Guinea, Oct 1943; Nad- fensive; U N Offensive.
zab, New Guinea, Jan 1944;Owi, Schouten DECORATIONS. ’ Distinguished Unit Ci-
Islands, 17 Aug 1944; Leyte, 15 Nov 1944; tations: Papua, 23 Jul 1942-23 Jan 1943;
Angaur, 26 Nov 1944; Samar, 21 Jan 1945; New Guinea, 5 Nov 1943. Philippine
Clark Field, Luzon, Mar 1945; Okinawa, Presidential Unit Citation.
15 Aug 1945; Luzon, Nov 1945; Okinawa, INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a cougar’s left
15 May 1946-May 1948; Smoky Hill AFB, gamb erased palewise claws to base or
Kan, May 1948; March AFB, Calif, May armed gules. Motto: DUCEMUS-We
1949-16 Jun 1952. Lead. (Approved 19 Jun 1941.)
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Ross F Cole, Feb
1940; Lt Col John L Moore, 1940; Maj 23d FIGHTER GROUP
Lewis M Merrick, 20 Feb 1941; Maj Mark
L Lewis Jr, Oct 1941; Lt Col Millard L
Haskin, 10 Dec 1941; Lt Col Dwight D
Divine 11, 19 May 1942; Lt Col George R
Anderson, Mar 1943; Lt Col Roger E
Phelan, Jun 1943; Col Richard W Robin-
son, c. Feb 1944; Col Leonard T Nichol-
son, 21 Jan 1945; Lt Col James E Sweeney,
24 Sep 1945; Lt Col Charles W Johnson,
7 Oct 1945; Maj John E Pryor, c. 17 Oct
1g45-unkn; Col Joseph F Carroll, Jun
1946; Lt Col Alvin J H Mueller, Jan 1947;
Col Francis L Rivard, Oct 1947; Col Wal-
ter E Arnold, 19 Dec 1947; Lt Col Paul L
Barton, 7 Jun 1948; Capt William L Constituted as 23d Pursuit Group (In-
Lemme, 29 Jun 1948; Maj John W Swan- terceptor) on 17 Dec 1941. Redesignated
son, 3 Jul 1948; Lt Col Payne Jennings Jr, 23d Fighter Group in May 1942. Acti-
7 Jul 1948; Col James V Edmundson, 19 vated in China on 4 Jul 1942. Chennault’s
Aug 1949; Col John B Henry Jr, Mar-16 American Volunteer Group supplied ex-
Jun 1952. perienced pilots and a name-“Flying
CAMPAIGNS. World War ZZ: Antisub- Tigers.” Using P-40’s and later P-~I’s,the
marine, American Theater; East Indies; 23d group provided air defense for the
Air Offensive, Japan ; China Defensive ; Chinese terminus of the Hump route from
Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archi- India; conducted a counter-air campaign
1 pelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; to whittle down Japanese air strength by
74 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
CAMPAIGNS. India-Burma; China De- was Lt Boyd D “Buzz” Wagner, who al-
fensive; Western Pacific; China Offensive. ready had become the first AAF ace of
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- World War 11. The remaining pilots con-
tion: Hunan Province, China, 17-25 Jun tinued operations in the Philippines with
‘944. the few planes that were left. Eventually
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, over a bolt of all of the men, except the few who had
lightning, in pale, or, a Flying Tiger gone to Australia, were either killed or
proper, tongue red, winged argent; all out- captured by the enemy. Although not re-
lines black; a diminutive border silver- manned, the group was carried on the list
grey. (Approved 24 Jan 1957.) of active organizations until after the war.
Iizactivated on 2 Apr 1946.
SQUADRONS. 3d: 1941-1946. 17th: 1941-
24th PURSUIT GROUP
1946. 20th: 1941-1946.
Constituted as 24th Pursuit Group (In- STATIONS. Clark Field, Luzon, I Oct
terceptor) on 16 Aug 1941. Activated in 1941 ;Mariveles, Luzon, c. I Jan-May 1942.
the Philippine Islands on I Oct 1941. Aug- COMMANDERS. Col Orrin L Grover, I
mented by two attached squadrons (21st Oct 1941-Apr 1942.
and 34th) and equipped with P-35 and CAMPAIGNS. Philippine Islands.
P-40 aircraft, this group comprised the en- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
tire pursuit force in the Philippines in Dec tions: Philippines, 7 Dec 1941-10 May
1941. When enemy aircraft were reported 1942; Philippines, 8-22 Dec 1941 ; Philip-
to be approaching Luzon on the morning pines, 6 Jan-8 Mar 1942. Philippine Presi-
of 8 Dec (7 Dec in the US), the 24th group dential Unit Citation.
attempted to intercept but failed because INSIGNE. None.
radar and visual sighting facilities were
inadequate. Later that day, after the 25th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
group’s planes either had landed for re-
fueling or had run so low on fuel that they Constituted as 25th Bombardment
could not fight, the Japanese attacked and Group (Heavy) on 22 Dec 1939. Acti-
inflicted heavy losses on the organization. vated on I Feb 1940. Trained with A-17’s
In the days that followed, the group’s and B-18’s. Moved to the Caribbean late
strength declined rapidly, but the 24th flew in 1940. Redesignated 25th Bombardment
some patrol and reconnaissance missions, Group (Medium) in May 1942. Flew
engaged the enemy in the air, and attacked antisubmarine patrols, escorted convoys,
enemy airfields and shipping. By late in and served as part of the defense force of
Dec the ground personnel were absorbed the area. Aircraft; B-18’s (1940-1942),
by infantry units and some pilots were A-20’s (1942-1943), and B-25’s (1943-
evacuated to Australia. One of these pilots 1944). Returned to the US early in 1944,
76 AIR FOR(:E COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, issuing out of
sinister side an arm embowed grasping a
trident bend sinisterwise prongs to base or,
on and over the junction of the shaft and
prongs a compass rose of the first on a
background of the second. Motto:
GUARD WITH POWER. (Approved
3 OCt 1940.)
SQUADRONS. 652d: 1944-1945, 653d: 1941; flew antisubmarine patrols off the
1944-1945- 654th: 1944-1945* east coast after the US entered the war;
STATIONS.Watton, England, g Aug took part in the Tennessee Maneuvers in
1944-23 Jul 194.5; Drew Field, Fla, Aug- the fall of 1942; later participated in exer-
8 SeP 1945. cises and provided air support for training
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Joseph A Sten- ground forces. Aircraft: O-46‘~, 0-47’s,
glein, g Aug 1944; Col Leon W Gray, 23 O-52’~, L-4’s, A-~o’s, B-25’s, and P-39’s.
Sep 1 9 4 ; Lt Col John R Hoover, 14 Apr Disbanded on 11 Nov 1943.
.1gqj; Maj Ernest H Patterson, 19 Jun Reconstituted, redesignated 26th Recon-
I 9Ly5-u” kn. naissance Group, and allotted to the re-
CAMPAIGNS.Northern France; Rhine- serve, on 27 Dec 1946. Activated on 23 Oct
land; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. 1947. Inactivated on 27 Tun 1949.
DECORATIONS. None. SQUADRONS. 4th: 1947-1949. loth:
INSIGNE. None. 1947-1949. 14th.‘ 1942-1943. 72d: 1943.
gZSt: 1943. ZOZSt: 1941-1943. ZO3d: 1941-
1943. z52d: 1941-1943.
26th RECONNAISSANCE
GROUP STATIONS. Ft Devens, Mass, I Sep IWI ;
Providence, RI, c. 12 Sep 1941; Quonset
Constituted as 26th Observation Group Point, RI, Jun 1942; Hyannis, Mass, Jul
on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on I Sep 1941. 1942; Harrisburg Mun Aprt, Pa, Sep 1942;
Assigned to First and later to Third AF. Reading AAFld, Pa, Tun-11 Nov 1943.
Redesignated 26th Reconnaissance Group Niagara Falls Mun Aprt, NY, 23 Oct 1947;
in Apr 1943, and 26th Tactical Reconnais- Buffalo, NY, c. 17 Feb 1948-27 Jun 1949.
sance Group in Aug 1943. Participated COMMANDERS. Col Louis E Boutwell, c.
in the Carolina Maneuvers in the fall of I Sep 1941; Lt Col Paul D Myers, Aug
1942; Lt Col James R Gunn Jr, Jun 1943-
unkn.
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.Shield: Bendy of eight azure
tenne, a camera lens proper, ringed argent,
superimposed on two electrical flashes in
saltire of the last. Motto: INVENI ET
RENUNTIATE-Reconnoiter and Re-
port. (Approved 28 Oct 1942. This in-
signe was modified 4 Sep 1953.)
78 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
rean War. Operated first from a base in Davies, unkn-c. Apr 1942; Lt Col Harry
Korea and later from Japan, supporting F Van Leuven, 14 Jul 1942; Lt Col John D
ground forces, escorting bombers, and fly- Stevenson, 11 Apr 1943; Col Dorr E New-
ing armed reconnaissance missions and ton Jr, 6 Aug 1943; Col Stephen B Mack,
counter-air patrols. Returned to the US 22 Apr 1944; Lt Col William R Nevitt,
in Jul 1951. Znactiuated on 16 Jun 1952. 10 Sep 1944-c. Nov 1945. Col Clarence
SQUADRONS. Z5th: 1940-1941. 465th: T Edwinson, c. 20 Aug 1946; Col Robert
1942. 522d (formerly 16th) : 1940-1945; P Montgomery, Nov 1946; Col Clarence
1946-1952. 523d (formerly 17th) : 1940- T Edwinson, Feb 1947; Col Edwin A
1945; 1946-1952. 524th (formerly 91st) : DOSS,15 Aug 1947; Col Ashley B Packard,
1941-1945; 1946-1952. 21 Jan 1948; Col Cy Wilson, c. Mar 1948;
STATIONS.Barksdale Field, La, I Feb Col Donald J M Blakeslee, 7 Dec 1950;
1940; Hunter Field, Ga, 7 Oct 1940-21 Lt Col William E Bertram, 3 Mar 1951-
Oct 1941 ; Philippine Islands, 20 Nov 16 Jun 1952.
1941 ; Batchelor, Australia, Mar-4 May CAMPAIGNS. World War ZZ: Philippine
1942; Hunter Field, Ga, 4 May 1942; Key Islands; Air Combat, EAME Theater;
Field, Miss, Jul 1942; Hattiesburg, Miss, Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Ar-
15 Aug 1942; Harding Field, La, 25 Oct- no; Northern France; Southern France;
21 Nov 1942; Ste-Barbe-du-Tlelat,Algeria, North Apennines; Rhineland; Central
26 Dec 1942; Nouvion, Algeria, Jan 1943; Europe. Korean War: CCF Intervention;
Ras el Ma, French Morocco, Apr 1943; 1st UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Of-
Korba, Tunisia, Jun 1943; Sicily, Jul 1943; fensive.
Italy, Sep 1943; Corsica, Jul 1944; South- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
ern France, Aug 1944; Italy, c. Sep 1944; tions: Philippine Islands, 7 Dec 1941-10
St-Dizier, France, 22 Feb 1945; Toul/ May 1942; Philippine Islands, 8-22 Dec
Ochey, France, Mar 1945; Biblis, Ger- 1941; Philippine Islands, 6 Jan-8 Mar 1942;
many, Apr 1945; Sandhofen, Germany,
Italy, 10 Sep 1943; France, 4 Sep 1944;
Jun 1945; Echterdingen, Germany, 15
Korea, 26 Jan-21 Apr 1951. Philippine
Sep2o Oct 1945; Camp Shanks, NY, 6-7
Presidential Unit Citation. Republic of
Nov 1945. Fritzlar, Germany, 20 Aug
Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [Dec]
1946; Bad Kissingen, Germany, 25 Jun
1947; Andrews Field, Md, 25 Jun 1947; 1950-31 May 1951.
Kearney AAFld, Neb, 16 Jul 1947; Berg- INSIGNE. Shield: Per bend azure and or,
strom AFB, Tex, 16 Mar 1949-16 Jun in sinister chief a right clenched fist coup-
ed at the wrist in dexter base a magnolia
1952.
COMMANDERS. Col Clarence L Tinker, blossom leaved all argent, fimbriated sable.
I Feb 1940; Lt Col W Wright, unkn; Col Motto: INTELLIGENT STRENGTH.
Guy L McNeil, Jul 1941; Col John H (Approved 12 Sep 1940.)
80 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
a raid made by Canadian, British, Ameri- tria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania, YugG
can, and French forces at Dieppe on 19 slavia, and Greece. In addition provided
Aug. Escorted bombers and flew patrol escort for reconnaissance aircraft and for
and diversionary missions until Oct. As- C-47’s engaged in the airborne operation
signed to Twelfth AF for the invasion of connected with the invasion of Southern
North Africa, the pilots of the group flying France. Also flew strafing missions
Spitfires from Gibraltar to Algeria on 8 against airdromes and communications
Nov 1942 and the ground echelon land- targets. Took part in an operation in
ing at Arzeu beach the same day. At- which a task force from Fifteenth AF at-
tacked motor transports, gun positions, tacked targets in Rumania while flying
and troop concentrations during the three- to Russia on 22 Jul 1944 and while re-
day campaign for Algeria and French turning to Italy on 26 Jul; on 25 Jul, after
Morocco. Helped to defeat Axis forces in escorting P-38’s from a base in Russia for
Tunisia by supporting ground troops and a raid on an airdrome in Poland, the 31st
providing cover for bomber and fighter group made attacks on a convoy of Ger-
aircraft. During May and Jun 1943, pro- man trucks and on a force of German
vided escort for bombers on raids to Pan- fighter-bombers, being awarded a DUC
telleria and cover for naval convoys in for its performance. Strafed rail and
the Mediterranean. Supported the land- highway traffic in norchern Italy in Apr
ings on Sicily in July and took part in the 1945 when Allied forces were engaged in
conquest of that island. Covered the land- their final offensive in that area. Returned
ings at Salerno early in Sep 1943 and at to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 7 Nov
Anzio in Jan 1944. Also operated in close 1945.
support of Allied ground forces in Italy Activated in Germany on 20 Aug 1946.
and flew patrol and escort missions. Assigned to United States Air Forces in
Assigned .to Fifteenth AF in Apr 1944, Europe. Transferred, without personnel
converted to P-~I’s,and thereafter en- and equipment, to the US in Jun 1947.
gaged primarily in escort work. Received Assigned to Tactical Air Command and
a DUC for a mission on 21 Apr 1944 when equipped with P-51’s. Converted to
the group, despite the severe weather that F-84’s in 1948. Redesignated 31st Fighter-
was encountered, provided cover for a Bomber Group in Jan 1950. Assigned to
force of heavy bombers during a raid on Strategic Air Command in Jul 1950. Re-
production centers in Rumania. On designated 31st Fighter-Escort Group.
numerous other occasions escorted bomb- Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
ers that attacked objectives in Italy, France, SQUADRONS. 39th: 1940-1942. 40th:
Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Aus- 1940-1942, 4 1 S t : 1940-1942. 307th: 1942-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 85
1945; 19461952. 308th: 1942-1945; 1946- H LeFebre, Jan 1947; Maj Arland Stanton,
1952. 309th: 1942-1945; 1946-1952. Feb 1947; Col Dale D Fisher, Mar 1947;
STATIONS. Selfridge Field, Mich, I Feb Lt Col Donald J M Blakeslee, May 1947;
1940; Baer Field, Ind, 6 Dec 1941; New Maj Leonard P Marks, 22 Oct 1947; Col
Orleans AB, La, Feb-19 May 1942; Carroll W McColpin, I Nov 1947; Col
Atcham, England, 11 Jun 1942; West- Earl H Dunham, c. Dec 1949; Col David
hampnett, England, I Aug 1942; Tafa- C Schilling, I Jun 1951-16 Jun 1952.
raoui, Algeria, 8 Nov 1942; La Senia, CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME The-
Algeria, c. 12 Nov 1942; Thelepte, Tunisia, ater; Air Offensive, Europe; Algeria-
c. 7 Feb 1943; Tebessa, Algeria, 17 Feb French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-
1943; Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, 21 Feb Foggia ;*Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy ;
1943; Kalaa Djerda, Tunisia, c. 25 Feb Northern France; Southern France; North
1943; Thelepte, Tunisia, 11 Mar 1943; Apennines; Rhineland ; Central Europe;
Djilma, Tunisia, 7 Apr 1943; Le Sers, Po Valley.
Tunisia, 12 Apr 1943; Korba, Tunisia, 15 DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
May 1943; GOZO,c. 30 Jun 1943; Ponte tions: Rumania, 21 Apr 1944; Poland, 25
O h o , Sicily, c. 13 Jul 1943; Agrigento, Jul 1944.
Sicily, 21 Jul 1943; Termini, Sicily, 2 Aug INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend nebule or and
1943; Milazzo, Sicily, 2 Sep 1943; Monte- azure, in chief a wyvern, sans legs, wings
corvino, Italy, 20 Sep 1943; Pomigliano, endorsed of the second. Motto: RETURN
Italy, 14 Oct 1943; Caste1 Volturno, Italy, WITH HONOR. (Approved 28 Jun
19 Jan 1944; San Severo, Italy, 2 Apr 1944; I944
Mondolfo, Italy, 3 Mar 1945; Triolo Air-
field, Italy, 15 Jul-Aug 1945; Drew Field, 32d FIGHTER GROUP
Fla, Aug? Nov 1945. Giebelstadt, Ger-
many, 20 Aug 1946; Kitzingen, Germany, Constituted as 32d Pursuit Group on 22
30 Sep 1946; Langley Field, Va, 25 Jun Nov 1940. Activated in Panama on I Jan
1947; Turner Field, Ga, 4 Sep 1947-16 Jun 1941. Redesignmed 32d Fighter Group
1952. in May 1942. Trained and served as part
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Harold H George, of the defense force for the Panama Canal,
Feb 1940; Col John R Hawkins, I Jul using P-26, P-36, P-38, P-39, and P-40 air-
1941; Col Fred M Dean, 5 Dec 1942; Lt craft. Disbanded in the Canal Zone on I
Col Frank A Hill, c. Jul 1943; Col Charles NOV1943.
M McCorkle, c. Sep 1943; Col Yancey S Reconstituted and redesignated 32d
Tarrant, 4 Jul 1944; Col William A Daniel, Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 11 Dec
4 Dec 1~4-unkn. Lt Col Horace A 1956. Activated in the US on 8 Feb 1957.
Hanes, Aug 1946unkn; Lt Col Frederick Assigned to Air Defense Command.
86 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Europe and equipped with P-51’s. Trans- 1948-6 Feb 1952. Otis AFR, Mass, 18 Aug
ferred, less personnel and equipment, to ‘955--
the US in 1947. Remanned and equipped COMMANDERS. Maj Minthorne W
with P-51’s; converted to F-84’s in Jun Reed, c. Jan 1941; Col Elwood R Quesada,
1948 and F-86’s in Feb 1949. Redesig- 7 Oct 1941; Col William W Momyer, 29
nated 33d Fighter-Interceptor Group in Jun 1942; Col Loring F Stetson Jr, 17 Oct
Jan 1950. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952. 1943; Lt Col Oliver G Cellini, 7 Jun 1944;
Redesignated 33d Fighter Group (Air Col David D Terry Jr, 9 Sep 1944; Col
Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Frank L Dunn, 2 Mar 1945-unkn. Col
Assigned to Air Defense Command. Barton M Russell, 20 Aug 1946; Lt Col
SQUADRONS. 58th: 1941-1945; 1946- Albert A Cory, unkn; Col Gwen G Atkin-
1952; 1955-. 59th: 1941-1945; 19461952. son, Jan 1948;Lt Col Woodrow W Korges,
60th: 1941-1945; 19461952; I955-. c. May 1949; Col Charles H MacDonald,
STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, 15 Jan c. Aug 1949; Col Harrison R Thyng, 15
1941; Philadelphia, Pa, 13 Dec 1941-0ct Jun 1950; Lt Col Willard W Millikan, c.
1942; Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 10 Aug 1951-6 Feb 1952. Col Fred G Hook
Nov 1942; Casablanca, French Morocco, c. Jr, 1955-s
13 Nov 1942; Telergma, Algeria, 24 Dec CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME The-
1942; Thelepte, Tunisia, 7 Jan 1943; ater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia;
Youks-les-Rains, Algeria, 8 Feb 1943; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-
Telergma, Algeria, c. 20 Feb 1943; Ber- Arno; India-Burma; China Defensive;
teaux, Algeria, c. 2 Mar 1943; Ebba Ksour, Central Burma.
Tunisia, c. 12 Apr 1943; Menzel Temime, DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Tunisia, 20 May 1943; Sousse, Tunisia, 9 tion: Central Tunisia, 15 Jan 1943.
Jun 1943; Pantelleria, 19 Jun 1943; Licata, INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, on a pale
Sicily, c . 18 Jul 1943; Paestum, Italy, 13 nebuly or a sword point to chief in pale
Sep 1943; Santa Maria, Italy, 18 Nov 1943; of the field, flammant gules, all within a
Cercola, Italy, c. I Jan-Feb 1944; Karachi, border of the second. Motto: FIRE
India, c. 20 Feb 1944; Shwangliu, China, c. FROM T H E CLOUDS. (Approved 21
18 Apr 1944; Pungchacheng, China, 9 May Feb 1942.)
1944; Nagaghuli, India, 3 Sep 1944; Sah-
maw, Burma, 26 Dec 1944; Piardoba, 34th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
India, 5 May-c. 15 Nov 1945; Camp
Shanks, NY, 7-8 Dec 1945. Neubiberg, Constituted as 34th Bombardment
Germany, 20 Aug 1946; Bad Kissingen, Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Acti-
Germany, Jul-25 Aug 1947; Andrews vated on 15 Jan 1941. Using B-I~’s,
Field, Md, 25 Aug 1947; Roswell AAFld, trained and participated in maneuvers
NM. 16 SeD I O ~ Otis : AFB. Mass. 16 Nov until Dec 1041. Flew Datrol missions
88 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
converting from F-80’s to F-51’s. Oper- Col Richard A Legg, 12 Mar 1942; Lt Col
ated from bases in Japan and Korea in sup- Malcolm A Moore, 26 Jul 1943; Lt Col
port of U N ground forces, bombing and Edwin A DOSS,23 Oct 1943; Lt Col Furlo
strafing enemy supply lines, troop concen- S Wagner, 12 Feb 1944;Col Edwin A DOSS,
trations, and communications. Trans- 4 May 1944; Col Harney Estes Jr, 27 Jul
ferred without personnel and equipment 1945; Col Raymond P Todd, 22 Mar 1946;
to Japan in May 1951. Remanned and Lt Col Richard D Dick, c. 13 Sep 1946;
equipped with F-51’s and F-80’s. Pro- Col James R Gunn Jr, c. 11 Feb 1947; Col
vided air defense for Japan. Converted to Ford J Lauer, 28 Apr 1947; Col Ray W
F-86 aircraft in 1955. Clifton, I Sep 1947; Col Edgar M Scatter-
SQUADRONS. 28th: 1940. 20th: 1940. good Jr, 21 Jun 1948; Lt Col Bert W Mar-
~ 1 s t :1940-1942. 34th: 1940-1942. 39th: shall Jr, Aug 1948; Lt Col Archie M
1942-. 40th: I942-. 4ZSt: I9*-. 70th: Burke, 13 May 1949; Lt Col Jack D Dale
1941-1942. Jr, Nov 1949; Col William P McBride, 22
STATIONS.Moffett Field, Calif, I Feb Feb 1951; Lt Col Homer M Cox, May
1940; Hamilton Field, Calif, 10 Sep 1940- 1951; Col John C Habecker, 25 Jun 1951;
5 Dec 1941 and 9 Dec 1941-12 Jan 1942; Col John R Propst, 6 Jun 1952; Lt Col Al-
Brisbane, Australia, I Feb 1942; New bert S Aiken, Feb 1955; Col Maurice L
Delhi, India, Mar 1942; Sydney, Australia, Martin, Jun 1955; Col Raymond M Geh-
4 May 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, rig, Aug 1955-.
22 Jul 1942; Tsili Tsili, New Guinea, 15 CAMPAIGNS.World War ZZ: East In-
Aug 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 5 Oct dies; Air offensive, Japan; China De-
1943; Gusap, New Guinea, 7 Feb 1944; fensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck
Owi, Schouten Islands, 22 Jul 1944; Moro- Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Lu-
tai, 27 Sep 1944; Mangaldan, Luzon, c. 20 zon ; Ryukyus ; China Offensive. Korean
Jan 1945; Lingayen, Luzon, c. 10 Apr War: U N Defensive; U N Offensive; CCF
1945; Clark Field, Luzon, 19 Apr 1945; Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive;
Okinawa, 28 Jun 1945; Irumagawa, Japan, CCF Spring Offensive.
Oct 1945; Yokota, Japan, 16 Mar 1950; DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Ashiya, Japan, 8 Jul 1950; Pohang, Korea, tion: Papua, 23 Jul 1942-23 Jan 1943.
14 Jul 1950; Tsuiki, Japan, 13 Aug 1950; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Re-
Pohang, Korea, 3 Oct 1950; Yonpo, Korea, public of Korea Presidential Unit citation:
18 Nov 1950; Pusan, Korea, c. 3 Dec 1950; 7 Sep 1 9 5 Feb~ 1951.
Johnson AB, Japan, 25 May 1951;Yokota, INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a dexter cubit
Japan, 14 Aug 1954-. arm or grasping a dagger point to base
COMMANDERS. Maj 0 R Strickland, gules. Motto: ATTACK TO DEFEND
1940;Col George P Tourtellot, 194o-unkn; (Approved 21 Feb 1941.)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 91
36th FIGHTER GROUP preparation for the invasion of Normandy.
Participated in the invasion in Jun 1944 by
patrolling the air over the landing zone
and by flying close-support and interdic-
tory missions. Moved to France, Jul-Aug
1944. Supported the breakthrough at St
Lo in Jul and the thrust of Third Army
toward Germany in Aug and Sep. Re-
ceived a DUC for operations on I Sep 1944
when, in a series o€ missions, the group at-
tacked German columns south of the h i r e
in order to disrupt the enemy’s retreat
across central France to Dijon. Moved to
Belgium in Oct and supported Ninth
Constituted as 36th Pursuit Group (In- Army. Participated in the Battle of the
terceptor) on 22 Dec 1939. Activated on I Bulge, Dec 1944- Jan 1945, by flying armed
Feb 1940. Trained with P-36‘s. Moved to reconnaissance and close-support missions.
Puerto Rico in Jan 1941. Equipped with Aided First Army’s push across the Roer
P-39 and P-40 aircraft. Served as part of River in Feb 1945. Supported operations
the defense force for the Caribbean area at the Remagen bridgehead and during the
and Panama Canal, and flew antisub- airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar.
marine patrols. Redesignated 36th Received second DUC for performance on
Fighter Group in May 1942. Returned to 12 Apr 1945 when the group, operating
the US, May-Jun 1943. Trained with through intense antiaircraft fire, relent-
P-47’s. lessly attacked airfields in southern Ger-
Moved to England, Mar-Apr 1944. many, destroying a large hangar and
Assigned to Ninth AF. Served in combat numerous aircraft. Remained in Europe
in the European theater from May 1944 to for several months after V-E Day.
May 1945. Operated primarily as a Transferred, without personnel and
fighter-bomber organization, strafing and equipment, to the US in Feb 1946, the
dive-bombing armored vehicles, trains, group’s squadrons being inactivated in
bridges, buildings, factories, troop concen- Mar. Headquarters was transferred, with-
trations, gun emplacements, airfields, and out personnel and equipment, to the Pan-
other targets. Also flew some escort mis- ama Canal Zone in Sep, and the squad-
sions. Began operations from England in rons were activated in Oct. Equipped
May 1944 with armed reconnaissance, with P-47’s; converted to F-80’s in Dec
escort, and interdictory missions in 1947. Moved to Germany, Jul-Aug 1948,
92 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
and became part of United States Air 1944; Lt Col Paul P Douglas Jr, Apr 1945;
Forces in Europe. Redesignated 36th Lt Col John L Wright, 30 Jun 1945; Maj
Fighter-Bomber Group in Jan 1950, and Arthur W Holderness Jr, c. 25 Sep 1945;
36th Fighter-Day Group in Aug 1954. Lt Col William T McBride, 9 Nov 1945-
Equipped successively with F-80, F-84, unkn; Col Henry R Spicer, c. 15 Oct 1946-
F-86, and F-IOOaircraft-after arriving in unkn; Col Hubert Zemke, 1949; Col Wil-
Europe in 1948. liam A Daniel, c. I Dec 1949; Lt Col
SQUADRONS. 22d: 1940-1946, 1946. George F Ceuleers, Dec 1950; Col George
23d: 1940-1946, 1946-. 32d: 1940-1943; T Lee, Mar 1951; Col Seth J McKee, Dec
1955-. 53d: '943-1946, 1946. 1951; Col Marvin E Childs, May 1953;
STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, I Feb Col Edward A McGough 111, Dec 1954-.
1940-2 Jan 1941; Losey Field, PR, Jan CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
1941-May 1943; Morrison Field, Fla, May Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Nor-
1943; Mitchel Field, NY, c. 3 Jun 1943; mandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Charleston, SC, 23 June 1943; Alamogordo Ardennes-Alsace;Central Europe.
AAFld, NM, Sep 1943; Scribner AAFld, DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Neb, Nov 1943-Mar 1944; Kingsnorth, tions: France, I Sep 1944; Germany, 12
England, Apr 1944; Brucheville, France, Apr 1945. Cited in the Order of the Day,
Jul1944; Le Mans, France, c. 23 Aug 1944; Belgian Army: I Oct 1944-; I8 Dec 1944-
Athis, France, Sep 1944; Juvincourt, 15 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
France, c. I Oct 1944; Le Culot, Belgium, INSIGNE.Shield: Or, an arrow point
c. 23 Oct 1944; Aachen, Germany, 28 Mar palewise gules on a chief azure a wing
1945; Niedermennig, Germany, c. 8 Apr
argent. (Approved 19 Jun 1940.)
1945; Kassel/Rothwesten, Germany, c. 21
Apr 1945-15 Feb 1946; Bolling Field, DC,
15 Feb-Sep 1946; Howard Field, CZ, Oct 37th FIGHTER GROUP
1946-Jul 1948; Furstenfeldbruck AFB,
Constituted as 37th Pursuit Group (In-
Germany, Aug 1948; Bitburg AB, Ger-
many, 17 Nov 1952-. terceptor) on 22 Dec 1939. Activated in
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Ned Schramm, the Panama Canal Zone on I Feb 1940.
c. I Feb 1940; Maj Charles A Harrington, Redesignated 37th Fighter Group in May
c. 15 Jul 1941; Lt Col Glenn 0 Barcus, 1942. Served as part of the defense force
c. I Nov 1941; Maj Richard P Klocko, for the Panama Canal. Equipped first
c. 20 Feb 1942; Maj James B League Jr, with P-26'~~ later with P-40's. Disbanded
c. 18 Jul 1942; Maj William L Curry, c. I in the Canal Zone on I Nov 1943.
Sep 1942; Maj [Earl H ( ?)] Dunham, c. Reconstituted and redesignated 37th
I Oct 1942; Lt Col William L Curry, c. 14 Fighter-Bomber Group, on 3 Mar 1953.
Jan 1943; Lt Col Van H Slayden, 12 Jan Activated in the US on 8 Apr 1953. As-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 93
rather than disrupt the formation, Maj Bombardment Group (Tactical) in Oct
Cheli remained in position and led the 1955-
attack on the target before his bomber SQUADRONS. 69th: 1941-1943. 70th:
crashed into the sea. The group was 1941-1943. 7 Z S t : 1941-1949; I953-. 89th:
awarded a DUC for bombing and strafing 1946-1949- 405th: 1942-1949; 1953-.
Japanese troops and fortifications on Cape 822d: 1943-1946; 1 9 5 ~ .823d: 1943-1946.
Gloucester, New Britain, Dec 1943, pre- STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, 15 Jan
paratory to the Allied invasion. Received 1941; Jackson AAB, Miss, c. 5 Jun 1941-18
another DUC for two missions over New Jan 1942; Doomben Field, Australia, 25
Guinea, 16 and 17 Jun 1944, against Japa- Feb 1942; Ballarat, Australia, 8 Mar 1942;
nese airfields, merchant ships, and naval Amberley Field, Australia, 30 Apr 1942;
vessels. Moved to the Moluccas in Oct Eagle Farms, Australia, c. 10 Jun 1942;
1944 and bombed airfields, ground in- Breddan Field, Australia, 7 Aug 1942;
stallations, harbors, and shipping in the Townsville, Australia, 30 Sep 1942; Port
southern Philippines in support of the US Moresby, New Guinea, Oct 1942; Nadzab,
invasion of Leyte. Struck a large enemy New Guinea, 4 Mar 1944; Biak, I Oct
convoy in Ormoc Bay in Nov 1944 to pre- 1944; Morotai, 15 Oct 1944; Lingayen,
vent the landing of reinforcements, being Luzon, c. 29 Jan 1945; Okinawa, 25 Jul
awarded a DUC for the mission. After 1945; Itazuke, Japan, c. 22 Nov 1945;
moving to the Philippines in Jan 1945, Itami, Japan, 26 Oct 1946-1 Apr 1949.
supported US ground forces on Luzon, Laon AB, France, I Jan 1953-.
bombed industries on Formosa, and at- COMMANDERS. Lt Col Robert D Knapp,
tacked shipping along the China coast. 15 Jan 1941; Col Fay R Upthegraye, c. 18
Stationed temporarily on Palawan in Jun Jan 1942-unkn; Lt Col Brian O’Neill, 19
1945 for participation in the preinvasion Oct 1942; Lt Col Lawrence Tanberg, I Oct
bombing of Japanese installations on 1943; Lt Col Carl C Lausman, Jul 1944;
Borneo. Moved to Okinawa in Jul 1945 Maj Howard M Paquin, 18 Aug 1944; Col
and conducted several attacks on indus- Edward M Gavin, g Nov 1944; Lt Col
tries, railways, and shipping in southern Edwin H Hawes, 16 Mar 1945; Lt Col
Japan. Moved to Japan in Nov 1945 as Vernon D Torgerson, 9 Aug 1945; Lt Col
part of Far East Air Forces. Redesignated Bruce T Marston, 12 Sep 1945; Lt Col
38th Bombardment Group (Light) in May Joseph P Gentile, 17 Mar 1946; Lt Col
1946. Equipped with A-26 aircraft. Zn- John P Crocker, 16 May 1946; Col C J
activated in the Far East on I Apr 1949. Bondley Jr, 2 Jul 1946; Col Dale D Bran-
Activated in France on I Jan 1953. As- non, 12 Nov 1946; Col C J Bondley Jr, 13
signed to United States Air Forces in Dec 1946; Col John J Hutchison, 25 Jan
Europe. Equipped with B-26 and later 1947; Col Donald D Fitzgerald, 26 Feb
with B-57 aircraft. Redesignated 38th 1948; Col Preston P Pender, 7 May 1948;
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 95
Lt Col Charles R Johnson, 18 Jul 1948-1 1945. Conducted its first mission against
Apr 1949. Lt Col Max H Mortensen, I the Japanese home islands by hitting the
Jan 1953; Col Glen W Clark, 16 Mar 1953; Hodagaya chemical plant at Koriyama on
Col Broadus B Taylor, 6 Jun 1955-. 12 Apr. Supported the Allied invasion of
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan ; Okinawa, Apr-May 1945, by attacking
China Defensive; Papua; New Guinea; airfields that served as bases for kami-
Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; kaze pilots. Bombed military and indus-
Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; trial targets in Japan and participated in
China Offensive. incendiary raids on urban areas from mid-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- May until the end of the war. Received a
tions: Papua, [Sep] 1942-23 Jan 1943; New DUC for an attack against the Otake oil
Britain, 24-26 Dec 1943; New Guinea, 16- refinery and storage area on Honshu in
17 Jun 1944; Leyte, 10 Nov 1944. Philip- May 1945. Received second DUC for
pine Presidential Unit Citation. bombing industrial and dock areas in
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure a winged sword Yokohama and manufacturing districts in
p i n t downward argent, the hilt and pom- Tokyo, 23-29 May 1945. Dropped food
mel charged with a torteau, a pomeis, and and supplies to Allied prisoners and took
a bezant, a fleur-de-lis fretting the blade or, part in show-of-force missions over Japan
between two cloud formations of the sec- after V-J Day. Returned to the US, Nov-
ond issuing from dexter and sinister base. Dec 1945. lnactiuated on 27 Dec 1945.
(Approved 16 Apr 1954.) SQUADRONS. 60th: 1941-1944; 1944-1945.
6rst: 1941-1944; 1944-1945. 62d: 1941-
39th BOMBARDMENT GROUP 1944; 1944-1945- 402d: 1942-1944; 1944-
STATIONS.Ft Douglas, Utah, 15 Jan
Constituted as 39th Bombardment 1941; Geiger Field, Wash, 2 Jul 1941;
Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Acti- Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 5 Feb 1942-1
vated on 15 Jan 1941. Assigned to Second Apr 1944. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, I
AF. Equipped with B-17's. Patrolled Apr 1944-8 Jan 1945; North Field, Guam,
the northwest coast of the US after the 18 Feb-17 Nov 1945; Camp Anza, Calif,
nation entered the war. Equipped with 15-27 Dec 1945.
B-24's in 1942. Served as an operational COMMANDERS. Maj Newton Longfel-
training and later as a replacement train- low, 15 Jan IWI ; Capt Maurice A Preston,
ing unit. Inactivated on I Apr 1944. I Feb 1941 ; Lt Col Elmer E Adler, 17 Mar
Redesignated 39th Bombardment Group 1941; Capt George W Hansen, 13 May
(Very Heavy). Activated on I Apr 194-1. 1941; Maj Charles B Overacker Jr, 12 Nov
Trained with B-29's. Moved to Guam 1941; Lt Col George W Hansen, 25 Jan
early in 1945 for duty with Twentieth AF. 1942; Col James H Wallace, 16 Feb 1942;
Bombed enemy-held Maug early in Apr. Col Fay R Upthegrove, 12 Jul 1942; Lt
96 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
1945. Raided light metal industries in pan; China Defensive; Western Pacific;
Osaka in Jul 1945, being awarded another Central Burma.
DUC for this mission. After V-J Day, DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
dropped food and supplies to Allied pris- tions: Yawata, Japan, 20 Aug 1944; Japan,
oners in Japan, Korea, and Formosa, and 5-14 May 1945; Japan, 24 Jul 1945.
took part in show-of-force missions. Re- INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, on a bomb burst
turned to the US in Nov 1945. Assigned proper fimbriated argent four drop bombs
to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. in cross or. (Approved 28 Mar 1942. This
Inactivated on I Oct 1946. insigne was replaced 6 Jan 1954.)
SQUADRONS. 25th: 1943-1946. 29th:
1941-1943. 44th: 1941-1946. 45th: 1941- 41st BOMBARDMENT GROUP
1946. 74th: 1942-1943. 343d: 1945-1946.
395th: 1942-1946. Constituted as 41st Bombardment
STATIONS. Borinquen Field, PR, I Apr Group (Medium) on 20 Nov 1940. Ac-
1941; Howard Field, CZ, 16 Jun 1942; Al- tivated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18’s
brook Field, CZ, 16 Sep 1942; Howard and A-29’s; later equipped with B-25’s.
Field, CZ, 3-15 Jun 1943; Pratt AAFld, Patrolled the west coast during 1942 and
Kan, I Jul 1943-12 Mar 1944; Chakulia, 1943. Moved to Hawaii in Oct 1943 and
India, 2 Apr 1944-25 Feb 1945; West Field, assigned to Seventh AF. Completed final
Tinian, 4 A p r 7 Nov 1945; March Field, training and moved to Tarawa in the Cen-
Calif, 27 Nov 1945; Davis-Monthan Field, tral Pacific in Dec 1943. Attacked enemy
Ariz, 8 May-1 Oct 1946. installations, airfields, and shipping in the
COMMANDERS. Lt Col William B Sousa, Marshalls in preparation for the invasion
I Apr 1941; Maj George W McGregor, by US forces, and after Feb 1944 staged
29 Apr 1941 ; Col Ivan M Palmer, 26 Nov through captured fields on Eniwetok to
1941; Col Vernon C Smith, 19 Jan 1943; attack shipping in the Caroline Islands.
Col Henry K Mooney, 16 May 1943; Col In Apr 1944 moved to Makin where its
Lewis R Parker, I Jul 1943; Lt Col Louis missions were directed primarily against
E Coira, 24 Feb 1944; Col Leonard F shipping and bypassed islands in the Mar-
Harman, 10 Apr 1944; Col William H shalls and Carolines. Returned to Hawaii
Blanchard, 4 Aug 1944; Col Henry R in Oct 1944 for training with rockets and
Sullivan, 16 Feb 1945; Col William K new B-25’s. Moved to Okinawa, May-
Skaer, 27 Feb 1945; Lt Col Oscar R Schaaf, Tun 1945. Bombed airfields, railways, and
21 Mar 1946; Col Alva L Harvey, 4 May harbor facilities on Kyushu until Aug 1945.
1946; Lt Col Oscar R Schaaf, 21 Aug 1946; Also flew some missions against airfields
1st Lt William F Seith, 21 Sep-1 Oct 1946. in China. Moved to Manila in Dec 1945.
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American Inactivated in the Philippines on 27 Jan
Theater; India-Burma; Air Offensive, Ja- 1946.
98 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WQRLD WAR I1
war. Moved to Japan in Jan 1946 as part two aerial bombs palewise of the second.
of the occupation force. Znactivated in Motto: AETHERA NOBIS-The Skies
Japan on 10 May 1946. for Us. (Approved 11 Mar 1942.)
SQUADRONS. 69th: 1943-1946. 70th:
1943-1946- 75th: 1941-1946* 76th: I94I- 43d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
1943. 77th: 1941-1942. Z O O t h : 1945.
390th: 1942-1946. 406th: 1942-1943.
STATIONS.Ft Douglas, Utah, 15 Jan
1941; Boise, Idaho, c. 3 Jun 1941; Mc-
Chord Field, Wash, c. 18 Jan 1942-15 Mar
1943; Fiji Islands, 22 Apr 1943; Guadal-
canal, 6 Jun 1943; Russell Islands, Oct
1943; Sterling, Solomon Islands, 20 Jan
1944; Hollandia, Aug 1944; Sansapor,
New Guinea, Sep 1944; Morotai, Feb
1945; Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Mar
1945; Itami, Japan, Jan-zo May 1946.
COMMANDERS. Col John V Hart, 15
Jan 1941; Col Harry E Wilson, Jul 1942;
Constituted as 43d Bombardment Group
Maj Edwin J Latoszewski, 14 Dec 1942;
(Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on
Lt Col Guy L Hudson, Jan 1943; Col
15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-17, B-18,
Harry E Wilson, 22 Apr 1943; Col Charles
A-29, and LB-30 aircraft. Flew some
C Kegelman, 16 Nov 1944; Lt Col Harry
antisubmarine patrols along the New
C Harvey, 15 Mar 1945; Col Paul F Hel-
mick, 10May 1945; Lt Col Harry E Golds- England coast, Dec 1g41-Feb 1942.
worthy, Sep 1945; Maj Thomas B Waddel, Moved to the Southwest Pacific, via
Mar-Io May 1946. Capetown, Feb-Mar 1942. Became part
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American of Fifth AF. Equipped first with B-I~’s,
Theater; China Defensive; New Guinea; but converted to B-24’s, May-Sep 1943.
Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archi- Operated from Australia, New Guinea,
pelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; and Owi Island, Aug 1942-Nov 1944, mak-
Southern Philippines; China Offensive. ing numerous attacks on Japanese ship-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-. ping in the Netherlands East Indies and
tion : Balikpapan, Borneo, 23-30 Jun 1945. the Bismarck Archipelago. Experimented
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. with skip bombing and used this method
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, on a bend en- for some shipping strikes, including at-
grailed or, four annulets gules, between tacks on Japanese vessels during the Bat-
100 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
tle of the Bismarck Sea, 2-4 Mar 1943; Redesignated 43d Bombardment Group
received a DUC for participation in this (Very Heavy). Activated in the US on I
latter action in which repeated air attacks Oct 1946. Assigned to Strategic Air Com-
destroyed a large enemy convoy carrying mand. Redesignated 43d Bombardment
reinforcements to New Guinea. Other Group (Medium) in Ju1 1948. Equipped
operations during this period included first with B-29’s, then with B-50’s. Trained
support for ground forces on New and conducted long-range test missions,
Guinea; attacks on airfields and installa- including the first nonstop flight around
tions in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archi- the world (26 Feb-2 Mar 1949), accom-
pelago, Celebes, Halmahera, Yap, Palau, plished in “Lucky Lady 11,” a B-50 com-
and the southern Philippines; and long- manded by Capt James G Gallagher. In-
range raids against oil refineries on Ceram activated on 16 Jun 1952.
and Borneo. Capt Jay Zeamer Jr, pilot, SQUADRONS. 63d: 1941-1946; 1946-1952.
and 2d Lt Joseph R Sarnoski, bombardier, 64th: 1941-1946; 1946-1952. 65th: 1941-
each won the Medal of Honor for action 1946; 1946-1952. 403d: 1942-1946.
during a photographic mapping mission STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, 15 Jan
over the Solomon Islands on 16 Jun 1943: 1941; Bangor, Maine, 28 Aug 1941-17 Feb
when the mission was nearly completed, 1942; Sydney, Australia, 28 Mar 1942;Tor-
their aircraft was assaulted by about 20 rens Creek, Australia, c. I Aug 1942; Port
interceptors ;although painfully wounded, Moresby, New Guinea, 14 Sep 1942; Dobo-
Lt Sarnoski remained at the nose guns dura, New Guinea, 10 Dec 1943; Nadzab,
and fired at the enemy until he died at his New Guinea, 4 Mar 1944; Owi, Schouten
post; sustaining severe injuries, Capt Islands, 2 Jul 1944; Tacloban, Leyte, c. 15
Nov 1944; Clark Field, Luzon, 16 Mar
Zeamer maneuvered the plane until the
1945; Ie Shima, 26 Jul 1945; Ft William
enemy had broken combat, then directed
McKinley, Luzon, 10 Dec 1945-29 Apr
the flight to a base more than 500 miles
1946. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, I Oct
away. After moving to the Philippines in
1946-16 Jun 1952.
Nov 1944, the group atttacked shipping COMMANDERS. Lt Col Harold D Smith,
along the Asiatic coast; struck industries, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Francis B Valentine, I
airfields, and installations in China and Mar 1941; Maj Conrad H Diehl Jr, 18
Formosa; and supported ground forces on Feb 1942; Col Roger M Ramey, 21 Oct
Luzon. Moved to Ie Shima in Jul 1945 1942; Lt Col John A Roberts, 30 Mar 1943;
and conducted missions against airfields Col Harry J Hawthorne, 24 May 1943; Lt
and railways in Japan and against ship- Col Edward W Scott Jr, 18 Nov 1943; Col
ping in the Inland Sea and the Sea of Harry J Hawthorne, 8 Feb 1944; Col James
Japan. Returned to the Philippines in T Pettus Jr, 18 Sep 19q4; Maj Paul B Han-
in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 29 Apr 1946. sen, 8 Sep 1945-unkn. Col James C Selser
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 101
Jr, 5 Oct 1946; Col William E Eubank Jr, submarine duty. In Jul1942 began inten-
Apr 1948; Col Dalene Bailey, Jul1948; Col sive preparations for combat. Moved to
Alvan N Moore, 3 Jan 1949-16 Jun 1952. England, Aug-Oct 1942, for service with
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American Eighth AF. Operations consisted prima-
Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; China De- rily of assaults against strategic targets in
fensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy
Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Rumania, Austria, Poland, and Sicily.
Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus; Pounded submarine installations, indus-
China Offensive. trial establishments, airfields, harbors,
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- shipyards, and other objectives in France
tions: Papua, [Aug] 1942-23 Jan 1943; and Germany, Nov 1 ~ 2 - J u n1943. Re-
Bismarck Sea, 2-4 Mar 1943. Philippine ceived a DUC for an extremely hazardous
Presidential Unit Citation. mission against naval installations at Kiel
INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess nebuly or and on 14 May 1943: with its B-24’s carrying
azure, a drop bomb counterchanged. incendiaries to be dropped after three B-17
Motto: WILLING, ABLE, READY. groups had released high explosive bombs,
(Approved 31 Jan 1942.) the 44th flew in the wake of the main
formation; thus the B-24’s were particu-
44th BOMBARDMENT GROUP larly vulnerable because they had no pro-
tection from fire power of the main force,
Constituted as 4 t h Bombardment and this vulnerability increased when the
Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov IWO. Acti- group had to open its own formation for
vated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with the attack; but the 44th blanketed the
B-24’s. Became an operational training target with incendiaries in spite of the
unit in Feb 1942. Also served on anti- concentrated flak and continuous inter.
ceptor attacks it encountered. Late in
Jun 1943 a large detachment moved to
North Africa to help facilitate the invasion
of Sicily by bombing airfields and mar-
shalling yards in Italy. The detachment
also participated in the famous low-level
raid on the Ploesti oil fields on I Aug 1943.
The group was awarded a DUC for its
part in this raid and its commander, Col
Leon Johnson, was awarded the Medal of
Honor for his daring and initiative in lead-
ing his men into smoke, flame, and alerted
fighter and antiaircraft opposition over the
102 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
target, which already had been bombed last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Re-
in error by another group. Before return- turned to the US in Jun 1945. Redesig-
ing to England at the end of Aug, the nated 44th Bombardment Group (Very
detachment bombed an aircraft factory in Heavy) in Aug 1945. Trained with
Austria and supported ground forces in B-29's. Assigned to Strategic Air Com-
Sicily. In Sep the group struck airfields mand on 21 Mar 1946. lnactivated on 12
in Holland and France and convoys in the Jul 1946.
North Sea. Also in Sep, a detachment Activated on I Jul 1947. Assigned to
was sent to North Africa to support the Strategic Air Command. Not manned
Salerno operations. The detachment re- during 1947 and 1948. Inactivated on 6
turned to England in Oct and from Nov Sep 1948.
1943 to Apr 1945, the entire group carried Redesignated 44th Bombardment Group
out operations against targets in western (Medium). Activated on 2 Jan 1951. As-
Europe, concentrating on airfields, oil in- signed to Strategic Air Command and
stallations, and marshalling yards. Took equipped with B-29's. lnactivated on 16
part in the intensive campaign of heavy Jun 1952.
bombers against the German aircraft SQUADRONS. 66th: 1941-1946; 1947-
industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. 1948; 1951-1952. 67th: 1941-1946; 1947-
Sometimes flew support and interdictory 1948; 1951-1952. 68th: 1941-1946; 1947-
missions. Struck airfields, railroads, and 1948; 1951-1952. p&k: 1942. 506th:
V-weapon sites in preparation for the 1943-1946-
Normandy invasion; supported the inva- STATIONS.MacDill Field, Fla, 15 Jan
sion in Jun 1944 by attacking strong points 1941; Barksdale Field, La, Feb 1942; Will
in the beachhead area and transportation Rogers Field, Okla, Jul-c. 28 Aug 1942;
targets behind the front lines. Aided the Shipham, England, Oct 1942-c. 15 Jun
Caen offensive and the St Lo breakthrough 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 27 Jun
in Jul. Dropped'food, ammunition, and 1945; Great Bend AAFld, Kan, 25 Jul
other supplies to troops engaged in the 1945; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 14 Dec
airborne attack on Holland in Sep. 1945-12 Jul 1946. Andrews Field, Md, I
Helped to check the enemy offensive dur- Ju1 1947-6 Sep 1948. March AFB, Calif,
ing the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 2 Jan 1951; Lake Charles AFB, La, c. I
1945, by striking bridges, tunnels, choke Aug 1951-16 Jun 1952.
points, rail and road junctions, and com- COMMANDERS. Lt Col Melvin B Asp,
munications in the battle area. Attacked c. 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Hugo P Rush, May
airfields and transportation in support of 1941; Col F H Robinson, c. I Apr 1942;
the advance into Germany, and flew a Col Leon W Johnson, c. 15 Jan 1943; Lt
resupply mission during the airborne as- Col James T Posey, c. 3 Sep 1943; Col
sault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew Frederick R Dent, Dec 1943; Col John H
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 103
Gibson, c. I Apr 1944; Col Eugene H -- I
I
1
1
Snavely, Aug 1944; Col Vernon C Smith,
Apr 1945-unkn; Lt Col Henry C Coles, c.
6 Aug 1945; Col William J Cain Jr, c. 30
Aug 1945; Lt Col James F Starkey, c. 8
Jan 1946-unkn. Unkn, 1947-1948. Col
Howell M Estes Jr, Feb 1951; Col Carlos
J Cochrane, 7 Mar 1951-16 Jun 1952.
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater;
Air Offensive, Europe; Sicily; Naples-
Foggia; Normandy; Northern France;
Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace; Central 8fih Antisubmarine (formerly 79th Bom-
Europe. bardment) : 1941-1942. 9th Antisubma-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- rine (formerly 80th Bombardment) : 1941-
tions: Kiel, Germany, 14 May 1943; Plo- 1942. zoth Antisubmarine (formerly 433d
esti, Rumania, I Aug 1943. Bombardment) : 1941-1942.
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a bomb, point STATIONS.Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941;
downward, between eight stars, four and Manchester, NH, 18 Jun 1941;Dover, Del,
four, or, all bendwise. Motto: AGGRES- 16 May 1942; Miami, Fla, I Aug-8 Dec
SOR BEWARE. (Approved 15 May
1942.
1951.) COMMANDERS. Lt Col James E Duke
Jr, Jan 1941; Lt Col George A McHenry,
45th BOMBARDMENT GROUP I Apr 1941; Lt Col Charles W Haas, c.
Sep-Dec 1942.
Constituted as 45th Bombardment CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
Group (Light) on 20 NQV 1940. Acti- Theater.
vated on 15 Jan IWI. Trained with B-18's DECORATIONS. None.
and A-20's. Redesignated 45th Bombard- INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, three aerial
ment Group (Medium) in Dec 1941. bombs or, a chief potentee of the last.
Flew patrol and search missions off the Motto: DE ASTRA-From the Stars.
Atlantic and Gulf coasts, serving with (Approved 6 Jan 1942.)
First AF and later with AAF Antisub-
marine Command. Used B-18, B-34, and
46th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
D B 7 aircraft for operations. Znactiirated
on 8 Dec 1942. Constituted as 46th Bombardment
SQUADRONS. 7th Antisubmarine (for- Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated
merly 78th Bombardment) : 1941-1942. on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with A-20's and
104 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
dumps, roads, pontoon bridges, rail lines, B-45’s. Moved to England, May-Jun
and airfields. Also flew numerous night 1952, and assigned to United States Air
intruder missions after Tun 1 9 4 . Began Forces in Europe. Inactivated on 8 Feb
operations by flying low-level missions 1955.
against the enemy in North Africa during SQUADRONS. 84th: 1941-1949; 1951-1955.
the period Dec 1~2-May 1943. When 85th: 1941-1949; 1951-1955. 86th: 1941-
Axis forces broke through at Kasserine 1949; 1954-1955. 97th: 1941-1946. 422d:
Pass in Feb 1943, the 47th Group, though 1953-1954.
undermanned and undersupplied, flew STATIONS.McChord Field, Wash, 15
eleven missions on 22 Feb to attack the Jan 1941;Fresno, Calif, 14 Aug 1941;Will
advancing armored columns and thus to Rogers Field, Okla, c. 16 Feb 1942; Greens-
help stop the enemy’s offensive-an action boro, NC, c. 16 Jul-18 Oct 1942; Mediouna,
for which the group was awarded a DUC. French Morocco, 18 Nov 1942; Youks-les-
Remained active in combat during Mar Bains, Algeria, 7 Jan 1943; Canrobert,
and Apr 1943 while training for medium- Algeria, 6 Mar 1943; Thelepte, Tunisia,
level bombardment. Participated in the 30 Mar 1943; Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia, 13
reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in Apr 1943; Soliman, Tunisia, c. I Jul 1943;
Jun 1943 and the invasion of Sicily in Jul. Malta, 21 Jul 1943; Torrente Comunelli,
Bombed German evacuation beaches near Sicily, g Aug 1943; Gerbini, Sicily, 20 Aug
Messina in Aug. Supported British Eighth 1943; Grottaglie, Italy, 24 Sep 1943; Vin-
Army during the invasion of Italy in Sep. cenzo Airfield, Italy, 15 Oct 1943; Vesuvius
Assisted the Allied advance toward Rome, Airfield, Italy, c. 10 Jan 1944; Capodichino,
Sep 1943-J~” 1944. Supported the in- Italy, 22 Mar 1944; Vesuvius Airfield,
vasion of Southern France, Aug-Sep 1944. Italy, 25 Apr 1944; Ponte Galeria, Italy,
Attacked German communications in c. 10 Jun 1944; Ombrone Airfield, Italy,
northern Italy, Sep 1 ~ 4 - A p r 1945. Re- 27 Jun 1944; Corsica, 11 Jul 1944; Salon,
ceived second DUC for performance from France, 7 Sep 1944; Follonica, Italy, 18
21 to 24 Apr 1945 when, in bad weather Sep 1944; Rosignano Airfield, Italy, Oct
and over rugged terrain, the group main- 1944; Grosseto, Italy, 11 Dec 1944; Pisa,
tained operations for 60 consecutive hours, Italy, Jun-24 Jun 1945; Seymour Johnson
destroying enemy transportation in the Field, NC, 11 Jul 1945; Lake Charles
Po Valley to prevent the organized with- AAFld, La, Sep 1945; Biggs Field, Tex,
drawal of German forces. Returned to 20 Oct 1946; Barksdale AFB, La, 19 Nov
the US in July 1945. Trained and par- 1948-2 Oct 1949. Langley AFB, Va, 12
ticipated in maneuvers. Equipped with Mar 1951-12 May 1952; Sculthorpe, Eng-
B-45’s in 1948. Inactivated on 2 Oct 1949. land, I Jun 1952-8 Feb 1955.
Activated on 12 Mar 1951. Assigned to COMMANDERS. Maj William A Schul-
Tactical Air Command and equipped with gen, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Hilbert M Witt-
106 AIR FORCE COMBAT U ~ I T SOF WORLD WAR 11
kop, unkn; Col Frederick R Terrell, Jail
1942; Col Malcolm Green Jr, 17 May 1943;
Lt Col Kenneth S Wade, I Apr 1945; Col
Marvin S Zipp, 28 Aug 1g45;.Col Robert
J Hughey, 23 Nov 1945; Lt Col Broadus B
Taylor, 27 Aug 1946; Col Gerald E Wil-
liams, 30 Aug 1946; Lt Col Stebbins W
Griffith, 5 Jun 1947; Lt Col Frederick E
Price, Aug 1947; Col Willis F Chapman,
10 Oct 1947-2 Oct 1949. Col Benjamin C
Willis, 12 Mar 1951; Col David M Jones,
Sep 1951; Col Galen B Price, 20 Feb 1952;
Lt Col Hubert M Blair, unkn; Col Galen
B Price, 1954-c. Feb 1955. A-20, A-24, A-31, A-35, A-36, P-39,
CAMPAIGNS.American Theater; Al- P-40, and other aircraft between 1942 and
geria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; 1944. Served as a replacement training
Naples-Foggia; Anzio ; Rome-Arno; unit, participated in maneuvers, and for
Southern France; North Apennines; Po a brief time engaged in coastal patrol
Valley. work.
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- Moved overseas, arriving in England in
tions: North Africa, 22 Feb 1943; Po Mar 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF.
Valley, 21-24 Apr 1945. Trained with P-47’s. Began operations
INSIGNE.Shield: Or, in chief, a bomb on 20 Apr 1944 by making a fighter sweep
sable, point downward, winged gules, sur- over the coast of France. Redesignated
mounting an arc, reversed and couped, 48th Fighter Group in May 1944. Flew
azure, all above a stylized cloud indica- escort and dive-bombing missions to help
tion, of the second, emitting four lightning prepare for the invasion of Normandy.
flashes gules toward base. (Approved 26 Bombed bridges and gun positions on 6
Oct Igy.) Jun and attacked rail lines and trains, mo-
tor transports, bridges, fuel dumps, and
48th FIGHTER GROUP gun positions during the remainder of the
Normandy campaign. Moved to France,
Constituted as 48th Bombardment Jun-Jul 1944. Helped Allied forces break
Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated through the German lines at St Lo in Jul,
on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated 48th Bom- supported the Allied drive across France
bardment Group (Dive) in Sep 1942, and in Aug and Sep, and assisted the airborne
48th Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943. attack on Holland in Sep. Cited by the
Used A-20’s and B-18’s during 1941, and Belgian Government for close coopera-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 107
tion with Allied armies during the period 28 Jun 1942; William Northern Field,
Jun-Sep 1944. Moved to Belgium and Tenn, 20 Aug 1943; Waterboro AAFld,
operated from there in the fall and win- SC, 27 Jan-13 Mar 1944; Ibsley, England,
ter of 1944-1945, being awarded second 29 Mar 1944; Deux Jumeaux, France, 18
Belgian citation for operations during that Jun 1944; Villacoublay, France, 29 Aug
time. Received a DUC for action on 6 1944; Cambrai/Niergnies, France, 15 Sep
Dec 1944: facing intense enemy fire while 1944; St Trond, Belgium, 30 Sep 1944;
flying below a heavy overcast, the group Kelz, Germany, 26 Mar 1945; Kassel, Ger-
struck buildings, entrenchments, and troop many, 17Apr 1945; Illesheim, Germany, 29
concentrations to assist the advance of Apr 1945; Laon, France, 5 Jul-Aug 1945;
ground forces against an enemy strong- Seymour Johnson Field, NC, 9 S e w Nov
hold north of Julich. Supported ground 1945. Chaumont AB, France, 10 J u l 1 9 p .
operations during the Battle of the Bulge COMMANDERS. Lt Col Bernard S
(Dec 1944-Jan 1945) and received third Thompson, 1941; Col Norman R Burnett,
Belgian citation for relentless assaults unkn; Lt Col Preston P Pender, c. 1943;
against the enemy during that battle. Lt Col Charles C Kegelman, c. Apr 1943;
Continued tactical air operations from G l Dixon M Allison, c. 8 Nov 1943; Col
bases on the Continent, supporting ground George L Wertenbaker Jr, 23 Apr 1944;
forces until the end of the war. During Col James K Johnson, c. Oct 1944; Lt Col
combat, also flew patrol, escort, weather- Harold L McNeely, 8 Tun 1945; Lt Col
reconnaissance, and leaflet missions ; on Paul P Douglas Jr, 28 Jun rg45-unkn.
one occasion carried blood plasma that Col Chesiey G Peterson, 10 Jul 1952; Lt
was dropped in belly tanks to ground Col Arthur D Thomas, c. I Jun 1953; Col
troops. Moved to the US during Aug- Frank A Hill, c. Sep 1953; Col Arthur D
Sep 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. Thomas, c. Jul 1954; Lt Col John D Mc-
Redesignated 48th Fighter-Bomber Farlane, 1955-.
Group. Activated in France on 10 Jul CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
1952. Assigned to United States Air Theater; Air Offensive, Europe ; Nor-
Forces in Europe. Equipped with F-84’s mandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
and later with F-86 aircraft. Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
SQUADRONS. 492d (formerly 55th) : DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
1941-1945; 1952-. 493d (formerly 56th) : tion: Germany, 6 Dec 1944. Cited in the
1941-1945; 1952-. 494th (formerly 57th) : Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-
1941-1945; 1 9 5 ~ .495th (formerly 88th) : 30 Sep 1944; I Oct 1944-; 18 Dec 1944-15
194I-I444* Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
STATIONS.Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941; INSIGNE.Shield: Argent, on a pale en-
Will Rogers Field, Okla, 22 May 1941; grailed azure a dexter hand couped at the
Savannah, Ga, 7 Feb 1942; Key Field, Miss, wrist grasping a sword or. Motto: VUL-
108 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Received a DUC for close cooperation land, 5 Apr 1944; Carentan, France, 25
with Seventh Army in Mar during the as- Jun 1944; Meautis, France, 16 Aug 1944;
sault on the Siegfried Line; in spite of the Orly, France, 4 Sep 1944; Laon, France,
hazards of enemy opposition and difficult 15 Sep 1944; Lyons/Bron, France, 28 Sep
weather conditions, the group struck en- 1944; Toul/Ochey, France, 3 Nov 1944;
emy defenses and isolated battle areas by Giebelstadt, Germany, 20 Apr 1945;
destroying bridges, communications, sup- Mannheim, Germany, 21 May-c. Jun
ply areas, and ammunition dumps. Re- 1945; La Junta AAFld, Colo, Aug-7 Nov
ceived second DUC for a mission on 25 1945. Otis AFB, Mass, I Jun 1949-2 Jun
Apr 1945 when, despite intense antiair- 1951. Clovis AFB, NM, *I Jan-22 Jul
craft fire, the group destroyed or damaged 1953; Hahn AB, Germany, 10Aug 1953-.
many enemy aircraft on an airfield south- COMMANDERS. Capt George McCoy Jr,
east of Munich. Ended operations in 16 Jan 1941 ; Col Allen R Springer, I May
May 1945. Returned to the US in Aug. 1941; Lt Col John C Crosthwaite, I Apr
Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. 1942; Lt Col Murray C Woodbury, 15 May
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 1942; Lt Col T Alan Bennett, 23 Jul 1942;
I Jun 1949. Redesignated 50th Fighter- Lt Col Walter B Putnam, 29 Jan 1943; Lt
Interceptor Group in Mar 1950. Ordered Col Robert S Quinn, 9 Nov 1943; Col
into active service on I Jun 1951. Inacti- William D Greenfield, I Dec 1943; Col
vated on 2 Jun 1951. Harvey L Case Jr, Nov 1944-1945. Col
Redesignated 50th Fighter-Bomber Gerald J Dix, I Jan 1953; Col Albert W
Group. Activated on I Jan 1953. As- Schinz, I Jun 1953; Lt Col Edward A
signed to Tactical Air Command. McGough 111, 2 Apr 1954; Col James F
Equipped with F-51's; converted to Hackler Jr, 23 Apr 1954; Lt Col Chester
F-86's early in 1953. Moved to Germany, L VanEtten, May 1955-.
Jul-Aug 1953, and assigned to United CAMPAIGNS. American Theater ;Air Of-
States Air Forces in Europe. fensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
SQUADRONS. '0th: 1941-1945; 1953-. France ; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace ;
22th: 1941-1942. Z2th: 1941-1942. Central Europe.
8ISt.' 1942-1945; 1949-1951 ; I953-. DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
323th: 1942-1945. 4'7th: 195s. 445th: tions: ETO, 13-20 Mar 1945; Germany, 25
1943-1944s Apr 1945. Cited in the Order of the Day,
STATIONS. Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944.
1941; Key Field, Miss, 3 Oct 1941; Or- INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, an Opinicus
lando AB, Fla, 22 Mar 1943; Alachua passant argent. Motto: MASTER OF
AAFld, Fla, 20 Nov 1943; Orlando AB, THE SKY. (Approved 9 Jan 1942.
Fla, I Feb-13 Mar 1944; Lymington, Eng- This insigne was replaced 23 Aug 1956.)
112 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
pan, 3 Jan 1951;Tsuiki, Japan, 20 Jan 1951; DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Suwon, Korea, 27 Jul 1951; Naha, Oki- tion: Korea, 28 Nov 1951-30 Apr 1953.
nawa, I Aug 1g54-. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Cita-
COMMANDERS.Col Homer L Sanders, tions: [Sep] 1950-30 Tun 1951; I Jul 1951-
1941; Col John F Egan, 23 Mar 1943; Lt 31 Mar 1953.
Col Samuel B Knowles Jr, 20 Sep 1943; INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess nebuly abased
Col Louis R Hughes Jr, 27 May 1944; Lt azure and or, issuing from partition line
Col William E Blankenship, Feb-13 Dec a demi-pegasus argent with a machine gun
1945. Col Loring F Stetson Jr, 15 Oct in each wing bendwise sable, gun fire
1946; Col Homer A Boushey, 12 Apr 1947; p r o p e r . Motto: DEFTLY AND
Lt Col James F McCarthy, I Aug 1947; SWIFTLY. (Approved 5 Feb 1942.
Col Homer A Boushey, unkn; Lt Col This insigne was modified 2 May 1956.)
Bruce D Biddlecome, Jun 1948; Lt Col
Kenneth L Garrett, 7 Mar 1949; Lt Col 52d FIGHTER GROUP
Robert F Worley, 24 May 1949; Col John
T Shields, I Jul 1949; Lt Col Irwin H
Dregne, Jun 1950; Col Oliver G Cellini,
1950; COl Irwin H Dregne, 24 Apr 1951;
Lt Col John M Thacker, 21 Jul 1951; Lt
Col George L Jones, 13 Nov 1951; Lt Col
William M Shelton, Mar 1952; Lt Col Al-
bert S Kelly, Jun 1952; Col Robert P
Baldwin, Jan 1953; Lt Col Harold C Gib-
son, Aug 1953; Col Malcolm E Norton,
Oct 1953; Lt Col Harold G Shook, 23 Mar
1954; Lt Col William A Campbell, g Jul
Constituted as 52d Pursuit Group (In-
1954; Col George V Williams, 10 Aug
terceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on
I954-. 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated 52d Fighter
CAMPAIGNS. World War ZZ: India- Group in May 1942. Trained with P-39
Burma; China Defensive; China Offen- and P-40 aircraft, and participated in
sive. Korean War: UN Offensive; CCF maneuvers. Moved to the British Isles, the
Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive; air echelon arriving in Jul 1942 and the
CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall ground echelon in Aug. Received Spitfire
Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea aircraft and, as part of Eighth AF, flew
Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Win- missions from England to France during
ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953. Aug and Sep. The pilots of the group
114 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
flew Spitfires from Gibraltar to Algeria sonnel and equipment, to the US in Jun
during the invasion of North Africa on 8 1947. Redesignated 52d Fighter Group
Nov 1942; the remainder of the group, (All Weather) in May 1948, and 52d
moving by ship from England, arrived Fighter-Interceptor Group in May 1951.
after the campaign for Algeria-French Equipped with P-~I’sin 1947, F-82’s in
Morocco had ended. Assigned first to 1948, and F-94’s in 1950. Inactivated on
Twelfth AF and later (after May 1944) to 6 Feb 1952.
Fifteenth, the group served in combat in Redesignated 52d Fighter Group (Air
the Mediterranean theater until the end of Defense). Activated on I8 Aug 1955. As-
the war. Flew escort, patrol, strafing, and signed to Air Defense Command and
reconnaissance missions to help defeat Axis equipped with F-86 aircraft.
forces in Tunisia. Took part in the con- SQUADRONS. 2d: 1941-1945; 1946-1952;
quest of Sicily. Attacked railroads, high- 1955-. 4th.‘ 1941-1945. 5th.’ 1941-1945;
ways, bridges, coastal shipping, and other 19464952; 1955-.
targets to support Allied operations in STATIONS.Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan
Italy. Converted to P-51’s during Apr- 1941; Norfolk, Va, I8 Dec 1941; Selfridge
May 1944 and afterwards engaged pri- Field, Mich, Jan 1942; Florence, SC, I8
marily in escorting bombers that attacked Feb 1942; Wilmington, NC, 27 Apr 1942;
objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Grenier Field, NH, 14-24 Jun 1942; North-
Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Ru- ern Ireland, c. 13 Jul 1942; Goxhill, Eng-
mania, and Yugoslavia. Received a DUC land, c. 26 Aug-Oct 1942; Tafaraoui,
for a mission of 9 Jun 1944 when the group Algeria, 9 Nov 1942; La Senia, Algeria,
protected bombers that struck aircraft 14 Nov 1942; Orleansville, Algeria, c. I
factories, communications centers, and Jan 1943; Telergma, Algeria, c. 17 Jan
supply lines in Germany. In addition to
1943; Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, c. 9 Mar
escorting bombers of Fiffienth AF, the
1943; Le Sers, Tunisia, 14 Apr 1943; La
group made strafing attgcks on important
Sebala, Tunisia, 21 May 1943; Bocca-
targets in Italy, France, central Europe, and
the Balkans. Received second DUC for a difalco, Sicily, 30 Jul 1943; Corsica, 1 Dec
strafing raid in which the group destroyed 1943; Madna Airfield, Italy, 14 May 1944;
a great number of fighter and transport Piagiolino Airfield, Italy, 21 Apr 1945;
planes on a landing ground in Rumania Lesina, Italy, 8 Jul-Aug 1945; Drew Field,
on 31 Aug 1944. Returned to the US in Fla, 25 Aug-7 Nov 1945. Schweinfurt,
Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. Germany, 9 Nov 1946; Bad Kissingen,
Activated in Germany on 9 Nov 1946. Germany, 5 May 1947-25 Jun 1947;
Assigned to United States Air Forces in Mitchel Field, NY, 25 Jun 1947; McGuire
Europe and organized as an all-weather AFB, N J, 10 Oct 1949-6 Feb 1952. Suffolk
fighter group. Transferred, without per- County AFB, NY, I8 Aug 1955-.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 115
Morley F Slaght, 11 Apr 1943; Lt Col An- echelon, equipped with P-39’s, served in
thony V Grossetta, 22 Sep 1943; Col Bryan Alaska against the Japanese forces that in-
B Harper, Oct 1943-1 May 1944. Col Mal- vaded the Aleutian Islands during the
colm A Moore, Aug 1g55-. summer of 1942, and for these operations
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. the group received a DUC. The air
DECORATIONS. None. echelon returned to the US in Dec 1942
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and or, and rejoined the group, which had been
in chief an ancient Norse winged helmet assigned to Third AF, and which became
argent, in base a palm tree proper. Motto: a replacement training unit for P-51
DEFENSE BY OFFENSE. (Approved pilots. Disbanded on I May 1944.
8 Jan 1943. This insigne was modified 26 Reconstituted and redesignated 54th
Jul 1956.) Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 20 Jun
1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. As-
54th FIGHTER GROUP signed to Air Defense Command and
equipped with F-86’~.
SQUADRONS. 42d: 1p41-1944; 1g55-.
56th: 1941-1944. 57th: 1941-1944.
STATIONS. Hamilton Field, Calif, 15
Jan 1941; Everett, Wash, 26 Jun 1941;
Harding Field, La, 31 Jan 1942; Bartow
AAFld, Fla, 11 May 1943-1 May IN.
Greater Pittsburgh Aprt, Pa, 18 Aug
1955-.
COMMANDERS. Capt Harry A Ham-
mond, 15 Jan IWI ;Col Phineas K Morrill,
Feb 1941; Col Charles M McCorkle, 12
Sep 1942; Lt Col George B Greene Jr, 11
Aug 1943; Lt Col Ward W Harker, 17 Sep
1943; Col Joseph S Holtoner, 6 Mar-1 May
1944. Col Edward F Roddy, 1g55-.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
Constituted as 54th Pursuit Group (In- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
terceptor) on 20 Nov IWO. Activated on tion: Aleutian Islands, [Junl-4 Nov 1942.
15 Jan IWI. Trained with P-40’s. Served INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend of the light
as a part of the defense force for the north- blue sky and azure, over a bomb, bend
west Pacific coast during the first few sinisterwise, a lightning flash, palewise,
months of the war. Redesignated 54th gules, fimbriated argent ;a bend of the last
Fighter Group in May 1942. The air superimposed over all and charged with a
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 117
jet aircraft, in chief, sable, with vapor trail of the Bulge, Dec 1 ~ 4 - J a n1945. Also
of the third; all between an increscent patrolled the air over the Channel and
moon and a radiant sun in fess all of the bombed bridges in the Tours area during
fourth. (Approved 8 Mar 1957.) the invasion of the Continent in Jun 194;
patrolled the Arnhem sector to support the
55th FIGHTER GROUP airborne invasion of Holland in Sep 194;
strafed trucks, locomotives, and oil depots
near Wesel when the Allies crossed the
Rhine in Mar 1945. Received a DUC for
eight missions to Germany between 3 and
13 Sep 1944 when the group not only de-
stroyed enemy fighters in the air to protect
the bombers it was escorting, but also de-
scended to low levels, in spite of intense
antiaircraft fire, to strafe airdromes and
to destroy enemy aircraft on the ground.
Received second DUC for operations on
19 Feb 1945 when the organization flew
a sweep over Germany to hit railway
tracks, locomotives, oil cars, goods wagons,
Constituted as 55th Pursuit Group (In- troop cars, buildings, and military vehi-
terceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on cles. Flew last combat mission on 21 Apr
15 Jan 1941. Trained with P-43’s. Re- 1945. Moved to Germany in Jul 1945 as
designated 55th Fighter Group in May part of the occupation forces. Assigned
1942. Converted to P-38’s and prepared to United States Air Forces in Europe.
for combat. Moved to England, Aug- Trained with P-51 and P-80 aircraft. Zn-
Sep 1943. Assigned to Eighth AF. Began activated in Germany on 20 Aug 1946.
operations with P-38’s on 15 Oct 1943; Redesignated 55th Reconnaissance
converted to P-51’s in Jul 1944. Engaged Group (Very Long Range, Mapping).
primarily in escorting bombers that at- Activated in the US on 24 Feb 1947. As-
tacked such targets as industries and signed to Strategic Air Command. Re-
marshalling yards in Germany, and air- designated 55th Strategic Reconnaissance
fields and V-weapon sites in France. Pro- Group in Jun 1948. Aircraft included
vided cover for B-17’s and B-24’s that RB-I~’sand B- and RB-29’s. Znactivated
bombed aircraft plants during Big Week on 14 Oct 1949.
in Feb 1944, gun emplacements during Redesignated 55th Strategic Reconnais-
the St Lo breakthrough in Jul 194, and ance Group (Medium). Activated in
transportation facilities during the Battle Puerto Rico on I Nov 1950. Assigned to
118 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Strategic Air Command. Equipped with CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Air Of-
RB-29 and RB-50 aircraft. Znactivated on fensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
16 Jun 1952. France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace;
SQUADRONS. 7th Geodetic: 1949. 37th: Central Europe.
1941-1943. 38th: 1941-1946; 1949; 1950- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
1952. 54th: 1941-1942. 338th: 1942-1946; tions: ETO, 3-13 Sep 1944; Germany, 19
1949; 1950-1952. 343d: 1943-1946; ‘947- Feb 1945.
I949 ; 1950-1952- INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, on a fess in-
STATIONS.Hamilton Field, Calif, 15 dented or a similar bar gules. Motto:
Jan 1941; Portland, Ore, 21 May 1941; PURSUIT T O DEFEND. (Approved 18
Paine Field, Wash, 10 Feb 1942; McChord Feb 1942. This insigne was replaced 4
Field, Wash, 22 Jul 1942-23 Aug 1943; Feb 1954.)
Nuthampstead, England, 14 Sep 1943;
Wormingford, England, 16 Apr 1944; 56th FIGHTER GROUP
Kaufbeuren, Germany, 22 Jul 1945; Gie-
belstadt, Germany, 29 Apr-20 Aug 1946.
MacDill Field, Fla, 24 Feb 1947; Topeka
AFB, Kan, 30 Jun 1948-14 Oct 1949.
Ramey AFB, PR, I Nov 1950-16 Jun 1952.
COMMANDERS. Capt Kenneth S Wade,
15 Jan 1941; Maj James W McCauley, I
May 1941; Lt Col Karl K Bowen, I May
1942; Maj Jack S Jenkins, I Aug 1942;
Maj Ernest W Keating, 13 Nov 1942; Lt
Col Frank B James, 15 May 1943; Col
Jack S Jenkins, 6 Feb 1944; Col George T
Crowell, 10 Apr 1944; Lt Col Elwyn C
Righetti, 22 Feb 1945;Col Ben Rimerman,
22 Apr 1945;Lt Col Jack W Hayes Jr, 21 Constituted as 56th Pursuit Group (In-
May 1945; Lt Col Horace A Hanes, Jul terceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on
Igq6-unkn. Capt Daniel W Burrows, 24 15 Jan 1941. Equipped with P-39’s and
Feb 1947; Lt Col Albert M Welsh, 20 May P-40’s. Trained, participaxed in maneu-
1g47-unkn; Lt Col George Humbrecht, vers, served as an air defense organization,
26 Oct 1g48-unkn; Col Herbert K Baisley, and functioned as an operational training
unkn-1949. Col Richard T King, I Nov unit. Redesignated 56th Fighter Group
1950; Brig Gen Sydney D Grubbs Jr, 20 in May 1942. Received P-47’s in Jun and
Dec 1950; Col Alfred K Kalberer, 18 Feb- began training for combat. Moved to
16 Jun 1952. England, Dec 1g42-Jan 1943. Assigned to
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 119
Eighth AF. Continued training for sev- Redesignated 56th Fighter Group (Air
eral weeks. Entered combat with a fighter Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955.
sweep in the area of St Omer on 13 Apr Assigned to Air Defense Command and
1943, and during the next two years de- equipped with F-86's.
stroyed more enemy aircraft in aerial SQUADRONS. 6zst: 1941-1945; 1946-
combat than any other fighter group of 1952. 62d: 1941-1945; 1946-1952; I955-.
Eighth AF. Flew numerous missions 63d: 1941-1945; 19461952; I955-.
over France, the Low Countries, and Ger- STATIONS.Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941;
many to escort bombers that attacked in- Charlotte, NC, May 1941; Charleston, SC,
dustrial establishments, V-weapon sites, Dec 1941; Bendix, NJ, Jan 1942; Bridge-
submarine pens, and other targets on the port, Conn, c. 7 Jul-Dec 1942; Kings Cliffe,
Continent. Also strafed and dive-bombed England, Jan 1943; Horsham St Faith,
airfields, troops, and supply points; at- England, c. 6 Apr 1943; Halesworth, Eng-
tacked the enemy's communications; and land, c. 9 Jul 1943; Boxted, England, c. 19
flew counter-air patrols. Engaged in Apr 1944-0ct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, c.
' counter-air and interdictory missions dur- 16-18 Oct 1945. Selfridge Field, Mich, I
ing the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944. May 1946-6 Feb '952. O'Hare Intl Aprt,
Supported Allied forces for the break- Ill, 18 Aug 1955-.
through at St Lo in Jul. Participated in COMMANDERS. Unkn, Jan-Jun 1941;Lt
the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Col Davis D Graves, Jun 1941; Col John C
Helped to defend the Remagen bridge- Crosthwaite, c. I Jul 1942; Co! Hubert A
head against air attacks .in Mar 1945. Re- Zemke, Sep 1942; Col Robert €3 Landry, 30
ceived a DUC for aggressiveness in seeking Oct 1943; Col Hubert A Zernke, 19 Jan
1944; Col David C Schilling, 12 Aug 1944;
out and destroying enemy aircraft and for
Lt Col Lucian A Dade Jr, 27 Jan 1945; Lt
attacking enemy air bases, 20 Feb? Mar
Col Donald D Renwick, Aug 1945-unkn.
1944. Received another DUC for strikes Col David C Schilling, May 1946; Lt Col
against antiaircraft positions while s u p Thomas D DeJarnette, Aug 1948; Lt Col
porting the airborne attack on Holland Irwin H Dregne, 1949; Lt Col Francis S
in Sep 1944. Flew last combat mission on Gabreski, 1950; Col Earnest J White Jr,
21 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Oct. 1951-unkn. Unkn, 1955-.
Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945. CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Air
Activated on I May 1946. Equipped Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
with P-47 and P-51 aircraft; converted to France ; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace;
F-80's in 1947. Redesignated 56th Fighter- Central Europe.
Interceptor Group in Jan 1950. Con- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
verted to F-86 aircraft. Inactivated on 6 tions: ETO, 20 Feb-g Mar 1944; Holland,
Feb 1 ~ 5 2 .
/ / 18 Sep 1944.
120 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
transports. After that, covered bombers 310th: 1942-1946; I952-. 311th: 1942-
on raids over New Guinea, attacked Japa- 1946; I952-.
nese airfields and installations, and es- STATIONS. Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan
corted convoys to the Admiralty Islands. 1941; Baton Rouge, La, 5 Oct 1941; Dale
Moved to Noemfoor in Aug 1944, and Mabry Field, Fla, 4 Mar 1942; Richmond
until Nov bombed and strafed enemy air- AAB, Va, 16 Oct 1942; Philadelphia Mun
fields and installations on Ceram, Halma- Aprt, Pa, 24 Oct 1942; Bradley Field,
hera, and the Kai Islands. After moving Conn, c. 3 Mar 1943; Green Field, RI, 28
to the Philippines in Nov 1944, conducted Apr 1943; Grenier Field, NH, 16 Sep-22
fighter sweeps against enemy airfields, Oct 1943; Sydney, Australia, 19 Nov 1943;
supported ground forces, and flew patrols Brisbane, Australia, 21 Nov 1943; Dobo-
over convoy and transport routes. Re- dura, New Guinea, 28 Dec 1943; Saidor,
ceived a DUC for strafing a Japanese naval New Guinea, c. 3 Apr 1944; Noemfoor,
force off Mindoro on 26 Dec 1944 to pre- 30 Aug 1944; San Roque, Leyte, 18 Nov
vent destruction of the American base on 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, c. 30 Dec 1944;
that island. Moved to Okinawa in Jul Mangaldan, Luzon, 5 Apr 1945; Porac,
1945 and attacked railways, airfields, and Luzon, 18 Apr 1945; Okinawa, 10 Jul
installations in Korea and Kyushu before 1945; Japan, 26 Oct 1945; Ft William Mc-
V-J Day. Remained in the theater after Kinley, Luzon, 28 Dec 1945-27 Jan 1946.
the war as part of Far East Air Forces. Taegu, Korea, 10 Jul 1952; Osan-Ni,
Flew some reconnaissance and surveil- Korea, 15 Mar 1955-.
lance missions over Japan. Moved to COMMANDERS. Capt John M Sterling,
Japan in Oct and returned to the Philip- 15 Jan 1941-unkn; Maj Louis W Chick,
pines in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 27 Jan Jr, unkn; Col Gwen G Atkinson, 8 Dec
1946. 1942; Lt Col Edward F Roddy, 12 Mar
Redesignated 58th Fighter-Bomber 1945-unkn. Col Charles E Jordan, 1952;
Group. Activated in Korea on 10 Jul1952. Col Frederick J Nelander, 1953; Col
Assigned to Tactical Air Command but George V Williams, 1954; Col William
attached to Far East Air Forces for R Brown, 1954; Col Clifford D Nash, I
operations in the Korean War. Using NOVI955-.
F-84'~~bombed and strafed enemy air- CAMPAIGNS. World War 11: American
fields and installations and supported UN Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; New
ground forces. Remained in Korea after Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western
the armistice. Equipped with F-86's in Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; China Offensive.
1954. Korean War: Korea Summer-Fall, 1952;
SQUADRONS. 67th: 1941-1942. 68th: Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-
1941-1942. 69th: 1941-1946; 1 9 p . Fall, 1953.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 123
Sicily, 29 Oct 1943; Brindisi, Italy, 26 Mar INSIGNE.Shield: Azure a pale of seven
1944; Pomigliano, Italy, 8 Oct 1g44-May variegated pallets proper, black, yellow,
1945;Waller Field, Trinidad, 4 Jun-31 Jul red, white, ‘blue, orange, and green, the
1945. Munich, Germany, 30 Sep 1946; pale fimbriated and surmounted by three
Kaufbeuren AB, Germany, 14 May 1948; symbols of flight or, in bend, all within a
Wiesbaden AB, Germany, 15 Dec 1948; narrow border of the last. Motto: TER-
Rhein/Main AB, Germany, 26 Sep 1949; MINI NON EXISTENT-Boundaries
Dreux AB, France, 22 Sep 1g55-. Do Not Exist, (Approved 7 Sep 1955.)
COMMANDERS.Lt Col Samuel C Eaton
Jr, I Dec 1940; Capt Arthur L Logan, 16
May 1941;Lt Col Russell L Maughan, 28 6lst TROOP CARRIER GROUP
Jul 1941; Lt Col A J Kerwin Malone, 15
Apr 1942, Lt Col T J Schofield, 11 Oct
1942; Lt Col Julius A Kolb, 2 Dec 1942;
Lt Col Frederick H. Sherwood, 29 Mar
1943; Col Clarence J Galligan, 26 Jul1943;
Lt Col Kenneth W Holbert, 8 Dec I N ; Lt
Col Charles A Gibson Jr, 11 Jan 1945-
unkn. Col Casper P West, 30 Sep 1946;
Col Bertram C Harrison, Sep 1947; Col
Theron H Coulter, Dec 1948; Lt Col
Lawrence G Gilbert, Jan 1949; Col Robert
D Forman, Mar rg4g; Lt COl Reesor M
Lawrence, 26 Aug 1950; Col Jay D Bogue,
5 Dec 1950; Col Donald J French, 29 Feb Constituted as 61st Transport Group on
1952;Lt Col John W Osborn, 14 Jun 1952; 20 Nov 1940. Activccted on I Dec 1940.
Go1 Lorris W Moomaw, 25 May 1953; Lt Redesignated 6rst Troop Carrier Group
in Jul 1942. Used (2-47’s to prepare for
Col Robert L Olinger, 13 Jun 1954; Col
operations with Twelfth AF. Moved to
Howard J Withycombe, I Jul 1954; Col
North Africa in May 1943 and, after a
Randolph E Churchill, c. 5 Jul 1955-.
period of special training, began opera-
CAMPAIGNS.Air Combat, EAME tions on the night of g Jul by dropping
Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; paratroops near Gela during the invasion
Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome- of Sicily. Received a DUC for completing
Arno; Southern France; North Apen- a reinforcement mission two nights later
nines; Po Valley. when the group sustained heavy attack by
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- ground and naval forces. Moved to Sicily,
tion: MTO, 28 Mar-15 Sep 1944. Aug-Sep 1943, for participation in the in-
126 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
addition to the airborne operations, the 1943; Tunisia, Jul 1943; Ponte Olivo,
group transported men and supplies in the Sicily, 6 Sep 1943; Brindisi, Italy, Feb 1944;
Mediterranean theater and to the front Ponte Olivo, Sicily, 20 Mar 1944; Gaudo
lines during the campaigns for Tunisia, Airfield, Italy, 8 May 1944; Galera Air-
Italy, and southern France. Also evacu- field, Italy, 30 Jun 1944; Malignano Air-
ated wounded personnel and flew missions field, Italy, 30 Sep 1944; Tarquinia, Italy,
behind enemy lines in Italy and the 8 Jan 1945; Rosignano Airfield, Italy, 25
Balkans to haul guns, ammunition, food, May 1945;Naples, Italy, c. 17 Sep14 Nov
clothing, medical supplies, and other ma- 1945. Bergstrom Field, Tex, 7 Sep 1946;
terials to the partisans and to drop propa- McChord Field, Wash, c. Aug 1947; Kelly
ganda leaflets. Aided in the redeployment AFB, Tex, 9 May 1950; McChord AFB,
of personnel after the war and also hauled Wash, 27 Jul 1950; Larson AFB, Wash, 9
freight and mail. Inactivated in Italy on May 1 9 p .
14 NOV1945. COMMANDERS. Lt Col Bernard J Too-
Activated in the US on 7 Sep 1946. Re- her, 11 Dec 1940; Maj Donald E Shugart,
designated 62d Troop Carrier Group unkn; Col Samuel J Davis, I Jul 1942; Lt
(Medium) in Jun 1948, and 62d Troop Col Aubrey S Hurren, 27 Mar 1943; Col
Carrier Group (Heavy) in Oct 1949. Gordon L Edris, 15 May 1944; Lt Col Wil-
Used C-82, C-54, and C-124 aircraft. Car- liam M Massengale Jr, 13 Dec 1944; Col
ried out some special ,missions that in- Gordon L Edris, 23 Feb 1945; Col Paul A
cluded aiding flood-stricken areas in Ore- Jones, 27 May 1945; Lt Col Riley B
gon in 1948, dropping food to cattle snow- Whearty, 3 Jun 1945; Lt Col Oliver K
bound in Nevada in 1949, flying to Japan Halderson, 20 Jul 1945-unkn. Col Don-
with mail for troops in Korea in 1952, and ald J French, 7 Sep 1946; Col Adriel N
participating in the airlift of medical sup- Williams, I Mar 1948; Col George S
plies to flooded areas in Pakistan in 1954. Brown, c. Jul 1950; Col Richard Jones, c.
Received the AFOUA for transporting Aug I951-.
French troops and equipment from France CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea-
to Indochina, Apr-May 1954. ter ; Tunisia ; Sicily ; Naples-Foggia;
SQUADRONS. #h: 1940-1945; 1946-. Rome-Arno; Southern France; North
7th: 1940-1945; 1946. 8th: 1940-1945; Apennines; Po Valley.
1 9 4 6 . 5ISt.' 1942-1945. DECORATIONS. Air Force Outstanding
STATIONS.McClellan Field, Calif, I I Unit Award: 19 Apr-5 May 1954.
Dec 1940; Kellogg Field, Mich, c. 30 May INSIGNE.Shield: Medium blue, in chief,
1942; Florence, SC, I Jul-14 Aug 1942; silhouetted land mass argent, in fess a sun,
Keevil, England, Sep 1942; Tafaraoui, Al- the rays radiating upward all proper, in
geria, 15 Nov 1942; Nouvion, Algeria, 24 base a golden winged sword, tip upward,
Dec 1942; Matemore, Algeria, 16 May in pale, hilt and pommel or, blade cd the
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 129
second, all between two branches of olive on I May 1951. Inactivated on g May
proper. Motto: IN OMNIA PARA- 1951.
TUS-In All Things Ready. (Approved Redesignated 63d Troop Carrier Group
18 Aug 19554 (Heavy). Activated on 20 Jun 1953.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command and
63d TROOP CARRIER GROUP equipped with C-124’s. Trained, trans-
ported personnel and supplies, and par-
ticipated in exercises and maneuvers with
airborne troops. In 1955 transported con-
struction equipment from bases in Can-
ada to points north of the Arctic Circle
for use in setting up a warning network in
the Canadian Arctic; for this operation,
accomplished in severe weather and with-
out adequate navigational equipment, the
group received an AFOUA.
SQUADRONS. 3d: 1940-1944; 1949-1951;
I953-. 6th: 1940-1942, 9th: 194~-1943;
1949-1951 ; 1953-. 52d: 1942-1944; 1949-
Constituted as 63d Transport Group on 1951; I953-. 600th: 1942-1944; 1949-1951.
2 0 Nov 1940. Activated on I Dec 1940. STATIONS.Wright Field, Ohio, I Dec
Trained with C-33, C-34, and C-50 air- 1940; Patterson Field, Ohio, 17 Feb 1941 ;
craft; later equipped with C-47’s and Brookley Field, Ala, g Sep 1941; Camp
C-53’s. Transported supplies, materiel, Williams, Wis, 3 May 1942; Dodd Field,
and personnel in the US and the Carib- Tex, c. 18 Sep 1942; Victorville, Calif, c.
bean area. Became part of Air Transport 18 Nov. 1942; Lawson Field, Ga, 7 May
Command (later I Troop Carrier Com- 1943;Grenada AAFld, Miss, c. 3 Jun 1943;
mand) in Apr 1942. Redesignated 63d Sedalia AAFld, Mo, 19 Jan-14 Apr 1944.
Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. Be- Floyd Bennett NAS, NY, 27 Jun 1949-9
came a training organization, preparing May 1951. Altus AFB, Okla, 20 Jun 1953;
cadres for troop carrier groups. Began Donaldson AFB, SC, 15 Oct I953-.
training replacement crews in Jul 1943. COMMANDERS. Capt James L Jackson,
Disbanded on 14 Apr 1944. I Dec 1940; Maj Herman E Hurst, 30
Rome AAFld, NY, 27 Dec 194.6-27 Jun and the Second Army Maneuvers of 1943-
1949. Mitchel AFB, NY, 14 Jun 1952- 1944. Trained personnel in aerial recon-
I Apr 1953. naissance and artillery adjustment
COMMANDERS. Col Dache M Reeves, methods. Also flew antisubmarine patrols
1941; Lt Col Walter M Williams, c. 21 off the east coast, Jan-Aug 1942. Dis-
Feb-18 Oct 1942. Lt Col Blaine B Camp- banded on 20 Apr 1944.
bell, 1943. Reconstituted, redesignated 66th Recon-
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American naissance Group, allotted to the reserve,
Theater. and actiuated, on 27 Dec 1946. Equipped
DECORATIONS. None. with RB-26‘s and RF-80’s. Redesignated
INSIGNE.None. 66th Strategic Reconnaissance Group in
Jun 1949. Called to active duty on I May
66th RECONNAISSANCE 1951. Inactivated on 16 May 1951.
GROUP Redesignated 66th Tactical Reconnais-
sance Group. Activated on I Jan 1953.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command.
Equipped with RB-26‘s and RF-80’s.
Moved to Germany, Jun-Jul 1953, and as-
signed to United States Air Forces in
Europe. Transitioned to RB-57’s and RF-
84’s7 1954-1955-
SQUADRONS.18th: 1947-1949. 19th
Liaison : 1942-1943. 19th Reconnaissance:
1947-1949, 20th: 1947-1949, 194!3-1951.
23d: 1943. 30th: 1947-1951; I953-.
97th: 1941-1943. 106th: 1941-1943.
118th: 1941-1943. 302d: 1g53-. 303d:
19537
Constituted as 66th Observation Group STATIONS.Jacksonville, Fla, I Sep 1941 ;
on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on I Sep 1941. Charleston, SC, Jan 1942; Jacksonville
Redesignated 66th Reconnaissance Group Mun Aprt, Fla, Mar 1942; Pope Field, NC,
in Apr 1943, and 66th Tactical Reconnais- May 1942; Tullahoma, Tenn, Sep 1942;
sance Group in Aug 1943. Equipped at Morris Field, NC, Nov 1942; Camp Camp-
various times with 0-46, 0-47, A-20, bell, Ky, Apr 1943; Aiken AAFld, SC,
P-39, P-40, B-25, L-5, and L-6 aircraft. Jun 1943; Lebanon, Tenn, Oct 1943-20
Supported ground units on maneuvers, in- Apr 1944. Newark AAB, NJ, 27 Dec
cluding the Carolina Maneuvers of 1942, 1946; McGuire AFB, NJ, 27 Jun 1949;
the Tennessee Maneuvers of 1942 and 1943, Barksdale AFB, La, 10 Oct 1949-16 May
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 133
sance Group in Nov 1943. Flew patrols Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the
over the Gulf of Mexico and along the Balkans. Also engaged in electronic-
Mexican border after the Japanese attacked countermeasure activities, investigating
Pearl Harbor. Began training in Feb radar equipment captured from the enemy,
1942 for duty overseas. Moved to the flying ferret missions along the coasts of
Mediterranean theater, Oct-Nov 1942, and Italy and southern France, and accom-
assigned to Twelfth AF. Shortly after panying bomber formations to detect ap-
136 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
proaching enemy fighters. Used P-38, gene C Woltz, 13 Mar 1943; Col Charles
P-39, P-40, P-51, A-20, A-36, B-17, and D Jones, 8 Aug 1943-c. 15 Jan 1944; Capt
B-24 aircraft for operations. Returned to Harper L McGrady, unkn; Col [ ?]Smith,
North Africa in Apr 1944. Disbanded on unkn; Col Monro MacCloskey, Mar-c.
15 Jun 1944. May 1944. Col Lowell G Sidling, 26 Oct
Reconstituted, redesignated 68th Recon- 1951-c. 16 Jun 1952.
naissance Group, and allotted to the re- CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
serve, on 10 Mar 1947. Activated in the Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Al-
US on g Apr 1947. Znactivated on 27 Tun geria-French Morocco ; Naples-Foggia;
‘949. Rome-Arno.
Redesignated 68th Strategic Reconnais- DECORATIONS. None.
sance Group (Medium). Activated on INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, an eye of the
10 Oct 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air first surmounting a tuft of six feathers,
Command. Trained with B-29’s. Zn- imposed on a tuft of eight feathers, be-
activated on 16 Jun 1952. tween and at the base of two wings con-
SQUADRONS. 16th: 1942-1944. 24th: joined in the form of a “V” or, Motto:
1947-1949; 1951-1952. 5’st: 1947-1949; VICTORIA PER OBSERVATIAM-
1951-1952. 52d: 1947-1949; 1951-1952. Victory through Observation. (Approved
Z Z Z ~ 1942-1944.
~ : ~ 2 2 d : 1941-1944. 17 Sep 1942. This insigne was replaced
Z25dl: 1941-1942. I27th: 1941-1942. 3 OCt 1952.)
IjGh: 1941-1944.
STATIONS. Brownwood, Tex, I Sep 1941 ; 69th RECONNAISSANCE
New Orleans AB, La, 17 Dec 1941;Daniel GROUP
Field, Ga, 8 Feb 1942; Smith Reynolds
Aprt, NC, 9 Jul 1942; Morris Field, NC, Constituted as 69th Observation Group
c. 17 Aug-18 Oct &2; Casablanca, French on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 3 Sep 1941.
Morocco, Nov 1942; Oujda, French Mo- Redesignated 6gth Reconnaissance Group
rocco, c. Nov 1942; Berrechid Airfield, in Apr 1943, and 69th Tactical Recon-
French Morocco, 24 Mar 1943; Berteaux, naissance Group in Aug 1943. Used
Algeria, 5 Sep 1943; Massicault, Tunisia, 0-38, 0-46, 0-47, 0-52, L-I, L-2, L-3,
Oct 1943; Manduria, Italy, Nov 1943; L-4, L-5, L-49, P-39, P-40, B-25, A-20,
Blida, Algeria, c. Apr-15 Jun 1944. Ham- and other aircraft. Flew antisubmarine
ilton Field, Calif, 9 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949. patrols along the Pacific coast after Pearl
Lake Charles AFB, La, 10 Oct 1951-16 Harbor. Engaged primarily in air-
Jun 1952. ground training during 1943 and 1944.
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Sep-Dec 1941; Lt Began training with F 4 s in Jan 1945 for
Col Guy L McNeil, 15 Dec 1941; Maj duty overseas. Moved to France, Feb-
John R Fordyce, 30 Jun 1942; Lt Col Eu- Mar 1945. Assigned to Ninth AF. Flew
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 137
lis AAFld, Ore, Oct 1943; Will Rogers and the Admiralties to provide target and
Field, Okla, c. 14-30 Nov 1943. Hill Field, damage-assessment photographs for air
Utah, 26 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949. force units, Also bombed and strafed
COMMANDERS. Maj Hillford R Wallace, Japanese installations, airfields, and ship-
Sep 1941; Maj Wallace J O’Daniels, c. I ping; supported Allied forces on New
Apr 1942; Maj G Robert Dodson, c. 3 May Guinea and Biak; flew courier missions;
1942; Col Don W Mayhue, c. 9 May 1942; participated in rescue operations; and
Lt Col G Robert Dodson, c. 3 Nov 1942; hauled passengers and cargo. Moved to
Lt Col Stanley R Stewart, c. 3 Dec 1942; the Philippines in Nov 1944. Flew recon-
Lt Col G Robert Dodson, c. 3 Jan 1943- naissance missions over Luzon to provide
unkn. information for US forces as to Japanese
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American troop movements, gun positions, and
Theater. supply routes. Also supported ground
DECORATIONS. None. forces on Luzon, photographed and
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, on a bend bombed airfields in Formosa and China,
nebuly between six billets or, two crowing and attacked enemy shipping off the
cocks palewise gules. Motto: WE Asiatic coast. Maj William A Shomo was
WATCH O U T FOR YOU. (Approved awarded the Medal of Honor for action
5 Jan 1943.) on 11 Jan 1945: sighting a formation of
thirteen Japanese aircraft while leading 3
7 1st RECONNAISSANCE two-plane flight, Maj Shomo attacked the
GROUP superior enemy force and destroyed seven
planes. After moving to Ie Shima in Aug
Constituted as 71st Observation Group 1945, the group attacked transportation
on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on I Oct 1941. targets on Kyushu and flew over southern
Trained with B-25, P-38, P-39, and P-40 Japan to locate prisoner of war camps, to
aircraft. Flew antisubmarine patrols off assess bomb damage, and to obtain infor-
the west coast, Dec 1941-Jan 1943. Re- mation on Japanese military movements.
designated 71st Reconnaissance Group in Moved to Japan in Oct 1945. Inactivated
Apr 1943, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance on I Feb 1946.
Group in May 1944, and 71st Reconnais- Activated in Japan on 28 Feb 1947. As-
sance Group in May 1945. signed to Far East Air Forces. Manned
Moved to the Southwest Pacific, Sep- in Nov 1947 and equipped with RB-17,
Nov 1943, and assigned to Fifth AF. RB-29, RF-51, RF-61, and RF-80 aircraft.
Equipped with B-25, P-38, P-39, L-4, L-5, Photographed areas of Japan and South
and later some L-6 aircraft. Based on Korea. Redesignated 71st Tactical Recon-
New Guinea and Biak, flew reconnaissance naissance Group in Aug 1948. Znactivated
missions over New Guinea, New Britain, in Japan on I Apr 1949.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 139
D Landers, c. 22Feb 1945; Lt Col Roy B 79th took part in the Allied operations that
Caviness, I Jul 1945-unkn. Col Robert defeated Axis forces in North Africa, cap-
P Montgomery, c. 20 Aug 1946-unkn; Col tured Pantelleria, and conquered Sicily,
Earl H Dunham, 1946-unkn; Col John €3 the group being awarded a DUC for its
Patrick, c. I Apr 1947; Col Earl H Dun- support of British Eighth Army during
ham, c. I May 1947; Col Robert W that period, Mar-Aug 1943. Assigned to
Stephens, c. I Jun 1947-unkn ; Col Barton Twelfth AF in Aug 1943 and continued
M Russell, c. 8 Dec 1948; Col Brian to support British Eighth Army by at-
O’Neill, Aug ~gqg-unkn;Col Jack W tacking troop concentrations, gun posi-
Hayes Jr, 1951-unkn. Col Wilton H tions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in
Earle, 1955-. southern Italy. Operated in the area of
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe; the Anzio beachhead, Jan-Mar 1944.
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Participated in the drive on Rome, Mar-
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Jun 1944, and converted to P-47’s during
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- that time. Flew escort and strafing mis-
tions: Holland, 17-23 Sep 1944; Czecho- sions in southern France during Aug and
slovakia, 16 Apr 1945. Sep 1944, and afterward engaged in inter-
INSIGNE. Shield: Per pale indented dictory and close support operations in
northern Italy. Received second DUC for
azure and gules, in chief five chain lengths
conjoined fesswise or. Motto: ABOVE numerous missions flown at minimum
THE FOE. (Approved 26 Sep 1942.) altitude in intense flak to help pierce the
enemy line at the Santerno River in Italy,
16-20 Apr 1945. Remained overseas as part
79th FIGHTER GROUP
of United States Air Forces in Europe
Constituted as 79th Pursuit Group (In- after the war. Transferred, without per-
terceptor) on 13 Jan 1942. Activated on sonnel and equipment, to the US in Jun
9 Feb 1942. Redesignated 79th Fighter 1947. lnactivated on 15 Jul 1947.
Group in May 1942. Moved to the Middle Redesignated 79th Fighter Group (Air
East, Oct-Nov 1942, and became part of Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955. As-
Ninth AF. Trained with P-40’s while signed to Air Defense Command.
moving westward in the wake of the Brit- SQUADRONS. 85th: 1942-1947. 86th: 1942-
ish drive across Egypt and Libya to 1947; 1955-. 87th: 1942-1947.
Tunisia. Although many of the group’s STATIONS. Dale Mabry Field, Fla, 9 Feb
pilots flew combat missions with other or- 1942; Morris Field, NC, c. I May 1942;
ganizations, the 79th group itself did not Hillsgrove, RI, c. 22 Jun 1942; Bedford,
begin operations until Mar 1943. By Mass, 2 Jul-28 Sep 1942; Egypt, 18 Nov
escorting bombers, attacking enemy ship- 1942; Libya, c. 25 Jan 1943; Tunisia, c. 12
ping, and supporting ground forces, the Mar 1943; Sicily, 16 Jul 1943; Southern
AIR FORCE C O M ~ A TUNITS-GROUPS 14.5
erly, 23 Feb-Io Apr 1944. Maj Amos H 1944). Served as an operational training
Domberger 11, Jul 1956. and a replacement training unit. Also
CAMPAIGNS. None. participated occasionally in demonstra-
DECORATIONS. None. tions and maneuvers. Disbanded on I
INSIGNE.Shield: Per pile transposed APr 1944.
azure and or; over all on an escutcheon per Reconstituted, redesigiaated 84th Fighter
bend gules and medium blue, a bend em- Group (All Weather), and allotted to the
battled inverted, vert, fimbriated through- reserve, on 26 May 1949. Activated on I
out argent; superimposed over the chief Jun 1949. Ordered into active service on I
area of the escutcheon a stylized demi fal- Jun 1951. Inactivated on 2 Jun 1951.
con bendwise, in profile, sable, his head Redesignated 84th Fighter Group (Air
and wings raised upward above the es- Defense). Activated on 18Aug 1955. As-
cutcheon; his eye gules, the falcon fimbri- signed to Air D e f e n s e Command.
ated throughout argent. (Approved 29 Equipped with F-86 aircraft.
Mar 1957.) SQUADRONS. 49zst (formerly 304th) :
1942-1944. 496th (formerly 301st) : 1942-
1944; 1g4g-1951. 497th (formerly 302d) :
84th FIGHTER GROUP 1942-1944; 1g55-. 498th (formerly 303d) :
1942-1944 ; 1955-.
STATIONS. Savannah AB, Ga, 10 Feb
1942; Drew Field, Fla, c. 7 Feb 1943;
Harding Field, La, 4 Oct 1943-1 Apr 1944.
Mitchel AFB, NY, I Jun 1949; McGuire
AFB, NJ, 10Oct 1g4g-2 Jun 1951. Geiger
Field, Wash, 18 Aug qyj-.
COMMANDERS. Maj Augustus Nelson,
10 Feb 1942; Col Philo G Meisenholder,
Mar 1942; Lt Col Harry R Melton Jr,
Aug 1942; Lt Col John R Kelly, Dec 1942;
Lt Col Paul A Zartman, 31 Jan 1943; Col
Constituted as 84th Bombardment Reginald F C Vance, 15 Aug 1943; Lt Col
Group (Light) on 13 Jan 1942. Activated William D Gilchrist, Sep 1943-1944. Col
on 10 Feb 1942. Redesignated 84th Bom- Grover C Willcox Jr, 18 Aug 1g55-.
bardment Group (Dive) in Jul 1942, and CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
84th Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943. DECORATIONS. None.
Assigned to Third AF and later (Nov INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a flash in pale
1943) to Second AF. Aircraft included between in dexter chid a gun sight and
A-24’s (1942-1943) and P-47’s (1943- in sinister base a drop bomb palewise, all
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 151
/
or. Motto: CURSUM PERFICIO-I Ac- STATIONS. /Savannah AB, Ga, 10 Feb
complish My Course. (Approved 22 Jan 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, c. 16 Feb 1942;
1943.) Hunter Field, Ga, 9 Jun 1942; Waycross,
Ga, 15 Aug 1942; Gillespie Field, Tenn, 3
Oct 1942; Blythe AAB, Calif, 2 Nov 1942;
85th FIGHTER GROUP
Rice, Calif, c. 11 Dec 1942; Harding Field,
La, c. 9 Apr 1943; Waycross AAFld, Ga,
Sep 19\45-15 Feb 1946; Bolling Field, TUS PERDURAT-Courage Will En-
DC, 15 Feb-31 Mar 1946. Nordholz, dure. (Approved 17 Oct 1942. This in-
Germany, 20 Aug 1946; Lechfeld, Ger- signe was replaced 27 Jul 1956.)
many, c. I Dec 1946; Bad Kissingen, Ger-
many, 5 Mar 1947; Neubiberg AB, Ger- 87th FIGHTER GROUP
many, 12 Jun 1947; Landstuhl AB, Ger-
many, 9 Aug 1952-. Constituted as 87th Fighter Group on
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Feb 1942-Feb 24 Sep 1943. Activated on I Oct 1943.
1943; Maj Clinton U True, 10 Feb 1943; Assigned to First AF. Trained replace-
Lt Col Robert C Paul, 7 Aug 1943; Col ment pilots, using P-47's. Disbanded on
Harold E Hofahl, 4 Dec 1943; Col Earl E 10 Apr 1944.
Bates Jr, 2 Aug 1944; Lt Col George T Reconstituted on 16 May 1949 and al-
Lee, 14 Feb 1945; Maj John H Buckner, lotted to the reserve. Activated on 27
23 Sep 1945-c. 14 Feb 1946. Col Adolphus Jun 1949. Redesignated 87th Fighter-
R McConnell, 20 Aug 1946; Col Clarence Escort Group in Mar 1950. Ordered into
T Edwinson, 15 Dec 1946; Col Maurice L active service on I May 1951. Inactivated
Martin, Feb 1947; Maj John B England, on 25 Jun 1951.
c. Jul 1947; Col Clarence T Edwinson, c. Redesignated 87th Troop Carrier Group
Aug 1947; Col Michael J Ingelido, Jul (Mediuni) and allotted to the reserve.
1948; Lt Col James G Thorsen, May 1949; Activated on 15 Jun 1952. Inactivated on
Col William H Councill, Jun 1949; Col I Feb 1953.
George T Lee, 25 Sep 1950; Col Richard (This group is not related to an 87th
0 Hunziker, 6 Mar 1951; Col George
Pursuit Group (Interceptor) that was
Laven Jr, 18 Oct 1951; Col George R Bick-
constituted on 13 Jan 1942; activated at
ell, 26 Apr 1952; Col George B Simler,
Selfridge Field by Third AF on 10 Feb
14 Jun 1952-1954; Col Robin Olds, Oct
1942; assigned the 304th, 305th, and 306th
19557
CAMPAIGNS.American Theater; Air squadrons; and disbanded a few days later
Combat, EAME Theater; Sicily; Naples- in order to bring AAF within the au-
Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern thorized number of pursuit groups.)
France ; North Apennines: Rhineland; SQUADRONS. 450th: 1943-1944. 535th:
Central Europe. 1943-1944; 1949-1951 ; 1952-1953. 536th:
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- 1943-1944; 1952-1953- 537th: 1943-1944;
tions: Italy, 25 May 1944; Germany, 20 1952-1953.
APr 1945- STATIONS.Richmond AAB, Va, I Oct
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, on a pile or a 1943; Camp Springs AAFld, Md, 21 Jan-
drop bomb palewise gules. Motto: VIR- 10Apr 1944. Bergstrom AFB, Tex, 27 Jun
154 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
1949-25 Jun 1951. Atterbury AFR, Ind, Rapid City AAR, SD, c. 28 Oct 1942;
15 Jun 1952-1 Feb 1953. Walla Walla, Wash, c. 28 Nov 1942; Avon
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Robert N Park AAFld, Fla, Nov 1943-1 May 1944.
Maupin, Oct 1943- 1944. COMMANDERS. Lt Col Edgar M Wittan,
CAMPAIGNS. None. I Sep 1942; Lt Col Hewitt T Wheless, I
DECORATIONS. None. Mar 1943; Lt Col William K Kincaid, 28
INSIGNE. None. Oct 1943-1 May 1944.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
88th BOMBARDMENT GROUP DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, a glass through-
out shattered, argent. Motto: POWER
TO SHATTER. (Approved 7 Jan 1943.)
the other holding off the struggling pilot Redesignated 92d Bombardment Group
who was attempting to fly the plane; fi- (Very Heavy). Activated in the US on 4
nally another crew member was able to Aug 1946. Assigned to Strategic Air Com-
relieve the situation and the B-17 made a mand and equipped with B-29’s. Re-
safe landing at its base. Although handi- designated 92d Bombardment Group
capped by weather conditions, enemy fire, (Medium) in May 1948. Temporarily
and insufficient fighter protection, the stationed in Japan and attached to Far
group bombed aircraft factories in central East Air Forces for duty in the Korean
Germany on 11 Jan 1944 and received a War. Served in combat against the com-
DUC for the mission. Took part in the munist forces from 12 Jul to 20 Oct 1950.
intensive campaign of heavy bombers Bombed strategic and interdictory targets,
against the German aircraft industry dur- including factories, refineries, iron works,
ing Big Week, 20-25 Feb 194.4. After that, airfields, bridges, tunnels, troop concen-
attacked V-weapon sites in France; air- trations, barracks, marshalling yards, road
fields in France, Germany, and the Low junctions, rail lines, supply dumps, docks,
Countries; and industrial targets in and vehicles. Returned to the US, Oct-
France, Germany, and Belgium, making Nov 1950. Redesignated 92d Bombard-
concentrated strikes on oil and transpor- ment Group (Heavy) in Jun 1951. Con-
tation facilities after Oct 1944. In addi- verted to B-36 aircraft. Inactivated on 16
tion to strategic missions, performed some Jun 1952.
interdictory and support operations. As- SQUADRONS. 325th: 1942-1946; 1946-
sisted the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944 1952. 326th: 1942-1946; 1946-1952.
by hitting gun emplacements, junctions, 327th: 1942-1946; 1946-1952. 407th: 1942-
and marshalling yards in the beachhead 1946.
area. Supported ground forces at St Lo STATIONS.Barksdale Field, La, I Mar
during the breakthrough in Jul 1944. 1942; MacDill Field, Fla, c. 26 Mar 1942;
Bombed gun positions and bridges to aid Sarasota, Fla, May-Jul 1942; Bovingdon,
the airborne assault on Holland in Sep England, Aug 1942; Alconbury, England,
1944. Participated in the Battle of the Jan 1943; Podington, England, Sep 1943;
Bulge, Dec 194-Jan 1945, by attacking Istres, France, Jun 1945-28 Feb 1946. Ft
bridges and marshalling yards in and near Worth AAFld, Tex, 4 Aug 1946; Smoky
the battle area. Bombed airfields near the Hill AAFld, Kan, Oct 1946; Spokane
landing zone to cover the airborne assault AAFld, Wash, Jun 1947-16 Jun 1952.
across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Moved COMMANDERS. Col James S Sutton, c.
to France in Jun 1945 and transported 27 Mar 1942; Lt Col Baskin R Lawrence
troops from Marseilles to Casablanca for Jr, c. 2 May 1943 ; Col William M Reid, c.
return to the US. Inactivated in France 23 May 1943; Col James W Wilson, 27 Sep
on 28 Feb 1946. 1344; Lt Col Albert L Cox, Aug 1945; Lt
160 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
93d hit targets that had been assigned Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and flew two
to other groups, but it carried out its bomb- missions on 24 Mar 1945 during the air-
ing of the vital oil installations despite borne assault across the Rhinc, dropping
heavy losses inflicted by attacks from the supplies to troops near Wesel and bomb-
fully-alerted enemy and was awarded a ing a night-fighter base at Stormede.
DUC for the operation. Lt Col Addison Ceased operations in Apr 1945. Returned
E Baker, group commander, and Maj John to the US, May-Jun 1945.
L .Jerstad, a former member of the group Redesignated 93d Bombardment Group
who had volunteered for this mission, (Very Heavy) in Jul 1945. Assigned to
were posthumously awarded the Medal of Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946.
Honor for action in the Ploesti raid: re- Trained with B-29's. Redesignated 93d
fusing to make a forced landing in their Bombardment Group (Medium) in M2y
damaged B-24, these men, as pilot and 1948. Converted to B-50 aircraft in 1949.
co-pilot of the lead plane, led the group to Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
bomb the oil facilities before their plane SQUADRONS. 328th: 1942-1952. 329th:
crashed in the target area. After the de- 1942-1952. 330th: 1942-1952. 409th:
tachment returned to England in Aug I 942- I946.
1943, the group flew only two missions STATIONS.Barksdale Field, La, I Mar
before the detachment was sent back to the 1942; Ft Myers, Fla, 15 May-2 Aug 1942;
Mediterranean to support Fifth Army at Alconbury, England, 7 Sep 1942; Hard-
Salerno during the invasion of Italy in wick, England, 6 Dec 1942-19 May 1945;
Sep 1943. The detachment rejoined the Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, Jun 1945; Pratt
group in Oct 1943, and until Apr 1945 the AAFld, Kan, 24 Jul 1945; Clovis AAFld,
93d concentrated on bombardment of NM, 13 Dec 1945; Castle Field, Calif, 21
strategic targets such as marshalling yards, Jun 1946-16 Jun 1952.
aircraft factories, oil refineries, chemical COMMANDERS. 1st Lt Robert M Tate, I
plants, and cities in Germany. In addi- Mar 1942; Col Edward J Timberlake Jr,
tion it bombed gun emplacements, choke 26 Mar 1942; Lt Col Addison E Baker, 17
points, and bridges near Cherbourg dur- May 1943; Col Leland G Fiegel, 9 Aug
ing the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944; 1943; Lt Col Harvey P Barnard Jr, 27 Sep
attacked troop concentrations in northern 1944; Col William R Robertson Jr, 5 Dec
France during the St Lo breakthrough in 1944; Lt Col Therman D Brown, 6 Apr
Jul 1944; transported food, gasoline, water, 1945; Maj Jacob A Herrmann, 29 Jul1945;
and other supplies to the Allies advancing Lt Col William W Amorous, 6 Aug 1945;
across France, Aug-Sep 1944 ; dropped Col Henry W Dorr, c. 5 Oct 1945-unkn;
supplies to airborne troops in Holland on Lt Col Kenneth Grunewald, 1946; Maj
18 Sep 1944; struck enemy transportation Arthur R Pidgeon, 1946; Maj Loyd D
and other targets during the Battle of the Griffin, 1946; CWO Steve Stanowich,
162 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
other military installations along the coast England, 15 Jun 1943-c. 12 Dec 1945;
of France. On 6 Jun bombed enemy posi- Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. 20-21 Dec 1945.
tions in the battle area to support the in- Marietta AAFld, Ga, 29 May 1947-20 Mar
vasion of Normandy. Struck troops and 1951. Dobbins AFB, Ga, 14 Jun 1952;
gun batteries to aid the advance of the Scott AFB, Ill, 18 May 1955-.
Allies at St Lo in Jul and at Brest in COMMANDERS. Col John G Moore,
Aug. Covered the airborne attack on Hol- 1942; Col Frederick W Castle, Jun 1943;
land in Sep. Hit marshalling yards, air- Col Charles B Dougher, 17 Apr 1944; Col
fields, and strong points near the combat Nicholas T Perkins, 16 Mar 1945; Lt Col
area during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec Ernest B Maxwell,. 3 Jun 1945-unkn.
1944-Jan 1945. Bombed transportation, CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe ;
communications, and oil targets in the Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
final push over the Rhine and across Ger- Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
many. After V-E Day, dropped leaflets DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
to displaced persons and German civilians. tions: Germany, 17 Aug 1943; Germany,
Returned to the US in Dec 1945. Inacti- 11 Jan 1944.
Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Nor- enemy supply lines to Africa. Also hit air-
mandy; Northern France; Southern dromes and rail facilities in Sicily and
France; North Apennines; Rhineland ; Italy. Received a DUC for action against
Central Europe; Po Valley. the enemy in the Middle East, North
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- Africa, and Sicily from Aug 1942 to Aug
tions: Steyr, Austria, 24 Feb 1944; Ploesti, 1943. Awarded another DUC for partici-
Rumania, 18 Aug 1944. pation in the low-level assault on oil re-
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a spear in pale fineries at Ploesti on I Aug 1943: although
or, point to base flammant and embrued its target had already been attacked by an-
proper. Motto: VENIT HORA-The other group, the 98th proceeded through
Hour Has Come. (Approved 5 Mar dense smoke and intense flak to bomb its
19434 assigned objective. Col John R Kane,
group commander, received the Medal of
98th BOMBARDMENT GROUP Honor for leading the 98th to complete
this attack despite the hazards of oil fires,
Constituted as 98th Eombardment delayed-action bombs, and alerted de-
Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Acti- fenses. Afterward the group flew many
vated on 3 Feb 1942~Trained with B-24’s. long-range missions to Italy, France, Ger-
Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Jul- many, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary,
Aug 1942, and served in that area until the and the Balkans to bomb such strategic
end of the war. Assigned to Ninth AF in targets as industries, airdromes, harbors,
Nov IW,to Twelfth AF in Sep 1943, and and communications, and engaged pri-
to Fifteenth AF in Nov 1943. Entered marily in such operations until Apr 1945.
combat in Aug 1942. Bombed shipping 1st Lt Donald D Pucket, one of the group’s
and harbor installations in Libya, Tunisia, pilots, was awarded the Medal of Honor
Sicily, Italy, Crete, and Greece to cut for action during a mission against oil re-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 169
fineries at Ploesti on 9 Jul 1944: just after STATIONS.MacDill Field, Fla, 3 Feb
bombing the target, Lt Pucket’s plane was 1942; Barksdale Field, La, Feb 1942; Ft
crippled by antiaircraft fire and crew mem- Myers, Fla, 30 Mar 1942; Drane Field, Fla,
bers were wounded; he calmed the crew, c. 15 May-3 Jul 1942; Ramat David, Pales-
administered first aid, surveyed the dam- tine, 25 Jul 1942; Fayid, Egypt, c. 11 Nov
age, and, realizing it was impossible to 1942; Benina, Libya, c. 9 Feb 1943; Hergla,
reach friendly territory, gave the order to Tunisia, c. 21 Sep 1943; Brindisi, Italy, c.
abandon ship; refusing to desert three men 18 Nov 1943; Manduria, Italy, 19 Dec 1943;
who were unable to leave the bomber, Lt Lecce,*Italy, 17 Jan 1944-19 Apr 1945;
Pucket stayed with the plane that a few Fairmont AAFld, Neb, c. 6 May 1945; Mc-
moments later crashed on a mountainside. Cook AAFld, Neb, 25 Jun-ro Nov 1945.
In addition to strategic operations, the 98th Andrews Field, Md, I Jul 1947; Spokane
also flew interdictory and support missions. AAFld, Wash, 24 Sep 1947-16 Jun 1952.
Aided Allied forces at Anzio and Cas- COMMANDERS. Lt Col Frank H Robin-
sino. Participated in the invasion of son, c. Feb 1942; Col Hugo P Rush, 1942;
Southern France. Assisted the Russian Col John R Kane, c. 29 Dec 1942; Lt Col
advance in the Balkans. Returned to the Julian M Bleyer, I Nov 1943; Col William
US, Apr-May 1945. Redesignated 98th E Karnes, 18 Nov 1943; Lt Col Marshall
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in R Gray, 13 Jan 1944; Col Salvatore E Man-
May. Inactivated on 10 Nov 1945. zo, c. Jul 1944-unkn; Col John G Eriksen,
Activated on I Jul 1947. Assigned to 25 Tun-c. Sep 1945; unkn, SepNov 1945.
Strategic Air Command. Trained with Unkn, Jul-Oct 1947; Lt Col Joseph D
White, 20 Oct 1947; Col William D
B-29’s. Redesign ated 98t h Bombard ment
Cairnes, 12 Apr 1948; Col Richard D Dick,
Group (Medium) in May 1948. Moved
20 Jan 1949; Col Richard H Carmichael,
to Japan in Aug 1950 and attached to Far
c. Apr 1950; Col David Wade, c. 31 Mar
East Air Forces for duty in the Korean 1951; Col Edwin F Harding Jr, Sep 1951;
War. Engaged primarily in interdicting Col Lewis A Curtis, Nov 1951;Col Winton
enemy communications but also operated R Close, May-16 Jun 1952.
in support of UN ground forces. Targets CAMPAIGNS. World War ZI: Air Com-
included marshalling yards, oil centers, bat, EAME Theater; Egypt-Libya; Air
rail facilities, bridges, roads, troop concen- Offensive, Europe; Tunisia; Sicily;
trations, airfields, and military installa- Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Nor-
tions. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952 while mandy; Northern France; Southern
on temporary duty in Japan. France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
SQUADRONS. 343d: 1942-1945; 1947- Central Europe; Po Valley. Korean War:
1952. 344th: 1942-1945; 1947-1952. 345th: UN Defensive; U N Offensive; CCF Inter-
1942-1945 ; 1947-1952. 4Z5th: 1942-1945. vention; 1st U N Counteroffensive; CCF
170 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF \VORLD WAR I1
STATIONS. Orlando AB, Fla, I Jun 1942; with eyelid of the like, and a globe of the
MacDill Field, Fla, I Jun 1942; Pendleton last with lines of the fifth encircled by a
Field, Ore, 29 Jun 1942; Gowen Field, motion picture film silver. Motto: SIGHT
Idaho, 28 Aug 1942; Walla Walla, Wash, WITH MIGHT. (Approved 3 Nov 1943.
c. 30 Sep 1942; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, 17 This insigne was replaced 7 Feb 1958.)
Nov 1942-3 Jan 1943; Navarin, Algeria, c.
23 Feb 1943; Oudna, Tunisia, 4 Aug 1943;
100th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
Tortorella Airfield, Italy, c. 11 Dec 1943;
,
Marcianise, Italy, Oct-8 Nov 1945. Bir-
mingham Mun Aprt, Ala, 29 May 1947-
27 Jun 1949.
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Jun-Sep 1942;
Col Fay R Upthegrove, c. Sep 1942; Lt
Col Wayne E Thurman, 24 Nov 1943;
Col Charles W Lawrence, 19 Dec 1943;
Lt Co1 Wayne E Thurman, 26 Jan 1944;
Col Ford J Lauer, 15 Feb 1944; Col
Trenholm J Meyer, Jul 1944; Lt Col James
A Barnett, Aug 1944; Col Ford J Lauer,
Sep 1944; Col Raymond V Schwanbeck,
Jan 1945; Lt Col Robert E Guay, 8 Oct
1945; Maj Joseph D Russell, 11 Oct 1945;
Maj John S Giegel, 16 Oct 1945-unkn. Constituted as 100th Bombardment
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea- Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated
ter; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia; Si- on I Jun 1942. Used B-17’s to prepare
cily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; for duty overseas. Moved to England,
Normandy; Northern France; Southern May-Jun 1943, and assigned to Eighth
France; North Apennines; Rhineland; AF. Operated chiefly as a strategic bom-
Central Europe; Po Valley. bardment organization until the war
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- ended. From Jun 1943 to Jan 1944, con-
tions: Sicily, 5 Jul 1943; Austria, 23 Apr centrated its efforts against airfields in
1944. France and naval facilities and industries
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, issuant from in France and Germany. Received a DUC
sinister chief a cloud argent emitting a for seriously disrupting German fighter-
lightning flash to dexter base or between plane production with an attack on an
an eye of the second with pupil sable aircraft factory at Regensburg on 17 Aug
represented as a radar scope of the third 1943. Bombed airfields, industries, mar-
172 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR 11
shalling yards, and missile sites in western STATIONS. Orlando AB, Fla, I Jun 1942 ;
Europe, Jan-May 1944. Operations in this Barksdale Field, La, c. 18 Jun 1942; Pen-
period included participation in the Allied dleton Field, Ore, c. 26 Jun 1942; Gowen
campaign against enemy aircraft factories Field, Idaho, 28 Aug 1942; Walla Walla,
during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Com- Wash, c. I Nov 1942; Wendover Field,
pleted a series of attacks against Berlin Utah, c. 30 Nov 1942; Sioux City AAB,
in Mar 1944 and received a DUC for the Iowa, c. 28 Dec 1942; Kearney AAFld,
missions. Beginning in the summer of Neb, c. 30 Jan-May 1943; Thorpe Abbotts,
1944, oil installations became major tar- England, 9 Jun 1943-Dec 1945; Camp
gets. In addition to strategic operations, Kilmer, NJ, c. 20-21 Dec 1945. Miami
the group engaged in support and inter- AAFld, Fla, 29 May 1947-27 Jun 1949.
dictory missions, hitting bridges and gun COMMANDERS. Unkn, Jun-Nov 1942;
positions in support of the Normandy Col Darr H Alkire, c. 14 Nov 1942; Col
invasion in Jun 1944; bombing enemy posi- Howard M Turner, c. 28 Apr 1943; Col
tions at St Lo in Jul and at Brest in Aug Harold Q Huglin, Jun 1943; Col Neil B
and Sep; striking transportation and Harding, c. Jul 1943; Col Robert H Kelly,
ground defenses in the drive against the 19 Apr 1944; Col Thomas S Jeffery, c. g
Siegfried Line, Oct-Dec 1944; attacking May 1944; Col Frederick J Sutterlin, 2 Feb
marshalling yards, defended villages, and 1945; Lt Col John B Wallace, 23 Jun
communications in the Ardennes sector I 945-unkn.
during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
Jan 1945; and covering the airborne as-
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
sault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Re-
Ardennes-Alsace ; Central Europe.
ceived the French Croix de Guerre with
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Palm for attacking heavily defended in-
stallations in Germany and for dropping tions: Germany, 17 Aug 1943; Berlin, Ger-
supplies to FrenGh Forces of the Interior, many, 4,6, 8 Mar 1944. French Croix de
Jun-Dec 1g,-.14. Returned to the US in Guerre with Palm, 25 Jun-31 Dec 1944.
Dec 1945. lnactivated on 21 Dec 1945. INSIGNE.Shield: Gray, issuing from a
Redesignated 100th Bombardment base nebuly azure bearing in fcss arched
Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reversed six mullets argent, nine billets in
reserve. Activated on 29 May 1947. In- chevron sable, surmounted by two lions
activated on 27 Jun 1949. respectant or langued gules, grasping in
SQUADRONS. 349th: 1942-1945 ; 1947- saltire a palm branch bend sinisterwise
'949. 350th: 194-1945 ; 1947-1949. vert and a lightning flash of the sixth.
35ZSt: 1942-1945 ; 1947-1949. 418th: 1942- M o t t o : PEACE THROUGH
I945 ; 1947-1949- STRENGTH. (Approved 22 Nov 1957.)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 173
Dec 1943-10Apr 1944. McChord AFB, submarine pens in France until 1943.
Wash, 27 Jun 194g-8 Jun ISI. Clinton Began bombardment of industries, mar-
County AFB, Ohio, 14 Jun 1952-. shalling yards, cities, and other strategic
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Joseph J Nazzaro, objectives in Germany in Jan 1943, and
I Jun 1942;Col Eugene H Beebe, 12 Jul engaged primarily in such operations
1942; Lt Col Joseph J Nazzaro, 15 Sep until V-E Day. Took part in the first
1942; Lt Col William K Martin, I Jan penetration into Germany by heavy
1943;Maj Horace S Carswell, 15 Oct 1943; bombers of Eighth AF by striking the
Lt Col Thomas J Gent 6, 2 Nov 1943; U-boat yard at Wilhelmshaven on 27 Jan
Lt Col Carlos J Cochrane, 3 Jan-Apr 1943. Other targets included ball-bearing
1944. plants at Schweinfurt, shipbuilding yards
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. at Bremen, a synthetic rubber plant at
DECORATIONS. None. Huls, an aircraft engine factory at Ham-
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a thunderbolt burg, industrial areas of Frankfurt, an air-
in pale irradiated or, inflamed proper, drome at Villacoublay, and a marshalling
winged, gules. Motto: JUSTUM ET yard at Le Mans. Flying through intense
TEWACEM-Just and Resolute. ( A p antiaircraft fire during an attack on Vege-
proved 27 Feb 1943.) sack on 18Mar 1943,Ist Lt Jack W Mathis,
the leading bombardier of his squadron,
303d BOMBARDMENT GROUP was knocked from his bombsight;
although mortally wounded, he returned
to his position and released the bombs;
for this action, which ensured an accurate
attack against the enemy, Lt Mathis was
posthumously awarded the Medal of
Honor. T/Sgt Forrest L Vosler, radio
operator and gunner, received the Medal
of Honor for a mission to Bremen on 20
Dec 1943: after bombing the target, Sgt
Vosler’s plane was hit by antiaircraft fire
that knocked out two engines, damaged
Constituted as 303d Bombardment the radio equipment, seriously injured the
Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Acti- tail gunner, and wounded Sgt Vosler in
vated on 3 Feb 1942. Prepared for combat the legs and thighs; the burst of another
with B-17’s. Moved to England, Aug- 2o-mm shell nearly blinded the sergeant;
Sep 1942, and assigned to Eighth AF. nevertheless, he maintained a steady stream
Entered combat in Nov 1942 and raided of fire to protect the tail of the aircraft;
targets such as airdromes, railroads, and when the pilot announced that the plane
176 AIR FORCE COMlBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
would ditch, Sgt Vosler, working entirely mand and equipped with B-29’s. Znmti-
by touch, repaired the radio and sent out vated on 16 Jun 1952.
distress signals; after the plane went down SQUADRONS.358th: 1942-1945; 1947-
in the Channel, the sergeant secured the 1948; 1951-1952. 359h: 1942-1945; 1947-
tail gunner and himself on the wing; Sgt 1948; 1951-1952. 360th: 1942-1945; 1947-
Vosler’s radio signals brought help, and 1948; ISI-1952. 427th: 1942-1945.
the entire crew was rescued. The organi- STATIONS.Pendleton Field, Ore, 3 Feb
zation received a DUC for an operation on 1942; Gowen Field, Idaho, 11 Feb 1942;
11 Jan 1944 when, in spite of continuous Alamogordo, NM, 17 Jun 1942; Biggs
attacks by enemy fighters in weather that Field, Tex, 7-23 Aug 1942; Molesworth,
prevented effective fighter cover from England, 12 Sep 1942; Casablanca, French
reaching the group, it successfully struck Morocco, c. 31 May-25 Jul1945. Andrews
an aircraft assembly plant at Oschersleben. Field, Md, I Jul 1947-6 Sep 1948. Davis-
Sometimes the group engaged in support Monthan AFB, Ariz, 4 Sep 1951-16 Jun
and interdictory missions. Attacked gun 1952.
emplacements and bridges in the Pas de COMMANDERS. Col Ford J Lauer, Feb
Calais area during the invasion of Nor- 1942; Col Warren H Higgins, c. 29 May
mandy in Jun 194. Bombed enemy 1942; Col James H Wallace, c. 14 Jul1942;
troops to support the breakthrough at St Col Charles E Marion, c. 12 Feb 1943; Col
Lo in Jul 1944. Struck airfields, oil depots, Kermit D Stevens, Jul 1943; Col William
and other targets during the Battle of the S Raper, Oct 1944; Lt Col William C Sipes,
Bulge, Dec ~w-Jan 1945. Bombed mili- 19 Apr 1945; Capt Bernard Thompson,
tary installations in the Wesel area to aid Jun-25 Jul 1945. Unkn, 1947-1948. Maj
Joe Maddalena Jr, Sep 1951; Col David
the Allied assault across the Rhine in Mar
Wade, g Oct 1951; Col John K Hester,
1945. Flew last combat mission, an attack
Jan-16 Jun 1952.
on armament works in Pilsen, on 25 Apr
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
1945. Moved to French Morocco, May- Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Jun 1945. Inactivated on 25 Jul 1945. Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Redesignated 303d Bombardment DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Group (Very Heavy). Activated in the tion: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.
US on I Jul 1947. Assigned to Strategic INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, a diminutive
Air Command. There is no evidence that pile between four flashes of lightning, two
the group was manned during 1947 and issuant palewise from chief and one from
1948. Znactivated on 6 Sep 1948. dexter and sinister chief sides chevronwise
Redesignated 303d Bombardment inverted, issuant from base a burst of five
Group (Medium). Activated on 4 Sep rays, all or. Motto: MIGHT IN
1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Com- FLIGHT. (Approved g Jan 1943.)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 177
I I
'I
CAPTAT MUSCAS-The Eagle Does
Not Catch Flies. (Approved 7 Nov 1942.)
P'
-
cJd 1 4 H i i & S U 5 @ *
-
target in Paris was bombed with precision strongholds near the battle area. Attacked
in spite of pressing enemy fighter attacks enemy positions in advance of ground
and heavy flak. During the second half of forces at St Lo in Jul 1944. Struck antiair-
1943, began deeper penetration into enemy craft batteries to cover the airborne in-
territory to strike heavy industry. Signifi- vasion of Holland in Sep. Took part in
cant objectives included aluminum, mag- the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1 ~ 4 - J a n1945,
nesium, and nitrate works in Norway, by bombing military installations in the
industries in Berlin, oil plants at Merse- battle zone. Supported the airborne as-
burg, aircraft factories at Anklam, ship- sault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Some-
ping at Gdynia, and ball-bearing works at times flew missions at night to bomb
Schweinfurt. Received another DUC for enemy installations or to drop propaganda
withstanding severe opposition to bomb leaflets. Flew its last combat mission on
aircraft factories in central Germany on 25 Apr 1945. Remained in the theater as
11 Jan 1944. Participated in the intensive part of United States Air Forces in Europe
campaign of heavy bombers against the after V-E Day; and, from stations in
German aircraft industry during Big Belgium and Germany, engaged in photo-
Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. 1st Lt William graphic mapping missions over parts of
R Lawley Jr, and 1st Lt Edward S Michael, Europe and North Africa. lnactivated in
pilots, each received the Medal of Honor Germany on 25 Dec 1946.
for similar performances on 20 Feb and 11 Redesignated 305th Bombardment
Apr 1944, respectively; in each case a B-17 Group (Very Heavy). Activated in the
was severely damaged by fighters after it US on I Jul 1947. Assigned to Strategic
had bombed a target in Germany, crew Air Command. Few, if any, personnel
members were wounded, and the pilot were assigned. Inactivated on 6 Sep 1948.
himself was critically injured; recovering Redesignated 305th Bombardment
in time to pull his aircraft out of a steep Group (Medium). Activated on 2 Jan
dive, and realizing that the wounded men 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Com-
would be unable to bail out, each pilot flew mand and equipped with B-29’s. Znm-
his plane back to England and made a tivated on 16 Jun 1952.
successful crash landing. In addition to SQUADRONS.364th: 1942-1946; 1947-
bombardment of strategic targets, the 1948; 1951-1952. 365th: 1942-1946; 1947-
group often flew interdictory missions and 1948; 1951-1952. 366th: 1942-1946; 1947-
supported infantry units. Prior to the 1948; 1951-1952. 422d: 1942-1946.
Normandy invasion in Jun 1944, it helped STATIONS.Salt Lake City, Utah, I Mar
to neutralize enemy installations such as 1942; Geiger Field, Wash, c. 10 Jun 1942;
V-weapon sites, airfields, and repair shops; Muroc, Calif, c. 31 Jun-Aug 1942; Grafton
and on D-Day, 6 Jun, bombed enemy Underwood, England, Sep 1942; Chelves-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 179
East China Sea, Formosa Strait, South 1942-1946. 512th: 1947-1948, 1949.
China Sea, and Gulf of Tonkin. Received 513th: 1947-1948, 1949-150.
a DUC for an unescorted bombing attack, STATIONS. Gowen Field, Idaho, 15 Apr
conducted through antiaircraft fire and 1942; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 20 Jun
fighter defenses, against docks and ware- 1942;Wendover Field, Utah, I Oct-28 Nov
houses at Hankow on 21 Aug 1943. Re- 1942; Kunming, China, 20 Mar 1943;
ceived second DUC for interdiction of Hsinching, China, 10 Feb 1945; Rupsi,
Japanese shipping during 194-1945. Maj India, 27 Jun-15 Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer,
Horace S Carswell Jr was awarded the NJ, 5-6 Jan 1946. Morrison Field, Flay 17
Medal of Honor for action on 26 Oct 1944 Oct 1946; Fairfield-Suisun AAFld, Calif,
when, in spite of intense antiaircraft fire, I Jul 1947; Tinker AFB, Okla, 10 Nov
he attacked a Japanese convoy in the South 1949-5 Jan 1951. Forbes AFB, Kan, 10
China Sea; his plane was so badly damaged Oct 1951; Hunter AFB, Ga, 11 Apr-16
that when he reached land he ordered the Jun 1952.
crew to bail out; Carswell, however, re- COMMANDERS. Capt Harris K McCau-
mained with the plane to try to save one ley, 11 May 1942; Col Fay R Upthegrove,
man who could not jump because his para- 5 Jun 1942; Maj Leroy A Rainey, 15 Jul
chute had been ripped by flak; before 1942; Col Eugene H Beebe, 16 Sep 1942;
Carswell could attempt a crash landing, Col William P Fisher, c. 3 Nov 1943; Col
the plane struck a mountainside and John G Armstrong, 19 Oct 1944; Col Wil-
burned. The group moved to India in liam D Hopson, I Jul 1~5-unkn. Col
Jun 1945. Ferried gasoline and supplies Richard E Ellsworth, 17 Oct Igq6-unkn;
over the Hump. Sailed for the US in Dec Col Hervey H Whitfield, Apr 1949-unkn.
1945. Znativated on 6 Jan 1946. Col George L Newton Jr, 5 Nov 1951;
Redesignated 308th Reconnaissance Col Maurice A Preston, 10 May-16 Jun
Group (Weather). Activated on 17 Oct 1952.
1946. Assigned to Air Weather Service CAMPAIGNS.India-Burma; China De-
and equipped with B-29’s. Inactivated fensive; New Guinea; Western Pacific;
on 5 Jan 1951. China Offensive.
Redesignated 308th Bombardment DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Group (Medium). Activated on 10 Oct tions: China, 21 Aug 1943; East and South
1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Cum- China Seas, Straits of Formosa, and Gulf
mand and equipped with B-29 aircraft. of Tonkin, May 1944-28 Apr 1945.
Znactivated on 16 Jun 1952. INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, between a pale
SQUADRONS. 53d: 19461947. 59th: argent thereon three pallets gules, on the
19461947. 373d: 1942-1945; 1951-1952. dexter a star of twelve points white,
374th: 1942-1946; 1947-1950; 1951-1952. charged with an annulet azure; on the
375th: 1942-1946; 1951-1952. 425th: sinister a thundercloud proper with three
184 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
lightning flashes or; in chief per chevron, 20 Feb 1951. Ardmore AFB, Okla, 8 Jul
inverted and enhanced sable, three bombs 1959.
points downward or, between a semee of COMMANDERS. Maj Henry G Silleck,
fifteen stars argent. Motto: NON SIBI, 1942;Lt Col Flint Garrison Jr, 2 June 1942;
SED ALIIS-Not for Self, But for Others. Col William C Mills, 26 Jun 1942; Col
(Approved Aug 1952) John L Nedwed, 3 Aug 1942;Lt Col Mil-
ton E Lipps, 2 Feb-c. I May 1944. Col
309th BOMBARDMENT GROUP William c Bentley, 8 Jul 19557
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
Constituted as 309th Bombardment DECORATIONS. None.
Group (Medium) on 28 Jan 1942. A d - INSIGNE.None.
w e d on 15 Mar 1942. Assigned to Third
AF. Trained medium bombardment -3 loth BOMBARDMENT GROUP
groups and later trained replacement
crews, using B-25 aircraft in both the
operational and the replacement training
programs. Disbanded on I May 1944.
Reconstituted, redesignated 309th Troop ?
Carrier Group (Medium), and allotted to
the reserve, on 16May 1949. Activated on
26 Jun 1949. Znactivated on 20 Feb I ~ I .
Redesignated 309th T r o o p Carrier
Group (Assault, Fixed Wing). Activated
on 8 Jul 1955. Assigned to Tactical Air
Command. Using C-122 and C-123 air-
craft, the group trained to airlift troops,
equipment, and supplies for assault land-
ings.
SQUADRONS. 376th: 1942-1944; 1949-1951;
IBS-. 377th: 1942-1944; I949-1s0;
1955-. 378th: 1942-1944; 1955-. ~ 6 t h : Constituted as 310th Bombardment
1942-'g#. Group (Medium) on 28 Jan 1p42. A d -
STATIONS.Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, w e d on 15 Mar 1942. Used B-25's in
15 Mar 1942;Jackson AAB, Miss, 15 Mar preparing for duty overseas. Moved to the
1942; Key Field, Miss, c. 26 Apr 1942; Mediterranean theater, Oct-Dec rgp, and
Columbia AAB, SC, 16 May IWI May assigned to Twelfth AF. Engaged pri-
1944. Smyrna AFB, Tenn, 26 Jun 1949- marily in support and interdictory opera-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 185
white dove in flight to base carrying a Bhamo; and conducted patrol and rccon-
green and black olive branch in its beak, naissance missions to help protect transport
hand and dove outlined in black; in a row planes that flew the Hump route between
across the bottom of shield ten small white India and China. Moved to Burma in
stars; the shield and triangles bordered Jul 1944 and continued to support ground
with black, edged with white against the forces, including Merrill's Marauders; also
blue. (Approved 7 Jan 1954.) flew numerous sweeps over enemy airfields
in central and southern Burma. Moved to
311th FIGHTER GROUP China in Aug 1944and assigned to Four-
teenth AF. Escorted bombers, flew inter-
ception missions, struck the enemy's
communications, and supported ground
operations, serving in combat until the end
of the war. Ferried P-51's from India for
Chinese Air Force in Nov 1945. Returned
to the US in Dec 1945. Znactivated on 6
Jan 1946.
Redesignated IoIst Fighter Group. Al-
lotted to ANG (Maine) on 4 May 1946.
Extended federal recognition on 4 Apr
1947. Ordered to active service on I Feb
1951. Assigned to Air Defense Com-
mand. Redesignated IoIst Fighter-lnter-
ceptor Group in Feb 1951. Inactivated on
Constituted as -311th Bombardment 6 Feb 1952. Relieved from active service,
Group (Light) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated returned to ANG (Maine), and activated,
on 2 Mar 1942. Redesignated 311th Bom- on I Nov 1952. ANG allotment changed
bardment Group (Dive) in J u l ~ w311th
, in 1954 (withdrawn from Maine on 30
Fighter-Bomber Group in Sep 1943, and Apr and allotted to Vt on I Jun). Ex-
311th Fighter Group in May 1944. tended federal recognition on I Jun 1954.
Trained with V 7 2 aircraft. Moved to SQUADRONS. zj6th: 199-1952. 385th:
India, via Australia, Jul-Sep 1943. As- 1942-1943. 528th (formerly 382d, later
signed to Tenth AF. Operating from 132d) : 19,42-1946; 1951-1952. 52ph (for-
India and using A-36's and P-~I's, the merly 383d, later 133d) : 1942-1946; 1951-
group supported Allied ground forces in 1952. 530th (formerly 384th, later 134th) :
northern Burma; covered bombers that at- 1942-1946; IBI-1952.
tacked Rangoon, Insein, and other targets; STATIONS.Will Rogers Field, Okla, 2
bombed enemy airfields at Myitkyina and Mar 1942; Hunter Field, Ga, 4 Jul 1942;
AIR FORCE COMBAT U N I T M R O U P S 187
reserve. Activated on 30 Jul 1947. Zn- bomb argent, fire exhaust proper, and a
activated on 27 Jun 1949. branch of olive vert. (Approved 30 Nov
Redesignated 312th Fighter-Bomber 1956.)
Group. Activated on I Oct 1954. As-
signed to Tactical Air Command.
Equipped with F-84’s. Converted to F-
3 13th TROOP CARRIER GROUP
86‘s in 1955.
SQUADRONS.386th: 1942-1945; 1947
1949; I954-. 387th: 1942-1946; 1947-
1949; 1g54-. 388th: 1942-1946; 1947-1949;
1954-. 389th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949.
STATIONS.Bowman Field, Ky, 15 Mar
1942; Will Rogers Field, Okla, Jun 1942;
Hunter Field, Ga, Aug 1942; DeRidder
AAB, La, 20 Feb 1943;Rice AAFld, Calif,
13 Apr 1943; Salinas AAB, Calif, 15 Aug- Constituted as 313th Transport Group
24 Oct 1943; Gusap, New Guinea, c. I Jan on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 2 Mar 1942.
1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, Jun 1944; Redesignated 313th Troop Carrier Group
Tanauan, Leyte, 19Nov 1944;Mangaldan, in Jul 1942. Trained for overseas duty
Luzon, 10 Feb 1945; Floridablanca, Lu- with C-47’s and C-53’s. Moved to North
zon, 19 Apr 1945; Okinawa, 13 Aug-13 Africa, Apr-May 1943, and assigned to
Dec 1945;Vancouver, Wash, 3-6 Jan 1946. Twelfth AF. Trained for the invasion of
Ellington Field, Tex, 30 Jul 1947-27 Jun Sicily and entered combat on the night of
1949. Clovis AFB, NM, I Oct 1954-. g Jul 1943 by dropping paratroops near
COMMANDERS. Col Robert H Strauss, I Gela. Although attacked by ground and
Sep ~ g pLt ; Col Selmon W Wells, 10 Mar naval forces while carrying reinforcements
1945; Col Frank R Cook, c. 25 Aug 1945- to Sicily on the night of 11 Jul, the group
unkn. Lt Col Charles A Appel, 1954; Lt completed the mission and received a
Col John E Vogt,2 Feb 1955; Col Emmett DUC for the performance. Transported
S Davis, 8 Jul ~gyj-. supplies and evacuated wounded in the
CAMPAIGNS.American Theater; Air Mediterranean area until late in Aug when
Offensive, Japan; New Guinea; Western the group moved to Sicily for the invasion
Pacific; Leyte; Luzon. of Italy. Dropped paratroops of 82d Air-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- borne Division south of Salerno on the
tion: Formosa, 25 Mar-4 Apr 1945. Phil- night of 13 Sep 1943 and flew a reinforce-
ippine Presidential Unit Citation. ment mission the following night. Re-
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure an eagle volant sumed transport activities in the theater
or, carrying with his talons a futuramic until Feb 1944, and then joined Ninth AF
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 189
Nov 1948. Trained with C-47, C-82, and Tunisia, 26 Jun 1943; Castelvetrano, Sic-
GI19 aircraft. ily, 24 Aug 1943-13 Feb 1944; Saltby,
Moved to Japan, Aug-Sep 1950, and England, Feb 1944; Poix, France, Feb
attached to Far East Air Forces for duty 1945; Villacoublay, France, 15 Oct 1945-
in the Korean War. Operated primarily 15 Feb 1946; Bolling Field, DC, 15 Feb-
with C-119 aircraft. Transported troops Sep 1946; Albrook Field, CZ, I Oct 1946;
and supplies from Japan to Korea and Curundu Heights, CZ, 10 Mar-Oct 1948;
evacuated wounded personnel. Partici- Smyrna AFB, Tenn, 21 Oct 1g48-Aug
pated in two major airborne operations: 1950; Ashiya, Japan, Sep 1950-15 Nov
dropped paratroops and equipment over 1954; Sewart AFB, Tenn, 15 Nov 1954-.
Sunchon in Oct 1950 in support of the UN COMMANDERS.2d Lt L C Lillie, z Mar
assault om Pyongyang; dropped para- 1942; 2d Lt J W Blakeslee, 14 May 1942;
troops over Munsan-ni during the airborne Maj Leonard M Rohrbough, 26 Tun 1942;
attack across the 38th Parallel in Mar 1951. COl Clayton Stiles, g Apr 1943; Lt Col
Remained in Japan after the armistice to Halac G Wilson, 22 Aug 1945; Col Charles
transport supplies to Korea and evacuate W Steinmetz, 29 Nov 1945-c. Feb 1946;
prisoners of war. Col Richard W Henderson, 8 Oct 1948;
Transferred, without personnel and Col William H DeLacey, 27 Aug 1951;
equipment, to the US in Nov 1954. Col David E Daniel, 28 Sep 1951; Lt Col
Manned, and equipped with C-1x9's. Re- Harold L Sommers, I May 1952; Col Wil-
ceived an AFOUA for an airborne exer- liam H DeLacey, Nov 1g54-.
cise, Jan-Feb 1955, when the group trans- CAMPAIGNS. World War ZZ: American
ported elements of a regimental combat Theater; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-
team from Tennessee to Alaska, dropped Arno; Normandy; Northern France;
paratroops over the exercise area, and Rhineland; Central Europe. Korean
completed the return airlift. War: UN Defensive; UN Offensive; CCF
SQUADRONS. 20th: 19461949. 30th: Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive;
1942. 3ZSt: 1942. 32d: 1942-1945. CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall
50th: 1942-1946, I949-. 6zs.t: 1943-1945, Offensive ; Second Korean Winter ; Korea
I**. 62d: 1943-1946,194*. 3ozst: 1945- Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Win-
1946. 302d: 1945-1946. p z s t : 1945-1946, ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
1955-. 323d: 1945-1946. 334th: I 9 4 6 DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
1949. tions: Sicily, 11 Jul 1943; France, [67]
STATIONS. Drew Field, Fla, 2 Mar 1942; Jun 1944; Korea, 28 NOV-10 Dec 1950.
Bowman Field, Ky, 24 Jun 1942; Knob- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Cita-
noster, Mo, 4 Nov 1942; Lawson Field, tion: I Jul 1951-27 Jul 1953. Air Force
Ga, c. 20 Feb-4 May 1943; Berguent, Outstanding Unit Award: 11 Jan-14 Feb
French Morocco, May 1943; Kairouan, '9559
192 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
INSIGNE.ShieZd: Or, on clouds in fess, gliders. A detachment was sent to Al-
azure, two boots passant of the field, geria in May 1943, and although not par-
ornamented, gules. Motto: VIRI ticipating in the airborne phase of the
VENIENTE-Men Will Come. (Ap- invasions of Sicily and Italy, it did s u p
proved 17 Aug 1942. This insigne was port those operations by transporting sup-
replaced 17 Jun 1954.) plies in the theater. In Mar 1 9 4 the de-
tachment returned to England and re-
3 15th TROOP CARRIER GROUP joined the group, which had been assigned
to Ninth AF in Oct 1943. Prepared for
the invasion of the Continent, and dropped
paratroops near Cherbourg early on D-
Day in Jun 1944, receiving a DUC for its
action in the Normandy invasion.
Dropped paratroops of 82d Airborne Divi-
sion on 17 Sep 1944 when the Allies
launched the air attack on Holland; flew
reinforcement missions on succeeding
days, landing at Grave on 26 Sep to unload
paratroops and supplies. Released British
paratroops near Wesel during the airborne
assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Fol-
Constituted as 315th Transport Group lowing each airborne operation, the group
on 2 Feb 1942 and activated on 14 Feb. resumed transport activities, hauling cargo
Redesignated 315th Troop Carrier Group such as medical supplies, signal equipment,
in Jul 19q2. Trained for combat opera- rations, and gasoline, and evacuating
tions with G47’s and C-53’~. Departed wounded personnel. Moved to France in
the US, Oct-Nov 1942, for assignment to Apr 1945. Transported cargo and evacu-
Eighth AF in England. Encountering ated prisoners of war until after V-E Day.
bad weather while flying the North At- Moved to Trinidad in May 1945 and as-
lantic route, the air echelon was detained signed to Air Transport Command. Used
for about a month in Greenland, where (2-47’s to transport troops returning to the
it searched for missing aircraft along the US. Inactivated in Trinidad on 31 Jul
east coast and dropped supplies to crews. 1945
After the air and ground echelons were Activated in the US on 19 May 1947.
united in England in Dec, the group be- Apparently was not manned. Inactivated
gan ferrying cargo in the British Isles on 10 Sep 1948.
and training with airborne troops and Redesignated 315th Troop Carrier
Group (Medium). Activated in Japan on
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 193
10 Jun 1952. Assigned to Far East Air mandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Forces for operations in the Korean War. Central Europe. Korean WM: Korea
Used G 4 6 aircraft to participate in the air- Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Win-
lift between Japan and Korea. Trans- ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
ported cargo such as vegetables, clothing, DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
ordnance supplies, and mail; evacuated tion: France, [6] Jun 1944. Republic of
patients and other personnel. Remained Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [ 10 Jun
in the theater after the armistice and con- 19521-27 Jul 1953.
tinued to fly transport missions until 1955. INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a winged pack-
Inactivated in Japan on 18 Jan 1955. ing box bend sinisterwise or. Motto:
SQUADRONS.zgth: 1952-1955. 33d: ADVENIAM-I Will Arrive. ( A p
1942. 34th: 1942-1945; 1947-1948; 1952- proved 22 May 1942.)
1955. 35th: 1942. 43d: 194-1945;1947-
1948; 1952-1955. 54th: 1942. 309th: 316th TROOP CARRIER GROUP
1944-1945. 3~0th: 1944-1945. 344th:
1952-1955.
STATIONS.Olmsted Field, Pa, 14 Feb \
1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 17 Jun 1942; 1
I
,
over the assault area on the night of 9 Jul. nel and equipment, to Japan on 15 Nov
Carried reinforcements to Sicily on 11 Jul 1954. Assigned to Far East Air Forces,
and received a DUC for carrying out that manned, and equipped with GI 19’s.
mission although severely attacked by SQUADRONS. 16th: 1950-1954. j6th:
ground and naval forces. Received an- 1942-. 37th: I942-. 38th: 1942. #h:
other DUC for supporting aerial and 1942-1945. 45th: 1942-1945. 75th: 1945-
ground operations in Egypt, Libya, Tu- 1949,1952-. 77th: 19453946.
nisia, and Sicily, 25 Nov 1942-25Aug 1943, STATIONS.Patterson Field, Ohio, 14
by transporting reinforcements and sup- Feb 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 17 Jun
plies. Assigned to Twelfth AF and moved 1942;Lawson Field, Ga, 9 Aug 1942;Del
to Sicily to take part in the invasion of Valle, Tex, 29 Sep-12 Nov 1942;Deversoir,
Italy; dropped paratroops over the beach- Egypt, 23 Nov 1942;El Adem, Egypt, 10
head south of the Sele River on the night Dec 1942; Fayid, Egypt, Jan 1943;
of 14 Sep 1943. Transported cargo in the Nouvion, Algeria, 9 May 1943; Guercif,
theater until Feb 1944,then joined Ninth French Morocco, 29 May 1943; Enfida-
AF in England and prepared for the in- ville, Tunisia, 21 Jun 1943;Mazzara, Sicily,
vasion of France. Dropped paratroops 3 Sep 1943;Borizzo, Sicily, 18Oct 1943-12
near Ste-Mere-Eglise on D-Day 1944 and Feb 1944; Cottesmore, England, 15 Feb
flew a reinforcement mission on 7 Tun, re- 1g44-May 1945;Pope Field, NC, 25 May
ceiving a third DUC for these operations. 1945;Greenville AAB, SC, 25 Aug 1947;
During the air attack on Holland in Sep Smyrna AFB, Tenn, 4 Nov 194g-15Nov
1944, dropped paratroops and released 1954;Ashiya, Japan, 15 Nov 1954-.
gliders carrying reinforcements. Dropped COMMANDERS. Col Jerome B McCauley,
paratroops near Wesel on 24 Mar 1945 14 Feb 1942;Lt Col Burton R Fleet, 12
when the Allies made the airborne as- Aug 1943; Col Harvey A Berger, c. 13
sault across the Rhine. Also provided
May 1944;Lt Col Walter R Washburn, 2
transport services in Europe while not en-
Sep 1945;Lt Col Leonard C Fletcher, 17
gaged in airborne operations. Hauled
Sep 1945;Col Jerome B McCauley, 5 Oct
supplies such as ammunition, gasoline,
water, and rations; evacuated wounded 1945;Col Clarence J Galligan, 2 Feb 1946;
personnel to rear-zone hospitals. Lt Col Leroy M Stanton, 31 Sep 1946;Col
Returned to the US in May 1945. Clarence J Galligan, I Nov 1946;Col John
Trained with C-82 and G 1 1 9 aircraft. H Lackey Jr, c. Apr 1947;Col Edgar W
Redesignated 316th Troop Carrier Group Hampton, 20 Sep 1947;Col Norton H Van
(Medium) in Jun 1948,316thTroop Car- Sicklen 111, I Aug 1950;Maj Dwight E
rier Group (Heavy) in Oct 1949, and Maul, 31 Aug 1950;Maj Gordon F Blood,
316th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) 6 Sep 1950;Col Norton H Van Sicklen
in Tan IO~O.
I ,, Transferred. without Derson-
- > - . ~ 111,28 Dec 1950; Col William H DeLacey,
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 195
IJun 1952; Col Richard P Carr, Nov 1954; port reinforcements and supplies to Wau,
Col William C Lindley, 19 Mar 1955-. New Guinea, where enemy forces were
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Egypt- threatening a valuable Allied airdrome.
Libya ; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia ; Exchanged its new C-47’s for old G39’s,
Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern C-47’s, C-49)s, C-do’s, B-17’s, and LB-~o’s
France; Rhineland ; Central Europe. in New Guinea and began operating from
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- Australia, where the group had main-
tions: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Sicily, 25 Nov tained its headquarters, Flew troops and
1942-25 Aug 1943; Sicily, 11 Jul 1943; equipment to New Guinea, established
France, [67]Jun 1944. courier and passenger routes in Australia,
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, nine parachutes and trained with airborne troops.
argent, three, two, three, and one, all Equipped with C-47’s and moved to New
within a bordure per bend or and gules. Guinea in Sep 1943. Took part in the first
Motto: VALOR WITHOUT ARMS. airborne operation in the Southwest Pa-
(Approved 17 Aug 1951.) cific on 5 Sep, dropping paratroops at
Nadzab, New Guinea, to cut supply lines
3 17th TROOP CARRIER GROUP and seize enemy bases. Until Nov 1944,
transported men and cargo to Allied bases
on New Guinea, New Britain, Guadal-
canal, and in the Admiralty Islands. Also
dropped reinforcements and supplies to
US forces on Noemfoor, 3-4 Jul IN.
After moving to the Philippines in Nov
1944, transported supplies to ground forces
on Luzon, Leyte, and Mindoro, and sup
plied guerrillas on Mindanao, Cebu, and
Panay. Participated in two airborne o p
erations during Feb 1945: on 3 and 4 Feb
Constituted as 317th Transport Group dropped paratroops south of Manila to
on 2 Feb 1942 and activated on 22 Feb. seize highway routes to the city, and on
Redesignated 317th Troop Carrier Group 16 and 17 Feb dropped the 502d Regiment
in Jul 1942. Trained‘ with G47’s. on Corregidor to open Manila Bay to US
Moved to Australia, Dec 1g42-Jan 1943, shipping; received a DUC for the latter
and assigned to Fifth AF. Operated in operation, performed at low altitude over
New Guinea for a short time early in 1943. small drop zones in a heavily defended
Received a DUC for making numerous area. Completed two unusual missions
flights in unarmed planes over the Owen on 12 and 15 Apr 1945 when this troop
Stanley Range, 30 Jan-1 Feb 1943, to trans- carrier organization bombed Carabao
196 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Island with drums of napalm. Dropped 1945; Kimpo, Korea, 31 Oct 1945; Tachi-
part of 511th Regiment near Aparri on 23 kawa, Japan, c. 15 Jan 1g46-c. 21 Sep 1948;
Jun 1945 to split Japanese forces in the Wiesbaden AB, Germany, c. 30 Sep 1948;
Cagayen Valley and prevent a retreat to Celle RAF Station, Germany, 15 Dec
the hills in northern Luzon. Remained 1948-14 Sep 1949. Rhein-Main AB, Ger-
in the theater as part of Far East Air many, 14 Jul 1952; Neubiberg AB, Ger-
Forces after the war; used C-46 and C-47 many, 21 Mar 1g53-.
aircraft, the latter being replaced in 1947 COMMANDERS. Col Samuel V Payne, 22
with C-54's. Flew courier and passenger Feb 1942; Col Robert L Olinger, 21 Jun
routes to Japan, Guam, Korea, and the 1944; Col John H Lackey Jr, 2 Oct 1944;
Philippines, and transported freight and Lt Col Robert I Choate, 31 Aug 1945; Col
personnel in the area. Redesignated 317th Dwight B Schannep, Oct 1945-unkn; Col
Troop Carrier Group (Heavy) in May Marshall S Roth, Jan 1946; Col Othel R
1948. Moved, via the US, to Germany in Deering, Jan 1947; Col Thomas K Hamp-
Sep 1948 and became part of United States ton, 19 May 1948; Lt Col James M John-
Air Forces in Europe for service in the son, 18 Aug 1948; Col Bertram C Harrison,
Berlin airlift. Used C-54's to transport
Oct 1948; Lt Col James M Johnson, 24
coal, food, and other supplies to the block-
Nov 1948; Lt Col Walter E Chambers, 11
aded city. Znactivated in Germany on 14
Mar 1949; Lt Col Robert J DuVal, 13
SeP 1949.
Redesignated 317th Troop Carrier Jun INg-unkn. Col Lucion N Powell,
Group (Medium). Activated in Germany 14 Jul 1952; Lt Col James E Bauley, I
on 14 Jul 1952. Assigned to United States Mar 1954; Col Harry M Pike, May 1g54-.
Air Forces in Europe and equipped with CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan ;New
C-119's. Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck
SQUADRONS. 39th: 1942-1949; I952-. Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte;
40th: 1942-1949; I952-. 4ZS$: I942-1949; Luzon.
I952-. 46th: 1942-1949. DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
STATIONS.Duncan Field, Tex, 22 Feb tions: New Guinea, 30 Jan-1 Feb 1943;
1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 19 Tun 1942; Philippine Islands, 16-17 Feb 1945. Philip-
Lawson Field, Ga, 11 Oct 1942; Maxton, pine Presidential Unit Citation.
NC, 3-12 Dec 1942; Townsville, Australia, INSIGNE.Shield: Or issuant from chief
23 Jan 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, a dexter arm, fist clenched inflamed prop-
c. 30 Sep 1943; Finschhafen, New Guinea, er, in base a fire of seven tongues of the
Apr 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, Jun last, on a chief nebuly azure, three piles of
1944; Leyte, 17 Nov 1944; Clark Field, the first. Motto: I GAIN BY HAZARD.
Luzon, c. 17 Mar 1945; Okinawa, zq Aug (Approved 22 Dec 1942.)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 197
=
318th FIGHTER GROUP US, Dec 1~5-Jan1946. Znactiuated on 12
Jan 1946.
Redesignated 102d Fighter Group. Al-
lotted to ANG (Mass) on 24 May 1946.
Extended federal recognition on u Oct
1946. Redesignated 102d Fighter-Inter-
ceptoj Group in Aug 1952.
SQUADRONS. 19th: 1943-1946. Mh:
1942-1943. 72d: 1942-1944. 73d: 19q2-
1 1946. 333d: 1943-1946.
STATIONS.Hickam Field, TH, 15 Oct
1942; Bellows Field, TH, g Feb 1943;
Saipan, Jun 1944; Ie Shim, c. 30 Apr 1945;
Okinawa, Nov-Dec 1945;Ft Lewis, Wash,
11-12 Jan 1946.
COMMANDERS. Col Lorry N Tindal, 20
Oct 1942; Lt Col Charles B Stewart, 3 Mar
Constituted as 318th Pursuit Group (In- I943; cO1 Lewis M Sanders,21 Aug I943;
terceptor) on 2 Feb 1942. Redesignated Lt c O 1 Harry c McAfee, 31 JUl 1945; Maj
318th Fighter Group in May 1942. A& Kramer, 5 Oct 1945; Maj Burton
vated in Hawaii on 15 Oct 1942. Assigned M Woodward, 22 Oct 1945-unkn.
to Seven& AF. Trained and flew patrols, CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan;
using P-39, P-40, and P-47 aircraft. Moved Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific;
to the Marianas in Jun 1944. Supported Ryukyus; China Offensive.
ground forces on Saipan, Tinian, and DECORATIONS. None.
Guam; attacked enemy airfields; flew pro- INSIGNE. Shield: The upper part blue,
tective patrols Over US bases; and, using with One small aircraft gray with white
some P-38's acquired in Nov 194, flew trail; the center part a portion of the globe
missions to the Volcano and Truk Islands showing the Northeastern Portion of the
to escort bombers and to attack Japanese Western in Peenand light
bases. Moved to h e Ryukyu Islands in blue with the North Pole in white and
Apr 1945. Used P-47's to bomb and strafe across it the front Part of a gray aircraft
airfields, railroad bridges, and industrial with white outline and cockpit, firing
plants in Japan, escort bombers to China, three black rockets, tail flashes red, trails
and provide air defense for US bases in the white, all headed toward upper right; in
Ryukyus. Assigned to Eighth AF in Aug lower part on a bank of white clouds two
1945, shortly after V-J Day. Moved to the small black aircraft climbing vertically, all
198 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
within a red border. Motto: OMNIS VIR capital. Received another DUC for strik-
TIGRIS-Every Man a Tiger. (Approved ing marshalling yards in Florence on 11
11 Jan 1954.) Mar 1944 to disrupt rail communications
between that city and Rome. Received
319th BOMBARDMENT GROUP the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for
action in preparation for and in support
Constituted as 319th Bombardment of the Allied offensive in Italy, APr-JU
Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and. 1944- From Jul to Dec 1944, bombed
activated on 26 Jun. Trained with B-26's. bridges in the Po Valley, supported the
Moved via England to the Mediterranean invasion of Southern France, hit targets
theater, Aug-Nov 1942,with part of the in northern Italy, and flew some missions
group landing at Arzeu beach during the to Yugoslavia, converting in the mean-
invasion of North Africa on 8 Nov. time, in Nov, to B-25 aircraft. Returned
Operated with Twelfth AF until Jan 1945, to the US in Jan 1945. Redesignated
except for a brief assignment to Fifteenth, 319th Bombardment Group (Light) in
Nov 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat in Feb. Trained with A-26 aircraft. Moved
Nov 1942, attacking airdromes, harbors, to Okinawa, Apr-Jul 1945,and assigned
rail facilities, and other targets in Tunisia to Seventh AF. Flew missions to Japan
until Feb 1943. Also struck enemy and China, attacking airdromes, shipping,
shipping to prevent supplies and reinforce- marshalling yards, industrial centers, and
ments from reaching the enemy in North other objectives. Returned to the US,
Africa. After a period of reorganization Nov-Dec 1945. Inactivated on 18 Dec
and training, Feb-Jun 1943,the group re-
1945.
sumed combat and participated in the Allotted to the reserve. Activated on
reduction of Pantelleria and the campaign 27 Dec 1946. Inactivated on 2 Sep 1949.
for Sicily. Directed most of its attacks
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on
against targets in Italy after the fall of
10 Oct 1949. Ordered to active duty on
Sicily in Aug 1943. Hit bridges, air-
10 Mar 1951. Inactivated on 22 Mar 1951.
dromes, marshalling yards, viaducts, gun
sites, defense positions, and other objec- Redesignated 319th Fighter-Bomber
tives. Supported forces at Salerno in Sep Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated
1943 and at Anzio and Cassino during on 18 May 1955.
Jan-Mar 1944. Carried out interdictory SQUADRONS. 46th: 1947-1949; 1949-
operations in central Italy to aid the ad- 19.51; 1955-. 50th: 1947-1949; 1949-1951.
vance to Rome, being awarded a DUC for 5ZSt: 1947-1949; Ip49-1951. 59th: 1947-
a mission on 3 Mar 1944when the group, 1949; 1949-1951- 437th: 1942-1945.
carefully avoiding religious and cultural 438th: 1942-1945. 439th: 1942-1945.
monuments, bombed rail facilities in the 440th: 1942-1945.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 199
STATIONS.Barksdale Field, La, 26 Jun Guerre with Palm: Apr, May, and Jun
1942; Harding Field, La, 8-27 Aug 1942; 1944.
Shipdham, England, 12 Sep 1942; Hors- INSIGNE.None.
ham St Faith, England, c. 4 Oct 1942; St-
Leu, Algeria, c. 11 Nov 1942; Tafaraoui, 320th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
Algeria, 18 Nov 1942; Maison Blanche,
Algeria, q Nov 1942; Telergma, Algeria,
c. 12 Dec 1942; Oujda, French Morocco,
3 Mar 1943; Rabat Sale, French Morocco,
25 Apr 1943; Sedrata, Algeria, I Jun 1943;
Djedeida, Tunisia, 26 Jun 1943; Sardinia,
c. I Nov 1943; Corsica, c. 21 Sep 1944-1
Jan 1945; Bradley Field, Conn, 25 Jan
1945; Columbia AAB, SC, c. 28 Feb-27
Apr 1945; Kadena, Okinawa, c. 2 Jul1945;
Machinato, Okinawa, 21 Jul-21 Nov 1945;
Ft Lewis, Wash, 17-18 Dec 1945. Mitchel Constituted as 320th Bombardment
Field, NY, 27 Dec 1946; Reading Mun Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and
Aprt, Pa, 27 Jun-2 Sep 1949. Birming- activated on 23 Jun. Trained with B-26
ham Mun Aprt, Ala, 10 Oct 1949-22 Mar aircraft. Most of the group moved to
1951. Memphis Mun Aprt, Tenn, 18 May North Africa via England, Aug-Dec 1942;
1955-. crews flew their planes over the South
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Alvord Ruther- Atlantic route and arrived in North Afri-
ford, 26 Jun 1942; Lt Col-Sam W Agee ca, Dec 1g42-Jan 1943. Began combat
Jr, 27 Nov 1942; Maj Joseph A Cunning- with Twelfth AF in Apr 1943 and oper-
ham, 5 Dec 1942;Lt Col Wilbur W Aring, ated from bases in Algeria, Tunisia, Sar-
c. 11 Jan 1943; Col Gordon H Austin, 6 dinia, and Corsica until Nov 1944. During
Jul 1943;Col Joseph R Holzapple, 13 Aug the period Apr-Jul 1943, flew missions
1943-1945. against enemy shipping in the approaches
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea- to Tunisia, attacked installations in Sar-
ter; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sic- dinia, participated in the reduction of Pan-
ily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; telleria, and supported the invasion of
Southern France; North Apennines; Air Sicily. Then bombed marshalling yards,
Offensive, Japan ; Ryukyus ; China Off en- bridges, airdromes, road junctions, via-
sive. ducts, harbors, fuel dumps, defense posi-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- tions, and other targets in Italy. Support-
tions: Rome, Italy, 3 Mar 1944; Florence, ed forces at Salerno and knocked out tar-
Italy, 11 Mar 1944. French Croix de gets to aid the seizure of Naples and the
200 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
gules, speed lines sinisterward of the sec- Rome during Jan-Jun 1944, the invasion
ond. Motto: FOREVER BATTLING. of Southern France in Aug 1944, and the
(Approved 3 Mar 1943. This insigne was Allied operations in northern Italy from
replaced 22 Jan 1953.) Sep 1944 to Apr 1945. Received two
DUC's: for completing a raid on an air-
321st BOMBARDMENT GROUP drome near Athens, 8 Oct 1943, in spite
of intense flak and attacks by numerous
enemy interceptors; and for bombing a
battleship, a cruiser, and a submarine in
Toulon harbor on 18 Aug 1944 to assist
the Allied invasion of Southern France.
Znactivated in Italy on 12 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 321st Bombardment
Group (Light). Allotted to the reserve.
Activated in the US on 29 Jun 1947. Inac-
tivated on 27 Jun 1949.
SQUADRONS. #5th: 1942-1945; 1947-
Constituted as 321st Bombardment 1949. 446th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949-
Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942 and 447th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 448th:
activated on 26 Jun. Prepared for over- 1942-1945 ; 1947-1949.
seas duty with B-25's. Moved to the STATIONS.Barksdale Field, La, 26 Jun
Mediterranean theater, Jan-Mar 1943, and 1942; Columbia AAB, SC, c. I Aug 1942;
assigned to Twelfth AF. Engaged pri- Walterboro, SC, Sep 1942; DeRidder
marily in support and interdictory opera- AAB, La, c. I Dec 1942-21 Jan 1943; Ain
tions, bombing marshalling yards, rail M'lila, Algeria, 12 Mar 1943; Souk-el-
lines, highways, bridges, viaducts, troop Arba, Tunisia, c. I Tun 1943; Soliman,
concentrations, gun emplacements, ship- Tunisia, 8 Aug 1943; Grottaglie, Italy, 3
ping, harbors, and other objectives in Oct 1943;Amendola, Italy, c. 20 Nov 1943;
North Africa, France, Sicily, Italy, Bul- Vincenzo Airfield, Italy, 14 Jan 1944;
garia, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Sometimes Gaudo Airfield, Italy, Feb 1944; Corsica,
dropped propaganda leaflets behind 23 Apr 1944; Falconara, Italy, c. I Apr
enemy lines. Took part in the Allied 1945; Pomigliano, Italy, c. Sep12 Sep
operations against Axis forces in North 1945. Mansfield, Ohio, 29 Jun 1947-27 Jun
Africa during Mar-May 1943, the reduc- 1949.
tion of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in Jun, COMMANDERS. Unkn, Jun-Aug 1942;
the invasion of Sicily in Jul, the landing at Col William C Mills, 3 Aug 1942; Col
Salerno in Sep, the Allied advance toward Robert D Knapp, Sep 1942; Lt Col Charles
202 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
T Olmsted, 5 Dec 1943; Lt Col Peter H France, and Belgium. Began combat on
Remington, 18 Mar 1944; Col Richard H 14 May when it dispatched 12 planes for
Smith, 26 Mar 1944; Lt Col Charles F a minimum-level attack on a power plant
Cassidy Jr, 28 Jan 1945-unkn. in Holland. Sent 11 planes on a similar
CAMPAIGNS.Air Combat, EAME mission three days later: one returned
Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; early; the others, with 60 crewmen, were
Rome-Amo; Southern France; North lost to flak and interceptors. Trained for
Apennines; Central Europe; Po Valley. medium-altitude operations for several
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- weeks and resumed combat on 17 Jul 1943.
tions: Athens, Greece, 8 Oct 1943; France, Received a DUC for the period 14 May
18 Aug 1944. 1943-24 Jul 1944, during which its combat
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, six drop bombs, performance helped to prove the effective-
three, two, and one or. Motto: PERSE- ness of the medium bombers. Enemy air-
VERANCE, VISION, AND DUTY. fields in France, Belgium, and Holland
(Approved 7 Nov 1942. This insigne was provided the principal targets from Jul
replaced 30 Aug 1954.) 1943 through Feb 1944, but the group also
attacked power stations, shipyards, con-
322d BOMBARDMENT GROUP struction works, marshalling yards, and
other targets. Beginning in Mar the 322d
bombed railroad and highway bridges, oil
tanks, and missile sites in preparation for
the invasion of Normandy; on 6 Jun 1944
it hit coastal defenses and gun batteries;
afterward, during the Normandy cam-
paign, it pounded fuel and ammunition
dumps, bridges, and road junctions. Sup-
ported the Allied offensive at Caen and
the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Aided
the drive of Third Army across France in
Constituted as p2d Bombardment
Aug and Sep. Bombed bridges, road junc-
Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942. Acti- tions, defended villages, and ordnance
vated on 17 Jul 1942. Trained with B-26
depots in the assault on the Siegfried Line,
aircraft. Part of the group moved over-
Oct-Dec 1944. Flew a number of missions
seas, Nov-Dec 1942; planes and crews fol-
against railroad bridges during the Battle
lowed, Mar-Apr 1943. Operated with
of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Then
Eighth AF until assignment to Ninth in
concentrated on communications, mar-
Oct 1943. Served in combat, May 1943- shalling yards, bridges, and fuel dumps
Apr 1945, operating from England, until its last mission on q Apr 1945.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 203
ing Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Helped 1955-- 455th: 1942-1945; 1949-1951 ;
to prepare for the invasion of Normandy I955-. 456th: 1942-1945; 1947-1951.
by bombing coastal defenses, marshalling STATIONS.Columbia AAB, SC, 4 Aug
yards, and airfields in France; struck roads 1942; MacDill Field, Fla, 21 Aug 1942;
and coastal batteries on 6 Tun 1944. Par- Myrtle Beach Bombing Range, SC, 2 Nov
ticipated in the aerial barrage that assisted 1942-25 Apr 1943; Horham, England, 12
the breakthrough at St LA in Jul. Flew May 1943; Earls Colne, England, 14 Jun
its first night mission after moving to the 1943; Beaulieu, England, 21 Jul 1944;
Continent in Aug, striking enemy batteries Lessay, France, 26 Aug 1944; Chartres,
in the region of St Malo. Carried out other France, 21 Sep 1944; Laon/Athies, France,
night missions during the month to hit 13 Oct 1944; Denain/Prouvy, France, g
fuel and ammunition dumps. Eliminated Feb 1945; Gablingen, Germany, 15 May
strong points at Brest early in Sep and 1945; Landsberg, Germany, 16 Jul 1945;
then shifted operations to eastern France Clastres, France, Oct-Dec 1945; Camp
to support advances against the Siegfried Myles Standish, Mass, 11-12 Dec 1945.
Line. Received a DUC for actions (24-27 Tinker Field, Okla, 9 Sep 1947-17 Mar
Dec 1944) during the Battle of the Bulge 1951. Bunker Hill AFB, Ind, 8 Aug
when the group effectively hit transparta- 19.55-*
tion installations used by the enemy to COMMANDERS. Col Herbert B Thatcher,
bring reinforcements to the Ardennes. Sep 1942; Col Wilson R Wood, c. 13 Nov
Flew interdictory missions into the Ruhr 1943; Col Rollin M Winingham, 14 Feb
and supported the drive into Germany by 1945; Lt Col George 0 Commenator,
attacking enemy communications. Ended Aug 1945-unkn. Col John C Haygood,
combat in Apr 1945 and moved to Ger- 1955-.
many in May to participate in the dis- CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
armament program. Returned to the US Normandy ; Northern France; Rhine-
in Dec. Inactivated on 12 Dec 1945. land; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Redesignated 323d Bombardment Group DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
(Light). Allotted to the reserve. Acti- tion: Belgium and Germany, 24-27 Dec
va.ted on 9 Sep 1947. Ordered to active 1944.
duty on 10 Mar 1951. Inactivated on 17 INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend gules and
Mar 1951. azure, a bend between a mailed dexter
Redesignated 323d Fighter-Bomber gauntlet grasping a dagger and the winged
Group. Activated on 8 Aug 1955. As- hat of Mercury argent. Motto: VINCA-
signed to Tactical Air Command. MUS SINE TIMORIS-Without Fear
SQUADRONS. 453d: 1942-1945; 194y We Conquer. (Approved 16 Feb 1943.
1951; 1955-* 454th: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; This insigne was replaced 21 Jun 1957.)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 205
k
tacked troops massing on the hill for a
counterattack, and hit a nearby stronghold
to force the surrender of an enemy garri-
son. Continued to give close support to
vy ground forces until the fall of Rome in Jun
1944. Converted to P-47’s in Jul and sup-
ported the assault on southern France in
Aug by dive-bombing gun positions,
bridges, and radar facilities, and by patrol-
. .Jf
ling the combat zone. Attacked such
Constituted as 324th Fighter Group on targets as motor transports, rolling stock,
24 Jun 1942. Activated on 6 Jul 1942. rail lines, troops, bridges, gun emplace-
Moved to the Middle East, Oct-Dec 1942, ments, and supply depots after the inva-
for operations with Ninth AF. Trained sion, giving tactical support to Allied
for several weeks with P-40 aircraft. forces advancing through France. Aided
While headquarters remained in Egypt, the reduction of the Colmar bridgehead,
squadrons of the group began operating Jan-Feb 1945, and supported Seventh
with other organizations against the Army’s drive through the Siegfried de-
enemy in Tunisia. Reunited in Jun 1943, fenses in Mar. Received the French Croix
the 324th group engaged primarily in es- de Guerre with Palm for supporting
cort and patrol missions between Tunisia French forces during the campaigns for
and Sicily until Jul1943. Received a DUC Italy and France, 1944-1945. Moved to
for action against the enemy from Mar the US, Oct-Nov 1945. Inactivated on 7
1943 to the invasion of Sicily. Trained Nov 1945.
during Jul-Oct 1943 for operations with Redesignated 103d Fighter Group. Al-
Twelfth AF. Resumed combat on 30 Oct lotted to ANG (Conn) on 24 May 1946.
1943 and directed most of its attacks Extended federal recognition on 7 Aug
against roads, bridges, motor transports, 1946. Ordered to active duty on I Mar
supply areas, rolling stock, gun positions, 1951. Assigned to Air Defense Com-
troop concentrations, and rail facilities in mand. Redesignated 103d Fighter-Inter-
Italy until Aug 1944. Patrolled the beach ceptor Group in Mar 1951. Used F-47
206 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
using diversionary tactics, forced a su- 61’s in 1947, F-82’s in 1948, and F-94’~
perior number of enemy planes into the in 1950. Znactivuted on 6 Feb 1952.
air and destroyed more than half of them. Redesignaed 325th Fighter Group (Air
Flew no combat missions from the end of Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955.
Sep to mid-Dec 1943, a period in which Assigned to Air Defense Command and
the group changed aircraft and moved to equipped with F-86 aircraft.
Italy. Began operations with Fifteenth SQUADRONS. 317th: 1942-1945; 1947-
AF on 14 Dec, and afterward engaged 1952; I955-. 318th: 1942-1945; 1947-
primarily in escort operations, using P-47’s 1952; I955-. 319th: 1942-1945; 1947-1952.
until they were replaced by P-51’s in May STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, 3 Aug
1944. Escorted heavy bombers during 1942; Hillsgrove, RI, c. 31 Aug 1942-23
long-range missions to attack the Messer- Jan 1943; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 28 Feb 1943;
schmitt factory at Regensburg, the Daim- Montesquieu, Algeria, 5 Apr 1943; Souk-
ler-Benz tank factory at Berlin, oil re- el-Khemis, Tunisia, 3 Jun 1943; Mateur,
fineries at Vienna, and other targets, such Tunisia, 19 Jun 1943; Soliman, Tunisia,
as airfields, marshalling yards, and com- 4 Nov 1943; Foggia, Italy, 11 Dec 1943;
munications in Italy, France, Germany, Lesina, Italy, 29 Mar 1944; Rimini, Italy,
Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Ru- c. 5 Mar 1945; Mondolfo, Italy, Apr 1945;
mania, and Yugoslavia. Also covered op- Vincenzo Airfield, Italy, Ju1-g Oct 1945;
erations of reconnaissance aircraft and Camp Kilmer, NJ, 26-28 Oct 1945. Mit-
strafed such targets as trains, vehicles, and chel Field, NY, 21 May 1947; Hamilton
airfields. Received second DUC for a Field, Calif, 2 Dec 1947; Moses Lake AFB,
mission on 30 Jan 1944 when the group Wash, 26 Nov 1948; McChord AFB,
flew more than 300 miles at very low Wash, 23 Apr 1950-6 Feb 1952. McChord
altitude to surprise the enemy fighters that
AFB, Wash, 18 Aug 1g55-.
were defending German airdromes near
COMMANDERS. Maj Leonard C Lydon,
Villaorba; by severely damaging the
enemy’s force, the 325th group enabled 3 Aug 1942; Lt Col Gordon H Austin, 10
heavy bombers to strike vital targets in the Dec 1942; Lt Col Robert L Baseler, 5 Jul
area without encountering serious opposi- 1943; Col Chester L Sluder, I Apr 1944;
tion. Continued combat operations until Lt Col Ernest H Beverly, 11 Sep 1944; Col
May 1945. Returned to the US in Oct. Felix L Vidal, 2 Mar 1945; Lt Col Wyatt
Inactivated on 28 Oct 1945. P Exum, 6 Jun 1945; Lt Col Wilhelm C
Activated on 21 May 1947. Organized Freudenthal, c. 30 Aug 1945-unkn. Unkn,
as an all-weather fighter group. Redesig- May-Dec 1947; Lt Col Gordon D Tim-
nated 325th Fighter Group (All Weather) mons, 2 Dec 1947; Col Harold E Kofahl,
in May 1498, and 325th Fighter-Interceptor c. Jan 1948; Lt Col Walter C Hearne,
Group in May 1951. Equipped with P- 1948; Lt Col Kermit A Tyler, 6 Mar 1950;
208 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Col George W Prentice, 27 Mar 1950- pilots for combat duty in P-47’s. Dis-
unkn; Col Raymond K Gallagher, 1951- banded on 10Apr 1944.
c. Feb 1952. Unkn, 1955-. Reconstituted and redesignated 326th
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea- Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 20 Jun
ter; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia; Sic- 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. A s
ily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; signed to Air D e f e n s e Command.
Normandy; Northern France; Southern Equipped with F-86‘~.
France; North Apennines; Rhineland; SQUADRONS. 320th: 1942-1943. jzzst:
Central Europe; Po Valley. 1942-1944; 1g55-. 322d: 1942-1944. +pd:
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita. 1943. 538tli: 1943-1944. 539th: 1943-
tions: Sardinia, 30 Jul 1943; Italy, 30 Jan 1944.
1944. STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, 19 Aug
INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess, sable and 1942; Bradley Field, Conn, I Sep 1942;
azure, a fess arched, argent, upper line Westover Field, Mass, I Nov 1942; Sey-
nebuly, over all a lightning flash or, issu- mour Johnson Field, NC, 13 Oct 1943-10
ing from dexter chief. Motto: LOCARE Apr 1944. Paine AFB, Wash, 18 Aug
E T LIQUIDARE-Locate and Liquidate. 1955-.
(Approved I Oct 1951.) COMMANDERS. Lt Col Gilbert L Meyers,
c. 24 Aug 1942; Lt Col William S Steele,
c. 14 Jun 1943-10 Apr 1944. Col Ira F
326th FIGHTER GROUP Wintermute, 1g55-.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a cockatrice
volant or crested and beaked gules.
Motto: FORTITER E T SINCERE-
Boldly and Sincerely. (Approved 31 Dec
19424
r
7
by P-47's. In 1944 began training replace- \ *i
ment pilots for combat duty. Disbanded -_ -;* , F - L , u ~ o ~ l > ,
FA:,T
z-
1944 to Apr 1945, being engaged primarily erts, 3 Nov 1944; Col Benjamin 0 Davis
in protecting bombers that struck such ob- Jr, 24 Dec 1944; Maj George S Roberts,
jectives as oil refineries, factories, airfields, 9 Jun 1945-unkn. Unkn, I Jul-28 Aug
and marshalling yards in Italy, France, 1947; Maj William A Campbell, 28 Aug
Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Aus- 1947-1 Jul 1949.
tria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania, CAMPAIGNS.American Theater; Air
Bulgaria, and Greece. Also made strafing Combat, EAME Theater; Rome-Arno;
attacks on airdromes, railroads, highways, Normandy; Northern France; Southern
bridges, river traffic, troop concentrations, France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
radar facilities, power stations, and other Central Europe; Po Valley.
targets. Received a DUC for a mission on DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
24 Mar 1945 when the group escorted tion: Germany, q Mar 1945.
B-17’s during a raid on a tank factory at INSIGNE.Shield: Azure on a fess nebule
Berlin, fought the interceptors that at- or, a panther passant sable armed and
tacked the formation, and strafed trans- incensed gules. Motto: SPIT FIRE. (Ap-
portation facilities while flying back to the proved 15 Jan 1943.)
base in Italy. Returned to the US in Oct
1945. Znactivated on 19 Oct 1945.
Activated on I Jul1947. .Equipped with 333d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
P-47’s. Znactivated on I Jul 1949. Constituted as 333d Bombardment
SQUADRONS. 99th: 1944-1945 ; 1947- Group (Heavy) on 9 Jul1942 and activated
1949. Z O O t h : 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 3OZSt:
on 15 Jul. Assigned to Second AF and
1942-1945; 1947-1949- 3 0 d : 1942-1945. equipped with B-17’s. Served first as an
STATIONS.Tuskegee, Ala, 13 Oct 1942;
operational training and later as a re-
Selfridge Field, Mich, 29 Mar 1943;
Oscoda, Mich, 12 Apr- 1943; Selfridge placement training unit. Znactivated on I
Field, Mich, 9 Jul-22 Dec 1943; Monte- APr 1944.
corvino, Italy, 3 Feb 1944; Capodichino, Redesignated 333d Bombardment
Italy, 15 Apr 1944; Ramitelli Airfield, Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 7 Jul
Italy, 28 May 1944; Cattolica, Italy, c. 4 1944. Assigned to Second AF. Trained
May 1945; Lucera, Italy, c. 18 Jul-Sep for combat with B-29 aircraft. Moved to
1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 17-19 Oct 1945. the Pacific theater, Jun-Aug 1945, and as-
Lockbourne AAB, Ohio, I Jul 1947-1 Jul signed to Eighth AF. AAF operations
1949. against Japan terminated before the group
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Sam W West- could enter combat. For a time after the
brook Jr, 19 Oct 1942; Col Robert R Sel- war the group ferried Allied prisoners of
way Jr, 16 May 1943; Col Benjamin 0 war from Japan to the Philippine Islands.
Davis Jr, 8 Oct 1943; Maj George S R o b Inactivated on Okinawa on 28 May 1946.
214 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Eighth Army in Tunisia and Allied forces zio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North
in Sicily. Received second DUC for the Apennines; Central Europe; Po Valley.
destruction of a cruiser in the heavily DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
defended harbor of La Spezia on 23 Sep tions: North Africa and Sicily, [Apr]-17
1944 before the ship could be used by the Aug 1943; Italy, 23 Sep 1944.
enemy to block the harbor's entrance. Re- INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess nebuly, azure
turned to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Inac- and argent, in chief two cloud formations
tivated on 7 Nov 1945. proper, one issuing from the dexter and
Redesignated 340th Bombardment one issuing from the sinister, in base three
Group (Light). Allotted to the reserve. stars of five points, of the first, two and
Activated on 31 Oct 1947. Inactivated on one, all surmounted in fess, with an ear
I9 Aug 1949. of wheat proper and a lightning flash,
SQUADRONS. 486th: 1942-1945; 1947- gules in saltire, an edge around the shield
1949. 487th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949- sable. Motto: ANYWHERE-ANY-
488th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. 489th: 1942- TIME. (Approved 12 Sep 1955.)
I945 ; 1947-1949-
STATIONS.Columbia AAB, SC, 20 Aug
341st BOMBARDMENT GROUF
1942; Walterboro, SC, 30 Nov 1942-30 Jan
1943; El Kabrit, Egypt, Mar 1943; Me-
denine, Tunisia, Mar 1943; Sfax, Tunisia,
Apr 1943; Hergla, Tunisia, 2 Jun 1943;
Comiso, Sicily, c. 2 Aug 1943; Catania,
Sicily, 27 Aug 1943; San Pancrazio, Italy,
c. 15 Oct 1943; Foggia, Italy, 19 Nov 1943;
Pompeii, Italy, c. 2 Jan 1944; Paestum,
Italy, 23 Mar 1944; Corsica, c. 14 Apr 1944;
Rimini, Italy, c. 2 Apr-27 Jul 1945; Sey-
mour Johnson Field, NC, g Aug 1945; Co-
lumbia AAB, SC, 2 Oct-7 Nov 1945.
Tulsa Mun Aprt, Okla, 31 Oct 194719
Aug 1949-
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Adolph E Tokaz, Constituted as 341st Bombardment
3 Sep 1942; Col William C Mills, 21 Sep Group (Medium) on 14 Aug 1942. Acti-
1942; Lt Col Adolph E Tokaz, 7 May 1943; vated in India on 15 Sep 1942. Equipped
Col Charles D Jones, 8 Jan 1944; Col Willis with B-25's. Entered combat early in
F Chapman, 16 Mar 19447 Nov 1945. 1943 and operated chiefly against enemy
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea- transportation in central Burma until 1944.
ter; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; An- Bombed bridges, locomotives, railroad
220 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
yards, and other targets to delay move- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
ment of supplies to the Japanese troops tion: French Indochina, 11 Dec 1944-12
fighting in northern Burma. Moved to Mar 1945.
China in Jan 1944. Engaged primarily in INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess nebuly azure
sea sweeps and attacks against inland and argent a semee of stars in chief of the
shipping. Also bombed and strafed such last, over all in pale a sheathed sword
targets as trains, harbors, and railroads proper (white, silver gray shading and
in French Indochina and the Canton- deep gray outlines), the rim of the sheath
Hong Kong area of China. Received a and winged hilt and pommel or (outlines
DUC for developing and using a special and detail deep gray) ; the blade entwined
(glip) bombing technique against enemy with a girdle of the last; the sword point
bridges in French Indochina. Moved to downward between two bolts of lightning
the US in Oct 1945. Znactivated on 2 Nov radiating upward gules; over all, in base
1945. a branch of olive vert, detail vein lines
Redesignated 34ISt Bombardment or. Motto: PAX ORBIS PER ARMA
Group (Light). Allotted to the reserve. AERIA-World Peace through Air
Activated on 27 Dec 1946. lnactivated on Strength. (Approved 5 Jun 1957.)
27 Jun 1949.
SQUADRONS. loth: 1947-1949. xxth: 342d COMPOSITE GROUP
1942-1945. 12th: 1947-1949. 22d: 1942-
'945. 490th: 1942-1945; 1947-1949. Constituted as 342d Composite Group
49'St.. 1942-1945 ; 1947-1949. on 29 Aug 1942. Activated on 11 Sep 1942
STATIONS. Karachi, India, 15 Sep 1942; in Iceland. Equipped with P-38's, P-39's,
Chakulia, India, 30 Dec 1942; Kurmitola, P-~o's, and a B-18, the group served as
India, Jun 1943; Kunming, China, 7 Jan part of the island's defense force, intercept-
1944; Yangkai, China, 13 Dec 1944-unkn; ing and destroying some of the German
Camp Kilmer, NJ, 1-2 Nov 1945. West- planes that on occasion attempted to attack
over Field, Mass, 27 Dec 1946-27 Jun 1949. Iceland or that appeared in that area on
COMMANDERS. Col Torgils G Wold, 15 reconnaissance missions. Also conducted
Sep 1942; Col James A Philpott, 21 Sep antisubmarine patrols in the North Atlan-
1943; Col Torgils G Wold, 2 Nov 1943; tic and provided cover for convoys on the
Col Morris F Taber, 23 Nov 1943; Col run to Murmansk. Disbanded on 18 Mar
Joseph B Wells, 11Apr 1944; Col Donald 1944.
L Clark, c. I Dec 1944; Col James W New- Reconstituted and redesignated 342d
some, 16 Apr ~g+j-unkn. Fighter-Day Group, on 7 May 1956. Ac-
CAMPAIGNS. India-Burma; China De- tivated on 25 Jul1956. Assigned to Tacti-
fensive; China Offensive. cal Air Command.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 221
DECORATIONS.
None. at Cherbourg; during the remainder of
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, fimbriated ar- Jun, supported the drive that resulted in
gent, within a diminutive border gules, an the seizure of the Cutentin Peninsula.
Indian arrow issuing from base, in pale, Bombed defended positions to assist Brit-
the shaft or, the arrowhead proper, mark- ish forces in the area of Caen. Received a
ings and outline black, the thong fasten- DUC for three-day action against the en-
ing of the third, superimposed over the emy, 24-26 Jul 1944, when the group
arrowhead a missile, in bend sinister, the struck troop concentrations, supply dumps,
power stream swirling upward to dexter a bridge, and a railroad viaduct to assist
chief all of the second, a sound barrier advancing ground forces at St Lo.
symbol in sinister chief sable. (Approved Knocked out bridges to hinder the en-
3 Feb 1956.) emy's withdrawal through the Falaise gap,
and bombed vessels and strong points at
344th BOMBARDMENT GROUP Brest, Aug-Sep 1944. Attacked bridges,
rail lines, fortified areas, supply dumps,
and ordnance depots in Germany, Oct-
Nov 1944. Supported Allied forces during
the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1g44-Jan
1945, and continued to strike such targets
as supply points, communications centers,
bridges, marshalling yards, roads, and oil
storage tanks until Apr 1945. Made train-
ing flights and participated in air demon-
strations after the war. Moved to Ger-
many in Sep 1945 and, 9 s part of United
Constituted as 344th Bombardment States Air Forces in Europe, served with
Group (Medium) on 31 Aug 1942. Ac- the army of occupation. Began training
tivated on 8 Sep 1942. Equipped with B- in A-26 but continued to use B-26 air-
26's and served as a replacement training craft. Redesignated 344th Bombardment
unit. Moved to England, Jan-Feb 1944. Group (Light) in Dec 1945. Transferred,
Began operations with Ninth AF in Mar, without personnel and equipment, to the
attacking airfields, missile sites, marshal- US on 15 Feb 1946. Inactivated on 31
ling yards, submarine shelters, coastal de- Mar 1946.
fenses, and other targets in France, Bel- Redesignated 126th Bombardment
gium, and Holland. Beginning in May, Group (Light). Allotted to ANG (Ill)
helped prepare for the Normandy in- on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recog-
vasion by striking vital bridges in France. nition on 29 Jun 1947. Redesignated 126th
On D-Day 1944 attacked coastal batteries Composite Group in Nov 1950, and 126th
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 223
and installations in New Guinea and the c. I Jan 1945; San Marcelino, Luzon, 13
Bismarck Archipelago; attacking shipping Feb 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, 12 May
in the McCluer Gulf, Ceram Sea, and 1945; Ie Shima, 25 Jul-Io Dec 1945; Camp
Bismarck Sea; supporting ground forces Stoneman, Calif, 27-29 Dec 1945. Langley
in the Admiralties; dropping supplies to AFB, Va, 19 Jul1g54-.
ground troops; and flying courier and re- COMMANDERS. Col Jarred V Crabb, 11
connaissance missions in the area. Re- Nov 1942; Col Clinton U True, 19 Sep
ceived a DUC for a series of attacks against 1943; Col Chester A Coltharp, q Jun
Aak positions, shore installations, and bar- 1944; Col Glenn A Doolittle, 28 Jun 1945-
racks at Rabaul, New Britain, on 2 Nov unkn. Col John G Napier, 19 Jul 1954".
1943. Operated from Biak, Jul-Nov 1944, CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan ;
striking airfields and shipping in the China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck
southern Philippines and the Celebes. In Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte;
Nov 1944 moved to the Philippines where Luzon; Southern Philippines; China Of-
targets included Japanese airfields and fensive.
communications on Luzon, industries and DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
communications on Formosa, and ship- tion: Rabaul, New Britain, 2 Nov 1943.
ping along the China coast. After moving Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
to Ie Shima in Jul1g45, flew some missions INSIGNE. ORa disc azure, an orle argent,
over Kyushu and the Sea of Japan. Re- surmounting all the head, in profile, of an
turned to the US in Dec 1945. Inactivated Apache, proper, wearing a feathered head-
on 29 Dec 1945. dress of the second, with markings gules,
Redesignated 345th Bombardment and a string of animal's teeth of the second.
Group (Tactical). Activated on 19 Jul Motto: AIR APACHES. (Approved 21
1954. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. May 19544
Equipped with B-26's and later with B-
57's. 346th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
SQUADRONS. 498th: 1942-1945; 1954-.
499th: 1942-1945; 1954-. 500th: 1942- Constituted as 346th Bombardment
1945; I954-. 5OZstt: 1942-1945. Group (Heavy) on 3 Sep 1942 and =ti-
STATIONS.Columbia AAB, SC, 8 Sep vated on 7 Sep. Assigned to Second AF.
1942; Walterboro AAFld, SC, 6 Mar-16 Equipped with B-17's and B-24's. Served
Apr 1943; Port 'Moresby, New Guinea, 5 first as an operational training and later
Jun 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, 18 Jan as a replacement training unit. Znactivated
1944; Nadzab, New Guinea, c. 16 Feb on I Apr 1944.
1944; Biak, Jul 1944; Leyte, 12 Nov 1944; Redesignated 346th Bombardment
Dulag, Leyte, Dec 1944; Tacloban, Leyte, Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 18
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 225
ers; despite the heavy odds and a low fuel SQUADRONS. 149th: 1951-1952. I53d:
supply, and although his mission had been 1951-1952. 340th: 1942-1946. 341st (later
accomplished, Kearby ordered an attack, 141st) : 1942-1946; 1951-1952. 342d: 1942-
personally destroying six of the enemy 1946. 460th: 1944-1946.
planes. For covering Allied landings and STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, 30 Sep
supporting ground forces on New Britain, 1942; Bradley Field, Conn, 4 Oct 1942;
16-31 Dec 1943, the group was awarded Westover Field, Mass, 29 Oct 1942; Prov-
a DUC. In 1944 began to attack airfields, idence, RI, c. 3 Jan 1943; Westover Field,
installations, and shipping in western New Mass, 28 Apr-g May 1943; Port Moresby,
Guinea, Ceram, and Halmahera to aid in New Guinea, 23 Jun 1943; Finschhafen,
neutralizing those areas preparatory to the New C-inea, 16 Dec 1943; Saidor, New
US invasion of the Philippines. After Guinea, 29 Mar 1944; Wakde, 22 May
moving to the Philippines in Nov 1944, 1944; Noemfmr, 26 Aug 1944; Leyte, 16
provided cover for convoys, flew patrols, Nov 1944; San Marcelino, Luzon, 4 Feb
escorted bombers, attacked enemy air- 1945; Floridablanca, Luzon, 15 May 1945;
fields, and supported ground forces. Re- Ie Shima, g Jul 1945; Itami, Japan, Oct
ceived a DUC for withstanding assaults by 1945-10 May 1946. Newark Mun Aprt,
enemy fighters to cover bombers raiding NJ, I Mar 1951; Turner AFB, Ga, 14
Clark Field on 24 Dec 1944. Also attacked Mar 1951; Godman AFB, Ky, g Dec 1951-
shipping along the China coast and es- I Dec 1952.
corted bombers to Formosa and the Asiatic COMMANDERS. Col Nee1 E Kearby, Oct
mainland. Moved to the Ryukyus in Jul 1942; Col Robert R Rowland, 17Nov 1943;
1945 and completed some escort and attack Lt Col William M Banks, 8 Jun 1945; Maj
missions to Kyushu before the war ended. Walter G Benz, 26 Nov 1945-unkn. Maj
Moved to Japan in Oct 1945 as part of J D Zink, Mar 1951; Col Alvan C Gillem
Far East Air Forces. Znactivuted on 10 11, Jun 1951; Col Carl W Stapleton, c.
May 1946. Nov 1951; Col Donald J Strait, 14 Jan
Redesignated 108th Fighter Group. Al- 1952; Col George Laven Jr, 4 Aug-1 Dec
lotted to ANG (NJ) on 24 May 1946. Ex- 1952.
tended federal recognition on 16 Oct 1946. CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan;
Called to active duty on I Mar 1951. Re- China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck
designated 108th Fighter-Bomber Group. Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte;
Assigned first to Strategic Air Command Luzon ; China Offensive.
and later to Tactical Air Command. DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Equipped with F-47’s. Relieved from ac- tions: New Britain, 16-31 Dec 1943; Phil-
tive service on I Dec 1952 and returned to ippine Islands, 24 Dec 1944. Philippine
the control of ANG (NJ). Presidential Unit Citation.
228 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Deeds, Not Words. (Approved 26 Jul of Algeria during the summer and fall of
1956.) 1943. Afterward, operated primarily in
support of Allied forces in Italy until the
350th FIGHTER GROUP end of the war, bombing and strafing rail
facilities, shipping docks, radar and trans-
former stations, power lines, bridges,
motor transports, and military installa-
tions. Received a DUC for action in west-
ern Italy on 6 Apr 1944 when, despite
intense flak and attacks by numerous
enemy interceptors, the group flew ten
missions, hitting troops, bridges, vehicles,
barracks, and air warning installations.
Also covered Allied landings on Elba in
Jun 1944 and supported the invasion of
Southern France in Aug. 1st Lt Raymond
L Knight was awarded the Medal of
Honor for missions on q and 25 Apr
1945: voluntarily leading attacks, through
Activated in England on I Oct 1942 by intense antiaircraft fire, against enemy air-
special authority granted to Eighth AF dromes in northern Italy, Lt Knight was
prior to constitution as 350th Fighter responsible for eliminating more than 20
Group on 2 Oct 1942. The air echelon German planes intended for assaults on
moved from England to North Africa, Allied forces; attempting to return his
Jan-Feb 1943; the ground echelon, which shattered plane to base after an attack on
had been formed in the US, arrived in 25 Apr, Lt Knight crashed in the Apen-
North Africa about the same time. The nines. The group moved to the US, Jul-
group operated with Twelfth AF from Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Jan 1943 until the end of the war, flying Redesignated I 12th Fighter Group. Al-
patrol and interception missions, protect- lotted to ANG (Pa) on 4 May 1946. Ex-
ing convoys, escorting aircraft, flying tended federal recognition on 22 Apr 1949.
reconnaissance missions, engaging in in- Redesignated I 12th Fighter-Interceptor
terdictory operations, and providing close Group in Oct 1952, and 112th Fighter-
support for ground forces. Used P-39’s, Bomber Group in Dec 1952.
P-~OO’S, and a few P-38’s before convert- SQUADRONS. 345th: 1942-1945. 346th:
ing to P-47’s during Aug-Sep 194. Oper- 1942-1945. 347th: 1942-1945.
ated against targets in Tunisia until the STATIONS.Bushey Hall, England, I Oct
end of that campaign. Defended the coast 1942; Duxford, England, Oct 1942; Oujda,
230 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
French Morocco, 6 Jan 1943; Oran, Al- Apr-May 1943. Served in combat with
geria, 14 Feb 1943; Maison Blanche, Al- Eighth AF from May 1943 to Apr 1945.
geria, May 1943; Rerhaia, Algeria, c. 17 Operated primarily against strategic ob-
Jul 1943; Sardinia, 5 Nov 1943; Corsica, 6 jectives in Germany, striking such targets
Feb 1944; Tarquinia, Italy, 8 Sep 1944; as ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, com-
Pisa, Italy, 2 Dec 1944-14 Jul 1945; Sey- munications at Mayen, marshalling yards
mour Johnson Field, NC, 25 Aug? Nov at Koblenz, a locomotive and tank factory
'945- at Hannover, industries at Berlin, bridges
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Richard P Klocko, at Cologne, an armaments factory at
14 Oct 1942; Maj Ariel W Nielsen, 24 Feb Mannheim, and oil refineries at Hamburg.
1943; Lt Col Marvin L McNickle, I Mar Also struck harbor facilities, submarine in-
1943; Lt Col Ariel W Nielsen, c. Sep 1943; stallations, airfields, V-weapon sites, and
Lt Col John C Robertson, 22 Oct 194+; power plants in France, Belgium, Holland,
Col Ariel W Nielsen, c. Feb 1945;Col John and Norway. Received a DUC for per-
C Robertson, 20 Jun 1g45-unkn. formance of g Oct 1943 when an aircraft
CAMPAIGNS.Air Combat, EAME factory in Germany was accurately
Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; bombed in spite of heavy flak and pressing
Rome-Arno; Southern France; North enemy interceptors. Received another
Apennines; Po Valley. DUC for its part in the successful attack
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- of 11 Jan 1944 on aircraft factories in cen-
tion :Italy, 6 Apr 1944. tral Germany. Participated in the inten-
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and or, sive air campaign against the German air-
on a bend sable between a Pegasus salient craft industry during Big Week, 20-25
argent and a keystone charged with a Feb 1944. 2d Lt Walter E Truemper,
ruffed grouse proper, a group of four vols navigator, and Sgt Archibald Mathies, en-
with upper edges of wings parallel to the gineer, were each awarded the Medal of
edge of the ordinary, each vol overlapping Honor for action on 20 Feb 1944: when
the next from dexter to sinister alternating their aircraft received a direct hit that
of the fourth and second, a diminished killed the co-pilot and wounded the pilot,
border of the third. Motto: IN COM- Truemper and Mathies managed to fly the
MON CAUSE. (Approved 10 Sep 1954.) plane until other crew members could
bail out; on the third attempt to land the
35 1st BOMBARDMENT GROUP plane in an effort to save the pilot, the
B-17 crashed and the men were killed.
Constituted as 351st Bombardment In addition to its strategic missions, the
Group (Heavy) on 25 Sep 1942. Acti- group often operated in support of ground
vated on I Oct 1942. Trained for duty forces and attacked interdictory targets.
overseas with B-17's. Moved to England. Bombed in sumort of the Normandv in-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 23 1
forced the group to withdraw and return Extended federal recognition on 2 Nov
to its base. Also flew counter-air patrols, 1946. Ordered to active duty on I Feb
and on many occasions strafed and 1951. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
dive-bombed airfields, locomotives, ve- Redesignated I 13th Fighter-Interceptor
hicles, troops, gun positions, and var- Group. Used F-84’s during 1951; con-
ious other targets. Supported the invasion verted to F-94 aircraft in 1952. Inactivated
of Normandy in Jun 1944 by strafing and on 6 Feb 1952. Relieved from active duty,
dive-bombing enemy communications, as- returned to control of ANG (DC) ,and ac-
sisted the Allies in breaking through the tivated, on I Nov 1952. Redesignated
German line at St Lo in Jul, and partici- 113th Fighter-Bomber Group in Dec 1952.
pated in the airborne attack on Holland SQUADRONS. Z2ZJt: 1951-1952. 2426:
in Sep. After the Germans launched a 1951-1952. 148th: 1951-1952. 328th:
counteroffensive in the Ardennes in Dec 1942-1945, 486th (formerly 21st) : 1942-
1944, the group’s planes and pilots were 1945. 487th (formerly 34th) : 1942-1945.
sent to Belgium and placed under the con- STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, I Oct
trol of Ninth AF for operations in the 1942; Bradley Field, Conn, Oct 1942;
Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1g44-Jan 1945). Westover Field, Mass, Nov 1942; Trum-
During that battle, on I Jan 1945, action bull Field, Conn, c. 15 Jan 1943; Republic
by the detachment earned for the group Field, NY, c. g Mar-Jun 1943; Bodney,
the French Croix de Guerre with Palm: England, 7 Jul1g43; Chievres, Belgium, c.
just as 12 of the detachment’s planes were 27 Jan 1945; Bodney, England, c. 14 Apr-
taking off for an area patrol, the airdrome 3 Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. g-10
was attacked by about 50 German fighters; Nov 1945. Andrews AFB, Md, I Feb 1951;
in the aerial battle that followed, the 352d New Castle County Aprt, Del, 16 Feb
shot down almost half the enemy planes 1951-6 Feb 1952.
without losing any of its own. In Feb COMMANDERS. Lt Col Edwin M Ram-
1945 the remainder of the group joined the age, c. Oct 1942; Col Joe L Mason, 17 May
detachment in Belgium for operations 1943; Col James D Mayden, 17 Nov 1944-
under the control of Eighth AF. While unkn. Col Joseph Myers, 1951-unkn.
based on the Continent, the group par- CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
ticipated in the airborne assault across the Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
Rhine (Mar 1945). Returned to England Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
in Apr and continued operations until a DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
few days before V-E Day. Returned to tion: Brunswick, Germany, 8 May 1944.
the US in Nov. Znactivated on 10 Nov French Croix de Guerre with Palm: I Jan
1945. 1945.
Redesignated I 13th Fighter Group. Al- INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a stylized air-
lotted to ANG (DC) on 24 May 1946. craft bendwise above and between two
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 233
clouds issuing from dexter and sinister dive-bombed buildings, troops, flak bat-
base all argent, the dexter cloud pierced by teries, barges and tug boats, locomotives
two lightning flashes saltirewise or; in and rail lines, vehicles, bridges, and air-
chief two mullets gules, fimbriated of the fields; also flew numerous counter& mis-
second and in base three of the like. sions. From Aug 1943 to Feb 1944, pro-
Motto: CUSTODES PRO DEFEN- vided escort for bombers that attacked
SIONE-Guardians for Defense. (A p targets in western Europe, made counter-
proved g Mar 1954.) air sweeps over France and the Low Coun-
tries, and dive-bombed targets in France.
353d FIGHTER GROUP Participated in the intensive campaign
against
- the German Air Force and aircraft
- - -__
I _I ..
_._ _ -_ industry during Big Week, 2e25 Feb 1944.
--- .--- -
_._
I
. _
_ _ _ ~
- --- Increased its fighter-bomber activities,
T- +
-
-
-- -
/
Mar-May 1944. Provided cwer over the
beachhead and close support for the Nor-
mandy invasion in Jun 1944. Supported
the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Re-
ceived a DUC for supporting the airborne
attack on Holland, when the group con-
tributed to the operation by protecting
bombers and troop carriers and by strafing
and dive-bombing ground targets during
the period 17-23 Sep 1944. Continued its
~
fighter-bomber, escort, and counter-air ac-
tivities, participating in the Battle of the
Constituted as 353d Fighter Group on Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) and the air-
29 Sep 1942. Activattd on I Oct 1942. borne attack acrosbthe Rhine (Mar 1945).
Trained for duty overseas and at the same Remained in the theater until Oct. Znac-
time served as an air defense organization. tivated in the US on 18 Oct 1945.
Moved to England, May-Jun 1943. As- Redesignated 116th Fighter Group. Al-
signed to Eighth AF. Operated against lotted to ANG (Ga) on 24 May 1946.
the enemy in combat over Europe from Extended federal recognition on g Sep
Aug 1943 to Apr 1945, using P-47’s until 1946. Ordered to active duty on 10 Oct
conversion to P ~ I ’ in
s Oct 1944. Regu- 1950. Redesignated 116th Fighter-Bomber
larly escorted bombers that attacked in- Group in Nov 1950. Assigned to Tactical
dustrial establishments, marshalling yards, Air Command. Trained with F-80’s and
submarine installations, V-weapon sites, converted to F-84 aircraft in the spring of
and other targets; frequently strafed and 1951. Moved to Japan in Jul 1951 and at-
234 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
tached to Far East Air Forces for opera- Lt Col Daniel F Sharp, c. 31 Jan 1952-
tions in the Korean War. Flew interdic- unkn.
tory and close-support missions, strafing CAMPAIGNS. World War ZZ: Air Offen-
and dive-bombing power plants, buildings, sive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
mine entrances, gun positions, bunkers, France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace;
troops, rail lines, trains, bridges, and vehi- Central Europe. Korean War: UN Sum-
cles. During the same period, also pro- mer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Win-
vided air defense for Japan. Relieved ter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952.
from active duty, returned to control of DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
ANG (Ga) without personnel and equip- tion: Holland, 17-23 Sep 1944.
ment, and redesignated 116th Fighter-In- INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess embattled de-
terceptor Group, on 10Jul 1952. Redesig- based azure and argent, three chevronels
nated 116th Fighter-Bomber Group in reversed of the second, the base chevronel
Dec 1952. fimbriated, forming a frazure at its apex
SQUADRONS. 196th: 1950-1952. 350th: over the embattlement azure; in chief four
1942-1945. 351st (later 158th) : 1942-1945; darts of the second in formation chevron-
1950-1952. 352d (later 159th) : 1pp-1945; wise points downward, one in fess point,
1950-1952- two in sinister, all within a diminutive
STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, I Oct border argent. Motto: VINCET AMOR
1942; Richmond AAB, Va, c. 7 Oct 1942; PATRIAE-Love of Country Shall Con-
Baltimore, Md, c. 26 Oct 1942-C. 27 May quer. (Approved 6 Jun 1952.)
1943; Goxhill, England, Jun 1943; Met-
field, England, 3 Aug 1943; Raydon, Eng- 354th FIGHTER GROUP
land, Apr 1g44-0ct 1945; Camp Kilmer,
NJ, c. 16-18 Oct 1945. Dobbins AFB, Ga, Constituted as 354th Fighter Group on
10 Oct 1950; George AFB, Calif, c. 25 Oct 12 Nov 1942 and activated on 15 Nov.
1g5bJd 1951; Misawa, Japan, c. 25 Jul Trained with P-39’s and served as part
1951-10 Jul 1952. of the air defense force. Moved to Eng-
COMMANDERS. Lt C d Joseph A Morris, land, Oct-Nov 1943. Assigned to Ninth
c. 15 Oct 1942; Lt Col Loren G McCollom, AF and engaged in combat from Dec 1943
18 Aug 1943; Col Glenn E Duncan, 25 to May 1945, using P-51’s except for the
Nov 1943; Col Ben Rimerman, 7 Jul 1944; period from Nov 1944 to Feb 1945 when
Col Glenn E Duncan, 22 Apr 1945; Lt Col the group operated with P-47’s. Received
William B Bailey, g Sep 1945; Lt Col a DUC for its activities up to mid-May
Robert A Elder, 24 Sep 1g45-unkn. Col 1944, a period in which the 354th was in-
Charles M Ford Jr, 10 Oct-1 Nov 1950; strumental in the development and execu-
Lt Col Howard L Galbreath, 11 Nov 1950; tion of long-range missions to escort heavy
Lt Col Ralph G Kuhn, 8 May 1951-unkn; bombers on raids deep into enemy terri- I
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 235
\Q$* cy *-
Rhine, Feb-May 1945. After V-E Day,
served with the army of occupation, being
dr
assigned to United States Air Forces in
tory. During that same period Maj James Europe. Transferred, without personnel
H Howard won the Medal of Honor for and equipment, to the US in Feb 1946.
his single-handed efforts to defend a Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946.
bomber formation that was attacked by (NOTE:The 354th Fighter Group was
a large force of enemy planes while on a redesignated 117th Fighter Group and al-
mission over Germany on 11 Jan 1944. lotted to ANG (Ala), on 24 May 1946.
In addition to its escort work, the group The redesignation and the allotment were,
began fighter-bomber operations, strafing however, revoked and nullified on 26 Sep
and dive-bombing enemy airfields, gun 1956; at the same time the 117th group was
positions, marshalling yards, and vehicles constituted and allotted to ANG, effective
in France, Belgium, and Holland. Sup- 24 May 1946. Thus the 117th group is
porting the Normandy invasion in Jun not related in any way to the 354th group.)
1944 by escorting gliders on D-Day and
Redesignated 354th Fighter-Day Group.
by dive-bombing and strafing bridges and
Activded on 19 Nov 1956. Assigned to
railways near the front lines for the next
Tactical Air Command.
few days. Moved to the Continent in Sun SQUADRONS. 353d: 1942-1946; 1956.
and assisted the Allied drive across France 355th: 1942-1946; 1956. 356th: 1942-
by flying close-support, armed-reconnais- 1946; 1956.
sance, fighter-sweep, dive-bombing, straf- STATIONS.Hamilton Field, Calif, 15
ing, and escort missions. Received second Nov 1942; Tonopah, Nev, c. 18 Jan 1943;
DUC for a series of fighter sweeps in Santa Rosa AAFld, Calif, c. I Mar 1943;
which the group destroyed a large number Portland AAB, Ore, c. 2 run-Oct 1943;
of enemy aircraft in the air and on the Greenham Common, England, c. 4 Nov
ground on 25 Aug 1944. Flew missions 1943; Boxted, England, c. 13 Nov I W ~ ;
236 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Arnheim area on 17,18, and 23 Sep 1944 to Col Einar A Malmstrom, 28 Nov 1943; Lt
neutralize enemy gun emplacements; re- Col Philip E Tukey Jr, 24 Apr 1944; Lt Col
ceived a DUC for this contribution to the Donald A Baccus, 3 Nov 1944; Col Philip
airborne attack on Holland. Flew its last E Tukey Jr, 11 Jan 1945-unkn. Lt Col
combat mission, escorting B-17’s dropping Enoch B Stephenson, I Apr 1951; Lt Col
propaganda leaflets, on 7 May 1945. Re- William J Johnson Jr, May 1951; Lt Col
turned to the US in Nov. lnactivated on Ralph F Newman, 16 Aug 1951; Col James
10 NOV1945. L Rose, Jan 1952; Lt Col Stanley W Irons,
Redesignated 118th Fighter Group. 2 Jun 1952; Col Robert R Smith, Nov
Allotted to ANG (Tenn) on 24 May 1946. 1g52-unkn.
Extended federal recognition on 2 Oct CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
194.7. Redesignated 118th Composite Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
Group in Nov 1950, and 118th Tactical Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Reconnaissance Group in Feb 1951. DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Ordered to active duty on I Apr 1951 and tion: Holland, 17, 18, and 23 Sep 1944.
assigned to Tactical Air Command. INSIGNE.On a blue oval with a yellow
Used RF-47, RF-51, RF-80, and RB-26 border an aerial camera supporting
aircraft for training and maneuvers. Re- binoculars and a torch, the whole group
lieved from active service and returned, winged, all yellow with flame proper and
without personnel and equipment, to con- lenses blue and white, above the torch and
trol of ANG (Tenn) on I Jan 1953. between the tips of the wings three white
SQUADRONS. 106th: 1951-1953. 285th: stars. (Approved 5 Jan 1954.)
1951-1953. 359th (later 155th) : 1942-
1945; 1951-1953. 360th: 1942-1945. 357th FIGHTER GROUP
3 6 I S t : 1942-1945.
STATIONS.Westover Field, Mass, 12 Constituted as 357th Fighter Group on
Dec 1942; Groton AAFld, Conn, 12 Mar I Dec 1942 and activated the same day.
1943; Mitchel Field, NY, 30 May 1943; Used P-39’s in preparing for duty overseas.
Grenier Field, NH, 4 Jul-15 Aug 1943; Moved to England in Nov 1943 and be-
Goxhill, England, 27 Aug 1943; Martle- came part of Eighth AF. Trained with
sham, England, 5 Oct 1943-4 Nov 1945; P-51’s and began operations on 11 Feb
Camp Kilmer, NJ, g-10 Nov 1945. Berry 1944 by making a fighter sweep over
Field, Tenn, I Apr 1951; Memphis Mun Rouen. Served primarily as an escort or-
Aprt, Tenn, 12 Apr 1951; Shaw AFB, SC, ganization, providing penetration, target,
15 Jan 1952-1 Jan 1953. and withdrawal support for bombers that
COMMANDERS. 2d Lt Joseph Moris Jr, attacked strategic objectives on the Con-
28 Dec 1942; Capt Harold J Lister, 29 Dec tinent. Participated in the assault against
1942; Lt Col Harold J Rau, 9 Feb 1943; the German Air Force and aircraft indus-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 239
Croix de Guerre with Palm: 11 Feb 1944- Peninsula on 6 and 7 Jun, and attacked
15 Jan 1945. bridges, rail lines and trains, vehicles, and
INSIGNE. Shield: Per fess nebuly azure troop concentrations during the remainder
and or, in chief a chaplet azure and argent of the month. Moved to the Continent in
winged or, in base a cubit arm in armor Jul and took part in operations that re-
brandishing a sword proper hilted bronze. sulted in the Allied breakthrough at St
Motto: SEMPER OMNIA-A11 Things Lo. Continued to fly escort, interdictory,
at All Times. (Approved 27 May 1953.) and close-support missions during the
Allied drive across France and into Ger-
358th FIGHTER GROUP many, earning four citations before the
end of the war. Received first DUC for
operations from 24 Dec 1944 to 2 Jan 1945
when the group not only supported
Seventh Army by attacking rail lines and
rolling stock, vehicles, buildings, and
artillery, but also destroyed numerous
3
fighter planes during a major assault by
the German Air Force against Allied air-
fields. Received second DUC for 19-20
Mar 1945, a period in which the 358th
destroyed and damaged large numbers of
motor transports and thus hampered the
evacuation of German forces that were
Constituted as 358th Fighter Group on withdrawing from the area west of the
u) Dec 1942. Activated on I Jan 1943. Rhine. Received third DUC for perform-
Trained with P-47’s. Moved to England ance between 8 and 25 Apr 1945 when
during SepOct 1943. Began operations the group attacked enemy airfields in the
on 20 Dec 1943 and served in combat with region of Munich and Ingolstadt, engaged
Eighth and, later, Ninth AF until V-E the enemy in aerial combat, and supported
Day. Engaged in escort work until Apr advancing ground forces by attacking such
1944 to cover the operations of bombers targets as motor transports, tanks, loco-
that the AAF sent against targets on the motives, guns, and buildings. Received
Continent. Dive-bombed marshalling fourth citation, the French Croix de
yards and airfields during Apr to help pre- Guerre with Palm, for assisting in the
pare for the invasion of Normandy. Con- liberation of France. Returned to the US
tinued attacks on enemy communications in Jul 1945. Znactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
and flew escort missions during May. Redesignated 122d Fighter Group. A1-
Escorted troop carriers over the Cotentin lotted to ANG (Ind) on 24 May 1946.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 241
fighter group. Began operations with Redesignated 123d Fighter Group. Al-
P-47’s; converted to P-51’s in Apr 1944. lotted to ANG (Ky) on 24 May 1946. Ex-
In combat, Dec 1g43-May 1945, flew tended federal recognition on 20 Sep 1947.
escort, patrol, strafing, dive-bombing, and Ordered into active service on 10Oct 1950.
weather-reconnaissance missions. At first, Redesignated 123d Fighter-Bomber
engaged primarily in escort activities to Group. Assigned to Tactical Air Com-
cover bombers that attacked airfields in mand. Trained with F-51’s until late in
France. Expanded area of operations in 1951. Converted to F-84’s in Nov and
May 1944 to provide escort for bombers moved to England to become part of
that struck rail centers in Germany and United States Air Forces in Europe.
oil targets in Poland. Supported the in- Transferred to the US without personnel
vasion of Normandy (Jun 1g44), patrol- and equipment, relieved from active duty,
ling the English Channel, escorting bom- returned to control of ANG (Ky), and ye-
bardment formations to the French coast, designated 123d Fighter-Interceptor
and dive-bombing and strafing bridges, Group, on 10 Jul1g52. Redesignated 123d
locomotives, and rail lines near the battle Fighter-Bomber Group in Jan 1953.
area. During the period Jul 1g44-Feb SQUADRONS. 156th: 1950-1952, 368th
1945, engaged chiefly in escorting bombers (later 165th) : 1943-1945; 1g50-1g52.
to oil refineries, marshalling yards, and 369th (later 167th) : 1943-1945; 1950-1952.
other targets in such cities as Ludwig- -
370th .- 1943- I945
shafen, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, STATIONS. Westover Field, Mass, 15 Jan
Merseburg, and Brux. Received a DUC 1943; Grenier Field, NH, 7 Apr 1943; Re-
for operations over Germany on 11 Sep public Field, NY, 11 Jul 1943; Westover
1944 when the group protected a forma- Field, Mass, 23 Aug-2 Oct 1943; East
tion of heavy bombers against large num- Wretham, England, Oct 1g43-Nov 1945;
bers of enemy fighters. In addition to its Camp Kilmer, N J, 9 1 0Nov 1945. Standi-
escort duties, the group supported cam- ford Mun Aprt, Ky, 10Oct 1950; Godman
paigns in France during Jul and Aug 1944, AFB, Ky, c. 20 Oct 1950-15 Nov 1951;
bombed enemy positions to support the Manston RAF Station, England, 10 Dec
airborne invasion of Holland in Sep, and 1951-10 Jul 1952.
participated in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec COMMANDERS. Col Avelin P Tacon Jr,
1944-Jan 1945). Flew missions to support Jan 1943; Col John P Randolph, 12 Nov
the assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945, 1944; Lt Col Donald A Baccus, 8 Apr 1945;
and escorted medium bombers that at- Lt Col Daniel D McKee, c. 16 Sep 1945-
tacked various communications targets, unkn. Col Philip P Ardery, 10 Oct 1950;
Feb-Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Lt Col William J Payne, 26 Oct 1950; Lt
Nov 1945. Znactiuated on 10 Nov 1945. Col Chesley G Peterson, 20 Apr 1951; Lt
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 243
the St Lo breakthrough, Jul 1944; the air- 1944; Lt Col Roy B Caviness, 3 Nov 1944;
borne attack on Holland, Sep 1944; and Col Junius W Dennison Jr, 2 Dec 1 9 4 ;
the airborne assault across the Rhine, Mar Lt Col Roy B Caviness, 15 Apr 1945; Col
1945. Flew last combat mission on 20 Apr John D Landers, 29 Jun 1945-unkn. Col
1945. Returned to the US in Nov. Inacti- David T McKnight, 1951; Col Maurice L
vated on 10 Nov 1945. Martin, 6 Aug 1951-unkn.
Redesignated 127th Fighter Group. Al- CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
lotted to ANG (Mich) on 24 May 1946. Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Extended federal recognition on 29 Sep Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
1946. Ordered into active service on I Feb DECORATIONS. None.
1951. Assigned to Air Training Com- INSIGNE.Shield: Gules (scarlet) a bend-
mand. RedeJignated 127th Pilot Training let divided per bend into five equal parts,
Group in Mar 1951. Used F-51, F-80, the center azure, and the outer two or, and
and F-84 aircraft while serving as a train- of the first (dark red), between in chief
ing organization. Relieved from active three fleur-de-lis in pale, of the third, and
duty and returned to ANG (Mich), on I in base a giant (Saguaro) cactus footed to
Nov 1952. Redesignated 127th Fighter- the sinister by an apple blossom stemmed
Bomber Group. both proper. Motto: PARATI STA-
SQUADRONS. 207th: 1951-1952. I97th: MUS-We Stand Ready. (Approved 30
1951-1952. 374th (later 171st) : 1943- Jul 1954.)
1945; 1951-1952- 375th: 1943-1945,
376th: 1943-1945. 362d FIGHTER GROUP
STATIONS. Richmond AAB, Va, 10 Feb
1943; Langley Field, Va, 26 May 1943; Constituted as 362d Fighter Group on
Millville AAFld, NJ, 20 Jul 1943; Camp 11 Feb 1943. Activated on I Mar 1943.
Springs AAFld, Md, 28 Aug 1943; Rich- Trained for combat with P-47’s. Moved
mond AAB, Va, 20 Sep-11 Nov 1943; Bot- to England in Nov 1943. Assigned to
tisham, England, 30 Nov 1943; Little Ninth AF. Flew first mission, escorting
Walden, England, 26 Sep 1 9 4 ; Chievres, B-24’s that attacked V-weapon launching
Belgium, I Feb-Apr 1945; Little Walden, sites near Pas de Calais, on 8 Feb 1 9 4 .
England, g Apr-3 Nov 1945; Camp Kil- Until Apr 1944, engaged chiefly in escort-
mer, N J, 9-10 Nov 1945. Detroit-Wayne ing bombers that struck factories, rail-
Major Aprt, Mich, I Feb 1951; Luke AFB, roads, airfields, and other targets on the
Ariz, 23 Feb 1951-1 Nov 1952. Continent. Repeatedly attacked com-
COMMANDERS.Col Thomas J J Chris- munications in northern France and in
tian Jr, 10Feb 1943; Col Ronald F Fallows, Belgium during Apr and May, in prepa-
14 Aug 1944; Lt Col Roy B Caviness, 31 ration for the invasion of Normandy.
Aug 1944; Lt Col Joseph J Kruzel, 20 Sep Escorted C-47’s that dropped paratroops
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 245
selle-Rhine River Triangle, 16 Mar 1945. positions, and other targets on the Conti-
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a bend or be- nent. Supported the invasion of Nor-
tween in chief, two barbs (triple pronged) mandy in Jun 1944 by escorting troop car-
of the last and a cumulo nimbus cloud riers and gliders and by attacking enemy
proper issuing from base. Over all from positions near the front lines, and moved
dexter base, two parallel piles point to sin- to the Continent at the end of Jun to take
ister chief, gules, points, sable. Motto: part in the Allied drive to the German
SURSUM PRORSUSQUE-Upward and border.
Onward. (Approved 21 Apr 1954.) Redesignated 363d Tactical Reconnais-
sance Group in Sep 1944. Equipped with
363d RECONNAISSANCE F-5 and F-6 aircraft. Flew photographic
GROUP missions to support both air and ground
operations; directed fighter-bombers to
Constittrted as 363d Fighter Group on railway, highway, and waterway traffic,
11 Feb 1943. Activated on I Mar 1943. bridges, gun positions, troop concentra-
Trained with P-39’s and served as part of tions, and other opportune targets; ad-
the air defense force. Moved to England justed artillery fire; and took photographs
in Dec 1943 for duty with Ninth AF. to assess results of Allied bombardment
Equipped with P-51’s in Jan 1944 and en- operations. Received two Belgian cita-
tered combat in Feb. Escorted bombers tions for reconnaissance activities, includ-
and fighter-bombers to targets in France, ing the group’s support of the assault on
Germany, and the Low Countries; strafed the Siegfried Line and its participation
and dive-bombed trains, marshalling yards, in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 194-Jan
bridges, vehicles, airfields, troops, gun 1945). Assisted Ninth Army’s drive across
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 247
the Rhine and deep into Germany during Apr 1943; Col John R Ulricson, 5 Jun 1943;
the period from Feb 1945 to V-E Day. Col James B Tipton, 7 May 1944; Col
Redesignated 363d Reconnaissance Group James M Smelley, c. I Sep 1944; Lt Col
in Jun 1945. Returned to the US in Dec. Seth A Mize, May 1945-unkn. Col Rus-
Inactivated on 11 Dec 1945. sell A Berg, 29 Jul 1946; Col John R Dyas,
Activated on 29 Jul 1946. Equipped c. 23 Aug 1946; Col James M Smelley, 5
initially with RF-80 and RB-26 aircraft, Nov 1947; Lt Col Walter W Berg, 30 Jun
and later with RF-84 and RB-57 aircraft. 1949; Col Willis F Chapman, 31 Oct 1949;
Redesignated 363d Tactical Reconnais- Col Benjamin G Willis, 7 Sep 1950; Maj
sance Group in Jun 1948. Charles N Keppler, c. 13 Mar 1951; Col
SQUADRONS. 9th: 1953-. 12th: 1946- WiIlie 0 Jackson Jr, 2 Apr 1951; Lt Col
1947. 17th: 1951-. 3 ~ ~1945.
t : 33d: 1945. Robert R Smith, I Nov 1951; Lt Col
39th: 1945. 155th: 1945. 160th (formerly Robert R Evans, 5 Mar 1952; Col John
380th, later 16th) : 1943-1945; 1947-1949, M McNabb, 17 Mar 1952; Col Robert R
1 9 p . r6zst (formerly 381st, later 18th) : Smith, c. 4 Mar 1953; Col Paul A Petti-
1943-1945; 1946-1949, 1951-. z62d (for- grew, c. 16 Mar 1955-.
merly 382d) : 1943-1944; 1946-1950. CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
STATIONS. Hamilton Field, Calif, I Mar Normandy; Northern France; Rhine-
1943; Santa Rosa AAFM, Calif, Aug 1943; land ; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Sacramento, Calif, Oct-c. 3 Dec 1943; DECORATIONS. Cited in the Order of the
Keevil, England, c. 23 Dec 1943; Riven- Day, Belgian Army: I Oct 1g44-; 18 Dec
hall, England, Jan 1944; Staplehurst, 1944-15 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
England, Apr 1944; Maupertuis, France, INSIGNE.Shield: Quarterly, first quar-
c. I Jul 1944; Azeville, France, Aug 1944; ter checky, argent and gules; second and
Le Mans, France, Sep 1944; Luxembourg, third quarters, azure; fourth quarter gules,
Luxembourg, c. I Oct 1944; Le Culot, a lion rampant or, armed and langued
Belgium, c. 29 Oct 1944; Venlo, Holland, azure, all within a diminutive of the
Mar 1945; Gutersloh, Germany, c. 15 Apr border or. Wreath of the colors, argent
1945; Brunswick, Germany, c. 22 Apr and gules. Motto: VOIR CEST SAV-
1945; Wiesbaden, Germany, May 1945; OIR-To See is To Know. (Approved 16
Eschwege, Germany, Aug 1945; D a m - Jun 1952.)
stadt, Germany, Sep-c. 2 Dec 1945; Camp
Kilmer, NJ, c. g-11 Dec 1945. Brooks 364th FIGHTER GROUP
Field, Tex, 29 Jul1946; Langley Field, Va,
Dec 1947; Shaw AFB, SC, c. 2 Apr 1951-. Constituted as 364th Fighter Group on
COMMANDERS. Lt Col John R Ulricson, 25 May 1943. Activated on I Jun 1943.
c. I Mar 1943; Capt Dave H Culberson, c. Trained with P-38's. Moved to England,
8 Apr 1943; Maj Theodore C Bunker, c. 27 Jan-Feb 1944. Began operations with
248 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
second DUC for operations on 20 Apr 1945 France, c. 29 Jul 1945; Antwerp, Belgium,
when the group attacked airfields, motor c. 22 Aug-11 Sep 1945; Camp Myles Stand-
transports, and ammunition dumps to aid ish, Mass, 20-22 Sep 1945. Des Moines
the Allied advance through southern Ger- Mun Aprt, Iowa, I Apr 1951; Dow AFB,
many. Ended combat in May and took Maine, 15 Apr 1951; Alexandria AFB, La,
part in the disarmament program until 19 Jun 1952-1 Jan 1953.
Jun 1945. Moved to the US in Sep. Zn- COMMANDERS. Col Lance Call, c. 15
activated on 22 Sep 1945. May 1943; Col Ray J Stecker, 26 Jun 1944;
Redesignated 132d Fighter Group. Al- Lt Col Robert C Richardson 111, 26 Apr
lotted to ANG (Iowa) on q May 1946. 1g45-unkn. Col Charles G Teschner, c.
Extended federal recognition on 23 Aug I Apr 1951; Col Harold J Whiteman, 21
1946. Ordered into active service on I Jun 1952-c. I Jan 1953.
Apr 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Com- CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
mand. Redesignated 132d Fighter-Bom- Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
ber Group in Jun ISI. Assigned to Tac- Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
tical Air Command in Nov 1951. DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Equipped with F-517S but with one squad- tions: Germany, 21 Oct 1944; Germany,
ron using F-847s until late in 1951. Re- 20 Apr 1945. Cited in the Order of the
lieved from active service and returned, Day, Belgian Army: 6 Tun-30 Sep 1944;
less personnel and equipment, to ANG 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945. Belgian Four-
(Iowa), on I Jan 1953. ragere.
SQUADRONS. 224th: 1951-1953. z73d: INSIGNE. Shield: Azure (sky blue),
1951-1953. 386th (later 174th) : 1943- within a diminutive border or, a chevalier
1945; 1951-1953. 387th: 1943-1945. completely armed, in his dexter hand a
388th: 1943-1945. tilting spear, with streamers; on his sinis-
STATIONS.Richmond AAB, Va, 15 May ter arm an escutcheon charged with a
1943; Langley Field, Va, 19 Jul 1943; Dov- tierce, in gyrons of two bendwise; the
er AAFld, Del, 11 Aug 1943; Richmond horse caparisoned and in full gallop, charg-
AAB, Va, 18 Nov-4 Dec 1943; Gosfield, ing, all or, the horse’s hind feet resting on
England, 22 Dec 1943;Beaulieu, England, a cloud proper, issuing from the base.
5 Mar 1944; Azeville, France, 28 Jun 1944; (Approved 17 Oct 1952.)
Lignerolles, France, 15 Aug 1944; Bre-
tigny, France, 3 Sep 1944; Juvincourt, 366th FIGHTER GROUP
France, 15 Sep 1944; Chievres, Belgium,
4 Oct 194.4; Metz, France, 27 Dec 1944; Constituted as 366th Fighter Group on
Florennes/Juzaine, Belgium, 30 Jan 1945; 24 May 1943. Activated on I Jun 1943.
Aachen, Germany, 16 Mar 1945; Fritz- Prepared for overseas duty with P-47’s.
lar, Germany, 13 Apr 1945; Suippes, Moved to England, Dec 1943-Jan 1944.
251
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS
1944; attacked flak positions near Eind-
hoven during the airborne landing in Hol-
land in Sep 19+4; flew armed reconnais-
sance missions over the battle area during
the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945;
and escorted bombers during the airborne
assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. The
366th frequently attacked such targets as
railroads, highways, bridges, motor trans-
ports, gun emplacements, supply depots,
and troops; often escorted bombers that
hit airfields, factories, and marshalling
yards; sometimes flew area patrols; and on
occasion dropped leaflets. Flew last mis-
sion, attacking harbors at Kiel and Flens-
Assigned to Ninth AF. Entered combat
burg, on 3 May 1945. Remained in Ger-
on 14 Mar 1944 with a fighter sweep along
many after the war and, assigned to United
the French coast, then took part in opera-
States Air Forces in Europe, became part
tions designed to prepare the way for the
of the occupation force. Znactivatcd in
invasion of the Continent. Flew fighter
sweeps over Normandy on 6 Jun 194, at- Germany on 20 Aug 1946.
Redesignated 366th Fighter-Bomber
tacking such targets as motor convoys and
Group. Activated in the US on I Jan 1953.
gun emplacements. Moved to the Con-
Assigned to Tactical Air Command.
tinent soon after D-Day and engaged pri-
Trained with F-51, F-84, and F-86 air-
marily in dive-bombing missions against
enemy communications and fortifications craft.
SQUADRONS.389th: 1943-1946; 1g53-.
until May 1945. Received a DUC for s u p
390th: 1943-1946; I953-. 3 9 ~ ~ 1943-
t:
porting ground forces on 11 Jul 194: a p
1946; 1953-.
proaching the assigned target-pillboxes
STATIONS.Richmond AAB, Va, I Jun
in the vicinity of St L e t h e .group dis- 1943; Bluethenthal Field, NC, g Aug 1943;
covered an enemy tank column unknown Richmond AAB, Va, 3-17 Dec 1943; Mem-
to Allied infantry; despite driving rain bury, England, 10 Jan 1944; Thruxton,
and intense antiaircraft fire, t grsup not
/
England, I Mar-12 Jun 1944; St Pierre du
only attacked assigned jectives but also Mont, France, 17 Jun 1944; Dreux/
severely damaged e enemy’s armored Vermouillet, France, 24 Aug 1944; Laon/
force. Among other operations, the Couvron, France, 8 Sep 1944; Assche, Bel-
252 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
z
Lt Col James P Tipton, 19 Apr 1944; Lt
Col Donald K Bennett, 30 Apr 1944; Col
Harold N Holt, c. 22 May 194; Lt Col
Ansel J Wheeler, 28 Apr 1945; Col Clar-
ence T Edwinson, May 1946-unkn. Col
Harold J Whiteman, 1953; Lt Col Carroll \
B McElroy, 9 Jul 1953; Col Timothy F
O'Keefe, 8 Aug 1953; Col Gerald J Dix, I
Sep 1954; Col Clyde B Slocumb Jr, 16 Feb
roads, bridges, hangars, and other targets
1955-.
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe; in western France, and escorting bombers
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; that struck airfields, marshalling yards,
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. and other facilitiesin the same area. From
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- D-Day to 8 Jun 1944, provided cover for
tion: Normandy, 11 Jul1944. Cited in the Allied forces crossing the Channel; dur-
Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Tun- ing the remainder of run, bombed and
30 Sep 1944; I Oct 1944- ; 18 Dec 1944-15 strafed convoys, troops, flak towers, power
Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere. stations, and other objectives behind the
INSIGNE.Shield: Vert, a tiger's face invasion beaches. Moved to the Continent
proper, armed and embrued gules. in Jul 1944 and operated chiefly in support
Motto: AUDENTES FORTUNA JU- of ground forces until V-E Day. Struck
VAT-Fortune Favors the Bold. ( A p railroads, marshalling yards, and trains
to prevent enemy reinforcements from
proved 6 Oct 1954.)
reaching the front during the Allied break-
through at St Lo in Jul 1944. Received a
367th FIGHTER GROUP DUC for a mission in France on 25 Aug:
Constittlted as 367th Fighter Group on after attacking landing grounds at Clastres,
on 15 Jul 1943. Peronne, and Rosieries through an intense
to England, antiaircraft barrage, the group engaged a
number of enemy planes and then, despite
Equipped with P438's in Apr 1944 a low fuel supply, strafed a train and con-
and converted to P-47's in Feb 1945. En- voy after leaving the scene of battle; later
tered combat in May 1944, attacking rail- the same day the 367th flew a fighter
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 253
sweep of more than 800 miles, hitting land- 1943-8 Mar 1944; Stony Cross, England,
ing grounds at Cognac, Bourges, and 5 Apr 1944; Ibsley, England, 6 Jul 1944;
Dijon. Attacked German strong points Beuzeville, France, 22 Jul 1944; Crique-
to aid the Allied push against the Siegfried ville, France, 14 Aug 1944; Peray, France,
Line in the fall of 1944. On 26 Dec, dur- 4 Sep 1944; Clastres, France, 8 Sep 1944;
ing the Battle of the Bulge, escorted C-47's Juvincourt, France, 28 Oct 1944; St-Dizier,
that dropped supplies to Allied troops en- France, I Feb 1945; Conflans, France, 14
circled at Bastogne. Received another Mar 1945; Frankfurt/Eschborn, Germany,
DUC for action on 19 Mar 1945: although' 10 Apr-Jul 1945; Seymour Johnson Field,
its target was located in mountainous ter- NC, Sep? Nov 1945. Holman Field,
rain, concealed by ground haze, and well- Minn, I Mar 1951; Ft Snelling, Minn,
defended by antiaircraft artillery, the 21 Jan-6 Feb 1952.
group descended to low altitude to bomb COMMANDERS. Maj Tuevo A Ahola, 17
and strafe the headquarters of the German Jul 1943; Lt Col John R Alison, 11 Aug
Commander-in-Chief, West, at Ziegen- 1943; Maj Tuevo A Ahola, 22 Oct 1943;
burg. Struck tanks, trucks, flak positions, Maj Morris C Crossen, 25 Nov 1943; Col
and other objectives in support of the as- Charles M Young, 22 Jan 1944; Col Edwin
sault across the Rhine late in Mar and the S Chickering, g Nov rg44-unkn. Col
final Allied operations in Germany. Flew John R Dohny, 1g51-Feb 1952.
last mission on V-E Day. Returned to the CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
US, Jul-Aug 1945. lnactivated on 7 Nov Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
I945 Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Redesignated 133d Fighter Group. Al- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
lotted to ANG (Minn) on 24 May 1946.
tions: France, 25 Aug 1944; Germany, 19
Extended federal recognition on 28 Aug
Mar 1945. Cited in the Order of the Day,
1947. Ordered into active service on I Mar
Belgian Army: 6 Tun-30 Sep 1944; 16 Dec
1951. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
Redesignated 133d Fighter-Interceptor 1944-25 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
Group. Znactivated on 6 Feb 1952. Re- INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and
lieved from active duty, returned to ANG gules, throughout in bend between in chief
(Minn), and activated, on I Dec 1952. the dominant constellation of the northern
SQUADRONS. 109th: 1951-1952. 175th: sky argent (the Big Dipper, Ursa Major,
1951-1952. 3 p d : 1943-1945. 393d (later with the North Star in sinister chief) and
'79th) : 1943-1945; 1951-1952. 394th: in base a griffn sejant with left foreleg
1943-1945. slightly raised or, wings, head and neck
STATIONS. Hamilton Field, Calif, 15 Jul feathers of the first all highlighted white
1943; Santa Rosa AAFld, Calif, 11 Oct and outlined sable, a vol argent outlined
1943; Oakland Mun Aprt, Calif, 10 Dec gray. Motto: SPLENDENTES IN DE-
254 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Lt Col Paul T O’Pizzi, 13 May 1945; Lt port the drive of ground forces across
Col Harold G Lund, 19 May-Io Aug 1945. France and into Germany. Hit gun em-
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. placements, troops, supply dumps, and
DECORATIONS. None. tanks near St Lo in Jul and in the Falaise-
INSIGNE.None. Argentan area in Aug 1944. Sent planes
and pilots to England to provide cover for
370th FIGHTER GROUP the airborne assault on Holland in Sep
1944. Struck pillboxes and troops early
in Oct to aid First Army’s capture of
Aachen, and afterward struck railroads,
bridges, viaducts, and tunnels in that area.
Received a DUC for a mission in support
of ground forces in the Hurtgen Forest
area on 2 Dec 1 9 4 when, despite bad
weather and barrages of antiaircraft and
small-armsfire, the group dropped napalm
bombs on 3 heavily defended position in
Bergstein, setting fire to the village and in-
flicting heavy casualties on enemy troops
defending the area. Flew armed recon-
naissance during the Battle of the Bulge,
Dec 1g44-Jan 1945, attacking warehouses,
Constituted as 370th Fighter Group on highways, railroads, motor transports, and
25 May 1943. Activated on I Jul 1943. other targets. Converted to P-~I’s, Feb-
Trained with P-47’s. Moved to England, Mar 1945. Bombed bridges and docks in
Jan-Feb 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF. the vicinity of Wesel to prepare for the
Equipped with P-38’i in Feb and trained crossing of the Rhine, and patrolled the
until I May 1944 when the group entered area as paratroops were dropped on the
combat. Dive-bombed radar installations east bank on 24 Mar. Supported opera-
and flak towers, and escorted bombers tions of 2d Armored Division in the Ruhr
that attacked bridges and marshalling Valley in Apr. Flew last mission, a sweep
yards in France as the Allies prepared for over Dessau and Wittenberg, on 4 May
the invasion of the Continent. Provided 1945. Returned to the US, SepNov 1945.
cover for Allied forces that crossed the Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Channel on 6 Jun 1944, and flew armed Redesignated 140th Fighter Group. Al-
reconnaissance missions over the Coten- lotted to ANG (Colo) on 24 May
tin Peninsula until the end of the month. 1946. Extended federal recognition on I
Moved to the Continent in J u l ~ tog sup-
~ Oct 1946. Ordered to active duty on I
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 257
Apr 1951. Assigned to Tactical Air Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944; I Oct
Command. Redesignated 140th Fighter- 1944-; 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945. Belgian
Bomber Group in May 1951. Trained Fourragere.
with F-51's. Relieved from active service INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend, argent and
and returned, less personnel and equip- checky, sable and argent, over all a bend
ment, to ANG (Colo), on I Jan 1953. white. Motto: MILITAT QUASI
SQUADRONS. 120th.' 1951-1953. ZgZst.' TIGRIS QUISQUE-Each Fights Like a
1951-1953. 4ozst: 1943-1945. 402d (later Tiger. (Approved 4 Jun 1952.)
187th) : 1943-1945; 1951-1953. 485th:
1943-1945.
STATIONS. Westover Field, Mass, I Jul 371st FIGHTER GROUP
1943; Groton AAFld, Conn, 19 Oct 1943;
Bradley Field, Conn, 5-20 Jan 1944; Alder-
maston, England, 12 Feb 1944; Andover,
England, 29 Feb-Ig Jul 1944; Cardonville,
France, 24 Jul 1944; La Vielle, France, 15
Aug 1944; Lonray, France, 6 Sep 1944;
Roye/Amy, France, 11 Sep 1944; Flo-
rennes/Juxaine, Belgium, 26 Sep 1944;
Zwartberg, Belgium, 27 Jan 1945; Guter-
sloh, Germany, 20 Apr 1945; Sandhofen, y '
remainder of the Normandy campaign. 1943; Richmond AAB, Va, 18 Jan-14 Feb
Participated in the aerial barrage that pre- 1944; Bisterne, England, Mar 1944; Beuze-
pared the way for the Allied breakthrough ville, France, Jun 1944; Perthes, France, 18
at St Lo on 25 Jul, and supported the sub- Sep 1944; Dole/Tavaux, France, I Oct
sequent drive across northern France. 1944; Tantonville, France, 20 Dec 1 9 4 ;
Operated in the area of northeastern Metz, France, 15 Feb 1945; Frankfurt/
France and southwestern Germany during Eschborn, Germany, 7 Apr 1945; Furth,
the fall and winter of 1944-1945, attack- Germany, 5 May 1945; Horsching, Aus-
ing such targets as storage dumps, trains, tria, 16 Aug 1945; Stuttgart, Germany,
rail lines, marshalling yards, buildings, SepOct 1945; Camp Shanks, NY, g-10
factories, bridges, roads, vehicles, and Nov 1945. Portland Mun Aprt, Ore, I
strong points. Conducted operations that Mar 1951; O'Hare Intl Aprt, Ill, 11 Apr
supported Allied ground action in the 1951-6 Feb 1952.
Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1g44-Jan 1945. COMMANDERS. Col Bingham T Kleine,
Launched a series of attacks against ve- 27 Jul 1943; Lt Col William P McBride, c.
hicles, factories, buildings, railroad cars, Sep 1g45-unkn. Col Harold W Scruggs,
tanks, and gun emplacements during the 1951-c. Feb 1952.
period 15-21 Mar 1945, being awarded a CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ;
DUC for this six-day action that contriba Normandy ;Northern France; Rhineland;
uted to the defeat of the enemy in southern Ardennes-Alsace;Central Europe.
Germany. Continued operations until DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
May 1945. Returned to the US, Oct-Nov tion: Germany, 15-21 Mar 1945. Cited in
1945. Inactivated on 10 Nov 1945. the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6
Redesignated 142d Fighter Group. Al- run-30 Sep 1944.
lotted to ANG (Ore) on 24 May 1946. INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, issuing from a
Extended federal recognition on 30 Aug barrulet engrailed, argent, a demi sun in
1946. Ordered into active service on I splendour, or ;in chief a stylized futuramic
Mar 1951. Assigned to Air Defense Com- aircraft gules, fimbriated of the second;
mand. Redesignated 142d Fighter-Inter- issuing from base a mountain of three
ceptor Group in Apr 1951. Supervised peaks vert, capped argent. Motto:
the training of attached squadrons that SEMPER VIGILANS-A 1 w a y s on
used F-51, F-84, and F-86 aircraft. Guard. (Approved 24 Jul 1951.)
Znactivated on 6 Feb 1952. Returned to
ANG (Ore) and activated, on I Dec 1952. 372d FIGHTER GROUP
SQUADRONS. 404th.' 1943-1945. 405th:
1943-1945- 406th: 1943-1945. Constituted as 372d Fighter Group on 12
STATIONS. Richmond AAB, Va, 15 Jul Oct 1943 and activated on 28 Oct. As-
1943; Camp Springs AAFld, Md, 30 Sep signed to Fourth AF, and later (Mar 1944)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 259
w
1944; Maj John R Harrison, 16 Feb 1944;
Lt Col Sam W Westbrook, 3 Mar 1944; Lt
Jul 1952.
18 Nova Used C-47'~in training for over- SQUADRoNS* 1947-I949* 5jth'
Seas duty. Moved to the Pacific theater, 1942-1946; 1947-W2; W2-* 56th: IN2-
Jun-Jul 1943, and assigned to Fifth AF. I946; 1947-1952; 5Vh: IW2-19'16;
Operated from New Guinea and Bi& 1947-1952; 5atk: 19P1%6; I947-
from Jul1g43 until Feb 1945, transporting '95'.
men, supplies, and equipment to forward STATIONS.Bowman Field, Ky, 18 Nov
bases on New Guinea and New Britain 1942; Sedalia A A F N Mo, 23 Jan 1943;
and in the Solomon and Admiralty Islands. Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, 5 May
Used armed B-17'~ for the more hazard- I943 ; Baer Field, 2-15 Jun 1943; BriS
ous missions that involved landing on bane, Australia, 13 Jul 1943;Port Moresby,
fields that were under enemy attack. Took New Guinea, 31 Jul1943; Dobodura, New
part in the first airborne operation in the Guinea, 19 Aug 1943; Port Moresby, New
Guinea, 19 Dec 1943; Nadzab, New
Southwest Pacific, dropping paratroops to
Guinea, 22 Apr 1944; Biak, 27 Sep 1944;
seize enemy bases and cut overland supply
San Jose, Mindoro, 17 Feb 1945; Porac,
lines at Nadzab, New Guinea, on 5 Sep Luzon, 20 May 1945; Okinawa, Aug 1945;
'943. Converted to G46 aircraft late in Tachikawa, Japan, Sep 1945-25 Mar 1946.
'944. Moved to the in Feb Greater Pittsburgh Aprt, Pa, 3 Aug 1947;
I945 and duringthe next few months Donaldson AFB, SC, 15 Oct 1950-14 Jul
Of its missions were SUPPIY flights to
1952. Pittsburgh, Pa, 14 Jul 1952-.
ground forces on h z o n and neighboring COMMANDERS. Col Joel G Pitts, 20 Nov
islands. Transported cargo to forces in the 1942; Lt ~ 0 Maurice
1 w Wiley, 25 Dec
R~ukyus,Jun-Jul 1945. h k ~ e dto Okin- 1944; Lt Col John L Ames Jr, Aug 1945;
awa in Aug, and after the war helped Lt Col Benjamin C King, Sep 1945; Col
transfer troops from Luzon to the Ryukyus Marshall S Roth, Oct 1g45-unkn. Capt
for staging to Japan. Also ferried liberated Charles J Newell, 15 Oct 1950; Lt Col
264 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Charles R Gianque, 7 Nov 1950; Col Ken- Middle East, Nov 1g42Sep 1943, and with
neth L Johnson, 13 Nov 1951; Lt Col Twelfth AF from Tunisia, SepNov 1943.
Arthur J Staveley, I Feb 1952; Col Stewart Attacked shipping in the Mediterranean
H Nichols, 17 Apr-14 Jul1g52. and harbor installations in Libya, Tunisia,
CAMPAIGNS, Air Offensive, Japan; New Sicily, and Italy to cut enemy supply lines
Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck to Africa. Struck airdromes, marshalling
Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; yards, and other objectives in Sicily and
Luzon ;Ryukyus. Italy after the fall of Tunisia in May 1943.
DECORATIONS. Philippine Presidential Received a DUC for action against the
Unit Citation. enemy in the Middle East, North Africa,
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, between a bend, and Sicily, Nov 1g42-Aug 1943. Partici-
compony of seven or and azure, cottised pated in the famed low-level assault on oil
argent, a Pegasus rampant argent, and a refineries at Ploesti and received another
parachute between two wings of the last. DUC: nearing Ploesti on I Aug 1943 and
Motto: NOLLE SECUNDICNone but realizing that it was off course, the group
the Best. (Approved 12 Feb 1952.) attempted to reach its assigned objective
from another direction; by this time, how-
376th BOMBARDMENT GROUP ever, enemy defenses were thoroughly
alerted and intense opposition forced the
376th to divert to targets of opportunity in
the general target area. Moved to Italy in
Nov 1943 and operated with Fifteenth AF
until Apr 1945: Engaged primarily in
long-range missions to targets in Italy,
France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Aus-
tria, Hungary, and the Balkans to bomb
factories, marshalling yards, oil refineries,
oil storage facilities, airdromes, bridges,
\ harbors, and other objectives. Received a
\(
DUC for attacking the oil industry at
(:>-/$-/
>; ;+ . \ /’ Bratislava on 16 Jun 1944. Also flew sup-
port and interdictory missions, assisting
1.Y
Allied forces at Anzio and Cassino during
Constituted as 376th Bombardment Feb-Mar 1944, supporting the invasion of
Group (Heavy) on 19 Oct 1942 and acti- Southern France in Aug 194, aiding the
vated in Palestine on 31 Oct. Began com- Russian sweep into the Balkans during the
bat immediately, using B-q aircraft. Op- fall of 1944, and assisting Allied troops in
erated with Ninth AF from bases in the northern Italy during Apr 1945. Moved
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 265
radar stations, and other installations be- argent; all between a dart, with three stars
fore the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944; arched and an atomic symbol encircled by
bombed defended positions just ahead of nine stars, all of the last. Motto: DILI-
the Allied landings on 6 Jun; and struck GENTIA ET ACCURATIO-Precision
airfields, rail choke points, and gun em- and Accuracy. (Approved 23 Aug 1958.)
placements during the campaign that
followed. Bombed enemy positions to 380th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
assist ground troops at St Lo during the
__
breakthrough, 24-25 Jul 1944. Attacked
German communications and fortifica-
tions during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec
1g44-Jan 1945. Bombed bridges and via-
ducts in France and Germany to aid the
Allied assault across the Rhine, Feb-Mar
1945. Moved to French Morocco in Jun
1945. Znactivated on 25 Jul 1945.
SQUADRONS. 524h: 1942-1945. 525th:
1942-1945, 526th: 1942-1945. 527th:
1942-1945.
STATIONS. Geiger Field, Wash, 3 Nov
1942;Wendover Field, Utah, 19 Nov 1942;
Sioux City AAB, Iowa, 3 Feb-Apr 1943;
Kimbolton, England, 21 May 1943-12 Jun Constituted as 380th Bombardment
1945; Casablanca, French Morocco, 17 Group (Heavy) on 28 Oct 1942. Acti-
Jun-25 Jul 1945. vated on 3 Nov 1942. Used B-24’s in
COMMANDERS. Col Maurice A Preston, preparing for overseas duty. Moved to
26 Nov 1942; Col Lewis E Lyle, 11 Oct the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Apr-May
1944; Lt Col Lloyd C Mason, 6 May 1945; 1943. Assigned to Fifth AF but attached
Lt Col Horace E Frink, 23 May-Jun 1945. to Royal Australian Air Force until Jan
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ; 1945. Trained Australian crews to operate
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland ; B-24’s. Began combat operations in May
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. 1943 by flying armed reconnaissance
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- patrols. Operated from Australian bases
tions: Continental Europe, 29 May 1943- for a year and a half, striking enemy air-
31 Jul 1 9 4 ; Germany, 11 Jan 1944. fields, ground installations, shipping, and
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and industries in the Netherlands Indies and
gules, on a lightning bolt per bend the Bismarck Archipelago. Received a
throughout, or, seven stars per bend DUC for a series of long-range attacks on
268 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
oil refineries, shipping, and dock facili- 1945-20 Feb 1946. MacDill Field, Fla, 16
ties in Balikpapan, Borneo, in Aug 1943. Jun 1947-16 May 1951.
Repeatedly bombed enemy airfields in COMMANDERS. Col William A Miller,
western New Guinea during Apr and May 3 Nov 1942; Col Forrest L Brissey, 10 Feb
1944 in support of American landings in 1944; Lt Col Gayle S Cox, 30 Aug 1945;
the Hollandia area, being awarded another Col David A Tate, 8 Sep 1g45-unkn.
DUC for this action. Moved in Feb 1945 CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan ;
to Mindoro where its missions included China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck
support for ground forces on Luzon and Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte;
strikes on industries in Formosa, oil re.. Luzon; Southern Philippines; China
fineries in Borneo, railways and shipping Offensive.
in French Indochina, and ground instal- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
lations on the China coast. Moved to tions: Borneo, 13, 15, and 17 Aug 1943;
Okinawa in Aug 1945, and after V-J Day New Guinea, 20 Apr-17 May 1944. Phil-
flew reconnaissance missions over Japan ippine Presidential Unit Citation.
and ferried liberated prisoners of war from INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, two cloud for-
Japan to Manila. Returned to the Philip- mations argent, fesswise, one issuing from
pines in Nov 1945. Znactivated on 20 Feb dexter enhanced, one from sinister abased
1946- surmounted by a sword in pale, point to
Redesignated 380th Bombardment base, or, hilt, grip and pommel gules, en-
Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the twined with an olive branch vert. Motto:
reserve. Activated in the US on 16 Jun STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE.
1947. Redesignated 380th Bombardment (Approved 26 Nov 1956.)
Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. Ordered
to active duty on I May 1951. Znactivated 381st BOMBARDMENT GROUP
on 16 May 1951.
SQUADRONS. 328th: 1942-1946; 1947- Constituted as 381st Bombardment
1951. 329th: 1942-1946; 1947-1949, Group (Heavy) on 28 Oct 1942. Acti-
330th: 1942-1946; 1947-1949. 331st: 1942- vated on 3 Nov 1942. Used B-17’s in pre-
1946; 1947-1951. paring for duty overseas. Moved to Eng-
STATIONS.Davis-Monthan Field, Ark, land, May-Jun 1943, and assigned to
3 Nov 1942; Biggs Field, Tex, 2 Dec 1942; Eighth AF. Served in combat from Jun
Lowry Field, Colo, 4 Mar-c. 17 Apr 1943; 1943 to Apr 1945, operating chieily against
Fenton, Australia, May 1943; Darwin, strategic objectives on the Continent. Spe-
Australia, g Aug 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, cific targets included an aircraft assembly
20 Feb 1945; Okinawa, c. g Aug 1945; plant at Villacoublay, an airdrome at
Ft William McKinley, Luzon, 28 Nov Amiens, locks at St Nazaire, an aircraft
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 269
engine factory at Le Mans, nitrate works serve. Activated on 24 Jul 1947. Inacti-
in Norway, aircraft plants in Brussels, in- vated on 27 Jun 1949.
dustrial areas of Munster, U-boat yards at SQUADRONS. 509th: 1948-1949. 5 ~ 0 t h :
Kiel, marshalling yards at Off enberg, air- 1948-1949. 5332d: 1942-1945; 1947-1949-
craft factories at Kassel, aircraft assembly 533d: 1942-1945- 534th: 1942-1945 ; 1947-
plants at Leipzig, oil refineries at Gelsen- 1948. 535th: 1942-1945 ; 1947-1949-
kirchen, and ball-bearing works at STATIONS.Gowen Field, Idaho, 3 Nov
Schweinfurt. Received a DUC for per- 1942; Ephrata, Wash, c. I Dec 1942; Pyote
formance on 8 Oct 1943 when shipyards AAB, Tex, c. 3 Jan 1943; Pueblo AAB,
at Bremen were bombed accurately in Colo, c. 5 Apr-c. g May 1943; Ridgewell,
spite of persistent enemy fighter attacks England, Jun 1g43-Jun 1945; Sioux Falls
and heavy flak. Received second DUC AAFld, SD, Jul-28 Aug 1945. Offutt
for similar action on 11 Jan 1944 during a Field, Neb, 24 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949.
mission against aircraft factories in central COMMANDERS. Col Joseph J Nazzaro,
Germany. Participated in the intensive Jan 1943; Col Harry P Leber Jr, c. g Jan
campaign of heavy bombers against enemy 1944; Lt Col Conway S Hall, 6 Feb 1945-
aircraft factories during Big Week, 20-25 unkn.
Feb 1944. Often supported ground troops CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
and attacked targets of interdiction when Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
not engaged in strategic bombardment. Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Supported the Normandy invasion in Jun DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
tions: Germany, 8 Oct 1943; Germany, 11
1944 by bombing bridges and airfields near
the beachhead. Attacked enemy positions Jan 1944.
INSIGNE.None.
in advance of ground forces at St Lo in Jul
1944. Assisted the airborne assault on
Holland in Sep. Struck airfields and com- 382d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
munications near the battle zone during
Constituted as 382d Bombardment
the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1g44-Jan 1945. Group (Heavy) on 28 Oct 1942. Acti-
Supported the Allied crossing of the Rhine vated on 3 Nov 1942. Assigned to Second
in Mar 1945 and then operated against AF and equipped with B-24's. Served
communications and transportation in the first as an operational training and later
final push through Germany. Returned as a replacement training unit. Inacti-
to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Inactivated on vated on 31 Mar 1944.
28 Aug 1945. Redesignated 382d Bombardment
Redesignated 38ISt Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 25
Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the re- Aug I ~ M . Assigned to Second AF.
270 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Trained for overseas duty with B-29’s. later as a replacement training unit. Zn-
Moved to the Pacific theater, Jul-Sep 1945, activated on I Apr 1944.
and assigned to Eighth AF. The war Redesignated 383d Bombardment Group
ended before the group could enter com- (Very Heavy). Activated on 28 Aug
bat. Returned to the US in Dec 1945. 1944. Assigned to Second AF. Prepared
Inactivated on 4 Jan 1946. for combat with B-29’s. Moved to the
SQUADRONS. 420th: 1944-1946. 464th: Pacific theater, Aug-Sep 1945, and as-
1944-1946. 536th: 1942-1944. 537th: signed to Eighth AF. The war ended
1942-1944. 538th: 1942-1944. 539th: before the group could enter combat. Re-
1942-1944. 872d: 1944-1946. turned to the US in Dec 1945. Inactivated
STATIONS.Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, on 3 Jan 1946.
3 Nov 1942; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, SQUADRONS. 540th: 1942-1944. 54ZJt:
23 Jan 1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 5 1942-1944. 542d: 1942-1944. 543d: 1942-
Apr 1943; Muroc AAFld, Calif, 6 Dec 1944. 876th: 1944-1946. 880th: 1944-1946.
1943-31 Mar 1944. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 884th: 1944-1946.
25 Aug 1944; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 11 STATIONS. Salt Lake City AAB, Utah,
Dec 1944-8 Jul1945; Guam, 8 Sep-16 Dec 3 Nov 1942; Rapid City AAB, SD, 12 Nov
1945; Camp Anza, Calif, 30 Dec 1945-4 1942; Geiger Field, Wash, 20 Jun 1943;
Jan 1946. Peterson Field, &lo, 26 Oct 1943-1 Apr
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Nov 1942-Jan 1944. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 28 Aug 1944;
1943; Maj Paul Schwartz, 23 Jan 1943; Lt Walker AAFld, Kan, 14 Jan-11 Aug 1945;
Col George E Glober, 18 Jun 1943-31 Mar Tinian, 12 Sep-19 Dec 1945; Camp Anza,
Calif, 2-3 Jan 1946.
1944. 2d Lt Melvin A Dilcherd, 29 Aug
COMMANDERS. Maj Elliot Vandevanter
1944; Col William W Jones, 19 Sep 1944;
Jr, 27 Nov ~gp-unkn. Lt Col John P
Col Audrin R Walker, 16 Feb 1945-unkn.
Proctor, 1944; Col Richard M Mont-
CAMPAIGNS. -American Theater ; Asi-
gomery, 8 Dec 1g44-unkn.
atic-Pacific Theater. CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Asi-
DECORATIONS. None. atic-Pacific Theater.
INSIGNE.None. DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None.
383d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
Constituted as 383d Bombardment
384th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
Group (Heavy) on 28 Oct 1942. Acti- Constituted as 384th Bombardment
vated on 3 Nov 1942. Assigned to Second Group (Heavy) on 25 Nov 1942. ActC
AF. Equipped with B-17’s and B-24’s. vated on I Dec 1942. Trained for combat
Served first as an operational training and with B-17’s. Moved to England, May-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 271
1943; Snetterton Heath, England, 3 Jun and bridges in France during May 1944.
1943; Boxted, England, 10 Jun 1943; Bombed along the invasion coast on 6 Jun
Great Dunmow, England, 3 Sep 1943; 1944 and supported ground forceis
Beaumont-sur-Oise,France, 2 Oct 1944;St- throughout the month by raiding rail-
Trond, Belgium, g Apr-Jul1945; Seymour roads, bridges, road junctions, defended
Johnson Field, NC, 7 Aug 1945;Westover areas, and fuel dumps. Moved to the Con-
Field, Mass 30 S e w Nov 1945. Bunker tinent in Jul 1944 and participated in at-
Hill AFB, Ind, 8 Apr 1956. tacks on the enemy at St Lo in the latter
COMMANDERS. Col Lester J Maitland, c. part of the month and on German forces
I Dec 1942;Col Richard C Sanders, 18Nov at Brest during Aug and Sep. Extended
1943;Col Joe W Kelly, 22 Jan 1944;Col operations into Germany by fall of 1944.
Thomas G Corbin, c. 25 Aug 1944-1945. Received a DUC for action during the Bat-
Capt Amos B Leighton, 8 Apr 1956. tle of the Bulge when the group hit
CAMPAIGNS. Air OAensive, Europe ; strongly defended transportation and
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; communications targets at Mayen and
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Prum. Supported the Allied drive into
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- the Reich by attacking bridges, communi-
tion: ETO, 30 Jul 1943-30 Jul 1944. cations centers, marshalling yards, storage
INSIGNE.None. installations, and other objectives. Ended
combat operations in Apr 1945, Returned
387th BOMBARDMENT GROUP to the US in Nov. Inactivated on 17 Nov
1945.
Constituted as 387th Bombardment SQUADRONS. 556th: 1942-1945. 557th.’
Group (Medium) on 25 Nov 1942. A d - 1942-1945. 558th: 1942-1945. 559th:
pated on I Dec 1942. Trained with B-26 1942-1945-
aircraft. Moved to England in Jun 1943. STATIONS.MacDill Field, Flay I Dec
Served with Eighth AF until assigned to 1942;Drane Field, Fla, 12Apr 1943;God-
Ninth in Oct 1943. Began combat in Aug man Field, Ky, c. 11 May-Io Jun 1943;
1943 and concentrated its attacks on air- Chipping Ongar, England, 25 Tun 1943;
dromes during the first months of opera- Stony Cross, England, 18 Jul 1944;Mau-
tions. Made numerous strikes on V- pertuis, France, 22 Aug 1944;Chateaudun,
weapon sites in France in the winter of France, 18 Sep 1944;Clastres, France, 30
1943-1944. Hit airfields at Leeuwarden Oct 1944; Beek, Holland, 29 Apr 1945;
and Venlo during Big Week, 20-25 Feb Rosieres-en-Santerre, France, 24 May-c.
1944, the intensive campaign against the Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 14-17Nov
German Air Force and aircraft industry. 1945-
Helped to prepare for the invasion of COMMANDERS. Maj David S Blackwell,
Normandy by attacking coastal batteries 20 Dec 1942;Col Carl R Storrie, c. 19 Jan
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 275
during the early months of 1945 by strik- Supporters: The shield supported by two
ing targets such as marshalling yards, rail wings light blue, feathered and detail
bridges, and road junctions. After V-E black. Motto: LIBERTAS VEL
Day, flew food to Holland to relieve flood- MORS-Liberty or Death. (Approved 11
stricken areas. Returned to the US in Mar 1955.)
Aug. Inactiva.ted on 28 Aug 1945.
Redesignated 388th Fighter-Bomber 389th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
Group. Activated on 23 Nov 1953. As-
signed to Tactical Air Command. Trained Constituted as 389th Bombardment
with F-86 aircraft. Moved to France, Group (Heavy) on 19 Dec 1942 and a-
Nov-Dec 1954, and became part of United tivated on q Dec. Prepared for duty
States Air Forces in Europe. overseas with B-21’s. Moved to England,
SQUADRONS. 560th: 1942-1945. 56zst: Tun-Jul 1943, and assigned to Eighth AF.
1942-1945 ;I%3-. 562d: 1942-1945; I953-. Almost immediately a detachment was
563d: 1942-1945; 1953-0 sent to Libya, where it began operations
STATIONS.Gowen Field, Idaho, 24 Dec on g Jul 1943. The detachment flew mis-
1942; Wendover Field, Utah, I Feb 1943; sions to Crete, Sicily, Italy, Austria, and
Sioux City AAB, Iowa, c. 29 Apr-Io Jun Rumania. The group received a DUC for
1943; Knettishall, England, Jun 1943-Aug the detachment’s participation in the
1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 13-28 Aug famed low-level attack against oil refi-
1945. Clovis AFB, NM, 23 Nov 1953-28 neries at Ploesti on I Aug 1943. For his
Nov 1954; Etain Rouvres AB, France, 12 action during the same operation, 2d Lt
Dec 1g54-. Lloyd H Hughes was awarded the Medal
COMMANDERS. Col William B David, I of Honor: refusing to turn back although
Feb 1943; Col Chester C Cox, 7 Oct 1944- gasoline was streaming from his flak-
c. 28 Aug 1945. Maj Charles M Read, damaged plane, Lt Hughes flew at low
23 Nov 1953; Col Clayton L Peterson, 11 altitude over the blazing target area and
Jan 1954-* bombed the objective; the plane crashed
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe; before Hughes could make the forced
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; landing that he attempted after the bomb
Ardennes-Alsacc; Central Europe. run. The detachment returned to Eng-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- land in Aug and the group flew several
tions: Germany, 17 Aug 1943; Hannover, missions against airfields in France and
Germany (26 Jun 1g43), Brux, Czecho- Holland. Operating temporarily from
slovakia (12 May 1g44), and from Eng- Tunisia, Sep-Oct 1943, the 389th supported
land to Russia (21 Jun 1944). Allied operations at Salerno and hit tar-
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and gets in Corsica, Italy, and Austria. Re-
gules, on a bend or, a lightning flash sable. sumed operations from England in Oct
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 277
1943, and until Apr 1945 concentrated pri- Ramsay D Potts Jr, 17 Aug 1 9 4 ; Col John
marily on strategic objectives in France, B Herboth Jr, 4 Dec 1944; Lt Col Jack G
the Low Countries, and Germany. Tar- Merrell, 14 Apr 1945-unkn.
gets included shipbuilding yards at Vege- CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea-
sack, industrial areas of Berlin, oil facili- ter; Air Offensive, Europe ; Sicily ;Naples-
ties at Merseburg, factories at Munster, Foggia; Normandy; Northern France;
railroad yards at Sangerhausen, and V- Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Eu-
weapon sites at Pas de Calais. Participated rope.
in the intensive air campaign against the DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
German aircraft industry during Big tion: Ploesti, Rumania, I Aug 1943.
Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Also flew support INSIGNE.None.
and interdictory missions on several oc-
casions, bombing gun batteries and air- 390th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
fields in support of the Normandy in-
vasion in Jun 1944, striking enemy posi- Constituted as 390th Bombardment
tions to aid the breakthrough at St Lo Group (Heavy) on 15 Jan 1943 and acti-
in Jul 1944, hitting storage depots and vated on 26 Jan. Prepared for combat
communications centers during the Bat- with B-17’s. Moved to England in Jul
tle of the Bulge (Dec IgM-Jan 1945), and 1943 and assigned to Eighth AF. Op-
dropping food, ammunition, gasoline, and erated chiefly against strategic objectives,
other supplies to troops participating in flying many missions with the aid of path-
the airborne assault across the Rhine in finders. Began combat on 12 Aug 1943.
Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission late Five days later, attacked the Messerschmitt
in Apr 1945. Returned to the US, May- aircraft complex at Regensburg and re-
Jun 1945. Inactivated on 13 Sep 1945. ceived a DUC for the mission. Received
SQUADRONS, 564th: 1942-1945. 565th: another DUC for a mission on 14 Oct
1942-1945. 566th: 1942-1945. 567th: 1943 when the group braved unrelenting
1942-1945. assaults by enemy fighters to bomb the
STATIONS.Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, antifriction-bearing plants at Schweinfurt.
24 Dec 1942; Biggs Field, Tex, I Feb 1943; Participating in the intensive Allied as-
Lowry Field, &lo, 19 Apr-8 Jun 1943; sault on the German aircraft industry dur-
Hethel, England, 11 Jun 1943-30 May ing Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944, the organi-
1945; Charleston AAFld, SC, 12 Jun-13 zation bombed aircraft factories, instru-
SeP 1945. ment plants, and air parks. Other stra-
COMMANDERS. Col David B Lancaster, tegic missions included attacks on marshal-
24 Dec 1942; Col Jack W Wood, 16 May ling yards at Frankfurt, bridges at
1943; Col Milton W Arnold, 30 Dec 1943; Cologne, oil facilities at Zeitz, factories at
Col Robert B Miller, 29 Mar 1944; Col Mannheim, naval installations at Bremen,
278 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
the Continent in Sep 1944, extending its IjOth: 1951-1952. 572d: 1943-1945-
area of operations into Germany and con- 573d: 1943-1945. 5742h: 1943-1945.
tinuing its attacks against enemy railroads, 575th: 1943-1945-
highways, troops, bridges, ammunition STATIONS.MacDill Field, Flay 21 Jan
dumps, and other targets. Contributed 1943; Myrtle Beach Bombing Range, SC,
vital assistance to ground forces during the 24 May 1943; Godman Field, Ky, 4 Sep-31
Battle of the Bulge by attacking heavily Dec 1943; Matching, England, 25 Jan 1944;
defended positions such as bridges and Roye/Amy, France, 19 Sep 1944; Assche,
viaducts, 23-26 Dec 1944; for these mis- Belgium, 16 Apr 1945; Vitry-en-Artois,
sions, performed without fighter escort in France, 27 May-27 Jul1945; Camp Shanks,
the face of intense flak and overwhelming NY, Oct-25 Oct 1945. Philadelphia Intl
attacks by enemy aircraft, the group was Aprt, Pa, I Apr 1951; Fairchild AFB,
awarded a DUC. From Jan to May 1945, Wash, 10 Apr 1951-16 Tun 1952.
and using A-26‘s beginning in Apr, the COMMANDERS. Col Gerald E Williams,
group concentrated its attacks on the Ger- 23 Jan 1943-1945. Col Joseph B McManus,
man transportation and communications I Apr 1951; Col Edward D Edwards, 24
system. Flew its last mission on 3 May. Jun 1951; Col S E Manzo, 8 Nov 1951-16
Redesignated 391st Bombardment Group Jun 1952.
(Light) in Jul. Returned to the US in CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
Oct. Inactivated on 25 Oct 1945. Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Redesignated 11 ~ t h Bombardment Ardennes-Alsace ;Central Europe.
Group (Light). Allotted to ANG (Pa) DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recog- tion: Germany, 23-26 Dec 1944.
nition on 20 Dec 1948. Redesignated 111th INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend or and azure,
Composite Group in Nov 1950, and 111th a bend counter compony sable and argent
Bombardment Group (Light) in Feb 1951. between in chief a Pegasus of the second
Ordered to active service on I Apr 1951. and in base a cluster of three feathers of
Assigned to Strategic Air Command. the first surmcunted by a mullet of the
Trained with B-26 and B-29 aircraft. fourth and third. Motto: VIRTUTE
Redesignated I I Ith Strategic Reconnais- ALISQUE-With Wings and Courage.
sance Group (Medium) in Aug 1951. (Approved 11 Jan 1954.)
Converted to RB-29’s. Znactivated on 16
Jun 1952. Returned to ANG (Pa), re-
372d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
designated I I Ith Fighter-Bomber Group,
and activated, on I Jan 1953. Constituted as 392d Bombardment
SQUADRONS.rojd: 1951-1952. 117th: Group (Heavy) on 15 Jan 1943 and acti-
1951. 122d: 1951. 129th: 1951-1952. vated on 26 Jan. Trained with B-24’s.
280 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Rhine in Mar '945. last 'Ombat tional training unit until Aug 1943, then
mission on 25 APr 1945, then carried f w d became a replacement training unit. Zn-
to the Dutch. Returned to the US in Tun. activated on I Apr 1944.
Inactivated on 13 Sep 1945. SQUADRONS. 580th: 1943-1944. 58zst:
Redesignated 392d Bombardment 1943-1944. 582d: 1943-1944. 583d: 1943-
Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the 1944.
reserve. Activated on 30 Jul 1947. Re- STATIONS.Geiger Field, Wash, 16 Feb
designated 392d Bombardment Group 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 3 Mar 1943;
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 28 1
Wendover Field, Utah, Apr 1943; Sioux fuel supplies, and strong points in sup-
City AAB, Iowa, 11 Jun 1943; Kearney port of the Normandy campaign. Aided
AAFld, Neb, I Aug 1943;Sioux City AAB, the breakthrough at St Lo by bombing
Iowa, 7 Nov 1943-1 Apr 1944. targets in the area on 25 Jul 1944. Re-
COMMANDERS. Col Chester P Gilger, ceived a DUC for operations from 7 to
Feb 1943;Lt Col George A Blakey, 15 Sep g Aug 1944 when the group made five
1943-1 Apr 1944. attacks against strongly fortified targets
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. in northern France, knocking out an
DECORATIONS. None. ammunition dump and four railroad
INSIGNE.None. bridges. Capt Darrell R Lindsey was
awarded the Medal of Honor for lead-
ing a formation of B--26s over one of
394th BOMBARDMENT GROUP these bridges on g Aug. During the
flight, Lindsey’s plane was hit and the right
engine burst into flames. Knowing that
the gasoline tanks could explode at any
moment, he continued to lead the forma-
tion until the bomb run had been made,
then ordered his crew to bail out. The
bombardier, the last man to leave the
plane, offered to lower the wheels so that
Lindsey might escape through the nose of
Oct 1943; Hunter Field, Ga, I Nov 1943- aircraft plants in Munster. Temporarily
13 Mar 1944; Gosfield, England, 5 Apr suspended strategic missions to attack
1944; Rivenhall, England, 15 Apr 1944; coastal defenses and enemy troops on the
Hurn, England, 5 Aug 1944; Gorges, Cherbourg peninsula during the Nor-
France, Aug 1944; Dreux, France, c. 11 mandy invasion in Jun 1944; strike gun
Sep 1944; Peronne, France, 6 Oct 1944; positions neur Eindhoven in support of
Venlo, Holland, 25 Apr 1945; Peronne, the air attack on Holland in Sep 1944; raid
France, c. 24 May-c. Dec 1945; Camp power stations, railroads, and bridges dur-
Kilmer, N J, 5-6 Jan 1946. ing the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan
COMMANDERS. Maj Rollin M Wining- 1945; and attack airfields to aid the Allied
ham, c. May 1943; Lt Col John F Batjer, assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945.
18 Jul 1943; Col Richard T Coiner Jr, 5 Flew last combat mission, attacking an
Oct 1943; Lt Col Jimmie W Britt, 23 Jul airfield in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, on 25
1945-unkn. Apr 1945. Transported liberated prison-
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe; ers from Germany to France after V-E
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Day. Returned to the US, May-Jun 1945.
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Inactivated on I Sep 1945.
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- SQUADRONS. 600th: 1943-1945. 6ozst:
tion: Eller, Germany, 23 Dec 1944. 1943-1945. 602d: 1943-1945. 603d: 1943-
INSIGNE. None. I945
STATIONS. Ephrata AAB, Wash, I Mar
398th BOMBARDMENT GROUP 1943; Blythe AAFld, Calif, 5 Apr 1943;
Geiger Field, Wash, 29 Apr 1943; Rapid
Constituted as 398th Bombardment City AAB, SD, 20 Jun 1943-4 Apr 1944;
Group (Heavy) on 15 Feb 1943. Activated Nuthampstead, England, 22 Apr 1944-26
on I Mar 1943. Prepared for combat with May 1945; Drew Field, Fla, 3 Jul-1 Sep
B-I~’s, but interrupted these activities 1945-
from Jul to Dec 1943 to train replacement COMMANDERS. Col Frank P Hunter Jr,
crews for other organizations. Moved to I Mar 1943; Lt Col Lewis P Ensign, 29
England in Apr 1944 and assigned to Jan 1945; Lt Col Arthur F Briggs, 18 Apr
Eighth AF. Entered combat in May 1944, 1945-unkn.
and until V-E Day operated primarily CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Air
against strategic objectives in Germany, Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
attacking targets such as factories in Ber- France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace;
lin, warehouses in Munich, marshalling Central Europe.
yards in Saarbrucken, shipping facilities DECORATIONS. None.
in Kiel, oil refineries in Merseburg, and INSIGNE. None.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 285
yards, missile sites, marshalling yards, and Falls AAB, Mont, Jul-Oct 1943; Deene-
airfields; beginning in Oct 1944, concen- thorpe, England, c. I Nov 1943-May 1945;
trated on oil reserves. Received a DUC Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 1-28 Aug 1945.
for striking telling blows against German Brooks Field, Tex, 26 Jun 1947; Biggs
aircraft production on 11 Jan and 20 Feb AFB, Tex, 27 Jun 194925 Jun 1951. Alex-
1944. In addition to strategic missions, andria AFB, La, 8 Feb 1954-.
operations included attacks on transpor- COMMANDERS. Col Neil B Harding, c.
tation, airfields, and fortifications prior I Apr 1943; Col Harold W Bowman, Jun
to the Normandy invasion and on D-Day, 1943; Col William T Seawell, Dec 1944-
Jun 1944; support for ground operations 1945. Unkn, I May-25 Jun 1951. Col
during the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul, Walter G Benz Jr, 8 Feb 1954-.
the siege of Brest in Aug, and the airborne CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
attack on Holland in Sep 1944; participa- Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
tion in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944- Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Jan 1945, by assaulting transportation tar- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
gets and communications centers in the tions: Germany, 11 Jan 1944; Germany,
battle area; and support for the airborne 20 Feb 1944.
attack across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Re- INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, within a di-
turned to the US after V-E Day. Inacti- minutive border argent a sheaf of four
vated on 28 Aug 1945. lances bend sinisterwise of the last, sur-
Redesignated 401st Bombardment mounted by a fess chequy sable and of
Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the the second overall a bend wavy vert, gules,
reserve. Activated on 26 Jun 1947. Re- or and of the first each fimbriated silver.
designated 401st Bombardment Group
Motto: CAELUM ARENA NOSTRA-
(Medium) in Jun 1949. Called to active
The Sky is Our Arena. (Approved 9 Sep
service on I May 1951. Assigned to Stra-
tegic Air Command. Znactivated on 25 1958. This insigne replaced an insigne
Jun 1951. approved 22 Apr 1955.)
Redesignated 401st Fighter-Bomber
Group. Activated on 8 Feb 1954. As- 402d FIGHTER GROUP
signed to Tactical Air Command and
equipped with F-86's. Constituted as 402d Bombardment
SQUADRONS. 612th: 1943-1945 ; 1947- Group (Medium) on 20 Apr 1943. Acti-
1951; 1954-. 623th: 1943-1945; 1947- vated in China on 19 May 1943. Assigned
1949; 1954-* 614th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; to Fourteenth AF. No squadrons were
'954-. 615th: 1943-1945 ; 1947-1949- assigned and headquarters apparently was
STATIONS. Ephrata AAB, Wash, I Apr never fully manned. Disbanded in China
1943; Geiger Field, Wash, Jun 1943; Great on 31 Jul 1943. Reconstituted (in Oct
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 287
had been liberated, and flew cargo and pas- q Aug 1945-unkn; Col Audrin R Walker,
senger routes to Japan and Australia. Zn- c. Jun-15 Oct 1946. Lt Col Robert B As-
activated in Manila on 15 Oct 1946. bury, I Apr 1951;Lt Col Henry C Alt-
Redesignated 403d Troop Carrier Group haus, 25 Jul 1951;Maj Wallace C For-
(Medium). Allotted to the reserve. Acti- sythe, 22 Apr 1952;Lt Col Ernest W Bur-
vated in the US on 27 Jun 1949. Called to ton, Aug 1952-1 Jan 1953.
active duty on I Apr 1951. Assigned to CAMPAIGNS.World War ZZ: New
Tactical Air Command. Trained with Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck
C-46 and C-47 aircraft. Moved to Japan, Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte;
Mar-Apr 1952,and attached to Far East Luzon; Southern Philippines. Korean
Air Forces for operations in the war War: Korela Summer-Fall, 1952; Third
against communist forces in Korea. Using Korean Winter.
C-II~’s, aided UN forces in Korea by DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
dropping paratroops and supplies, trans- tion : Philippine Islands, 17 Apr-30 Jun
porting personnel and equipment, and 1945. Philippine Presidential Unit Cita-
evacuating casualties. Relieved from ac- tion. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit
tive duty and inactivated in Japan, on I Citation: [ 19521.
Jan 1953. INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, two hands in
Allotted to the reserve. Activated in bend sinister proper, the upper a dexter
the US on I Jan 1953. hand issuing from a cloud argent and
SQUADRONS. 6th: 1946. 9th: 1946. holding an olive branch of the second, a
19th: 1946. 63d: 1942-1946; 19491953; lightning flash or and a sword sable, the
‘9537 64th: 1942-1946;1949-1953 ;1953-- lower sinister hand in profile issuing from
65th: 1942-1946;1g4g-1953;1g53-. 66th: a fan indented of seven sections (blue,
1942-1946; 1949-1951. white, orange, black, white, yellow and
STATIONS.Bowman Field, Ky, 12 Dec red) which in turn issues from base, above
1942;Alliance, Neb, 18 Dec 1942;Pope the cloud four mullets of four points of
Field, NC, 3 May 1943;Baer Field, Ind, the third; all within a diminished bordure
20 Jun-c. 15 Jul 1943;Espiritu Santo, 15 of the last. Motto: SPECTATE AD
Sep 1943;Los Negros, 30 Aug 1944;Biak, CAELUM-Look to the Skies. ( A p
4 Oct 1944; Leyte, 25 Jun 1945; Clark proved g Jan 1953.)
Field, Luzon, Jan 1946;Manila, c. Jun-15
Oct 1946. Portland Mun Aprt, Ore, 27 404th FIGHTER GROUP
Jun 1949-29Mar 1952;Ashiya, Japan, 14
Apr 1952-1Jan 1953. Portland Intl Aprt, Constituted as 404th Bombardment
Ore, I Jan 1g53-. Group (Dive) on 25 Jan 1943. Activated
COMMANDERS. Col Harry J Sands Jr, 12 on 4 Feb 1943. Redesignated 404th
Dec 1942;Lt Col Norton H Van Sicklen, Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943.
AIR FORCE COMBAT U N I T M R O U P S 289
STATIONS.Key Field, Miss, 4 Feb 1943; dexter chief, all within a diminutive
Congaree AAFld, SC, 5 Jul 1943; Burns bordure, gules. Motto: TONITRUS E
AAFld, Ore, 4 Sep 1943; Myrtle Beach CAELO-Thunder from the Sky. (Ap-
AAFld, SC, 13 Nov 1943-12 Mar 1944; proved 6 Jun 1952.)
Winkton, England, 4 Apr 1944; Chapelle,
France, 6 Jul 1944; Bretigny, France, 29
Aug 1944; Juvincourt, France, 13 Sep 1944; 405th FIGHTER GROUP
St-Trond, Belgium, I Oct 1944; Keltz, Ger-
many, 30 Mar 1945; Fritzlar, Germany, 12
Apr 1945; Stuttgart, Germany, 23 Tun-2
Aug 1945; Drew Field, Fla, 11 Sep-g Nov
1945. Will Rogers Field, Okla, 10 Oct
1950; Alexandria Mun Aprt, La, 27 Nov
1950-4 May 1952; Chaumont, France, 13
May-Io Jul 1952.
COMMANDERS. Lt Col L u c k G Drafts,
4 Feb 1943; Lt Col James Van G Wilson,
6 May 1943; Col Carroll W McColpin, 27
Jan 1944; Lt Col Leo C Moon, 25 Nov
194; Lt Col John R Murphy, 23 Apr
1945-unkn. Lt Col Joseph W Turner, 10 Constituted as 405th Bombardnierit
Oct 1950; Lt Col Roger B Ludeman, 27 Group (Dive) on 4 Feb 1943. Activated
Dec 1950; Col Chesley G Peterson, 8 Aug on I Mar 1943. Redesignated 405th
1951-10 Jul 1952. Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943, and
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater ;Air Of- 405th Fighter Group in May 1944.
fensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern Trained with A-4, A-25, P-39, and finally
France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace; P-47 aircraft, the latter being used in com-
Central Europe. bat. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944.
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- Entered combat with Ninth AF in Apr
tion: Germany, 10 Sep 194. French 194. Until D-Day, engaged chiefly in
Croix de Guerre with Palm: 29,30, and 31 bombing airdromes, marshalling yards,
Jul 1944. Cited in the Order of the Day, and bridges in France in preparation for
Belgian Army: 6 Tun-30 Sep 1944; I Oct the invasion of France. Flew patrols in
1g44-; 18 Dec 1944-15 Jan 1945. Belgian the vicinity of Brest during the invasion
Fourragere. and then flew armed reconnaissance mis-
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, three lightning sions to support operations in Normandy.
bolts, or, issuing from a cloud, proper, in Moved to the Continent at the end of Jun
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 291
1944 and engaged primarily in providing STATIONS. Drew Field, Fla, I Mar 1943;
support for ground forces until May 1945. Walterboro AAFld, SC, 14 Sep 1943-14
Bombed enemy vehicles and gun positions Feb 1944; Christchurch, England, 7 Mar-
at St Lo in Jul 1944; attacked barges, 22 Jun 1944; Picauville, France, 30 Jun
troops, roads, and warehouses during the 1944; St-Dizier, France, 14 Sep 1944; Op-
Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; hoven, Belgium, 9 Feb 1945; Kitzingen,
and struck airfields and marshalling yards Germany, 30 Apr 1945; Straubing, Ger-
when the Allies crossed the Rhine in Mar many, 8 May-Jul 1945; Camp Patrick
1945. Received a DUC for a mission in Henry, Va, Oct-29 Oct 1945. Godman
France on 24 Sep 1944: answering a re- AFB, Ky, I Dec 1952; Langley AFB, Va,
quest from Third Army for support near 16 Apr 1953-.
Laneuveville-en-Saulnois, two squadrons, COMMANDERS. Lt Col Marvin S Zipp,
flying on instruments through rain and I Mar 1943; Lt Col Mark E Hubbard, 2
dense overcast, were directed by ground Jul 1943; Maj Fred G Hook Jr, 12 Jul
control toward a furious tank battle where, 1943; Col James Ferguson, 5 Nov 1943;
in spite of severe ground fire, one squadron Col Robert L Delashaw, 26 Apr 1944; Lt
repeatedly bombed and strafed enemy Col J Garrett Jackson, 22 Oct 1944-unkn.
tanks; the second squadron, unable to find Col George Laven Jr, I Dec 1952; Col Don-
this target because of the weather, attacked ald A Baccus, 16 Apr 1953; Col William
a convoy of trucks and armored vehicles; S Cowart Jr, 6 Jul 1954; Col Robert D
later the same day, the third squadron hit Johnston, c. 14 May 1955-.
warehouses and other buildings and
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
silenced ground opposition in the area.
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
For operations, Jun-Sep 1944, that aided
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
the drive across Normandy and the libera-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
tion of Belgium, the group was cited by
the Belgian government. Flew last mis- tion: France, 24 Sep 1944. Cited in the
sion on 8 May 1945. Returned to the US, Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-
Jul-Oct 1945. Znactivated on 29 Oct 1945. 30 SeP 1944.
Redesignated 405th Fighter-Bomber INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a sphere argent,
Group. Activated on I Dec 1952. As- land marking and grid lines sable, sur-
signed to Tactical Air Command and mounted by a bend gules, charged with a
equipped with F-84's. lightning flash or, between a fleur-de-lis
SQUADRONS. 509th (formerly 624th) : of the last and two olive branches, in sal-
1943-1945; 1952-. 520th (formerly tire, proper, all within a diminutive bor-
625th) : 1943-1945; 1952-. 512th (for- der of the second. Motto: MOVERE ET
merly 626th) : 1943-1945; 1952-. 627th: AGGREDI-Deploy and Attack. (Ap-
'943. proved 10 Nov 1955.)
292 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
COMMANDERS. 1st Lt William E Gar- signed to Third AF, then to Second (Nov
land, 28 Mar 1943; Lt Col Mark E Hub- 1943), and again to Third (Feb 1944).
bard, 3 Jun 1943; Lt Col Carroll W McCol- Received A-q., A-26, P-40, and P-47 air-
pin, 8 Sep 1943; Maj Pat M DeBerry, 18 craft in Oct 1943 and began training.
Jan 1944; Maj T W Rivers, 30 Mar-1 Apr Disbanded on I Apr 1944.
1944. Reconstituted and redesignated 408th
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 8 Jul
DECORATIONS. None. 1955. Activated on 8 Apr 1956. As-
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure (light blue), signed to Air Defense Command.
over an Indian bow and arrow proper, in SQUADRONS. 455th: 1944. 518th (for-
saltire (the bow green, the arrow yellow, merly 636th) : 1943-1944; 1956. 519th
tipped red, feathered blue, yellow, and red, (formerly 637th) : 1943-1944. 520th (for-
veins black) an Indian shield argent, edged merly 638th) : 1943-1944. 6j9th: 1943.
black, charged with a war bird gules, STATIONS. Key Field, Miss, 5 Apr 1943;
markings sable, twelve feathers pendanted, Drew Field, Fla, 22 Sep 1943; Abilene
from the base of the shield, proper. (Ap- AAFld, Tex, 10 Nov 1943; DeRidder
proved I Jun 1955.) AAB, La, 12 Feb 1944;Woodward AAFld,
Okla, 26 Mar-1 Apr 1944. Klamath Falls
408th FIGHTER GROUP Mun Aprt, Ore, 8 Apr 1956.
COMMANDERS. 1st Lt Reynold H Ulick,
7 Apr 1943; Maj John R Reynolds, 22 Jun
1943; Maj Wyatt P Exum, 22 Sep 1943; Lt
Col Thomas Hitchcock, 26 Dec 1943; Maj
Wyatt P Exum, I Feb 1944; Lt Col Harry
L Galusha, 18 Mar-1 Apr 1944. Lt Col
Robert L Larson, Apr 1956-.
CAMPAIGNS. None.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a lightning
bolt, bendwise, or, between two jet-like
eagles volant proper with trailing speed
vapor proper. Motto: DEFEND WITH
VIGILANCE. (Approved 22 May 1957.)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 295
vated the same day. Used A-20’s in pre- Westover Field, Mass, c. 6 Oct-7 Nov
paring for duty overseas. Moved to 1945.
England, Feb-Mar 1944,and assigned to COMMANDERS. Col Preston P Pender,
Ninth AF. Bombed coastal defenses, V- Jun 1943;Col Thomas R Ford, 4 Jul 1944-
weapon sites, airdromes, and other targets I945
in France, Apr-Jun 1944,in preparation CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe ;
for the invasion of Normandy. Supported Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
ground forces during the Normandy ArJennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
campaign by hitting gun batteries, rail DECORATIONS. None.
lines, bridges, communications, and other INSIGNE.None.
objectives. During Jul 1944, aided the
Allied offensive at Caen and the break- 410th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
through at St Lo with attacks on enemy
troops, flak positions, fortified villages, Constituted as 410th Bombardment
and supply dumps. Suppcrted Third Group (Light) on 16Jun 1943. Activated
Army’s advance toward Germany, Aug- on I Jul 1943. Trained with A-20’s.
Nov 1944,operating from bases in France Moved to England, Mar-Apr 1944, and
beginning in Sep. Converted to A-26 air- assigned to Ninth AF. Entered combat
craft in Dec and participated in the Battle
in May 1944and helped to prepare for the
of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) by at-
invasion of Normandy by assaulting
tacking lines of communication and sup-
coastal defenses, airfields, and V-weapon
ply. Continued to operate against targets
sites in France, and marshalling yards in
in Germany until May 1945. Flew last
mission on 3 May, attacking an ammuni- France and Belgium. Supported the in-
tion dump in Czechoslovakia. Returned vasion in Jun by bombing gun positions
to the US, Jun-Aug 1945. Znactivated on and railway choke points. Assisted
7 Nov 1945. ground forces at Caen and St Lo in,Jul
SQUADRONS. 640th: 1943-1945. 641st: and at Brest in Aug and Sep by attacking
‘943-1945- 642d: 1943-1945- 643d: 1943- bridges, vehicles, fuel and ammunition
1945. dumps, and rail lines. Moved to France in
STATIONS.Will Rogers Field, Okla, I Sep, and through mid-Dec struck de-
Jun 1943;Woodward AAFld, Okla, Oct fended villages, railroad bridges and over-
1943;DeRidder AAB, La, c. 10 Dec 1943- passes, marshalling yards, military camps,
10 Feb 1944;Little Walden, England, 7 and communications centers to support the
Mar 1944; Bretigny, France, Sep 1944; Allied assault on the Siegfried Line. Par-
Laon/Couvron, France, Feb-Jun 1945; ticipated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec
Seymour Johnson Field, NC, Aug 1945; 1944-Jan 1945,by pounding marshalling
296 AIR FORCE COMBAT W I T S OF WORLD WAR I1
tives, Feb-May 1945. Bombed flak posi- tions, installations, and shipping in that
tions in support of the airborne assault area. Operated from Noemfoor, Sep-Dec
across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Returned 1944,attacking airfields and installations
to the US, Jul-Oct 1945. Znactivated on on Ceram, Halmahera, and western New
24 OCt 1945. Guinea. Moved to the Philippines in Dec
SQUADRONS. 668th: 1943-1945. 669th: 1944,and until Jun 1945supported ground
1943-1945. 670th: 1943-1945. 67zst: forces and attacked enemy airfields, trans-
1943-1945- portation, and installations on Luzon,
STATIONS. Will Rogers Field, Okla, 5 Cebu, Negros, and Mindanao. Received
Feb 1943;Lake Charles AAFld, La, 4 Jun a DUC for attacking Japanese convoys at
1943;Laurel AAFld, Miss, Nov 1943- c. Lingayen, 30 Dec 1944-2 Jan 1945,action
I Jan 1944;Wethersfield, England, Feb that not only impaired enemy shipping
1944; Melun, France, Sep 1944; Laon/ and supply strength, but also helped to
Athies, France, Feb 1945; Cormeilles-en- clear the way for the American invasion of
Vexin, France, May-Jul 1945; Camp Luzon. Flew its last missions in Jul,
Myles Standish, Mass, c. 23-24 Oct 1945. dropping propaganda leaflets to Japanese
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Richard D Dick, troops on Luzon. Moved to Okinawa in
Feb 1943;Col Harold L Mace, Oct 1943; Aug 1945 and to Japan in Nov. Inacti-
Col Theodore R Aylesworth, 3 Aug 1944- vated on 15 Nov 1945.
1945. SQUADRONS. 672d: 1943-1945. 673d:
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe; 1943-1945- 674th: 1943-1945 675th:
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; 1943-1945.
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. STATIONS.Will Rogers Field, Okla, 28
DeCORATIONs. Distinguished Unit Cita- Mar 1943;DeRidder AAB, La, 4 Aug-Io
tion: France, 6-g Aug 1944. Dec 1943;Cape Sudest, New Guinea, 28
INSIGNE.None. Jan 1944;Dobodura, New Guinea, 7 Feb
194; Saidor, New Guinea, 8 Apr 1944;
417th BOMBARDMENT GROUP Noemfoor, c. g Sep 1944; Tacloban,
Leyte, 6 Dec 1944;San Jose, Mindoro, 22
Constituted as 417th Bombardment Dec 1944;Okinawa, 17Aug 1945;Itami,
Group (Light) on 23 Mar 1943 and acti- Japan, c. 1-15 Nov 1945.
vated on 28 Mar. Trained with A-20’s. COMMANDERS. Col Jack W Saunders,
Moved to New Guinea, Dec 1g43-Jan 31 Mar 1943;Lt Col Howard S Ellmore,
194,and assigned to Fifth AF. Began 5 Jul 1944; Lt Col Milton W Johnson, 2
combat in Mar 1944,operating in support Jan 1945;Lt Col Charles W Johnson, 28
of ground forces on New Guinea and strik- Apr 1945; Lt Col James E Sweeney, 10
ing airfields, bridges, personnel concentra- Oct-15 Nov 1945.
AIR FORCE COMBAT WITS-GROUPS 301
CAMPAIGNS. New Guinea; Leyte; Lu-
zon ; Southern Philippines.
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
tion: Philippine Islands, 30 Dec 1944-2 Jan
1945. Philippine Presidential Unit Cita-
tion.
INSIGNE. None.
1951; 1956. 340th: 19491951; 1956. training pilot instructors for 111 Fighter
34zst."1g4g-1951;1956. 342d: 1g49-1951. Command. Disbanded on 15 Aug 1943.
STATIONS.Guam, 31 Jan 1945-15 Feb SQUADRONS. 29th: 1943. 32d: 1943.
1946. Richmond AAB, Va, 22 Mar 1947; 33d: 1943. 34th: 1943.
Scott AFB, Ill, 27 Jun 1949-2 May 1951. STATIONS. DeRidder AAB, La, I Apr-
Ardmore AFB, Okla, g Jul1g56. 15 Aug 1943-
COMMANDERS. Capt Vernon C Dang, I COMMANDERS. Unkn.
Feb 1945; Maj Victor C Swearingen, 5 CAMPAIGNS.None.
Mar 1945; Col Frank H Mears, 10 May DECORATIONS.None.
1945;Lt Col Victor C Swearingen, 6 Aug INSIGNE.None.
1945;Maj John B Wakefield Jr, 19 Aug
1945;Capt Vernon C Dang, 10Nov 1945; 424th RECONNAISSANCE
Capt John L Boggs, 21 Nov 1g45-unkn. GROUP
Maj Joseph C Hamilton Jr, g Jul 1956.
CAMPAIGNS. Western Pacific. Constituted as 424th Observation Group
DECORATIONS. None. on 30 Mar 1943. Activated on I Apr 1943.
INSIGNE.Shield: Per pale azure and Assigned to Third AF. Redesignated
vert, on a pile argent a point in point re- 424th Reconnaissance Group on 20 Apr
versed gules between the wings of an eagle 1943. Apparently was never fully organ-
volant, sable, his head and detail of the ized. Disbanded on 15 Aug 1943.
third, grasping with his talons the left SQUADRONS. 35th: 1943. 36th: 1943.
hand of a Roman warrior and lowering 37th: 1943. 38th: 1943.
him to base; the warrior holding a sword STATIONS.DeRidder AAB, La, I Apr-
in his right hand; all between three stars, 15 Aug '943.
argent, one in chief, one in dexter base, COMMANDERS. Unkn.
one in sinister base. (Approved 25 Jun CAMPAIGNS. None.
'957.) DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None.
423d RECONNAISSANCE
GROUP 426th RECONNAISSANCE
GROUP
Constituted as 423d Observation Group
on 30 Mar 1943. Activated on I Apr 1943. Constituted as 426th Reconnaissance
Assigned to Third AF. Redesignated Group on 25 Jun 1943. Activated on I
423d Reconnaissance Group on 20 Apr Jul 1943. Assigned to Third AF. A p
1943. Original mission of training re- parently was never fully organized. Dis-
placements was changed in Jun 1943 to banded on 15Aug 1943.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 303
SQUADRONS. 44th: 1943. 45th: 1943. fighter, bombardment, and ground units
46th: 1943. 47th: 1943. with their training. Disbanded on I Nov
STATIONS.Gainesville AAFld, Tex, I 1943.
Jul-15 Aug 1943. Reconstituted on 14 Jan 1954. Act&
COMMANDERS. Unkn. vated on 18 Mir 1954. Assigned to Tacti-
CAMPAIGNS. None. cal Air Command. Equipped with RF-
DECORATIONS. None. ~o’s, RF-84$, RB-26‘s, RB-g’s, and
INSIGNE. None. RB-66‘s.
SQUADRONS. 3d: 1943. 20th: 1954-.
432d RECONNAISSANCE 29th: 1g54-. 4ist: 1g54-. 43d: 1g54-.
GROUP STATIONS.Alachua AAFld, Fla, 22
Feb 1943; Keystone AAFld, Fla, Mar-1
Nov 1943. Shaw AFB, SC, 18 Mar 1g5p.
COMMANDERS. 1st Lt Richard I Purnell,
c. I Mar 1943; Capt John J Owen Jr, c.
17 Mar 1943; Capt William C Collins, c.
21 Mar 1943; Maj William B Merrill Jr,
23 Mar 1943; Lt Col Eugene H Rice, 18
Apr 1~3-unkn. Col Frank A Sharp, 18
Mar 1954-unkn ;Col John G Foster, ISS-.
CAMPAIGNS. None.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.Shield: Gules, a stylized owl,
holding in his dexter claws two lightning
bolts in saltire, all sable, detail of the field.
Motto: VICTORIA PER SCIENTIAM-
Victory through Knowledge. (Approved
2 Jun 1955.)
Constituted as 432d Observation Group
on 18 Feb 1943 and activated on 22 Feb. 433d TROOP CARRIER GROUP
Assigned to AAF School of Applied Tac-
tics. Redesignated 432d Reconnaissance Constituted as 433d Troop Carrier
Group in Apr 1943, and 432d Tactical Re- Group on 22 Jan 1943. Activated on g
connaissance Group in Aug 1943. Air- Feb 1943. Trained to tow gliders and to
craft included P-39’s and L-3’s. Trained, transport and drop supplies and para-
and provided reconnaissance to assist troops. Moved to New Guinea, via Ha-
304 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
waii, the Fiji Islands, and Australia, 1946; 1947-1952; 1g55-. 68th: 1943-1946;
Aug-Nov 1943. Assigned to Fifth AF. 1947-1952; 1955-. 69th: 1943-1946; 1947-
Operated from New Guinea and Biak un- 1952. 70th: 1943-1946; 1947-1950. 315th:
til 1945,using (2-47’s and a few B-I~’s,plus 194&1949*
C-46‘s that were acquired late in 1944. STATIONS.Florence AAFld, SC, g Feb
Transported troops; hauled such things as 1943; Baer Field, Ind, 1-12 Aug 1943;Port
gasoline, ammunition, medicine, rations, Moresby, New Guinea, 25 Aug 1943;Biak,
communications equipment, and construc- 17 Oct 1 9 4 ; Tanauan, Leyte, 19 Jan 1945;
tion materials; and evacuated wounded Clark Field, Luzon, 31 May 1945; Tachi-
personnel. Moved to the Philippines in kawa, Japan, 11 Sep 1945-15 Jan 1946.
Jan 1945. Operations included delivering Akron, Ohio, 6 Jul 1947; Cleveland Mun
ammunition, rations, and other items to Aprt, Ohio, 27 Tun IW;Greenville AFB,
Filipino guerrilla forces; evacuating pris- SC, 16 Oct 1950-20 Jul 1951;Rhein-Main
oners of war and civilian internees; trans- AB, Germany, 5 Aug 1951-14 Jul 1952.
porting combat units from New Guinea, Brooks AFB, Tex, 18 May 1g55-.
the Netherlands Indies, and the Solomons, COMMANDERS. Col Cecil B Guile, 10
to the Philippines; and dropping rice to Feb 1943; Lt Col Marvin 0 Calliham, 17
the leper colony on Culion Island. Trans- Apr 1945;Lt Col James L Cole, Sep 1945-
ported organizations of Fifth AF to unkn. Lt Col Cornelius P Chima, 15 Oct
Okinawa, Tun-Aug 1945, and hauled 1950; Col Lucion N Powell, 24 Mar-14 Jul
occupation forces to Japan after V-J Day. 1952.
Moved to Japan in Sep 1945. Inactivated CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, J a p a n;
on 15 Jan 1946. New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bis-
Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the marck Archipelago; Western Pacific;
US on 6 Jul 1947. Redesignated 433d Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines;
Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in Jun Ryukyus.
1949. Equipped for a time with C-46 and DECORATIONS.Philippine Presidential
C-47 aircraft; converted to C-119’s in Unit Citation.
1950. Ordered to active service on 15 Oct INSIGNE.None.
1950. Assigned to Tactical Air Com-
mand. Moved to Germany, Jul-Aug 434th TROOP CARRIER GROUP
1951, and assigned to United States Air
Forces in Europe. Inactivated in Ger- Constittlted as 434th Troop Carrier
many on 14 Jul 1952. Group on 30 Jan 1943. Activated on g
Allotted to the reserve. Activated in Feb 1943. Trained with G47’s for opera-
the US on 18 May 1955. tions in Europe with Ninth AF. Moved
SQUADRONS. 5th: 1948-1949. 65th: to England in Oct 1943 and entered a
1943-1945. 66th: 1943-1945. 67th: 1943- seven-month training Deriod with IoIst
C I A
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNI'I'S-GROUPS 305
craft towed two gliders in transporting 20 Feb 1952; Col Leonard J Barrow Jr, 20
troops and equipment to the east bank of Mar-1 Dec 1952.
the Rhine on 24 Mar; then the group flew CAMPAIGNS.Rome-Arno ; Normandy ;
resupply missions to Germany in support Northern France; Southern France;
of ground forces. Transported supplies to Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace ; Central
occupation forces in Germany and evacu- Europe.
ated Allied prisoners of war after V-E DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Day. Returned to the US in Aug. In- tion: France, [67]Jun 1944.
activated on 15 Nov 1945. INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess wavy, or and
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 15 azure, charged with two martlets, counter-
Jul 1947. Redesignated 435th Troop volant and counter-changed, between two
Carrier Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. flanches chequy sable and gules. Motto:
Ordered to active service on I Mar 1951. CITUS ET CERTUS-Swift and Sure.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command. (Approved 22 May 1952.)
Trained with C-119’s. Relieved from
active duty and inactivated, on I Dec 1952. 436th TROOP CARRIER GROUP
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on I
Dec 1952.
SQUADRONS. 75th.’ 1943-1945. 76th:
1943-1945; 1947-1952; I952-. 77th: 1943-
1945; 1947-1952; 1952--. 78th: 1943-1945;
1947-1952; 1952-1954, I955-. 326th: 1947-
1949- 349th.’ I9491951* I
STATIONS.Bowman Field, Ky, 25 Feb
1943; Sedalia AAFld, Mo, 4 May 1943;
Pope Field, NC, 2 Jul 1943; Baer Field,
Ind, 6-13 Oct 1943; Langer, England, 3 A
Nov 1943; Welford Park, England, 25 Jan
1944; Bretigny, Prance, c. 13 Feb-25 Jun
1945; Baer Field, Ind, 5 Aug 1945; Kel-
logg Field, Mich, 13 Sep15 Nov 1945. Constituted as 436th Troop Carrier
Morrison Field, Fla, 15 Jul 1947; Miami Group on 23 Mar 1943. Activated on I
Intl Aprt, Fla, 26 Jun 1949-1 Dec 1952. Apr 1943. Trained with C-47’s for duty
Miami Intl Aprt, Fla, I Dec r g p . in Europe with Ninth AF. Moved over-
COMMANDERS. Col Frank J MacNees, seas, Dec 1g43-Jan 1944. Began opera-
25 Feb 1943-15 Nov 1945. Lt Col Stanley tions in Jun 1944 and participated in four
N Simpson, I Mar 1951; Lt Col John R major airborne operations prior to the Al-
Pountnay, 1951; Maj Thomas L Morris, lied victory in May 1945. Received a DUC
308 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
for its first missions, which were flown Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 18
during the Normandy invasion: dropped May 1955.
paratroops of 82d Airborne Division over SQUADRONS.73d: 1948-1949. 79th:
the beachhead early on 6 Jun; released 194391945; 1949-1951; 1955-- 80th: 1943-
gliders with reinforcements of troops and 1945; 1947-1948, 1949-1951. 8zst: 1943-
supplies on the afternoon of D-Day and 1945; 1947-1948, 1949-1951 ; 19557 826:
on the following morning. In Jul 1 9 4 1943-1945 ; 1947-1951. 316th: 1947-1949.
a detachment was sent to Italy to take part STATIONS.Baer Field, I d , I Apr 1943;
in the invasion of Southern France: re- Alliance AAFld, Neb, 2 May 1943; Lau-
leased gliders carrying troops and dropped rinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, I Aug 1943;
paratroops in the assault area on 15 Aug; Baer Field, Ind, 14-28 Dec 1943; Bottes-
flew several resupply missions to France ford, England, Jan 1944; Membury, Eng-
and then dropped supplies to Allied forces land, 3 Mar 1g44-Feb 1945; Melun,
in Italy. The detachment returned to France, 26 Feb-Jul 1945; Baer Field, Ind,
England late in Aug, and in Sep the group 15 Aug 1945; Malden AAFld, Mo, 13 Sep-
carried out airborne operations over Hol- 15 Nov 1945. Godman Field, Ky, 15 Mar
land, dropping paratroops of Iont Air- 1947; Standiford Mun Aprt, Ky, 20 Oct
borne Division and releasing gliders with 1950-16 Apr 1951. New York NAS, NY,
reinforcements of troops and equipment. 18 May 1g55-.
Towed gliders to Wesel on 24 Mar 1945 COMMANDERS. Col Adriel N Williams,
to provide troops for the airborne assault I Apr 1943-1 Oct 1945; unkn, I Oct-15
across the Rhine; carried gasoline to the NOV1945.
front lines and evacuated patients, 30-31 CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Rome-
Mar. Flew transport missions almost daily Arno; Normandy; Northern France;
when not engaged in airborne operations; Southern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-
hauled such things as gasoline, ammuni-
Alsace; Central Europe.
tion, medical supplies, rations, and cloth-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
ing; evacuated the wounded to hospitals
in England and France. After V-E Day, tion: France, [67]Jun 1944.
evacuated patients and prisoners of war INSIGNE.SliieZd: Gules, a sphere azure
and flew practice missions with French with longitude and latitude lines argent;
paratroops. Returned to the US in Aug. the sphere issuing from four lightning
Inactivated on 15 Nov 1945. bolts radiating upward from base of the
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 15 last; a parachute, in pale, between the four
Mar 1947. Redesignated 436th Troop Car- bolts, two and two, argent, gores outlined
rier Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. of the second, all superimposed over the
Ordered to active duty on I Apr 1951. In- sphere; over all in chief an antique crown
activated on 16 Apr 1951. or, winged argent. Motto: PARATI,
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 309
VOLENTES, POTENTES-Ready, Will- on 24 Aug. During the airborne attack on
ing and Able. (Approved 20 Jun 1957.) Holland, 17-25 Sep 1944, the group re-
leased gliders carrying troops and equip
437th TROOP CARRIER GROUP ment, and flew several resupply missions
to provide reinforcements. Moved to
n France in Feb 1945 for action during the
air assault across the Rhine; each aircraft
towed two gliders over the east bank and
released them near Wesel on 24 Mar 1945.
Flew numerous missions in Mar and Apr
to carry gasoline, food, medicine, and other
supplies to ground forces pushing across
Germany. When not participating in one
of the major airborne operations, the or-
ganization continually transported ammu-
nition, rations, clothing, and other sup-
plies, and evacuated wounded personnel to
W rear-zone hospitals. Evacuated prisoners
of war and displaced persons to relocation
Constitated as 437th Troop Carrier centers after V-E Day. Returned to the
Group on 15 Apr 1943. Activated on I US in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 15 Nov
May 1943. Trained with G 4 6 and G47 I945
aircraft for duty overseas with Ninth AF. Redesignated 437th Troop Carrier
Moved to England, Jan-Feb 1944, and Group (Medium). Allotted to the re-
began preparing for the Normandy in- serve. Activated on 27 Jun 1949. Ordered
vasion. Released gliders near Cherbourg to active duty on 10 Aug 1950. Moved to
early on 6 Jun 1944; flew follow-up m i s - Japan in Nov 1950 and assigned to Far
sions on 6 and 7 Jun, carrying reinforce- East Air Forces for duty in the Korean
ments of troops, antiaircraft pieces, am- War. Used C-119's and (2-46's to partici-
munition, rations, and other supplies for pate in the airlift between Japan and
82d Airborne Division; received a DUC Korea from Dec 1950 to Jun 1952, trans-
for these actions in France. A detach- porting ammunition, rations, aircraft parts,
ment was sent to Italy in Jul 1944 for the gasoline, and other items to Pusan, Taegu,
invasion of Southern France in Aug; it Suwon, Kimpo, Pyongyang, and other
dropped paratroops over the assault area bases in Korea, and evacuating wounded
on 15 Aug, flew a resupply mission on the personnel to hospitals in Japan. Dropped
following day, and then hauled freight to paratroops of 187th Regimental Combat
bases in Italy until it returned to England Team at Munsan-ni in Mar IBI and flew
310 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
flew resupply and reinforcement missions STATIONS.Baer Field, Ind, I Jun 1943;
to combat zones, evacuated casualties, and Sedalia AAFld, Mo,c. 11 Jun 1943;Lau-
hauled freight. Received a DUC for rinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, Oct 1943;Baer
dropping paratroops in Normandy and Field, Ind, c. 15-c.28 Jan 1944;Welfard,
towing gliders with reinforcements during England, Feb 1944;Greenham Common,
the invasion of France in Jun 1944. A de- England, Mar 1944;Prosnes, France, Feb
tachment went to Italy in Jul 1944 and 1945;Amiens/Glisy, France, May-c. 3 Aug
participated in the invasion of Southern 1945;Baer Field, Ind, c. 16 Sep 19,qj;Law-
France in Aug by dropping paratroops and son Field, Ga, c. I Oct-15 Nov 1945. Off-
towing gliders that carried reinforce- utt AFB, Neb, 27 Jun 1g4g-14 Mar 1951.
ments; also hauled freight in Italy before General Billy Mitchell Field, Wis, 15 Jun
returning to England late in Aug. In 1952;Milwaukee, Wis, Jan 1g53-.
Sep the group helped to supply Third COMMANDERS. Lt COl William F Stew-
Army in its push across France, and trans- art, c. I Jun 1943;Col John M Donalson,
ported troops and supplies when the Allies c. 13 Jul 1943;Col Lucion N Powell, 27
launched the airborne operation in Hol- Dec 1944-1945-
land. Flew supply missions to battle CAMPAIGNS.Rome-Amo; Normandy;
areas, including two flights to Bastogne, Narthern France; Southern France;
during the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944- Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Eu-
Jan 1945). Moved to France, Feb-Mar rope.
1945. Dropped paratroops during the air- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
borne attack across the Rhine in Mar. tion: France, [67]Jun 1944.
Evacuated Allied prisoners of war after INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend sinister pur-
pure and argent, fimbriated or, a globe all
V-E Day. Returned to the US, Aug-Sep
elements counterchanged, the globe fim-
1945. Znactivated on 15 Nov 1945.
briated or and purpure, surmounting a
Redesignated 438th Troop Carrier
stylized lashing swirling spear of the first,
Group (Medium). Allotted to the re- second and third, the shield fimbriated
serve. Activated on 27 Jun 1949. Called purpure and or. Motto: NUNQUAM
to active duty on 10 Mar 1951. Znacti- NON PARATUS-Never Unprepared,
vated on 14Mar 1951. (Approved 10 Aug 1954.)
Redesignated 438th Fighter-Bomber
Group. Allotted to the reserve. Acti-
439th TROOP CARRIER GROUP
vated on 15 Jun 1952.
SQUlDRONS. 87th: 1943-1945; Ig4p Constituted as 439th Troap Carrier
1951; 1952-a 88th: 1943-1945; 1949-1951; Group on 14 May 1943. Activated on I
1952-. 89th: 1943-1945; 1949-1951; 1952-. June 1943. Trained with C-47's. Moved
90th: 1943-1945; 1949-1951. ta England, Feb-Mar 1944,for duty with
312 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
to France in Sep. During the attack on France, 11 Sep 1944; Le Mans, France, 30
Holland the 440th dropped paratroops of Sep 1944; Orleans, France, 2 Nov 1944-18
82d Airborne Division near Groesbeek on Oct 1945. Wold-Chamberlain Field,
17 Sep 1944 and released gliders with Minn, 3 Sep 1947-4 May 1951. Ft Snel-
reinforcements on 18 and 23 Sep. On 26 ling, Minn, 15 Jun 1952; Minneapolis-St
Dec 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, Paul Intl Aprt, Minn, 8 Jan 1g53-.
it hauled gliders filled with supplies for COMMANDERS. Maj Charles H Young,
Ioist Airborne Division encircled at Bas- 5 Jul 1943; Lt Col Frank X Krebs, 7 Jul
togne. In Mar 1945 it towed gliders with 1943; Lt Col Loyd C Waldorf, 18 Sep
troops of 17th Airborne Division to the 1944; Col Frank X Krebs, 29 Oct 1944-
battle area near Wesel during the airborne 1945.
assault across the Rhine. When not en- CAMPAIGNS.Rome-Arno; Normandy;
gaged in airborne operations the group Northern France; Southern France;
transported food, clothing, medical s u p Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central
plies, gasoline, ammunition, and other Europe.
cargo to the front lines and evacuated DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
casualties to rear-zone hospitals. After tion: France, [67]Jun 1944.
the war the group transported liberated INSIGNE.Shield: Argent, on and over
prisoners and displaced persons. Znactia the upper edge of a targe azure bearing
vated in Europe on 18 Oct 1945. Polaris and Ursa Major of the field within
Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the an orle or, a winged Viking helmet of the
US on 3 Sep 1947. Redesignated 440th like, behind the targe a sword and spear
Troop Carrier Group (Medium) in Jun in saltire of the last all detailed and fim-
1949. Ordered to active duty on I May briated of the second; all within an orle of
1951. Inactivated on 4 May 1951. the last and a diminished border gold.
Redesignated 440th Fighter-Bomber Motto: NUNQUAM NON PARATUS-
Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated Never Unprepared. (Approved 14 Nov
on 15 Jun 1952. 19584
SQUADRONS. 95th: 1943-1945; 1947-
1951; 1952-Q 96th: 1943-1945; 1947-1951; 441st TROOP CARRIER GROUP I
STATIONS. Baer Field, Ind, I Jul 1943; Group on 25 May 1943. Activated on I
Sedalia AAFld, Mo, g Jul 1943; Alliance Aug 1943. Used C-47’s to train for over- I
AAFld, Neb, 7 Sep 1943; Pope Field, NC, seas duty. Moved to England, Feb-Mar I
4 Jan 1944; Baer Field, Ind, 14-21 Feb 1944, and assigned to Ninth AF. Trained I
1944; Bottesford, England, 11 Mar 1 9 4 ;
Exeter, England, 18 Apr 1944; Reims,
and transported cargo in the United King-
dom until Jun 1944. Began operations 1i
I
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 315
Jun 1944; Bonnetable, France, Oct 1944; in the CBI theater until after the war,
St-Andrede-L'Eure, France, Nov 1944; using G47's and sometimes gliders to
Munich/Riem, Germany, Sep 1p45-30 Sep transport Allied troops, evacuate wounded
1946. Fairfax Field, Kan, 27 Jun 1949; personnel, and haul supplies and materiel,
Olathe NAS, Kan, May 1950-12 Mar 1951. including gasoline, oil, signal and engi-
Olathe NAS, Kan, 15 Jun 1952; Grand- neering equipment, medicine, rations, and
view AFB, Mo, Apr 1g55-. ammunition. The group's missions were
COMMANDERS. Col Charles M Smith, concerned primarily with support for
Sep 1943; Col John C Kilborn, 25 Sep Allied forces that were driving southward
1945; Lt Col Paul A Jones, 4 Oct 1945- through Burma, but the 443d also made
1946; Col Bertram C Harrison, 1g46-unkn. many flights to China. It moved to China
CAMPAIGNS.Rome-Arno; Normandy; in Aug 1945 and received a DUC for
Northern France; Southern France; transporting a Chinese army of more than
Rhineland; Central Europe. 30,000 men from Chihkiang to Nanking
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- in Sep 1945. Returned to the US in Dec.
tion: France, [67]Jun IW. Inactivated on 26 Dec 1945.
INSIGNE.Shield: Light blue, over a sil- Redesignated 443d Troop Carrier Group
houetted parachute Air Force yellow, a (Medium) and allotted to the reserve.
target pattern, to base, red and white, Activated on 27 Jun 1949. Called to active
charged with .an elongated arrow red, duty on I May 1951. Assigned to Tactical
standing on the target a silhouetted air- Air Command. Equipped first with
man, head uplifted toward a stylized air- C-46's, later (in Feb 1952) with C-119's.
craft surmounting the upper section of the Inactivated on I Feb 1953.
parachute all black, the aircraft highlight-
SQUADRONS. zst: 1944-1945. 2d: 1944-
ed white. Motto: SI JEUNESSE SA-
VAIT, SI VIELLESSE POUVAIT-If 1945. 27th: 1944-1945. 309th: 1943-1944;
Youth Knew, If Age Were Able. (Ap- 1949-1953. 310th: 1943-1944; 1949-1953.
proved 6 May 1955.) 315th: 1944-1945- 343d: 1949-1953-
344th . 1949-1951.
STATIONS.Sedalia AAFld, Mo, I Oct
443d TROOP CARRIER GROUP 1943; Alliance AAFld, Neb, 19 Jan 1944-
Constituted as 443d Troup Carrier 15 Feb 1944; Sylhet, India, 15 Feb 1944;
Group on 25 May 1943. Activated on I Sookerating, India, 6 Jun 1944; Dinjan,
Oct 1943. Equipped with L-3, C-53, and India, g Jul 1944; Ledo, India, 8 Oct 1944;
C-47 aircraft. Transferred, without per- Dinjan, India, 11 May 1945; Chihkiang,
sonnel and equipment, on 15 Feb 1944 to China, 28 Aug 1945; Hankow, China, 25
India, where the group was remanned and Sep-30 Nov 1945; Camp Anza, Calif, 23-
new squadrons were assigned. Operated 26 Dec 1945. Hensley Field, Tex, 27 Jun
318 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
1949; Donaldson AFB, SC, 9 Aug 1951- awarded a DUC for the mission. Evacu-
I Feb 1953. ated staging fields in China in Jan 1945
COMMANDERS. Maj Elmer F Estrumse, but continued operations from India,
5 Oct 1943; Lt Col Charles D Farr, 13 Mar bombing targets in Thailand and mining
1944; Lt Col Loren Cornell, 16 May 1944; waters around Singapore.
Col Thomas J Schofield, I Nov 1944; Col Moved to Tinian in the spring of 1945
Herbert A Bott, 12 Apr 1945; Col Fred- for further operations against targets in
erick L Moore, 11 Sep 1945; Lt Col Jack Japan. Participated in bombardment of
F Marr, Dec-c. 26 Dec 1945. Col James strategic objectives and in incendiary raids
B Henson, I May 1951; Maj Clifford F on urban areas for the duration of the war.
Harris, c. 15 Dec 1952-1 Feb 1953. Received a DUC for attacking oil storage
CAMPAIGNS. India-Burma; China De- facilities at Oshima, bombing an aircraft
fensive; Central Burma; China Offensive. plant near Kobe, and dropping incendi-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- aries on Nagoya, in May 1945. Struck
tion: China, 5-30 Sep 1945. light metal industries at Osaka in Julrg45,
INSIGNE. None. receiving another DUC for this action.
Returned to the US late in 1945. Assigned
to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946.
444th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
Znactivuted on I Oct 1946.
Constituted as 444th Bombardment SQUADRONS. 344th: 1945-1946. 409th:
Group (Heavy) on 15 Feb 1943. Acti- 1946. 676th: 1943-1946. 677th: 1943-
vated on I Mar 1943. Redesignated 444th 1946. 678th (later 10th) : 1943-1946. '
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe; dered into active service on I May 1951.
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Assigned to Strategic Air Command. In-
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. activated on 16 Jun 1951.
DECORATIONS. None. Redesignated 454th Troop Carrier
INSIGNE.None. Group (Medium). Allotted to the re-
serve. Activated on 13 Jun 1952. Inacti-
454th BOMBARDMENT GROUP vated on I Jan 1953.
SQUADRONS. 8zst: 1947-1949. 736th:
Constituted as 454th Bombardment 1943-1945 ; 1947-1951 ; '952-1953- 737th:
Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Acti- 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1953- 738th:
vated on I Jun 1943. Trained for com- 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1953- 739th:
bat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-1945 ; 1947-1949s
1g43-Jan 1944, and operated with Fif- STATIONS.Alamogordo AAFld, NM, I
teenth AF until Apr 1945. Flew some Jun 1943; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, I
interdictory and support missions, bomb- Jul 1943; McCook AAFld, Neb, c. 31 Jul
ing bridges, marshalling yards, troop con- 1943; Charleston AAFld, SC, 3 Oct-Dec
centrations, and rail lines. Participated 1943; San Giovanni, Italy, Jan 1g44-Ju1
in the drive to Rome, the invasion of 19.45; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, I Aug 1945;
Southern France, and the defeat of Axis Pyote AAFld, Tex, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
forces in northern Italy. Engaged pri- McChord Field, Wash, 27 Apr 1947; Spo-
marily, however, in long-range strikes kane AFB, Wash, 27 Jun 1949-16 Jun
against enemy oil refineries, aircraft and 1951. Portland Intl A p t , Ore, 13 Jun
munition factories, industrial areas, har- 1952-1 Jan 1953.
bors, and airfields in Italy, France, Ger- COMMANDERS. Col Horace D Aynes-
many, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, worth, c. Jun 1943; (201 John A Way, 22
Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. Re- Mar 1945; Lt Col William R Large Jr,
ceived a DUC for a raid on an airdrome at 21 May 1945; Lt Col Edward R Casey, 24
Bad Voslau on 12 Apr 1944. Received May 1g45-unkn. Unkn, I May-16 Jun
second DUC for performance on 25 Jul 1951.
1944 when, despite severe opposition, the CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea-
group led the wing formation in an at- ter; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
tack against steel plants at Linz. Returned Normandy; Northern France; Southern
to the US in Jul 1945. Redesignated 454th France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Central Europe; Po Valley.
Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945. DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 27 tions: Bad Voslau, Austria, 12 Apr 1944;
Apr 1947. Redesignated 454th Bombard- Linz, Austria, 25 Jul 1944.
ment Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. Or- INSIGNE.None.
330 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Lt Col Joseph G Russell, 16 Jul 194; Col Normandy invasion, and attacked coastal
Thomas W Steed, Oct 1944; Lt Col Robert defenses along the Cherbourg peninsula
C Whipple, c. 19 May 1945-unkn; Col on D-Day. Struck airfields, railroads, fuel
George E Henry, 31 Aug 1945; Col John depots, and other interdictory targets be-
W White, 4 Sep 1945-unkn. Col Leonard hind the invasion beaches throughout the
J Barrow Jr, c. Dec 1952; Lt Col Malcolm remainder of the month. Resumed bom-
P Hooker, c. Feb 1953; Col Jay D Bogue, bardment of strategic objectives in Jul
1953-1 Mar 1955. 1944 and engaged chiefly in such opera-
CAMPAIGNS.Air Combat, EAME tions until Apr 1945. Sometimes flew
Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome- support and interdictory missions, aiding
Arno; Normandy; Northern France; the advance of ground forces during the
Southern France; North Apennines; St Lo breakthrough in Jul 1944 and the
Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley. landing of British I Airborne Division
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- during the airborne attack on Holland in
tions: Wiener Neustadt, Austria, 10 May Sep 1944; and participating in the Battle of
1944; Budapest, Hungary, 2 Jul 1944. the Bulge, Dec 1g44-Jan 1945, and the as-
INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, a bar gemel de- sault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew
based argent over-all on a pile quarterly last combat mission on 20 Apr 1945.
of the second and gules four stylized birds
Transported prisoners of war from Austria
counterchanged. (Approved 7 Jul 1953.)
to France after V-E Day. Returned to
the US in Jun 1945. Inactivated on 28
457th BOMBARDMENT GROUP Aug 1945.
SQUADRONS. 748th: 1943-1945. 749th:
Constituted as 457th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Acti- 1943-1945. 750th: 1943-1945. 75ISt:
vated on I Jul 1943. Trained for combat 1943-1945-
with B-17’s. Moved to England, Jan-Feb STATIONS. Geiger Field, Wash, I Jul
1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, g Jul 1943;
first mission on 21 Feb 1944 during Big Ephrata AAB, Wash, 28 Oct 1943; Wend-
Week, taking part in the concentrated at- over Field, Utah, 4 Dec 1943-1 Jan 1944;
tacks of heavy bombers on the German air- Glatton, England, 22 Jan 1944-1 Jun 1945;
craft industry. Until Jun 1944, engaged Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 20 Jul-28 Aug
primarily in bombardment of strategic 1945.
targets, such as ball-bearingplants, aircraft COMMANDERS. Col Herbert E Rice, 24
factories, and oil refineries in Germany. Jul 1943; Lt Col Hugh D Wallace, 3 Sep
Bombed targets in France during the first 1943; Col James R Luper, 4 Jan 1944; Col
week of Jun 1944 in preparation for the Harris E Rogner, 11 Oct 1~4-Aug1945.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 333
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe; breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Ceased
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; bombardment during Sep 1944 to haul
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. gasoline to airfields in France. Struck
DECORATIONS. None. transportation lines during the Battle of
INSIGNE.None. the Bulge, Dec 194-Jan 1945. Attacked
enemy airfields to assist the Allied assault
458th BOMBARDMENT GROUP across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last
combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Re-
Constituted as 458th Bombardment turned to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Redesig-
Group (Heavy) on rg May 1943. Acti- nated 458th Bombardment Group (Very
vated on I Jul 1943. Prepared for combat Heavy) in Aug 1945. Trained with
with B-24’s. Moved to England, Jan-Feb B-29’s. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew SQUADRONS. 75zd: 1943-1945. 753d:
diversionary missions on q and 25 Feb 1943-1945- 754h: 1943-1945- 755th:
1 9 4 to draw enemy fighters from German 1943-1945.
targets being attacked by other AAF STATIONS. Wendover Field, Utah, I Jul
bombers. Began bombardment on 2 Mar 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 28 Jul 1943;
1944,and afterward operated primarily Kearns, Utah, 11 Sep 1943; Wendover
against strategic objectives in Germany. Field, Utah, 15 Sep 1943; Tonopah AAFld,
Hit such targets as the industrial area of Nev, 31 Oct-29 Dec 1943; Horsham St
Saarbrucken, oil refineries at Hamburg, an Faith, England, Jan 1944-14 Jun 1945;
airfield at Brunswick, aircraft factories at Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 12 Jul 1945;
Oschersleben, a fuel depot at Dulmen, a Walker AAFld, Kan, 25 Jul 1945; March
canal at Minden, aircraft works at Bran- Field, Calif, 21 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
denburg, marshalling yards at Hamm, COMMANDERS. Lt Col Robert F Hardy,
and an aircraft engine plant at Magdeburg. 28 Jul 1943; Col James H Isbell, 16 Dec
Carried out some interdictory and support 1943; Col Allen F Herzberg, 10 Mar 1945;
operations in addition to the strategic mis- Capt Patrick Hays, 13 Aug 1945; Maj Ber-
sions. Helped to prepare for the invasion nard Carlos, 17 Aug 1945; Maj V R Wood-
of Normandy by striking gun batteries, ward, 22 Aug 1945; Lt Col Wilmer C
V-weapon sites, and airfields in France; hit Hardesty, 3 Sep-17 Oct 1945.
coastal defenses in support of the assault CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
on 6 Jun 1944; afterward, bombed bridges Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
and highways to prevent the movement of Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
enemy materiel to the beachhead. At- DECORATIONS. None.
tacked enemy troops to aid the Allied INSIGNE. None.
334
-- \
'
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
CAMPAIGNS.Air Combat, EAME The- stallations, iron works, aircraft plants, and
ater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; other targets in Japan, Thailand, Burma,
Normandy; Northern France; Southern China, Formosa, and Indonesia. From a
France; North Apennines; Rhineland; staging base in Ceylon, mined the Moesi
Central Europe; Po Valley. River on Sumatra in Aug 1944. Received
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- a DUC for a daylight attack on iron and
tions: Budapest, Hungary, 13 Apr 1944; steel works at Yawata, Japan, in Aug 1944.
Ploesti, Rumania, 15 Jul 1944. Moved to Tinian in the spring of 1945
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and for further operations against targets in
light blue, superimposed over the bend a Japan. Participated in mining operations,
thunderbolt, bendwise, or, piercing bombardment of strategic targets, and in-
through a cloud formation proper, over cendiary raids on urban areas. Bombed
an increscent moon to the sinister chief, industrial areas in Tokyo and Yokohama
and a sun to the dexter base of the third; in May 1945, being awarded a DUC for
on a chief argent, over a bar to base of the action. Received another DUC for
chief, embattled gules, an olive branch and a daylight attack on an aircraft plant at
seven arrows in saltire, between two Takarazuka on 24 Jul 1945. Returned to
spheres all proper. (Approved 4 Aug the US late in 1945. Assigned to Strategic
19554 Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Znacti-
vated on 31 Mar 1946.
462d BOMBARDMENT GROUP SQUADRONS. 345th: 1945-1946. 768th:
1943-1946. 769th: 1943-1946. 770th:
Constituted as 462d Bombardment 1943-1946. 77zst: 1943-1944-
Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Acti- STATIONS.Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, I
vated on I Jul 1943. Redesignated 462d Jul 1943; Walker AAFld, Kan, 28 Jul
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in 1943-12 Mar 1944; Piardoba, India, 7 Apr
Nov 1943. Prepared for combat with 1944-26 Feb 1945; West Field, Tinian, 4
B-29’s. Moved to the CBI theater, via Apr-5 Nov 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, Nov
Africa, Mar-Jun 1944. Assigned to Twen- 1945-31 Mar 1946.
tieth AF in Jun 1944. Transported sup- COMMANDERS. Unkn, I Jul-5 Aug 1943;
plies over the Hump to staging fields in Col Alan D Clark, 5 Aug 1943; Col Rich-
China before entering combat with an ard H Carmichael, 26 Aug 1943; Col
attack on railroad shops at Bangkok, Thai- Alfred F Kalberer, 20 Aug 1944-unkn.
land, on 5 Jun 1944. On 15 Tun 1944 took CAMPAIGNS. American Theater ;India-
part in the first AAF strike on the Japa- Burma ; Air Offensive, Japan; China De-
nese home islands since the Doolittle raid fensive; Western Pacific; Central Burma.
in 1942. Operating from India and China, DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
bombed transportation centers, naval in- tions: Yawata, Japan, 20 Aug 1944; Tokyo
3 38 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
and Yokohama, Japan, 23,25, and 29 May blows to both the target and the enemy
1945; Takarazuka, Japan, 24 Jul 1945. fighters. Received second DUC for lead-
INSIGNE.None. ing the wing through three damaging
enemy attacks to bomb tank factories in
463d BOMBARDMENT GROUP Berlin on 24 Mar 1945. Also engaged in
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. In&-
vated in Italy on 25 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 463d Troop Carrier
Constituted as 463d Bombardment Group (Medium). Activated in the US
Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Acti- on 16 Jan 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air
vated on I Aug 1943. Trained with B-17's Command and equipped with C-119's.
for duty overseas. Moved to Italy, Feb- SQUADRONS. 772d: 1943-1945 ; I953-.
Mar 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. 773d: 1943-1945 ;1953-. 774th: 1943-1945 ;
Entered combat on 30 Mar 1944 and op- 195s- 775th: 1943-1945 ; 1955-.
erated chiefly against strategic objectives. STATIONS.Geiger Field, Wash, I Aug
Attacked such targets as marshalling yards, 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, Aug 1943;
oil refineries, and aircraft factories in Italy, MacDill Field, Fla, 5 Nov 1943; Lakeland
Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Ru- AAFld, Fla, 3 Jan-2 Feb 1944; Celone
mania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received Airfield, Italy, g Mar 1944-25 Sep 1945.
a DUC for bombing oil refineries at Ploesti Memphis Mun Aprt, Tenn, 16 Jan 1953;
on 18 May 1944: when clouds limited visi- Ardmore AFB, Okla, 24 Aug 1g54-.
bility to such an extent that other groups COMMANDERS. Lt Col Elmer H Stam-
turned back, the 463d proceeded to Ploesti baugh, g Aug 1943; Col Frank A Kurtz,
and, though crippled by opposition from 27 Aug 1943; Col George W McGregor,
interceptors and flak, rendered destructive 11 Sep 1944; Col Ephraim M Hampton,'
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 339
tria, Hungary, and the Balkans. On two 31 Jul 1945. Donaldson AFB, SC, I F e b
different missions-to marshalling yards 30 Nov 1953; Toul/Rosiere AB, France,
and an oil refinery at Vienna on 8 Jul1g44 Dec 1953; Evreux AB, France, c. 20 May
and to steel plants at Friedrichshafen on 3 1955-.
Aug 1g44-the group bombed its targets COMMANDERS. Col Elmer J Rogers Jr,
despite antiaircraft fire and fighter oppe 24 Aug 1943; Col Charles A Clark Jr, 13
sition, being awarded a DUC for each of Mar 1944; Lt Col Joshua H Foster, I Dec
these attacks. Other operations included 1944; Lt Col William F Day Jr, 26 Apr
bombing troop concentrations and bivouac 1g45-unkn. Maj Clifford F Harris, Feb
areas in May 1944 to aid the Partisans in 1953; Col Earl W Worley, c. Mar 1953;
Yugoslavia; attacking enemy troops and Lt Col James D Barlow, 10 May 1954; Col
supply lines to assist the drive toward James A Evans Jr, 19 Sep 1954; Col James
Rome, May-Jun 1944; striking bridges, rail D Barlow, 7 Apr 1g55-.
lines, and gun emplacements prior to the CAMPAIGNS. American Theater ; Air
invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944; Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive,
bombing rail facilities and rolling stock in Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; North-
Oct 1944 to support the advance of Rus- ern France; Southern France; North
sian and Rumanian forces in the Balkans; Apennines ; Rhineland; Central Europe;
and hitting troops, gun positions, bridges, Po Valley.
and supply lines during Apr 1945 in sup- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
port of Allied forces in northern Italy. tions: Vienna, Austria, 8 Jul 1944; Ger-
Moved to the Caribbean area in Jun 1945. many, 3 Aug 1944.
Assigned to Air Transport Command. INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend gules and
Znactivated in Trinidad on 31 Jul 1945. vert, a bend argent charged with a bendlet
Redesignated 465th Troop Carrier azure, between a wing of the third and a
Group (Medium). Activated in the US compass proper (bezant, with diapering
on I Feb 1953. Trained with (2-119’s. green, bordered argent, thereover a four-
Moved to France in Dec 1953 to become pointed star compass, gules and azure).
part of United States Air Forces in Europe. Motto: ONUS FERENS VITAM-Cargo
SQUADRONS. 780th: 1943-1945 ; I953-. Carrying Life. (Approved I Jun 1955.)
78ISt: 1943-1945; 1953-. 782d: 1943-1945;
1953-. 783d: 1943-1945. 466th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
STATIONS.Alamogordo AAFld, NM, I
Aug 1943; Kearns, Utah, Sep 1943; Constituted as 466th Bombardment
McCook AAFld, Neb, c. 5 Oct 1943-1 Feb Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Acti-
1944; Pantanella Airfield, Italy, Apr 1944- vated on I Aug 1943. Prepared for duty
Jun 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, 15 Jun- overseas with B-24’s. Moved to England,
342 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 24 Nov 1943;
Entered combat on 22 Mar 1944 by par- Topeka AAFld, Kan, 5-13 Feb 1944; At-
ticipating in a daylight raid on Berlin. tlebridge, England, 7 Mar 1944-6 Jul1g45;
Operated primarily as a strategic bombard- Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 15 Jul 1945;
ment organization, attacking such targets Pueblo AAB, Colo, 25 Jul 1945; Davis-
as marshalling yards at Liege, an airfield Monthan Field, Ariz, 15 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
at St Trond, a repair and assembly plant COMMANDERS. Maj Beverly E Stead-
at Reims, an airdrome at Chartres, fac- man, 23 Aug 1943; Maj Walter A Smith
tories at Brunswick, oil refineries at Boh- Jr, 29 Aug 1943; Col Walter G Bryte Jr, 2
len, aircraft plants at Kempten, mineral Sep 1943; Col Arthur J Pierce, 17Dec 1943;
works at Hamburg, marshalling yards at Col Luther J Fairbanks, I Aug 1944; Col
Saarbrucken, a synthetic oil plant at Mis- William H Cleveland, I Nov 1944-1945.
burg, a fuel depot at Dulmen, and aero- CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
engine works at Eisenach. Other opera- Normandy ; Northern France; Rhineland ;
tions included attacking pillboxes along Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
the coast of Normandy on D-Day (6 Jun DECORATIONS. None.
1g44), and afterward striking interdictory INSIGNE.None.
targets behind the beachhead; bombing
enemy positions at St Lo during the Allied 467th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
breakthrough in Jul1g44; hauling oil and
gasoline to Allied forces advancing across Constituted as 467th Bombardment
France in Sep; hitting German communi- Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Acti-
cations and transportation during the vated on I Aug 1943. Prepared for com-
Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1g44-Jan 1945; bat with B-24’s. Moved to England, Feb-
and bombing the airfield at Nordhorn in Mar 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF.
support of the airborne assault across the Began operations on 10 Apr 1944 with an
Rhine on 24 Mar 1945. Flew last combat attack on an airfield at Bourges. Served
mission on 25 Apr 1945, striking a trans- chiefly as a strategic bombardment organ-
former station at Traunstein. Returned ization, attacking the harbor at Kiel,
to the US in Jul. Redesignated 466th chemical plants at Bonn, textile factories at
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Stuttgart, power plants at Hamm, steel
Aug 1945. Trained with B-29’s. Inacti- works at Osnabruck, the aircraft industry
vated on 17 Oct 1945. at Brunswick, and other objectives. In
SQUADRONS. 784th: 1943-1945. 785th: addition to strategic operations, engaged
1943-1945. 786th: 1943-1945. 787th: occasionally in support and interdictory
1943-1945- missions. Bombed shore installations and
STATIONS. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, I bridges near Cherbourg on D-Day, 6 Jun
Aug 1943; Kearns, Utah, 31 Aug 1943; 1944. Struck enemy troop and supply con-
i
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 343
Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945. Inac- Feb 1945; Lt Col David L Lewis, Apr
tivated on 8 Dec 1945. 1945-unkn. Lt Col William L Jacobsen,
Redesignated 474th Fighter-Bomber 10 Jul 1952; Lt Col Francis J Vetort, 29
Group. Activated in Japan on 10 Jul 1952. Aug 1952; Col Joseph Davis Jr, 16 Dec
Assigned to Tactical Air Command but at- 1952; Col Richard N Ellis, 1953; Col John
tached to Far East Air Forces for duty in S Loisel, May 1g53-unkn; Col Franklin H
the Korean War. Served in combat from Scott, May 1g54-.
Aug 1952 until the armistice in Jul 1953, CAMPAIGNS. World War ZZ: Air Of-
operating from Korea and using F-84 air- fensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern
craft. Bombed and strafed such targets France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace;
as bunkers, troops, artillery positions, Central Europe. Korean War: Korea
bridges, vehicles, airfields, and power Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter;
plants, and sometimes escorted bombers Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
that attacked munitions factories and other DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
objectives. After the armistice, trained tions: France, 23 Aug 1944; Korea, I Dec
with F-84 and F-86 aircraft. Moved to the 1952-30 Apr 1953. Cited in the Order of
US, Nov-Dec 1954, and continued training the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep
with F-86’s. 1944; 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945. Belgian
SQUADRONS. 428th: 1943-1945; I952-. Fourragere. Republic of Korea Presi-
429th: 1943-1945; I952-. 430th: 1943- dential Unit Citation: 10 Jul 1952-30 Mar
1945; I952-e 1953.
STATIONS. Glendale, Calif, I Aug 1943; INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and or,
Van Nuys Metropolitan Aprt, Calif, I I Oct in bend a lightning bolt throughout bend-
1943; Oxnard Flight Strip, Calif, 5 J a n 4 wise gules, fimbriated or, between a sphere
Feb 1944; Moreton, England, 12 Mar 1944; argent, grid lines sable, and a stylized jet
Neuilly, France, 6 Aug 1944; St Marceau, tail pipe vert, emitting eight fire blasts
France, 29 Aug 1944; Peronne, France, 6 gules, the pipe charged with an annulet of
Sep 1944; Florennes, Belgium, I Oct 1944; the first, fimbriated or, a semee of stars of
Strassfeld, Germany, 22 Mar 1945; Langen- the fourth on the azure field. (Approved
salza, Germany, 22 Apr 1945; Schweinfurt, 22 Tun 1955.)
Germany, 16 Jun 1945; Stuttgart, Ger-
many, 25 Oct-21 Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer,
475th FIGHTER GROUP
NJ, 6-8 Dec 1945. Misawa, Japan, 10 Jul
1952; Kunsan, Korea, 10 Jul 1952; Taegu, Activated in Australia on 14 May 1943
Korea, I Apr 1953-22 Nov 1954; Clovis by special authority granted to Fifth AF
AFB, NM, 13 Dec 1954-. prior to constitzltion as 475th Fighter
COMMANDERS. Col Clinton C Wasem, I Group on 15 May 1943. Equipped with
Aug 1943; Lt Col Earl C Hedlund, c. 17 P-38’s and trained to provide long-range
348 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
during the first stages of the Allied cam-
paign to recover the Philippines, Oct-Dec
194. Maj Thomas B McGuire Jr was
awarded the Medal of Honor: while volun-
tarily leading flights of P-38’s escorting
bombers that struck Mabalacat Airdrome
on 25 Dec 1944 and Clark Field the fol-
lowing 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 maneu-
ver at low altitude, crashed, and was
escort for bombers during daylight raids killed. The group flew many missions to
on Japanese airfields and strongholds in support ground forces on Luzon during
the Netherlands Indies and the Bismarck the first part of 1945. Also flew escort
Archipelago. Moved to New Guinea and missions to China and attacked railways
began operations in Aug 1943. Received on Formosa. Began moving to Ie Shima
a DUC for missions in Aug 1943 when in Aug but the war ended before the
the group not only protected B-25’s that movement was completed. Moved to
were engaged in strafing attacks on air- Korea in Sep 1945 for occupation duty
dromes at Wewak but also destroyed a as part of Far East Air Forces. Convert-
number of the enemy fighter planes that ed to P-51’s in 1946. Moved to Japan in
attacked the formation. Received second 1948. Inactivated on I Apr 1949.
DUC for intercepting and destroying Redesignated 475th Fighter Group (Air
many of the planes the Japanese sent Defense). Activated in the US on 18 Aug
against American shipping in Oro Bay 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command
on 15 and 17 Oct 1943. Covered landings and equipped with F-89’s.
in New Guinea, New Britain, and the SQUADRONS. 43ZSt: 1943-1949. 432d:
Schouten Islands. After moving to Biak 1943-1949 ; 1955-* 433d: 1943-1949-
in Jul1944, flew escort missions and fighter STATIONS.Amberley Field, Australia,
sweeps to the southern Philippines, Cele- 14 May 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, 14
bes, Halmahera, and Borneo. Moved to Aug 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 24 Mar
the Philippines in Oct 1944 and received 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, 15 May
another DUC for bombing and strafing 1944; Biak, c. 14 Jul1944; Dulag, Leyte, 28
enemy airfields and installations, escorting Oct 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, 5 Feb 1945;
bombers, and engaging in aerial combat Clark Field, Luzon, 28 Feb 1945; Lin-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 349
Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. 29 NOV-I Dec 1945. U-boats concentrated off the coast of Por-
George AFB, Calif, I Dec 195”. tugal to intercept convoys bound for the
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Leo F Dusard Jr, Mediterranean; by destroying and dam-
c. 28 Oct 1943; Maj Francis J Pope, c. 14 aging several submarines during the
Nov 1943; Lt Col Kyle L Riddle, c. 26 Dec month, the group aided in protecting sup-
1943; Col Hubert Zemke, 12 Aug 1944; ply lines to forces involved in the campaign
Col Kyle L Riddle, I Nov 1944-unkn. for Sicily. The group also covered con-
Col Woodrow W Ramsey, ~ g y - u n k n ; voys and engaged numerous enemy air-
Lt Col Verl D Luehring, 1953; Col craft in combat. In Sep 1943 part of the
Jacob W Dixon, c. 19 Aug 1953; Col Wil- group moved temporarily to Tunisia and
liam B Harris, c. 31 May 1955-. operated in connection with the assault
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ; on Italy; missions included searching for
Normandy ;Northern France; Rhineland ; enemy submarines, covering Allied con-
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. voys, and protecting the Italian fleet after
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- the surrender of Italy. The group was
tion: ETO, 18 Aug, 5 and 26 Sep 1944. awarded a DUC for actions that contrib-
French Croix de Guerre with Palm. uted to the winning of the Battle of the
INSIGNE.Shield: Or, a broad sword Atlantic. Moved to the US in Nov and
gules in bend piercing a cloud proper, be- Dec 1943. Disbanded on 29 Jan 1944.
tween a point sinister pointed gules, SQUADRONS. zst: 1943-1944. 2d: 1943-
charged with six stars argent three, two 1944.
and one, and a point in base vert, all within STATIONS.Port Lyautey, French Mo-
a diminutive border azure. Motto: PRO- rocco, 21 Jun-Nov 1943; Langley Field,
TECTORES LIBERTATIS-Defenders Va, c. 18 Nov 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, c.
of Liberty. (Approved ro-Sep 1954.) 1-29 Jan 1944.
COMMANDERS. Col Jack Roberts, 21 Jun
480th ANTISUBMARINE 1943-un kn.
GROUP CAMPAIGNS.Antisubmarine, EAME
Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Constituted as 480th Antisubmarine DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Group on 19 Jun 1943 and activated in tion: North African Theater of Opera-
North Africa on 21 Jun. Assigned to AAF tions [ 19431.
Antisubmarine Command. Using B-24’~, INSIGNE.None.
the group had the primary mission of car-
rying out antisubmarine patrols in an area 482d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
of the Atlantic extending north and west
from Morocco. Its antisubmarine activity Constituted as 482d Bombardment
reached a peak in Jul 1943 when enemy Group (Pathfinder) on 10 Aug 1943 and
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 353
activated in England on 20 Aug. Assigned plants, and railroad stations while on ex-
to Eighth AF. Provided a pathfinder perimental flights; flew a pathfinder mis-
force of radar-equipped aircraft to precede sion to assist the bombardment of coastal
bomber formations and indicate targets ob- defenses in Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and
scured by weather. Flew its first mission later that day led attacks on traffic centers
on 27 Sep 1943, leading bombers of 1st and behind the beachhead; sometimes dropped
3d Bombardment Divisions to attack the propaganda leaflets. Redesignated 482d
port at Emden. Operated chiefly as a Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov
pathfinder organization until Mar 1944, 1944. Continued its training and experi-
detaching its B-17 and B-24 aircraft, with mental work until V-E Day. Moved to
crews, to other stations in England to lead the US, May-Jun 1945. Znactivated on I
Eighth AF elements on specific missions SeP 1945-
to the Continent. Led attacks on factories Redesignated 482d Bombardment Group
at Gotha, Brunswick, Schweinfurt, and (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve.
other industrial centers during Big Week, Activated on 26 Jun 1947. Inactivated
20-25 Feb 1944. Also served as the path- on 27 Jun 1949.
finder force for bombers attacking air- Redesignated 482d Troop Carrier
fields, submarine installations, cities, mar- Group (Medium). Allotted to the re-
shalling yards, and other targets, primarily serve. Activated on 14 Jun 1952. Inac-
in Germany. Received a DUC for a mis- tivated on I Dec 1952.
sion on 11 Jan 1944 when it led organi- Redesignated 482d Fighter-Bomber
zations of Eighth AF into central Ger- Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated
many to attack aircraft industries;
on 18 May 1955.
although weather conditions prevented ef-
SQUADRONS. 6th: 1947-1949. 812th:
fective fighter protection against severe at-
tack by enemy aircraft, the group not only 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952; 1955-. 813th:
bombed the assigned targets, but also de- 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952- 814th: 1943-
stroyed a number of enemy planes. Re- I945 ; 1947-1949 ; 1952-
moved from combat status in Mar 1944 and STATIONS. Alconbury, England, 20 Aug
after that operated a school for pathfinder 1943-21 May 1945; Victorville AAFld,
crews with the objective of training a path- Calif, c. 5 Jul-1 Sep 1945. New Orleans
finder squadron for each Eighth AF bom- Mun Aprt, La, 26 Jun 1947-27 Jun 1949.
bardment group; made radarscope photo- Miami Intl Aprt, Fla, 14 Jun-1 Dec 1952.
graphs of France, the Low Countries, and Dobbins AFB, Ga, 18 May 1955-.
Germany for use in training and briefing COMMANDERS. Col Baskin R Lawrence
combat crews; and tested radar and other Jr, 20 Aug 1943;Col Howard Moore, I Dec
navigational equipment. Often bombed 1943; Lt Col Clement W Bird, 15 Dec
such targets as bridges, fuel depots, power 1944-1945.
354 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe; and Greece. Received a DUC for action
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; on 18 Jul 1944 when, without fighter es-
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. cort, the group engaged numerous enemy
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- aircraft in the target area and also bombed
tion: Germany, 11 Jan 1944. the objective, an airdrome and installa-
INSIGNE. None. tions at Memmingen. Assisting the stra-
tegic bombardment of enemy industry,
483d BOMBARDMENT GROUP the group received another DUC for brav-
ing fighter assaults and antiaircraft fire to
bomb tank factories at Berlin on 24 Mar
1945. Struck targets in southern France
in preparation for the invasion in Aug
1944. Operated in suport of ground forces
/
\ in northern Italy during the Allied offen-
sive in Apr 1945. After V-E Day, trans-
1 ported personnel from Italy to North Afri-
ca for movement to the US. Inactivated
in Italy on 25 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 483d Troop Carrier Group
(Medium). Activated in Japan on I 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 PUC for the
Constituted as 483d Bombardment missions. Received an AFOUA for oper-
Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and ac- ations during 1953-1954: while transport-
tivated on 20 Sep. Trained with B-17’s. ing supplies to UN forces in Korea and
Moved to Italy, Mar-Apr 1944, and as- training with airborne troops, the group
signed to Fifteenth AF. Began operations also assisted the French in Indochina by
in Apr 1944 and served in combat until hauling supplies and training personnel
late in Apr 1945, hitting such targets as for airlift operations in C-119’s. Assigned
factories, oil refineries, marshalling yards, to Far East Air Forces in 1954.
storage areas, airdromes, bridges, gun posi- SQUADRONS. 825th: 1943-1945 ; I953-.
tions, and troop concentrations in Italy, 816th: 1943-1945; I953-. 817th: 1943-
France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, 1945; 1953-. 840th (formerly 818th) :
Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Yugoslavia, 1943-1945-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 355
uated on 20 Sep. Moved to England in Mar Apr 1945; Lt Col James J Grater, Jul1945-
1944 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered unkn.
combat in May 1944 with B-24 aircraft CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe ;
but soon converted to B-17’s. Operated Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
chiefly against strategic objectives in Ger- Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
many until May 1945. Targets included DECORATIONS. None.
marshalling yards in Stuttgart, Cologne, INSIGNE.None.
and Mainz; airfields in Kassel and Muns-
ter; oil refineries and storage plants in 487th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
Merseburg, Dollbergen, and Hamburg;
harbors in Bremen and Kiel; and factories Constituted as 487th Bombardment
in Mannheim and Weimar. Other mis- Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and mti-
sions included bombing airfields, gun posi- vated on 20 Sep. Prepared for overseas
tions, V-weapon sites, and railroad bridges duty with B-24’s. Moved to England,
in France in preparation for or in support Mar-Apr 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF.
of the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944; Began combat in May 1944, bombing air-
striking road junctions and troop concen- fields in France in preparation for the in-
trations in support of ground forces push- vasion of Normandy; then pounded
ing across France, Jul-Aug 1944; hitting coastal defenses, road junctions, bridges,
gun emplacements near Arnheim to mini- and locomotives during the invasion. At-
mize transport and glider losses during the tacked German troops and artillery posi-
airborne invasion of Holland in Sep 1944; tions to assist British forces near Caen in
and bombing enemy installations in sup- Jul; struck gun emplacements to support
port of ground troops during the Battle of the Allied effort at Brest in Aug and to
the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) and the cover the airborne attack on Holland in
assault across the Rhine (Mar-Apr 1945). Sep 1944. Flew a few missions against
3 58 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
immediately preceding and during the in- H Tibbets, c. 10 Jun 1945; Lt Col Clarence
vasion of Normandy. Then struck J Adams, c. g Julrg45-unkn.
bridges, rail lines, vehicles, road junctions, CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ;
and troop concentrations in France. Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Supported ground forces near Caen in Jul Ardennes-Alsace ; Central Europe.
and near Brest in Sep 1944. After that, DECORATIONS. None.
converted to B-17’s and operated primarily INSIGNE.None.
against strategic targets until the end of
Feb 1945. Mounted attacks against
49 1st BOMBARDMENT GROUP
enemy oil plants, tank factories, marshal-
ling yards, aircraft plants, and airfields in Constituted as 4g1st Bombardment
such cities as Berlin, Hamburg, Merse- Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Acti-
burg, Munster, Kassel, Hannover, and vated on I Oct 1943. Trained for combat
Cologne. Interrupted strategic missions with B-24’s. On I Jan 1944 the group,
to attack supply lines and military instal- less the air echelon, was transferred with-
lations during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec out personnel and equipment to England,
1g44-Jan 1945. Beginning in Mar 1945, where personnel were assigned later. The
attacked interdictory targets and sup- air echelon continued to train in the US
ported advancing ground forces. After until it joined the group in England in
V-E Day, carried food to flood-stricken May 1944. Served in combat with Eighth
areas of Holland and transported French, AF until the end of Apr 1945. Began
Spanish, and Belgian prisoners of war operations early in Jun 1944 and attacked
from Austria to Allied centers. Returned airfields, bridges, and coastal defenses
to the US, Aug-Sep 1945. Inactivated on both preceding and during the invasion
7 Nov 1945. of Normandy. Then concentrated its
SQUADRONS. 848th: 1943-1945. 849th: attacks on strategic objectives in Germany,
1943-1945. 850th: 1943-1945. 85zst: striking communications centers, oil re-
1943-1945- fineries, storage depots, industrial areas,
STATIONS.Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, shipyards, and other targets in such places
I Oct 1943; Mountain Home AAFld, as Berlin, Hamburg, Kassel, Cologne,
Idaho, 4 Dec 1g43-Apr 1944; Eye, Eng- Gelsenkirchen, Bielefeld, Hannover, and
land, c. I May 1g44-Aug 1945; Drew Field, Magdeburg; on one occasion attacked the
Fla, 3 Sep-7 Nov 1945. headquarters of the German General Staff
COMMANDERS. Maj Lyle E Halstead, 11 at Zossen, Germany. While on a mission
Oct 1943; Lt Col Beirne Lay Jr, 28 Oct to bomb an oil refinery at Misburg on 26
1943; Lt Col James H Isbell, Nov 1943; Nov 1944, the group was attacked by large
Col Lloyd H Watnee, 30 Dec 1943; Col numbers of enemy fighters; although
Frank P Bostrom, 26 Jun 1944; Col Gene about one-half of its planes were de-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 361
stroyed, the remainder fought off the CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
interceptors, successfully bombed the tar- Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
get, and won for the group a DUC. Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Although engaged primarily in strategic DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
bombardment, the group also supported tion: Misburg, Germany, 26 Nov 1944.
ground forces at St Lo in Jul 1944; as- INSIGNE.None.
saulted V-weapon sites and communica-
tions lines in France during the summer
492d BOMBARDMENT GROUP
of 1944; dropped supplies to paratroops on
18 Sep 1944 during the airborne attack in Constituted as 492d Bombardment
Holland; bombed German supply lines Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Acti-
and fortifications during the Battle of the vated on I Oct 1943. Trained for combat
Bulge, Dec 1g44-Jan 1945; supported with B-24's. Moved to England in Apr
Allied forces in the airborne drop across 1944 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered
the Rhine in Mar 1945; and interdicted combat on 11 May 19.44, and throughout
enemy communications during the Allied the month operated primarily against in-
drive across Germany in Apr 1945. Re- dustrial targets in central Germany. At-
turned to the US in Jul. Inactivated on 8 tacked airfields and V-weapon launching
SeP 1945. sites in France during the first week in
SQUADRONS. 852d: 1943-1945. 853d: Jun. Bombed coastal defenses in Nor-
1943-1945. 8544th: 1943-1945. 855th: mandy on 6 Jun 1944 and attacked bridges,
railroads, and other interdiction targets
1943-1945.
in France until the middle of the month.
STATIONS. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz,
Resumed bombardment of strategic tar-
I Oct 1943; El Paso, Tex, 11 Nov 1943;
gets in Germany and, except for support
England, I Jan 1944; North Pickenham,
of the infantry during the St Lo break-
England, Feb 1944; Metfield, England,
through on 25 Jul 1944, continued such
Mar 1944; North Pickenham, England, 15
operations until Aug 1944. Transferred,
Aug 1g44-Jun 1945; McChord Field, less personnel and equipment, to another
Wash, 17 Jul-8 Sep 1945.. station in England on 5 Aug 1944 and
COMMANDERS. Col Dwight 0 Morteith, assumed personnel, equipment, and the
10 Oct 1943; Maj Jack G Merrell, 20 Dec CARPETBAGGER mission of a provi-
1943; Col Wilson H Banks, 5 Jan 1944; sional group that was discontinued. Oper-
Maj Alex E Burleigh, 19 Jan 1944; Lt Col ated chiefly over southern France with B-
Jack G Merrell, 29 Jan 1944; Lt Col Carl 24's and C-47's) engaging in CARPET-
T Goldenburg, 12 Feb 1944; Col F H BAGGER operations, that is, transporting
Miller, 26 Jun 1944; Col Allen W Reed, agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets
C. 20 OCt 1944-1945. to patriots. Ceased these missions on 16
362 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
vasion of Normandy in Jun 1944; hitting Sep. Helped to construct a base of opera-
enemy positions to assist ground forces tions on Angaur, then entered combat on
south of Caen and at St Lo in Jul 1944; 3 Nov 1944 with attacks against Japanese
bombing German fortifications to cover airfields on Yap and Koror. Conducted
the airborne attack on Holland in Sep strikes on other bypassed enemy installa-
1944; attacking enemy communications tions in the Pacific and against the Japa-
during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944- nese in the Philippines. Late in 1944 hit
Jan 1945; and assisting the airborne as- gun -emplacements, personnel areas, and
sault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew storage depots on Corregidor and Caballo
last combat mission, an attack on mar- at the entrance to Manila Bay; bombed
shalling yards at Nauen, on 20 Apr 1945. radio installations and power plants at
Returned to the US in Aug. Znactz'vated Japanese bases in the Philippines; and at-
on 28 Aug 1945. tacked enemy-held airfields, including
SQUADRONS. 860th: 1943-1945. 861st: Clark Field on Luzon. Early in 1945
1943-1945. 862d: 1943-1945. 863d: 1943- struck airfields on Mindanao and ammu-
1945. nition and supply dumps in the Davao
STATIONS. McCook AAFld, Neb, I Nov Gulf and Illana Bay areas. Moved to
1943; Elveden Hall, England, I Jan 1944; Okinawa in Jun 1945. Engaged pri-
Debach, England, Apr 1944-6 Aug 1945; marily in attacks against enemy airfields
Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 12-28 Aug 1945. on Kyushu until V-J Day. Also partici-
COMMANDERS. Col Elbert Helton, I pated in incendiary raids, dropped propa-
Nov 1943; Col Robert B Landry, 16 Feb ganda leaflets over urban areas of Kyushu,
1945; Lt Col Shepler W Fitzgerald Jr, 5
and struck airfields in China, in southern
Jun-28 Aug 1945.
Korea, and around the Inland Sea of
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
Japan. Transported personnel and sup-
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. plies from Manila to Tokyo after the war.
DECORATIONS. None. Returned to the US in Dec 1945. Inacti-
INSIGNE.None. vated on 4 Jan 1946.
SQUADRONS. 864th: 1943-1946. 865th:
1943-1946. 866th : 1943-1946. 867th :
494th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
1944-1946-
Constituted as 494th Bombardment STATIONS. Wendover Field, Utah, I Dec
Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Acti- 1943; Mountain Home AAFld, Idaho, 15
vated on I Dec 1943. Trained for com- Apr-1 June 1944; Barking Sands, TH, 15
bat with B-24's. Moved to Hawaii in Jun Jun 1944; Angaur, 30 Sep 1944; Yontan,
1944 for additional training. Assigned to Okinawa, 24 Tun-8 Dec 1945; Ft Lawton,
Seventh AF and moved to Palau late in Wash, 2-4 Jan 1946.
364 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Dec 1g43-Feb and continuing until the end of the war
1944; Col Laurence B Kelly, 24 Feb 1944- the group made incendiary raids against
unkn. Japan, flying at night and at low altitude
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan ; to bomb area targets. Returned to the US
Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Lu- in Nov 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air
zon ; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus; Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on
China Offensive. 31 Mar 1946.
DECORATIONS. Philippine Presidential SQUADRONS. 5 ~ 3 t h :1945-1946. 869th:
Unit Citation. 1943-1946. 870th: 1943-1946. 87zst:
INSIGNE.None. 1943-1946. 872d: 1943-1946.
STATIONS.El Paso Mun Aprt, Tex, 20
497th BOMBARDMENT GROUP Nov 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, I Dec 1943;
Pratt AAFld, Kan, 13 Apr-18 Jul 1944;
Constituted as 497th Bombardment Isley Field, Saipan, 17 Oct 1944-1 Nov
Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and 1945; Camp Stoneman, Calif, 14 Nov 1945;
activated on 20 Nov. Prepared for over- March Field, Calif, 26 Nov 1945; MacDill
seas duty with B-29’s. Moved to Saipan, Field, Fla, 5 Jan-31 Mar 1946.
lul-Oct 1944, and assigned to Twentieth COMMANDERS. Lt Col John P Veerling,
AF. Began operations in Oct 1944 with 10 Dec 1943; Col Karl Truesdell Jr, 6 Mar
attacks against Iwo Jima and the Truk 1944; Col Stuart P Wright, 26 Apr 1944;
Islands. Took part in the first attack (24 Col Arnold T Johnson, 26 Feb 1945-31 Mar
Nov 1944) on Japan by AAF planes based 1946.
in the Marianas. Flew many missions CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan; East-
against strategic objectives in Japan; on ern Mandates; Western Pacific.
numerous raids, made its attacks in day- DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
light and from high altitude. Received a tions: Japan, 27 Jan 1945; Japan, 26 Jul-2
DUC for a mission on 27 Jan 1945: Aug I945
although weather conditions prevented the INSIGNE.None.
group from bombing its primary objective,
the unescorted B-29’s withstood severe 498th BOMBARDMENT GROUP
enemy attacks to strike an alternate tar-
get, the industrial area of Hamamatsu. Constituted as 498th Bombardment
Awarded second DUC for attacking Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and
strategic centers in Japan during Jul and activated on 20 Nov. Equipped with
Aug 1945. Assisted the assault on Okina- B-29’s. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Nov 1944,
wa in Apr 1945 by bombing enemy air- for duty with Twentieth AF. Flew its
fields to cut down air attacks against the first combat missions against Iwo Jima and
invasion force. Beginning in Mar 1945 the Truk Islands. On 24 Nov 1 9 4 par-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 365
Dec 1943-22 Jul 1944; Isley Field, Saipan, sions at night and at low altitude to drop
18 Sep 1944-9 Nov 1945; March Field, incendiaries on area targets in Japan. Re-
Calif, c. 25 Nov 1945-16 Feb 1946. ceived second DUC for incendiary attacks
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Nov 1943-Jan on the urban-industrial section of Osaka,
1g,44; Maj Douglas C Northrup, 22 Jan feeder industries at Hamamatsu, and
1944; Col Thomas C Musgrave, I Feb shipping and rail targets on Kyushu, in
1944; Col Samuel R Harris, 4 Apr 1944; Jun 1945. Released propaganda leaflets
Col Morris J Lee, 17 Mar 1945; Lt Col Wal- over the Japanese home islands, Jul-Aug
ter E Chambers, 13 Aug 1945-unkn. 1945. Dropped food and supplies to Al-
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan; East- lied prisoners in Japan, Korea, China, and
ern Mandates; Western Pacific. Formosa after the war. Returned to the
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- US in Oct 1945. Znactivated on 17 Jan
tions: Nagoya, Japan, 23 Jan 1945; Japan, 1946-
22-28 Apr 1945. SQUADRONS. 881st: 1943-1946. 882d:
.INSIGNE.None. 1943-1946. 883d: 1943-1946. 884th: 1943-
1944.
500th BOMBARDMENT GROUP STATIONS. Gowen Field, Idaho, 20 Nov
1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 12 Jan 1944;
Constituted as 500th Bombardment Walker AAFld, Kan, 16 Apr-23 Jul 1944;
Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and Isley Field, Saipan, 18 Sep 1944-21 Oct
activated on 20 Nov. Equipped first with 1945; March Field, Calif, 24 Oct 1945-17
B-17’s; later trained for combat with B-
Jan 1946.
29’s. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Nov 1944, for
COMMANDERS. Unkn, Nov 1943-Jan
service with Twentieth AF. Entered com-
1944; Maj Ralph A Reeve, 28 Jan 1944;
bat on 11 Nov 1944 with an attack against
a submarine base in the Truk Islands. On
Maj John E Gay, 7 Feb 1944; Lt Col John
24 Nov participated in the first attack on E Dougherty, 8 Mar 1944; Col Richard T
Japan by B-29’s based in the Marianas. King Jr, 5 May 1944; Col John E Dough-
After that, conducted many daylight raids, erty, 5 Dec 1944; Lt Col William L Mc-
operating from high altitude to bomb Dowel1 Jr, 4 Dec 1945; Maj James H
strategic targets in Japan. Struck the Mit- Coats, 19 Dec 1945-17 Jan 1946.
subishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan;
in Jan 1945 and received a DUC for the Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
mission. Bombed enemy airfields and DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
other installations on Kyushu in support tions: Nagoya, Japan, 23 Jan 1945; Japan,
of the Allied assault on Okinawa in Apr 15-20 Jun 1945.
1~~45.Beginning in Mar 1945, flew mis- INSIGNE.None.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-GROUPS 367
I Dec 1942; Brig Gen Haywood S Hansel1 activities for more than a decade. Became
Jr, 2 Jan 1943; Brig Gen Frank A Arm- one of the original wings of GHQAF in
strong Jr, 15 Jun 1943; Brig Gen Robert 1935 and conducted much of the Army’s
B Williams, I Aug 1943; Brig Gen William pursuit, bombardment, and observation
M Gross, 17 Sep 1g43-c. Oct 1945. operations in the eastern part of the US.
CAMPAIGNS. World War I : Lorraine; Inactivated on 5 Sep 1941.
St Mihiel; Meuse-Argannr. World War Activated on 7 June 1942. Moved to
ZZ: Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy ; England, Aug-Sep 1942, and became a
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS--WINGS 375
heavy bombardment wing of Eighth AF. COMMANDERS. Col Townsend F Dodd,
In the fall of 1942, helped to train bom- 4 Sepc. 5 Oct 1919; unkn, 1919-1921.
bardment groups assigned to Twelfth AF. Unkn, 1922-1924; Maj Oscar Westover, c.
Served in combat in the European theater Sep 1g24-c. Sep 1926; Lt Col Clarence C
from Nov 1942 to June 1943. Ceased Culver, c. Sep 1g26-unkn; Col Roy T
combat temporarily during Jul-Aug 1943 Kirtland, Jul 1930-JUl 1932; Maj Byron
when its groups were on detached duty Q Jones, 1g34-unkn; Brig Gen Henry C
in the Mediterranean theater. Redesig- Pratt, I Mar 1935; Brig Gen Gerald C
nated 2d Combat Bombardment Wing Brant, 15 Mar 1937; Brig Gen Arnold N
(Heavy) in Aug. Served on detached Krogstad, 31 Mar 1938-5 Sep 1941. Maj
duty in the Mediterranean theater during Justus K Hetsch, c. 13 Jul1g4z; Col Harold
Sep-Oct 1943. Resumed combat in the D Smith, c. 10 Aug 1942; Brig Gen James
European theater in Oct 1943 and con- P Hodges, 7 Sep 1942; Col Edward J Tim-
tinued operations until Apr 1945. Re- berlake Jr, c. 15 Sep 1943; Brig Gen James
designated 2d Bombardment Wing P Hodges, 16 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Edward
(Heavy) in Jun 1945. Returned to the J Timberlake Jr, 4 Oct 1943; Col Milton
US in Aug. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. J Arnold, 7 Aug 1944; Col James M Stew-
GROUPS.zd Pursuit: 1935-1941. 2d art, 10 May 1945; Col Eugene A Romig,
Bombardment: 1922-1941. 7th Bombard- 15 Jun 1g45-unkn.
ment (formerly 1st Army Observation) : CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
1919-1921; 1933-1935. 8th Pursuit: 1932- Naples-Foggia ; Normandy ; Northern
1933,1935-1941. 9th Bombardment: 1935- France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace;
1940. 22d Bombardment: 1940-1941. Central Europe,
3zst Pursuit: 1940-1941. 44th Bombard- DECORATIONS. None.
ment: 1942-1943, 1943. 93d Bombard- INSIGNE.Shield: On a hurt a griffin
ment: 1942-1943. 389th Bombardment: segreant within a diminished border
1943-1945. 3 p d Bombardment: 1943. argent. (Approved 5 Jan 1933.)
445th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 453d
Bombardment: 1944-1945. 4th BOMBARDMENT WING
STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, 4 Sep
1919-30 Sep 1921. Langley Field, Va, 8 Constituted as 4th Bombardment Wing
Aug 1922-5 Sep 1941. Detrick Field, Md, on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940.
7 Jun-15 Aug 1942; Old Catton, England, Znactivated on I Oct 1941.
c. 7 Sep 1942; Hethel, England, 14 Sep Activated on 7 Jun 1942. Moved to Eng-
1943; Alconbury, England, c. 12 Jun-c. land, Aug-Sep 1942. Assigned to Eighth
25 Aug 1945; McChord Field, Wash, 6 AF. Redesignated 4th Combat Bombard-
S e w Nov 1945. ment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Had
376 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Adlai H Gil- ment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Re-
keson, 20 Nov 1g4o-c. 6 Mar 1942. 2d Lt turned to the US in Aug 1945. Redesig-
Leonard B Flemmons Jr, c. 10 Sep 1942; nated 13th Bombardment Wing (Very
Maj George M Green, c. 24 Sep 1942; Maj Heavy) in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17
Henry G Silleck, c. 17 Nov 1942; Maj OCt 1945.
Thomas L Dawson, c. 25 Nov 1942-c. 19 GROUPS. 25th Bombardment: 1g4-
Jan 1943. Brig Gen Wiley D Ganey, 10 1941. 36th Pursuit: 1941. 40th Bombard-
Feb 1951; Brig Gen Howell M Estes Jr, ment: 1941. 95th Bombardment: 1943-
I Mar 1952; Brig Gen Charles B Westover, 1945. zooth Bombardment: 1943-1945.
23 Jul1953-. 390th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 490th
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Euro- Bombardment: 1945. 493d Bombard-
pean-African-Middle Eastern Theater. ment: 1945.
DECORATIONS. None. STATIONS. Langley Field, Va, 1-26 Oct
INSIGNE.Shield: Azure (sky blue), in 1940; Borinquen Field, PR, I Nov 1940;
dexter chief a star argent, charged with a San Juan, PR, c. 6 Jan 1941; Borinquen
torteau, two fuzes of bomb or, encased Field, PR, c. I May-25 Oct 1941. MacDill
with boxing gloves proper, in bend, gloves Field, Fla, I Oct 1g42-c. 10 May 1943;
toward base, surrounded with indications Marks Hall, England, c. 2 Jun 1943; Camp
of speed lines argent. Motto: T H E OLD Blainey, England, c. 13 Jun 1943; Horham,
ONE TWO. (Approved 16 Apr 1952.) England, 13 Sep 1943-c. 6 Aug 1945; Sioux
Falls AAFld, SD, c. 15 Aug 1945; Peterson
13th BOMBARDMENT WING Field, Colo, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
COMMANDERS. Capt Kenneth 0 San-
Constituted as 13th Composite Wing on born, c. 10 Oct 1940; Brig Gen Follett
2 Oct 1940 and activated on 10Oct. Moved Bradley, c. I Nov 1940; Lt Col Robert V Ig-
to Puerto Rico at the end of the same nico, c. 4 Aug 1941; Brig Gen Douglas B
month. Inactivated on 25 Oct 1941. Netherwood, c. 7 Sep-25 Oct 1941. Maj
Redesignated 13th Bombardment Wing. Henry G Silleck, ~ g p u n k n Col
; Alfred
Activated in the US on I Oct 1942. As- A Kessler Jr, 16 Sep 1943; Col Harold Q
signed to Eighth AF. Redesignated 13th Huglin, c. g F e k . I Apr 1944; Col Edgar
Bombardment Wing (Medium) in Feb M Wittan, 17 Apr 1944; Col Karl Trues-
1943. Moved to England, May-Jun 1943. dell Jr, 13 Sep 1944; Col Hunter Harris
Redesignated 13th Combat Bombardment Jr, 25 Sep 1944; Brig Gen Alfred A Kessler
Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Groups were Jr, 5 Nov 1944; Brig Gen Harold Q Hug-
assigned in Sep 1943 and the wing served lin, 19 Nov 1944; Lt Col Clifton D Wright,
in combat in the European theater until 18 Jul1945-unkn; Lt Col Paul C Hutchins,
Apr 1945. Redesignated 13th Bombard- 31 Aug 1g45-unkn.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 383
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe; until Apr 1945. Redesignated 14th Bom-
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; bardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945.
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Returned to the US in Aug. Znactivated
DECORATIONS. None. on 7 Nov 1945.
INSIGNE.None. Redesignated 14th Air Division. Or-
ganized on 10 Feb 1951. Assigned to
14th BOMBARDMENT WING Strategic Air Command.
COMPONENTS. Groups. 25th Pursuit :
1940-1942. 28th Pursuit: 1940-1942. 44th
Bombardment: 1943, 1943-1945. 94th
Bombardment: 1945. 392d Bombard-
ment: 1943-1945. 447th Bombardment:
1945. 486th Bombardment: 1945. 487th
Bombardment: 1945. 49zst Bombard-
ment: 1944-1945. 492d Bombardment:
1944. Wings. 5th Bombardment: 1951-.
9th Bombardment: 1951-1953.
STATIONS. Wheeler Field, TH, I Nov
1940-23 Jan 1942. MacDill Field, Fla, I
Oct 1g42-c. g May 1943; Camp Lynn,
England, c. 4 Jun 1943; Hethel, England,
c. g Jun 1943; Camp Thomas, England,
Constituted as 14th Pursuit Wing on
c. I Jul 1943; Shipdham, England, 13 Sep
19 Oct 1940. Activated in Hawaii on I
Nov 1940. Suffered heavy losses during 1943; Bury St Edmunds, England, 13 Jun-
26 Aug 1945; McChord Field, Wash, 6
the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on
7 Dec 1941 but managed to shoot down S e w Nov 1945. Travis AFB, Calif, 10
several enemy aircraft. Inactivated in Feb 1g51-.
COMMANDERS.Col Harvey S Burwell,
Hawaii on 23 Jan 1942.
Nov 1940;Brig Gen Howard C Davidson,
Redesignated 14th Bombardment Wing.
7 May 1g41-c. 23 Jan 1942. Maj Alan W
Activated in the US on I Oct 1942. Re-
Detweiler, 16 Dec 1942-unkn; Lt Col Rod-
designated 14th Bombardment Wing
erick Ott, 1943; Brig Gen Leon W John-
(Heavy) in Feb 1943. Moved to England, son, c. 14 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Robert W
May-Jun 1943. Redesignated 14th Com-
Burns, c. 16 Jun 1945; Lt Col Charles D
bat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug Birdsall, c. 4 Jul 1945-unkn. Brig Gen
1943. Received groups in Sep 1943 and J W Kelly, 10 Feb 1951; COl John M
served in combat in the European theater
Sterling, 16 Sep ISI ;Brig Gen Richard H
384 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
grailed, a chevron inverted gold between H Lawson, 23 Jun 1942; Brig Gen Robert
a gold stylized wing in chief and fifteen B Williams, 4 Apr 1943; Col Walter R
gold stars in base, all within a border of Agee, May 1943; Brig Gen Newton Long-
gold. (Approved 26 Mar 1943.) fellow, 11Oct 1943; Col Claude E Duncan,
c. 25 Nov 1g45-unkn.
16th BOMBARDMENT CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
TRAINING WING
INSIGNE.None.
Constituted as 16th Bombardment Wing
on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 17th BOMBARDMENT
1940. Apparently did not have sufficient TRAINING WING
personnel for effective training and oper-
ations. Inactivated on I Sep 1941. Constituted as 17th Bombardment Wing
Activated on 23 Jun 1942. Assigned to on 3 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940.
Second AF. Redesignated 16th Bombard- Inactivated on I Sep 1941.
ment Training Wing in Jan 1943, 16th Activated on 23 Jun 1942. Assigned to
Bombardment Operational Training Second AF. Redesignated 17th Bombard-
Wing in Apr 1943, and 16th Bombard- ment Training Wing in Jan 1943, and
ment Operational Training Wing (Very 17th Bombardment Operational Training
Heavy) in May 1945. Began training Wing in Apr 1943. Trained a number of
heavy bombardment groups and person- heavy bombardment groups ; also trained
nel in Jun 1942; later changed to very heavy bombardment crews. Inactivated
heavy bombardment training, which last- on 15 Nov 1943.
ed until operations ceased latc in 1945. Redesignated 17th Bombardment Op-
Inactivated on 9 Apr 1946. Disbanded erational Training Wing (Very Heavy).
on 8 Oct 1948. Activated on 11 Mar 1944. Assigned to
GROUPS.45th: 1941. 46th: 1941. (Var- Second AF. Trained very heavy bombard-
ious groups assigned for training, 1942- ment organizations and personnel. Zn-
1945.) activated on g Apr 1946. Disbanded on 8
STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, 18 Dec Oct 1948.
1940; Bowman Field, Ky, Mar-1 Sep 1941. GROUPS.3d Bombardment: 1940-1941.
Wendover Field, Utah, 23 Jun 1942; Biggs 27th Bombardment: 1gq0-1941.
Field, Tex, Nov 1942; Davis-Monthan STATIONS. Savannah, Ga, 18 Dec 1940-
Field, Ariz, c. I Jun 1943; Biggs Field, I Sep 1941. Rapid City, SD, 23 Jun 1942;
Tex, Oct 1943; Colorado Springs, Colo, Walla Walla AAFld, Wash, c. I Jul-15
Dec 1945-9 Apr 1946. Nov 1943. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 11
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Junius W Mar 1944; Colorado Springs, Colo, Apr
Jones, c. Apr-c. I Sep 1941. Col Ernest 1944; Grand Island AAFld, Neb, May
386 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
1944; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, Feb 1945; COMMANDERS. Lt Col Gerald C Brant,
Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, Dec 1945-9 Apr May 1931; Lt Col Delos C Emmons, Aug
1946. 1934; Lt Col John C McDonnell, Jul1936;
COMMANDERS. Maj Gen Lewis H Brere- Lt Col Hume Peabody, Jul 1936; Lt Col
ton, Dec 194o-unkn; Col Asa N Duncan, John C McDonnell, Jul 1936; Brig Gen
c. 7 Aug-c. I Sep 1941. Brig Gen Walter Barton K Yount, Sep 1936; Col Millard F
R Peck, 5 Jul 1942; Col Allen W Reed, Harmon, Jul 1937; Brig Gen Barton K
14 Sep-c. 15 Nov 1943. Brig Gen Frank Yount, Jul 1937; Brig Gen Walter H
A Armstrong Jr, 12 Apr 1944; Brig Gen Frank, Sep 1938; Col Shepler W Fitz-
Robert F Travis, c. 7 Nov 1944; Col Ker- Gerald, Jul 1940; Col Howard C David-
mit D Stevens, Aug 1945; Brig Gen Hugo son, Oct 1940; Brig Gen Jacob H Rudolph,
P Rush, 7 Sep 1945; Brig Gen Robert F unkn; Brig Gen Willis H Hale, 20-29 Jan
Travis, 5 Nov 1945-unkn. 1942. Col Henry W Harms, 23 Jun 1942;
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. Col Frank W Wright, 30 Jan 1944; Col
DECORATIONS. None. Henry W Harms, 27 Mar-11 Apr 1944.
INSIGNE.None. CAMPAIGNS. American Theater ; Cen-
tral Pacific.
DECORATIONS. None.
18th REPLACEMENT WING
INSIGNE.None.
Constituted as 18th Composite Wing on
8 May 1929. Activated in Hawaii on I 20th BOMBARDMENT WING
May 1931. Served as part of the defense
force for the Hawaiian Islands. Redesig- Constituted as 20th Bombardment Wing
nated 18th Wing in 1937, and 18th Bom- on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on I8 Dec 1940.
bardment Wing in 1940. lnactivated in lnactivated on I Sep 1941.
Hawaii on 29 Jan 1942. Activated on I Nov 1942. Redesignated
Redesignated 18th Replacement Wing. 20th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Feb
Activated in the US on 23 Jun 1942. As- 1943. Moved to England, May-Jun 1943,
signed to Second AF. Processed personnel for duty with Eighth AF. Redesignated
entering Second AF for assignments to 20th Combat Bombardment Wing
units. Disbanded on 11 Apr 1944. (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Received its first
GROUPS.5th Bombardment: 1931-1942. groups in Nov 1943 and served in combat
11th Bombardment: 1940-1942. 18th in the European theater from Dec 1943
Pursuit: 1931-1940. until Apr 1945. Redesignated 20th Bomb-
STATIONS.Ft Shafter, TH, I May 1931; ardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Re-
Hickam Field, TH, 30 Oct 1937-29 Jan turned to the US in Aug 1945. Redesig-
1942. Salt Lake City, Utah, 23 Jun 1942- nated 20th Bombardment Wing (Very
11 Apr 1944. Heavy) in Aug, and VIII Bomber Com-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 387
mand (Very Heavy) in Oct 1945. Appar- France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-Alsace;
ently had no combat components assigned Central Europe.
after Aug 1945. Inactivated on 10 Nov DECORATIONS. None.
1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. INSIGNE.None.
GROUPS.7th: 1940-1941. 3#h: 1945.
p d : 1941. 93d: 1943-1945. 385th: 1945.
388th: 1945. 446th: 1943-1945. 448th: 21st BOMBARDMENT WING
1943-1945. 45ad: 1945. 489th: 1944.
STATIONS.Ft Douglas, Utah, 18 Dec
1940-1 Sep 1941. MacDill Field, Fla, I
Nov 1942-c. 8 May 1943; Camp Lynn,
1
England, c. g Jun 1943; Cheddington,
England, c. I Jul 1943; Horsham St Faith,
England, c. 14 Sep 1943; Hethel, England,
24 Sep 1943; Hardwick, England, c. 7 Nov
1943; Snetterton Heath, England, c. 13
Jun-6 Aug 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD,
c. 15 Aug 1945; Peterson Field, Colo, 17
Aug 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, 14 May-Io
Nov 1946.
COMMANDERS. Col Shepler W Fitz-
Gerald, 16 Jan 1941; Brig Gen Walter H Constituted as 21st Bombardment Wing
Frank, 6 Feb 1941;Brig Gen Ralph Royce, on 16 Dec 1942 and activated on 22 Dec.
2 Mar 1941; Col Lowell H Smith, 6 May-
Assigned to Second AF. Functioned
c. I Sep 1941. Col John H Hayden, c. 30
throughout the war as a staging wing,
Oct 1943;Col Jack W Wood, 29 Dec 1943;
processing heavy bombardment crews and
Brig Gen Edward J Timberlake Jr, 25 Sep
1944; Col Leland G Fiegel, 17 May 1945; aircraft to prepare them for overseas move-
Brig Gen Archie J Old Jr, 18 Jun 1945- ment; in Apr 1944 began processing men
unkn; Col Brooke E Allen, c. 18 Aug 1945; returning to the US from combat zones.
Col John W Warren, 22 Aug 1945; Brig Redesignated I Staging Command in Sep
Gen Hugo P Rush, 2 Nov 1~5-unkn;Col 1945. Assigned to Fourth AF in Nov. In-
Neil B Harding, 14 May 1946; Maj Gene activated on 3 Apr 1946.
A Nelson, 16 Aug 1946;Maj Leroy S Eng- Redesignated 2I st Bombardment Wing
lish, 10 Sep 1946; Lt Col Ermanno D (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve.
Grana, 3-c. 10 Nov 1946. Activated on 20 Dec 1946. Redesignated
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater; Air 21st Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr
Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
388 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Redesignated 21st Air Division. Acti- the hilt and pommel of the sword, three
vated on 16 Feb 1951. Assigned to and two. (Approved 17 Jul 1952.)
Strategic Air Command.
(This wing is not related to a 21st Bom- 24th COMPOSITE WING
bardment Wing that was constituted on 19
Oct 1940, activated at Barksdale Field on I Constituted as 24th Composite Wing on
Nov 1940, inactivated on I Nov 194.1, and 19 Nov 1942. Activated in. Iceland on 25
disbanded on 15 Dec 1942.) Dec 1942. Served in the defense of Ice-
COMPONENTS.Groups. 95th: 1947- land. Disbanded on 15 Jun 1944.
1949. 384th: 1947-1949. Wings. Mh Reconstituted on .5 Aug 1946 and acti-
Bombardment: 1951-1952. 55th Recon- vated in Puerto Rico on 25 Aug. Assigned
naissance: 1952-. 90th Reconnaissance: to Caribbean Air Command. No tactical
1951-. groups were assigned, but the wing super-
STATIONS.Smoky Hill AB, Kan, 22 Dec vised various air force units and bases in
1942; Topeka AAFld, Kan, May 1943; the Antilles. Znactivated in Puerto Rico
Merced AAFld, Calif, c. 7 Oct 1945-3 Apr on 28 Jul1948.
1946. Memphis Mun Aprt, Tenn, 20 Dec GROUPS. 342d: 1942-1944.
1946-27 Jun 1949. Forbes AFB, Kan, 16 STATIONS.Iceland, 25 Dec 1942-15 Jun
Feb 1g51-. 1944. Borinquen Field, PR, 25 Aug 1946-
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Albert F 28 Jul1948.
Hegenberger, 22 Dec 1942; Col Henry W COMMANDERS. Brig Gen George P
Harms, Feb 1944; Col Cornelius W Cous- Tourtellot, c. 25 Dec 1942; Brig Gen Early
land, 26 Dec 1944; Col Wallace S Dawson, E W Duncan, c. 5-15 Jun 1944. Brig Gen
21 Jan 1945; Col Ralph E Koon, 29 May
John A Samford, c. Jan 1g47-c. 28 Jul1g48.
CAMPAIGNS.Air Combat, EAME
1945;Brig Gen James M Fitzmaurice, 19
Theater.
Jul 1945-c. Apr 1946. Maj Gen David
DECORATIONS. None.
W Hutchison, 16 Mar 1951; Brig Gen
INSIGNE.None.
Joseph D C Caldara, 4 Dec 1952; Brig Gen
David Wade, 15 Apr 1954; Brig Gen
Henry R Sullivan Jr, 25 Jul 1g55-. 25 th ANTISUBMARINE WING
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. Constituted as 25th Antisubmarine
DECORATIONS. None. Wing on 17 Nov 1942 and activated on 20
INSIGNE. Shield: Per bend enhanced, Nov. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine
azure and argent, in base a branch of olive Command and later (Aug 1943) to First
proper, over all a sword bend sinisterwise AF. Conducted patrols, primarily off the
proper, hilt and pommel or, point to dex- eastern coast of the US. Disbanded on 15
ter base, in chief five stars or, encircling Oct 1943.
zqth: 19q2-1943. 16th (formerly 521st
40th BOMBARDMENT WING
Bombardment) : 1942-1943. 18th: 1942-
1943. 19th: 1942-1943. 20th: 1943.
-
22d: 1943. 24th: 1943.
STATIONS.New York, NY, 20 Nov
1942-15 OCt 1943. F,
COMMANDERS. Col Howard Moore, 20
Nov 1942; Col Wallace E Whitson, 22 Dec
1942; Col Chester A Charles, 8 Jun 1943;
Col Ephraim M Hampton, 20 Aug 1943-
unkn.
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None. Constituted as 40th Bombardment Wing
on 15 Jan 1943 and activated on 21 Jan.
26th ANTISUBMARINE WING Redesignated 40th Bombardment Wing
(Heavy) in May 1943. Moved to Eng-
Constituted as 26th Antisubmarine land, May-Jun 2943, for duty with Eighth
Wing on 17 Nov 1942 and activated on 20 AF. Redesignated 40th Combat Bom-
Nov. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine bardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943,
Command and later (Aug 1943) to First and 40th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)
AF. Flew patrols in the Gulf of Mexico in Jun 1945. Served in combat in the
and the Caribbean Sea. Disbanded on 15 European theater from Sep 1943 until Apr
OCt 1943. 1945, receiving a DUC for an attack on
SQUADRONS. 7th: 1942-1943. 8th: aircraft factories in central Germany on
1942-1943. 9th: 1942-1943. zoth: 1942- 11 Jan 1944. Remained in Europe after
1943. 15th: 1942-1943. 17th: 1942-1943. the war as part of United States Air Forces
2 Z S t : 1943. 23d: 1943. 25th: 1943 in Europe. Znactivuted in Germany on
STATIONS.Miami, Fla, 20 Nov 1942-15 25 Dec 1946.
OCt 1943. Redesignated 40th Air Division. Or-
COMMANDERS. Col Harry A Halverson, ganized in the US on 14 Mar 1951. As-
C. 20 NOV1942-1943. signed to Strategic Air Command.
390 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Redesignated 42d Air Division. Organ- combat in the European theater until Apr
ized on 10 Mar 1951. Assigned to Strate- 1945. Disbanded in England on 18 Jun
gic Air Command. 1945.
COMPONENTS. Groups. zst Fighter: Reconstituted and redesignated 45th Air
1943. z7th Bombardment : 1943-1945. Division, on 24 Sep 1954. Activated in the
319th Bombardment: 1943-1944. 320th US on 8 Oct 1954. Assigned to Strategic
Bombardment: 1943-1945. 325th Fighter: Air Command.
1943. Wings. zst Fighter: 1g51-. 27th COMPONENTS.Groups. 34th: 1945.
Fighter: 1g51-. zjzst Fighter: 1951. 96th: 1943-1945. 385th: 1945. 388th:
STATIONS.Birmingham AAB, Ala, 16 1943-1945. 452d: 1944-1945. Wings. 42d
Feb-31 Jul 1943; North Africa, 31 Jul Bombardment : 1g54-.
1943; Ariana, Tunisia, 21 Aug 1943; El- STATIONS. MacDill Field, Fla, I Apr-c.
mas, Sardinia, 15 Nov 1943; Borgo, Cor- 3 Aug 1943; Brampton Grange, England,
sica, 21 Sep 1944; Dijon, France, 24 Nov c. 25 Aug 1943; Snetterton Heath, Eng-
1944; Reirns, France, Jul-c. Oct 1945; land, 13 Sep 1943-18 Jun 1945. Loring,
Camp Shanks, NY, 24-25 Oct 1945. Berg- AFB, Maine, 8 Oct 1g54-.
strom AFB, Tex, 10Mar 1g51-. COMMANDERS. Maj Carl L Liles, c. Apr
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Robert M 1943-unkn; Col Archie J Old Jr, 14 Sep
Webster, 24 Aug 1943; Brig Gen John P 1943; Brig Gen Charles P Cabell, c. I Dec
Doyle, I Sep 1944-1945. Brig Gen Clar- 1943; Brig Gen Archie J Old Jr, 12 Apr
ence T Edwinson, c. 15 Mar 1g51-. 1944-18 Jun 1945. Brig Gen Bertram C
CAMPAIGNS.Naples-Foggia ; Anzio; Harrison, 8 Oct 1954; Brig Gen William
Rome-Arno; Southern France; North K Martin, 18 Jun 1g55-.
Apennines; Rhineland ; Central Europe. CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe;
DECORATIONS. French Croix de Guerre Normandy; Northern France ;Rhineland;
with Palm: Apr-Jun 1944. Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
INSIGNE.None. DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None.
45th BOMBARDMENT WING
47th BOMBARDMENT WING
Constituted as 45th Bombardment Wing
(Medium) on 15 Feb 1943. Activated on Constituted as 7th Pursuit Wing on 19
I Apr 1943. Redesignated 45th Bombard- Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. In-
ment Wing (Heavy). Moved to England activated on 31 Aug 1941.
in Aug 1943 for duty with Eighth AF. Redesignated 7th Fighter Wing. Acti-
Redesignated 45th Combat Bombardment vated on 7 Jun 1942. Moved to North
Wing (Heavy). Groups were assigned in Africa, Oct-Nov 1942, to operate with
Sep 1943 and the wing participated in Twelfth AF. Redesignated 47th Bom-
392 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
ment: 1945. Wings. 6th Bombardment:
/ 1g51-. 509th Bombardment: 1951-.
STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, 18 Dec
1940-31 Aug 1941. Harrisburg Mun Aprt,
Pa, 7 Jun-Oct 1942; Casablanca, French
Morocco, Nov 1942; Chateaudun, Algeria,
Jan 1943; El Guerrah, Algeria, c. I hLI.
1&3; Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia, 8 Jun 1943;
Hammamet, Tunisia, 7 Aug 1943; Man-
duria, Italy, 11 Nov 1g43-May 1945; Sioux
Falls, SD, May 1945; Sioux City AAB,
Iowa, Jul-15 Oct 1945. Walker AFB,
bardment Wing (Medium) in Feb 1943. NM, 10 Feb 1g51-.
Assigned to Fifteenth AF in Nov 1943 COMMANDERS. Lt Col Edward M Mor-
and afterward operated as a heavy bom- ris, 1941. Maj Eugene Berglund, 7 Jun
bardment organization until the war 1942; Col John C Crosthwaite, 14 Sep
ended. Redesignated 47th Bombardment 1942; Brig Gen Carlyle H Ridenour, 14
Wing (Heavy) in Apr 1945. Returned to Jan 1943; Brig Gen Joseph H Atkinson, 11
the US in May. Redesignated 47th Bom- Feb 1944; Brig Gen Hugo P Rush, 5 Mar
bardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Jun. 19447 Oct 1945. Brig Gen Hunter Har-
Inactivated on 15 Oct 1945. ris Jr, 10 Feb 1951; Col William H Blan-
Redesignated 47th Air Division. Or- chard, c. Dec 1951; Brig Gen Thomas C
ganized on 10 Feb 1951. Assigned to Stra- Musgrave Jr, 7 Apr 1952; Brig Gen Charles
tegic Air Command. W Scott,7 Jul I954-.
COMPONENTS. Groups. 8th Pursuit: CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea-
1940-1941. z7th Bombardment: 1943. ter; Air Offensive, Europe; Algeria-French
33d Fighter: 1940-1941 ; 1942-1943, 1943. Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia;
57th Pursuit: 1940-1941. 8zst Fighter: Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern
1942-1943. 82d Fighter: 1943-194. 98th France; Southern France; North Apen.
Bombardment: 1943, 1943-1945. 310th nines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po
Bombardment: 1943. 319th Bombard- Valley.
ment: 1943. 320th Bombardment: 1943. DECORATIONS. None.
pzst Bombardment: 1943. 325th Fighter: INSIGNE.Shield: Sable, an atomic cloud
1943. 376th Bombardment: 1943, 1943- proper (shades of red, orange and yellow)
1945. 449th Bombardment: 194-1945. rising from base to chief, surmounted by
450th Bombardment: 1944-1945. 45zst a bend argent charged with a sword prop-
Bombardment: 1944. 489th Bombard- er (blade silver, hilt and pommel gold),
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WZNGS 393
the blade entwined with a branch of olive Moved to England, May-Jun 1952, and as-
vert. (Approved 6 Sep 1956.) signed to United States Air Forces in Eu-
rope. No combat elements were assigned
49th BOMBARDMENT WING but wings were attached for operations.
GROUPS. IOOth.' 1946-1949. 380th:
1946-1949. 4fiISt: 1944-1945. 461st: 1944-
1945. 484th: 1944-1945-
STATIONS.Columbia AAB, SC, 31 Mar
1943; Greenville AAB, SC, c. 28 Apr 1943-
2 Feb 1944; Italy, Apr 1944-16 Oct 1945.
Miami AAFld, Fla, 20 Dec 1946-27 Jun
1949. Langley AFB, Va, 7 Nov 1g51-May
1952; Sculthorpe RAF Station, England,
Jun 1g52-.
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen William L Lee,
c. 31 Mar 1943; Col Robert F Worden, 4
Aug-c. Oct 1945. Col James D Jones, 7
Constituted as 49th Bombardment Op- Nov 1951; Brig Gen John D Stevenson,
erational Training Wing (Medium) on Feb 1952; Brig Gen James F Whisenand,
17 Mar 1943 and activated on 31 Mar. Re- 26 Feb 1g55-.
designated 49th Bombardment Wing (Me- CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea-
dium) in Oct 1943, and 49th Bombard- ter; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno;
ment Wing (Heavy) in Dec. Moved to Normandy; Northern France; Southern
Italy (Feb-Apr 1944) where groups were France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
assigned. Operated with Fifteenth AF in Central Europe; Po Valley.
the Mediterranean and European theaters DECORATIONS. None.
from Apr 1944 until May 1945. Znacti- INSIGNE.Shield: Quarterly argent and
vated in Italy on 16 Oct 1945. sable, rising from base the outline of an
Redesignated 49th Bombardment Wing atomic cloud counterchanged, overall a
(Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. lightning flash issuing from sinister chief
Activated in the US on 20 Dec 1946. Re- and striking to dexter base or. (Approved
designated 49th Air Division (Bombard-
ment) in Apr 1948. Znactivated on 27 Jun
1949. 50th TROOP CARRIER WING
Redesignated 49th Air Division. Acti-
vated on 7 Nov 1951. Assigned to Tactical Constituted as 50th Transport Wing on
Air Command. Redesignated 49th Air 8 Jan 1941 and activated on 14 Jan. As-
Division (Operational) in Apr 1952. signed to Ofice, Chief of the Air Corps.
394 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
/
A\ 1943; Exeter, England, 26 Apr-1 Oct 1944;
Le Mans, France, I Oct 1 9 4 ; Chartres,
France, 3 Nov 1944-29 Sep 1945; Pope
Field, NC, 29 Sep 1945-31 Jul 1946.
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Fred S Borum, 14
Jan 1941; Lt Col P R Love, 8 Dec 1941;
Col Harold L Clark, 29 May 1942; Lt Col
Julian M Chappell, 2 Nov 1942; Col P R
Love, 20 Nov 1942; Brig Gen Julian M
Chappell, 4 Apr 1943-31 Jul 1946.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater ;Rome-
Arno; Normandy; Northern France;
Southern France; Rhineland ; Ardennes-
Alsace; Central Europe.
Transported personnel, supplies, and ma- DECORATIONS. None.
teriel in the US, Alaska, and the Carib- INSIGNE.Shielk On a blue diamond
bean area. Assigned to Air Transport edged in gold, a transport aircraft with
Command (later I Troop Carrier Com- stylized wing surmounting a pile voided
mand) in Apr 1942. Redesignated 50th of the second, issuing from sinister and ex-
Troop Carrier Wing in Jul 1942. Func- tending to dexter base. Motto: NOBIS
tioned as a training organization. Moved VOLANDUM EST-It will be flown by
overseas, Sep-Oct 1943, and assigned to us. (Approved 22 Sep 1942.)
Ninth AF. Operated in the European and
Mediterranean theaters until after the war. 5 1st TROOP CARRIER WING
Transferred, without personnel and equip
ment, to the US in Sep 1945. Remanned Constituted as 51st Transport Wing on
and re-equipped. Znactivated on 31 Jul 30 May 1942. Activated on I Tun 1942.
1946. Redesignated 51st Troop Carrier Wing in
GROUPS. 439th : 194-1945. 4 0 t h : Jul 1942. Arrived in England in Sep 1942
1944-1945. # z S t : 194-1945. w d : 1944- and trained for the, invasion of North
1945. (Numerous other groups assigned Africa. Operated with Twelfth AF in
for training or operations, 1941-1944.) North Africa and the Mediterranean area
STATIONS.Wright Field, Ohio, 14 Jan from Nov 1942 to May 1945. Moved to
1941; Camp Williams, Wis, 25 May 1942; Germany in Sep 1945. Assigned to United
Knobnoster, Mo, g Sep 1942; Camp Mack- States Air Forces in Europe. Znactivated
all, NC, 27 Apr 1943; Pope Field, NC, 28 in Germany on 5 Jan 1948.
Jul-29 Sep 1943; Cottesmore, England, 17 GROUPS. 60th: 1942-1945, 1946-1947.
Oct 1943; Bottesford, England, 18 Nov 6zst: 1942, 1946-1947. 62d: 1942-1945.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 395
64th: 1942-7945. 313th.' 1946-1947. 314th:
1945-1946. Hzst: 1945-1946. w d : 1945-
1946. 516th: 1945-1946.
STATIONS.Pope Field, NC, I Jun-19
Jul 1942; Greenham Common, England,
Sep-Nov 1942; Algiers, Algeria, 23 Nov
1942; La Senia, Algeria, 28 Mar 1943;
Mascara, Algeria, 13 May 1943; Goubrine,
Tunisia, 24 Jun 1943; Gela, Sicily, 29 Aug
1943; Catania, Sicily, 29 Sep 1943; Lido di
Roma, Italy, 29 Jun 1944; Siena, Italy, 8
Jan 1945; Wiesbaden, Germany, Sep 1945-
5 Jan 1948.
COMMANDERS. Jul 1942. Moved to the Mediterranean
Col Russell L Maughan,
I Jun 1942; Col Paul L Williams, 20 Octtheater, Apr-May 1943, and served with
1942; Col Ralph B Bagby, 22 Jan 1943; Twelfth AF until Feb 1944. Moved to
Col Ray A Dunn, c. 22 Feb 1943; Col England, Feb-Mar 1944, assigned to Ninth
Samuel J Davis, 26 Mar 1943; Brig Gen AF, and engaged in operations in the
Ray A Dunn, 22 May 1943; Brig Gen European theater until Jun 1945. Re-
George H Beverley, 28 Sep 1943; Brig turned to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Znxti-
Gen Timothy J Manning, 20 Mar 1944; vated on 27 Aug 1946.
Lt Col Paul A Jones, 3 Jun-Aug 1945; Redesignated 52d Fighter Wing. Al-
lotted to ANG (NY) on 28 Aug 1946.
Brig Gen Lucas V Beau, c. Sep 1945; Brig
Gen James F Powell, 13 Aug 1947-5 Jan Extended federal recognition on 3 Oct
1948- 1947. lnactivated on 31 Oct 1950.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea- GROUPS.10th: 1942-1943. 6zst: 1942,
ter; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; 1943-1945. 63d: 1942. 64th: 1943.
Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; 313th: 1942, 1942-1945. 314th: 1942,
Southern France; North Apennines; Po 1943-1945 315th: 19429 1944-1945s
Valley. 316th: 1942, 1943-1946. 317th: 1942.
DECORATIONS. None. 349th: '945, 1946. 433d: 1943. 434th:
INSIGNE.None. 1945-1946- 439h: 1945-1946.
STATIONS.Daniel Field, Ga, 15 Jun
1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 20 Jul 1942;
52d TROOP CARRIER WING
Pope Field, NC, 3 Aug 1942-24 Apr 1943;
Constituted as 52d Transport Wing on Oujda, French Morocco, 8 May 1943;
30 May 1942. Activated on 15 Jun 1942. Kairouan, Tunisia, Jul 1943; Agrigento,
Redesignated 52d Troop Carrier Wing in Sicily, I Sep 1943-13 Feb 1944; Cottesmore,
396 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; pan, Sep 1945; Manila, Luzon, Jan-31 May
Central Europe. 1946.
DECORATIONS. None. COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Paul H Pren-
INSIGNE.Shield: Over and through an tiss, 20 May 1943; Brig Gen Warren R
ultramarine blue disc, within a light blue Carter, 30 Mar 1944; Brig Gen Paul H
annulet, piped gold, a torch of liberty fired Prentiss, 19 Nov 1944; Brig Gen William
proper, handle of torch formed of open D Old, c. Oct 1945-unkn.
parachute argent, surmounted by a C-47 CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan; New
transport plane or, in flight, in front of Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western
flames of torch; on the field eight mullets Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philip-
or, arranged five to dexter, three to sinister. pines; Ryukyus.
(Approved 6 Apr 1943.) DECORATIONS. Philippine Presidential
Unit Citation.
54th TROOP CARRIER WING INSIGNE.None.
Brig Gen James V Edmundson, 20 Mar ment Wing (Very Heavy) in Nov 1943.
1954; Brig Gen Edwin B Broadhurst, 18 Moved to India in the spring of 1944.
Jan 1955-s Assigned to Twentieth AF. Engaged in
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea- very-long-range bombardment operations
ter; Tunisia; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; from Jun to Oct 1944. Disbanded in India
Southern France; North Apennines; Cen- on 12 Oct 1944.
tral Europe; Po Valley. Reconstituted on I Feb 1945 and acti-
DECORATIONS. None. vated in India on 8 Feb. Assigned to
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and Twentieth AF. Engaged in combat until
gules, a bend argent between in chief a the war ended. Returned to the US late
globe of the third lined sable emitting in 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Com-
three lightning flashes or and issuing from mand on 21 Mar 1946. Redesignated 58th
base a hand holding a torch of the fourth Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1948.
garnished of the fifth flammant of the Inactivated on 16 Oct 1948.
second and silver. (Approved 7 Apr Redesignated 58th Air Division (De-
19544 fense). Activated on 8 Sep 1955. As-
signed to Air Defense Command. No
58th BOMBARDMENT WING combat elements were assigned to the
division prior to 31 Dec 1955.
c z I 2 GROUPS. 40th: 1943-1944; 1945-1946.
444th: 1943-1944; 1945-1946. 462d: 1943-
1944; 1945-1946. 468th: 1943-1944; 1945-
1946. 472d: 1943-1944.
STATIONS.Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, I
May 1943; Cobb County AAFld, Ga, 15
Jun 1943; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 15
Sept 1943-12 Mar 1944; Chakulia, India,
2 Apr 1944; Kharagpur, India, 23 Apr-
12 Oct 1944. Hijli Base Area, India, 8-24
Feb 1945; West Field, Tinian, 29 Mar-15
. I Nov 1945; March Field, Calif, 2 Dec 1945;
Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, 9 May 1946; An-
drews AFB, Md, I Mar-16 Oct 1948.
Constituted as 58th Bombardment Op- Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 8 Sep 1955-.
erational Training Wing (Heavy) on 22 COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Kenneth B
Apr 1943. Activated on I May 1943. Re- Wolfe, 21 Jun 1943; Col Leonard F Har-
designated 58th Bombardment Wing man, 27 Nov 1943; Brig Gen Lavern G
(Heavy) in Jul 1943, and 58th Bombard- Saunders, Mar 1944-unkn. Col Dwight 0
400 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Monteith, 8 Feb 1945; Brig Gen Roger M 1943; Col Younger A Pitts, 23 Mar 19445.
Ramey, 24 Apr 1945-1 Nov 1946; unkn, 8 OCt 1945.
I Nov 1946-16 Oct 1948. Col Von R CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
Shores Jr, 8 Sep 1g55-. DECORATIONS. None.
CAMPAIGNS. India-Burma ; Air Off en- INSIGNE. None.
sive, Japan; China Defensive; Western
Pacific; Central Burma. 6lst TROOP CARRIER WING
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend argent, and Constituted as 61st Troop Carrier Wing
checky of the first and sable, in chief an on 5 Jun 1943 and activated on 13 Jun.
escutcheon gules, charged with a cross or Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command.
between four stylized arrowheads, tips to Trained groups, troop carrier replacement
center, of the last. Motto: PRIMUS IN- personnel, and glider crews. Inactivated
TER PARES-First Among Equals. on 4 Oct 1945.
(Approved I I Jan 1956.) Redesignated 61st Fighter Wing. Al-
lotted to ANG (Calif) on 24 May 1946.
60th TROOP CARRIER WING Extended federal recognition on 4 Apr
1948. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950.
Constituted as 60th Troop Carrier Wing COMPONENTS.(Omitted because of
on 5 Jun 1943 and activated on 12 Jun. large number and frequent changes.)
Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command. STATIONS. Pope Field, NC, 13 Jun 1943;
Trained groups and glider crews and par- Sedalia AAFld, Mo, Jul 1943-4 Oct 1945.
ticipated in several airborne maneuvers. COMMANDERS. Col Tracy K Dorsett,
Inactivated on 8 Oct 1945. Jun 1943; Col Reed G Landis, Dec 1943-4
Redesignated 60th Fighter Wing. Al- OCt 1945.
lotted to ANG (Wash) on 24 May 1946. CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
Extended federal recognition on 19 Apr DECORATIONS. None.
1948. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950. INSIGNE.None.
COMPONENTS. (Omitted because of
large number and frequent changes.) 62d FIGHTER WING
STATIONS.Sedalia AAFld, Mo, 12 Jun
1943; Pope Field, NC, c. 22 Jul 1943; Constituted as 1st Air Defense Wing
Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, c. 20 Dec on 12 Dec 1942 and activated the same
1943; Pope Field, NC, c. 8 Mar 1944-8 Oct day. Moved to the Mediterranean theater
1945. in Jan 1943. Redesignated 62d Fighter
COMMANDERS. Col Maurice M Beach, Wing in Jul 1943. Served with Twelfth
Jun 1943; Col Julian M Chappell, c. 22 Jul AF until the end of the war. Inactivated
1943; Col Jerome B McCauley, c. 31 Aug in Italy on 12 Sep 1945.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 40 1
Guinea, 24 Jul 1944;Leyte, 24 Oct 1944; tem in the Philippine Islands. Znactivated
Ft William McKinley, Luzon, Jun 1945; in the Philippines on 15 Mar 1946.
Floridablanca, Luzon, Jul 1946; Nagoya, Alotted to ANG (Colo) on 24 May
Japan, I Jun 1947-30 Jun 1948. Andrews 1946. Extended federal recognition on 3
AFB, Md, 8 Sep 1g55-. Jul 1946. Znactivated on 31 Oct 1950.
COMMANDERS. Col John M Bartella, 10 (This wing is not related to an 86th
Nov 1943;Col Harlan T McCormick, 6 Fighter Wing that was constituted on I Jul
Dec 1943;Col Philip H Greasley, 11 Nov 1948 and activated in Germany the same
1944;Col George A Walker, 23 Apr 1945; day by United States Air Forces in
Brig Gen George P Tourtellot, 20 May Europe.)
1945;Lt Col Vernon L Head, 2 Oct 194.5- GROUPS.8th: 1944-1945. 49th: 1944-
unkn; Col Raymond J Reeves, I Feb 1946; 1945. 58th: 1944-1945-
Brig Gen William M Morgan, 26 Feb STATIONS.March Field, Calif, I Dec
19461 May 1947. Brig Gen Emmett F 1943-25 Mar 1944; Finschhafen, New
Yost, 8 Sep 1g55-. Guinea, I May 1944;Toem, New Guinea,
CAMPAIGNS.New Guinea; Western 4 Aug 1944;Sansapor, New Guinea, 19
Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philip- Aug 1944; Luzon, 16 Jan 1945-15 Mar
pines. 1946.
DECORATIONS. Philippine Presidential COMMANDERS. Lt Col Robert L John-
Unit Citation. ston, 11 Dec 1943;Col Romulus W Pur-
INSIGNE.Shield: Per bend azure and of year, 14Dec 1943;Col Robert L Johnston,
the sky proper, a sinister quarter pointed 16 Sep 1944;Col Norman D Sillin, 5 Nov
or; overall in chief, a silhouetted futuramic 1944;Col James 0 Guthrie, 14Dec 1944;
jet aircraft bendwise, volant, sable, with Col Robert L Johnston, 11 Jun 1g45-unkn.
speed lines gules; in base a lightning bolt, CAMPAIGNS. New Guinea; Western
bendwise of the third, over a checky grid Pacific; Leyte; Luzon.
throughout proper (red). (Approved 26 DECORATIONS. Philippine Presidential
Dec 1956.) Unit Citation.
INSIGNE.None.
86th FIGHTER WING
Constituted as 86th Fighter Wing on 87th FIGHTER WING
19 Nov 1943. Activated on I Dec 1943.
Moved to the Southwest Pacific, Mar-May Constituted as 87th Fighter Wing on 14
1944. Assigned to Fifth AF. Engaged in Oct 1943and activated on 25 Oct. Moved
combat from May until early in 1945when overseas, Dec 1g43-Jan1944,and operated
the wing became responsible for establish- with Twelfth AF in the Mediterranean
ing and operating an aircraft warning sys- theater from ADr IQAA until the winds
L / l l -
410 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
groups were reassigned in Sep 1944. Dis- Allotted to the reserve. Activated on
banded in Italy on I Apr 1945. 20 Dec 1946. Redesignated goth Air Divi-
GROUPS.57th: 1944. 79th: 1944. 86th: sion (Reconnaissance) in Apr 1948. In-
1944. activated on 27 Jun 1949.
STATIONS. Mitchel Field, NY, 25 Oct- GROUPS.3d: 1943-1944, 5th: 1943-
15 Dec 1943; Nouvion, Algeria, 11 Jan 1944. 26th: 1947-1949. 65th: 1946-1949.
1944; Caserta, Italy, g Feb 1944; Bastia, STATIONS. La Marsa, Tunisia, 22 Nov
Corsica, 28 Mar 1944; Vescovato, Corsica, 1943; San Severo, Italy, 14 Dec 1g43-c. 4
g May 1944; Furiani, Corsica, 13 Jul 1944; Apr 1945; Buckley Field, Colo, Apr-23
Caserta, Italy, 22 Sep 1944; Florence, Italy, Oct 1945. Niagara Falls Mun Aprt, NY,
25 Dec 1944-1 Apr 1945. 20 Dec 1946-27 Jun 1949.
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Gladwyn E Pink- COMMANDERS. Col Elliott Roosevelt, 22
ston, 30 Oct 1943; Brig Gen Laurence C Nov 1943; Col Karl L Polifka, 25 Jan
Craigie, 22 Nov 1943; Lt Col Gladwyn E 1944; Col George G Northrup, 30 Jan
Pinkston, 6 Mar 1944; Brig Gen Thomas 1945; Lt Col James D Berry, 26 Jul 1945;
C Darcy, 18 Apr 1944; Lt Col Theodore Col Karl L Polifka, 8 Sep 1945; Maj Clair
V Prochazka, c. 20 Sep 1944-c. 31 Mar E Cheney, Oct-23 Oct 1945.
1945- CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea-
CAMPAIGNS.Rome-Arno; Southern ter; Air Offensive, Europe ; Naples-Fog-
France; North Apennines. gia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France;
DECORATIONS. None. North Apennines.
INSIGNE.None. DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE. None.
90th RECONNAISSANCE WING
9 1st RECONNAISSANCE WING
Constituted as 90th Photographic Wing
(Reconnaissance) on 11 Oct 1943. Acti- Constituted as gIst Photographic Wing
vated in North Africa on 22 Nov 1943. (Reconnaissance) on g Oct 1943 and acti-
Provided photographic reconnaissance for vated on 20 Oct. Redesignated gIst Recon-
both Twelfth AF and Fifteenth until the naissance Wing in Jun 1945. Moved to the
wing’s groups were reassigned on I Oct Southwest Pacific, Feb-Mar 1944, and
1944. Afterward, aided in establishing a served with Fifth AF until the end of the
photographic library for use in the Euro- war. Znactivated in Japan on 27 Jan 1946.
pean and Mediterranean theaters. Re- Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the
turned to the US in Apr 1945. Redesig- US on 20 Dec 1946. Redesignated gIst Air
nated 90th Reconnaissance Wing in Tun. Division (Reconnaissance) in Apr 1948.
Inactivated on 23 Oct 1945. Znactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 411
GROUPS.6th: 1944-1945. 66th: 1946- taken away in Feb 1945. Moved to the
1949. 7ZSt.. 1944-1945- 74th: 1946-1949. US in Jul. Disbanded on 28 Aug 1945.
STATIONS. Will Rogers Field, Okla, 20 GROUPS. 35zst: 1943. 4 0 z ~ t : 1943.
Oct 1943; Birmingham AAB, Ala, 9 Nov 486th: 1944-1945. 487th: 1944-1945.
1943-20 Feb 1944; Nadzab, New Guinea, STATIONS.Polebrook, England, I Nov
30 Mar 1944; Biak, 10Aug 1944; Leyte, 12 1943; Camp Blainey, England, c. 12 Dec
Nov 1944; Mindoro, 28 Jan 1945; Clark 1943; Sudbury, England, c. 2 Mar 1944;
Field, Luzon, 24 Mar 1945; Okinawa, 30 Bury St Edmunds, England, c. 18 Nov
JuI’1g45; Japan, Oct 1945-27 Jan 1946. 1944; Elveden Hall, England, 12 Feb-c.
Newark AAB, NJ, 20 Dec 1946-27 Jun 13 Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 23
1949. Ju1-28 Aug 1945.
COMMANDERS. Lt Col James E Ilgen- COMMANDERS. Col Julius K Lacey, 24
fritz, 13 Nov 1943; Col Elvin F Maughan, Nov-12 Dec 1943; Col Harold Q Hug-
18Dec 1943; Col David W Hutchison, 12 lin, c. I Apr-19 Nov 1944; Col Hunter
Apr 1944; Col Ralph 0 Brownfield, 22 Harris Jr, c. 12 Feb-11 May 1945.
Apr 1944; Col John T Murtha, 23 Aug CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
1944; Col William C Sams, 16 Oct 1944- Normandy; Northern France; Rhine-
unkn. land ; Ardennes-Alsace.
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan ; DECORATIONS. None.
China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck INSIGNE.None.
Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte;
Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus;
China Offensive. 93d BOMBARDMENT WING
DECORATIONS. Philippine Presidential
Unit Citation. Constituted as 93d Combat Bombard-
INSIGNE.None. ment Wing (Heavy) on 25 Oct 1943. Ac-
tivated in England on I Nov 1943. Did
not receive groups until the spring of 1944.
92d BOMBARDMENT WING Served in combat with Eighth AF in the
Constituted as 92d Combat Bombard- European theater from May 1944 until
ment Wing (Heavy) on 25 Oct 1943. Ac- Apr 1945. Moved to the US in Jul 1945.
tivated in England on I Nov 1943. As- Disbanded on 28 Aug 1945.
signed to Eighth AF. Entered combat GROUPS.34th: 1944-1945. 385th: 1945.
on 11 Dec 1943 but its group were reas- 490th: 1944-1945s 493d: 1944-1945-
signed on 15 Dec. Re-entered combat STATIONS.Horsham St Faith, England,
with new groups in May 1944 and con- I Nov 1943; Elveden Hall, England, c.
tinued operations until the groups were 10 Jan 1944; Mendlesham, England, c. 30
412 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Mar 1944-11Jul 1945;Sioux Falls AAFld, tivated in England on 12 Dec 1943. As-
SD, c. 27 Jul-28 Aug 1945. signed to Eighth AF. Had no groups
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Walter R Peck, until Apr 1944. Flew in combat in the
c. 27 Dec 1943-1I Jan 1944;Brig Gen John European theater from 2 Jun until 14Aug
K Gerhart, Apr 1944-23 May 1945. 1944 when its groups were taken away.
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe; Moved to the US in Jul 1945. Disbanded
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; on 28 Aug 1945.
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. GROUPS.489th: 1944. 49zst: 1944.
DECORATIONS. None. STATIONS.Attlebridge, England, 12Dec
INSIGNE.None. 1943;Ketteringham, England, Feb 1944;
Halesworth, England, c. 5 May 1944;Ket-
94th BOMBARDMENT WING teringham, England, Aug 1944-c. 12 Jul
1945;Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 23 Jul-
Constituted as 94th Combat Bombard- 28 Aug 1945.
ment Wing (Heavy) on 2 Nov 1943. Ac- COMMANDERS. Maj Albert W Osbourn,
tivated in England on 12 Dec 1943. As- c. 6 Jan 1944;Lt Col Milton K Lockwood,
signed to Eighth AF. Served in combat c. 12 Jan 1944;Lt Col John H Diehl Jr,
in the European theater until Apr 1945. c. 26 Jan 1944;Col Frederick R Dent Jr,
Received a DUC for an attack on German c. I Apr 1944;Col Irvine A Rendle, 30 Jun
aircraft factories on 11 Jan 194. Dis-
194;Col Frederick R Dent Jr, c. 15 Aug
banded in England on 18 Jun 1945.
1944;Col Troy W Crawford, c. 20 Aug
GROUPS.35ZSt: 1943-2945. 4OZSt.' 1943- 1g44-unkn; Col Jack W Wood, c. 21 Oct
1945. 457th: 1944-1945- 1944;Col Perry Norris, c. 18 Nov 1g44-c.
STATIONS.Polebrook, England, 12 Dec
1943;Alconbury, England, 12-18Jun 1945. May 1945.
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe ;
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Julius K La- Normandy; Northern France.
cey, 12 Dec 1943;Col Eugene A Romig,
DECORATIONS. None.
6-15 Jun 1945. INSIGNE.None.
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe ;
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. 96th BOMBARDMENT WING
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita-
Constituted as 96th Combat Bombard-
tion: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.
ment Wing (Heavy) on 8 Nov 1943.
INSIGNE.None.
Activated in England on 11 Jan 1944.
Served in combat in the European theater
95th BOMBARDMENT WING with Eighth AF from Mar 1944until Apr
Constituted as 95th Combat Bombard- 1945. Redesignated 8 t h Bombardment
ment Wing (Heavy) on 2 Nov 1943. Ac- Wing (Heavy) in Jun. Moved to the US
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS--WINGS 413
1943. Assigned to Ninth AF and con- 1945. Bedford AAFld, Mass, 20 Dec
tinued combat operations until Apr 1945. 1946-27 Jun 1949.
Redesignated 98th Bombardment Wing COMMANDERS. Unkn, to I Mar 1935;
(Medium) in Jun 1945. Znactivated in Brig Gen Gerald C Brant, I Mar 1935;
Europe on 27 Nov 1945. Brig Gen Frederick L Martin, I Apr 1937;
Redesignated 3d Bombardment Wing Brig Gen Clarence L Tinker, c. Jan 1941;
(Light) and allotted to the reserve. Acti- Brig Gen Follett Bradley, 1941-5 Sep
vated in the US on 20 Dec 1946. Redesig- 1941. Maj John P Carson, 7 Jun 1942;
nated 3d Air Division (Bombardment) in Maj William A Turner, 14 Jul 1942; Maj
Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Thomas B Scott, 29 Jul 1942; Maj Jack E
GROUPS.3d Bombardment : 1932-1940. Caldwell, 29 Aug 1942; Col Charles T
13th Bombardment: 1941. 20th Pursuit: Phillips, 15 Sep 1942; Brig Gen Haywood
1932-1939. 29th Bombardment: 1940- S Hansel1 Jr, 6 Dec 1942; Brig Gen Fred-
1941. 44th Bombardment: 1941. 305th erick L Anderson, 27 Feb 1943; Brig Gen
Bombardment : 1945. 306th Bombard- Francis M Brady, 27 Apr 1943; Col Samuel
ment: 1945. 3zoth Bombardment: 1947- E Anderson, 12 Jul 1943; Col Carl R
1949. 322d Bombardment : 1942-1943. Storrie, Nov 1943; Col Millard Lewis, 21
323d Bombardment : 1942-1945. 34zst Jan 1944; Brig Gen Harold L Mace, c. 2
Bombardment: 1947-1949. 344th Bom- Aug 1944-1945-
bardment: 1945. 386th Bombardment: CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ;
1942-1943, 1945. 387th Bombardment: Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
1942-1945. jgzst Bombardment: 1945. Ardennes-Alsace ; Central Europe.
394th Bombardment: 1944-1945. 397th DECORATIONS. None.
Bombardment : 1944-1945. INSIGNE.None.
STATIONS.Ft Crockett, Tex, 15 Jun
1932; Barksdale Field, La, 27 Feb 1935; 99th BOMBARDMENT WING
MacDill Field, Fla, 2 Oct 1940-5 Sep 1941.
Detrick Field, Md, 7 Jun-Aug 1942; El- Constituted as 44th Bombardment Wing
veden Hall, England, c. 12 Sep 1942; (Heavy) on 15 Feb 1943. Activated on I
Marks Hall, England, 12 Jun 1943; Earls Mar 1943. Moved to England in Jul 1943
Colne, England, Nov 1943; Beaulieu, Eng- and assigned to Eighih AF. Combat ele-
land, 18 Jul-19 Aug 1944; Lessay, France, ments apparently were not assigned and
23 Aug 1944; Chartres, France, 24 Sep wing headquarters was not fully manned
1944; Laon/Athies, France, 3 Oct 1944; prior to Nov 1943. Redesignated 99th
Havrincourt, France, I Feb 1945; Venlo, Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium).
Holland, c. 3 May 1945; Tirlemont, Bel- Served in combat with Ninth AF until
gium, c. Jul 1945; Kitzingen, Germany, May 1945. Redesignated 99th Bombard-
Aug 1945; Namur, Belgium, c. Oct-Nov ment Wing (Medium) in Jun 1945. Re-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 415
turned to the US, Sep-Oct 1945. Apr 1944 to May 1945. Moved to the US,
Inactivated on 4 Oct 1945. Aug-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Redesignated 44th Bombardment Wing GROUPS.48th: 1944. 354th: 1943, 1944,
(Very Heavy) and allotted to the reserve. 1945. 358th: 1944. 361st: 1944-1945.
Activated on 26 Jun 1947. Redesignated 362d: 1944, 1945. 363d: 1944. 365th:
44th Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1944-1945. 367th: 1944, 1945. 368th:
1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. 1944-1945. 371st: 1944, 1945. 405th:
GROUPS.312th: 1947-1949. 322d: 1943- 1945. 406th: 1945. 474th: 1944.
1945. 344th: 1943-1945. 386th: 1944-1945- STATIONS.Boxted, England, 24 Nov
391st: 1944-1945. 394th: 1945. 40zst: 1943; Greenham Common, England, 6
1947-1949. 447th: 1947-1949- Dec 1943; Ibsley, England, 13 Jan 1944;
STATIONS.Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, Lashenden, England, c. 15 Apr-Jun 1944;
I Mar 1943; Biggs Field, Tex, May-Jul Criqueville, France, I Jul 1944; St-Pierre-
1943; Aldermaston, England, Jul 1943; Eglise, France, 10 Jul1944; Rennes, France,
Great Duumow, England, 12 Nov 1943- 8 Aug 1944; Le Mans, France, 30 Aug
Sep 1944;Beaumont, France, 25 Sep 1944; 1944; St-Dizier, France, 19 Sep 1944; Metz,
Tirlemont, Belgium, Apr 1945; Namur, France, 29 Dec 1944; Konigstein, Ger-
Belgium, I Jul-Aug 1945; Camp Myles many, 14 Apr-Aug 1945; Seymour John-
Standish, Mass, 3-4 Oct 1945. Brooks son Field, NC, 6 Sep-7 Nov 1945.
Field, Tex, 26 Jun 1947-27 Jun 1949. COMMANDERS. Col David B Lancaster,
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Herbert B Nov 1943; Brig Gen Homer L Sanders, c.
Thatcher, 12 Nov 1943; Col Reginald F C 2 Jan 1944; Col Harry B Young, 23 May
Vance, 7 Nov 1944;Maj Charles F Salter, 1945-un kn.
I Jul 1945; Lt Col William W Brier, 13
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
Jul 1945; Brig Gen Richard C Sanders, 12 Normandy ;Northern France; Rhineland;
Aug-Oct 1945. Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe; DECORATIONS. None.
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; INSIGNE.None.
Ardennes-Alsace;Central Europe.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None. 301st FIGHTER WING
Air Forces in 1946. Inactivated on Okina- Mar 1944; La Combe, France, 31 Jul 1944;
wa on 20 Jan 1949. Houesville, France, 2 Aug 1944; Rennes,
GROUPS.5ZSt: 1946-1948. 408th: 1944. France, 3 Aug 1944; Vermand, France,
4'3th: 1944-1946. 4 ~ 4 t h : 1944-1945. 17 Sep 1944; Arlon, Belgium, c. 3 Oct
506th: 1944-1945. 507th: 1944-1945. 1944; Maastricht, Holland, 22 Oct 1944;
STATIONS. Seymour Johnson Field, NC, Munchen-Gladbach, Germany, 8 Mar
15 Oct 1944; Mitchel Field, NY, I Nov 1945;Haltern, Germany, 3 Apr 1945; Gu-
1944-30 May 1945; Ie Shima, 31 Jul 1945; tersloh, Germany, 14 Apr 1945; Bruns-
Kadena, Okinawa, 29 Nov 1945; Naha, wick, Germany, 22 Apr 1g45-unkn.
Okinawa, 14 Aug 1947-20 Jan 1949. COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Burton M Ho-
COMMANDERS. Lt Col George H Hol- vey Jr, 6 Jan 1944; Col John R Ulricson,
lingsworth, 15 Oct 1944; Col Thayer S c. May 1g45-unkn.
Olds, 19 Oct 1944; Brig Gen Francis H CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe;
Griswold, 24 Aug 1945; Col Emmett F Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Yost, 11 Sep 1945; Col Hanlon H Van Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Auken, I Nov 1945; Col Mark E Bradley DECORATIONS. Cited in the Order of the
Ir, Apr 1946; Col Loring F Stetson Jr, 30 Day, Belgian Army: I Oct 1g44-; Dec
Oct 1946; Brig Gen Robert C Oliver, I Jan ~g+-Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
1947; Col Loring F Stetson Jr, 24 Mar 1947; INSIGNE.None.
Brig Gen Hugo P Rush, I May 1947-31
Dec 1948. 304th BOMBARDMENT WING
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan.
DECORATIONS. None. Constituted as 304th Bombardment
INSIGNE.None. Wing (Heavy) on 7 Dec 1943 and acti-
vated in Italy on 29 Dec. Operated with
303d FIGHTER WING Fifteenth AF in the Mediterranean and
European theaters from Feb 1944 until
Constituted as 303d Fighter Wing on 15 May 1945. Moved to the US, Sep-Oct
Nov 1943 and activated on 24 Nov. Moved 1945. Znactivated on 13 Oct 1945.
to the European theater, Feb-Mar 1944. Redesignated 304th Bombardment Wing
Assigned to Ninth AF. Served in combat (Very Heavy) and allotted to the reserve.
from May 1944 until May 1945, operating Activated on 19 Apr 1947. Redesignated
with various groups that were assigned 304th Air Division (Bombardment) in
or attached for brief periods of time. Dis- Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
banded in Europe on 12 Aug 1945. GROUPS.448th: 1947-1949. 452d: 1947-
COMPONENTS. (See narrative.) 1949. 4544th: 1944-1945 455th: 1944-
STATIONS. Norfolk AAFld, Va, 24 Nov 1945- 456th: 1944-1945. 459th: 1944-
1943-12 Feb 1944; Ashford, England, 8 I945 ; 7947-1949-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 417
STATIONS.Cerignola, Italy, 29 Dec c. Mar 1944; Torremaggiore, Italy, c. Gec
1g43-Sep 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 12-13 1944-9 Sep 1945. McChord Field, Wash,
Oct 1945. Long Beach, Calif, 19 Apr 12 Jul1947-27 Jun 1949.
1947-27 Tun 1949. COMMANDERS. Lt Col [Julian M ? ]
COMMANDERS. Col John K Brown Jr, c. Bleyer, Mar-Apr 1944; Col William R
29 Dec 1943; Brig Gen Fay R Upthegrove, Morgan, 13 Jun-9 Sep 1945.
27 Jan 1944; Lt Col William R Boutz, 5 CAMPAIGNS. European-African-Middle
Jul 1945-unkn. Eastern Theater.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME The- DECORATIONS. None.
ater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; INSIGNE.None.
Normandy; Northern France; Southern
France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley. 306th FIGHTER WING
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None. Constituted as 306th Bombardment
Wing (Heavy) on 7 Dec 1943. Activated
in Italy on 15 Jan 1944. Assigned to
305th BOMBARDMENT WING Fifteenth AF. Entered combat in Mar as
a fighter organization. Redesignated
Constituted as 305th Bombardment
306th Fighter Wing in May 1944. Oper-
Wing (Heavy) on 7 Dec 1943 and acti-
ated in the Mediterranean and European
vated in Italy on 29 Dec. No combat com-
theaters until the end of the war. Moved
ponents were assigned until 13 Jun 1945.
to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Znactivated on
Inactivated in Italy on 9 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 305th Bombardment Wing 7 Nov '945.
(Very Heavy) and allotted to the reserve. GROUPS. Z S t : 1944. Z&h: 1944. 3ZSt:
Activated in the US on 12 Jul 1947. 1944-1945. 52d: 1944-1945. 82d: 1944.
Redesignated 305th Air Division (Bom- 325th: 1944-1945. 332d: 1944-1945.
bardment) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 STATIONS.Bari, Italy, 15 Jan 1944; Fog-
gia, Italy, 27 Jan 1944; Lucera, Italy, 23 Feb
Jun 1949.
GROUPS,1st Fighter: 1945. zgh 1944; Torremaggiore, Italy, 8 Mar 1944;
Fighter: 1945. 3zst Fighter: 1945. 52d Lesina, Italy, 3 Sep 1944; Fano, Italy, 5
Fighter: 1945. 82d Fighter: 1945. 325th Mar-15 Jul 1945; Drew Field, Fla, Aug?
Fighter: 1945. 3 p d Fighter: 1945. NOV1945.
445th Bombardment: 1947-1949. 454th COMMANDERS. Lt Col Sidney F Wogan,
Bombardment: 1947-1949. 456th Bom- 15 Jan 1944; Lt Col Paul W Blanchard Jr,
bardment: 1947-1949. 23 Jan 1944; Brig Gen Dean C Strother, 26
STATIONS.Foggia, Italy, 29 Dec 1943; Mar 1944; Brig Gen Yantis H Taylor, 3 Sep
Spinazzola, Italy, c. Feb 1944; Bari, Italy, 1944-c. Aug 1945.
418 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
3 SeP 19%
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Japan;
Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
DECORATIONS. None.
-3 INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, a silhouetted
futuramic aircraft, volant in dexter chief,
T
k?;
Air Force blue, fimbriated argent, with
vapor trail forming an acute angular pat-
tern from the aircraft to dexter base, the
" trail between three stars arched in bend
sinister, one to chief, two to dexter of
Constituted as 313th Bombardment
trail, all of the third; in sinister base an
Wing (Very Heavy) on 15 Apr 1944 and
eagle volant of the second, fimbriated and
activated on 23 Apr. Moved to the Mari-
detailed argent, grasping with his talons
anas late in 1944. Assigned to Twentieth
two bolts of lightning of the last. (Ap-
AF. Engaged in very heavy bombard-
proved 15 Jul 1957.)
ment operations from Jan to Aug 1945.
Moved to the Philippine Islands and as-
signed to Far East Air Forces in Mar 1946. 3 14th BOMBARDMENT WING
Inactivated in the Philippines on 15 Jun
Constituted as 314th Bombardment
1948. Wing (Very Heavy) on 15 Apr 1944 and
Redesignated 313th Air Division. A&-
activated on 23 Apr. Moved to Guam,
vated on Okinawa on I Mar 1955. As-
Dec 1g44-Feb 1945. Assigned to Twen-
signed to Far East Air Forces. tieth AF. Engaged in very heavy bom-
422 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
sion (Troop Carrier) in Apr 1948. Znacti- 1945. Znactivated in England on 20 Oct
vated on 27 Jun 1949. 1945.
Redesignated 323d Air Division. Acti- Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the
vated on I Jul 1958. Assigned to Military US on g Apr 1947. Redesignated 325th
Air Transport Service. Air Division (Reconnaissance) in Apr
GROUPS. 58th Fighter: 1943. 79th 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
Fighter: 1942. 325th Fighter: 1942- GROUPS. 7th Reconnaissance : 1944-
1943. 359th Fighter: 1943. 434th Troop 1945. 25th Bombardment (Reconnais-
Carrier: 1947-1949. 436th Troop Carrier : sance) : 1944-1945. 68th Reconnaissance:
1947-1948. (Other groups assigned for 1947-1949. 70th Reconnaissance: 1947-
short periods for operations or training, 1949. 72d Reconnaissance : 1947-1949.
1942-1944- ) STATIONS.High Wycombe, England, g
STATIONS.Boston, Mass, 11 Aug 1942; Aug 1944-20 Oct 1945. Hamilton Field,
MacDill Field, Fla, Feb 1945-8 Apr 1946. Calif, g Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949.
Stout Field, Ind, I Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949. COMMANDERS. Col Elliott Roosevelt, g
Travis AFB, Calif, I Jul 195%. Aug 1944; Brig Gen Charles Y Banfill, 17
COMMANDERS. Col Minthorne W Reed, Jan 1945; Brig Gen Elliott Roosevelt, 22
11 Aug 1942; Col Glenn 0 Barcus, 25 Jan 1945; Col Leon W Gray, 13 Apr
Mar 1943; Col Laurence C Craigie, 6 Apr 1945; Col George W Humbrecht, 19 Jun-c.
1943; Lt Col Ringham T Kleine, 11 Jun OCt 1945.
1943; Col Louis M Merrick, 22 Jul 1943; CAMPAIGNS. Northern France; Rhine-
Lt Col J Marshall Booker, 29 Apr-c. 31 land ; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Jul 1944; Col Howard Moore, 22 Feb DECORATIONS. None.
1945; Col Frank Allen, 29 May 1945- INSIGNE.None.
unkn. Unkn, 1958-.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. LOS ANGELES FIGHTER WING
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None. Constituted as Los Angeles Air Defense
Wing on 6 Aug 1942 and activated on 20
325th RECONNAISSANCE Aug. Assigned to Fourth AF. Redesig-
WING nated Los Angeles Fighter Wing in Jul
1943. Provided air defense for the Los
Constituted as 325th Photographic Wing Angeles area. Also trained fighter groups
(Reconnaissance) on 17 Jul 1944. Acti- and personnel. Disbanded on 7 Jun 1944.
vated in England on g Aug 1944. Assigned GROUPS.20th : 1943. 329th: 1943-1944.
to Eighth AF. Served in the European 360th: 1943-1944. 364th: 1943-1944.
theater until after V-E Day. Redesig- 422th: 1943-1944. 473d: 1943-1944-
nated 325th Reconnaissance Wing in Jun 474th: 1943-1944- 479th: 1943-1944-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-WINGS 427
STATIONS.Los Angeles, Calif, 20 Aug 1942; Col Morley F Slaght, c. 17 Jan 1943;
19427 Jun 1944- Lt Col Othel R Deering, c. 19 Jan 1943;
COMMANDERS. Csl Robert S Israel Jr, Brig Gen Earle E Partridge, c. 27 Jan 1943;
Aug 1942; Maj Henry G Thorne Jr, c. 11 Col Othel R Deering, c. 20 Apr 1943; Brig
Dec 1942; Brig Gen Edward M Morris, Gen Laurence C Craigie, Tun 1943; Maj
c. 6 Jan 1943; Lt Col Henry G Thorne Jr, c. Clayton J Larson, c. 22 Nov 1943; Col
21 Mar 1943; Col Ralph A Snavely, c. 25 Stewart W Towle Jr, 2 Dec 1943-c. 29 Jul
Mar 1943; Lt Col Merrick Bayer, c. 4 Aug 1944.
1943; Col Romulus W Puryear, c. 16 Aug CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
1943; Col Ralph A Snavely, c. 8 Dec 1943; DECORATIONS. None.
Lt Col Edward G Hillery, c. 26 Mar 1944; INSIGNE.None.
Lt Col John 0 Zahn, 5 Apr 1944; Maj
Gomer Lewis, I May-c. 7 Jun 1944. NORFOLK FIGHTER WING
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
DECORATIONS. None. Constituted as Norfolk Air Defense
INSIGNE.None. Wing on 6 Aug 1942 and activated on 11
Aug. Assigned to First AF. Redesignated
NEW YORK FIGHTER WING Norfolk Fighter Wing in Jul1g43. Served
in the defense of the Norfolk area. Not
Constituted as New York Air Defense manned after Jul 1944. Znactivated on 3
Wing on 6 Aug 1942 and activated on 11 Apr 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.
Aug. Assigned to First AF. Redesig- COMPONENTS. (Operated with attached
nated New York Figh!ter Wing in Jul AAF organizations and cooperating naval
1943. Served in defense of the New York aircraft.)
area and also trained fighter groups and STATIONS. Norfolk, Va, 11 Aug 1942-3
personnel. Evidently not manned after Apr 1946.
Jul1g44. Inactivated on 3 Apr 1946. Dis- COMMANDERS. Col Malcolm N Stewart,
banded on 8 Oct 1948. 11 Aug 1942; Col Murray C Woodbury,
GROUPS.56th: 1942. 58th: 1943. 80th: 24 Sep 1942; Maj Earl H Dunham, Apr
1942-1943. 326th: 1942-1943. 348th: 1943; Col Burton M Hovey Jr, c. 29 Tun
1942-1943. 352d: 1942-1943. 356th: 1943. 1943-unkn; Lt Col Earl H Dunham, 14
359th: 1943. 362d: 1943. 368th: 1943. Aug 1943; Lt Col Otis F Tabler, c. 25 Nov
370th: 1943. 373d: 1943. 402d: 1943. 1943; Lt Col Charles A Gayle, c. 2 Apr-c.
STATIONS. New York, NY, 11 Aug 1942- 26 Jul 1944.
3 APr 1946. CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
COMMANDERS. Col Davis D Graves, Aug DECORATIONS. None.
1942;Lt Col Othel R Deering. c. 19 Dec INSIGNE.None.
428 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
ORLANDO FIGHTER WING and also trained fighter groups and person-
nel. Not manned after 31 Jul1944. Inacti-
Constituted as Air Defense Department, vated on 3 Apr 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct
AAF School of Applied Tactics on 27 Nov 1948-
1942. Activated on 3 Dec 1942. Helped GROUPS.33d: 1942. 58th: 1943. 83d:
to develop air defense tactics and trained 1943. 87th: 1943. 324th: 1942. 327th:
organizations and personnel in the tech- '943. 353d: 1942-1943. 355th: 1943.
niques of air defense. Also served in de- 358th: 1943. 36rst: 1943. 365th: 1943.
fense of the Orlando area, using such 366th: 1943. 37ISt: 1943.
tactical organizations as were assigned or STATIONS.Philadelphia, Pa, 11 Aug
attached. Redesignated Orlando Fighter 1942-3 Apr 1946.
Wing in Oct 1943. Continued to provide COMMANDERS. Col Elwood R Quesada,
defense for the Orlando area but engaged Aug 1942; Col Glenn 0 Barcus, Dec 1942;
primarily in training fighter and light Col William R Morgan, c. 23 Mar 1943;
bombardment organizations and person- Col Glenn 0 Barcus, c. 7 Apr 1943; Col
nel. Disbanded on I Apr 1944. William R Morgan, c. 13 Apr 1943; Brig
COMPONENTS. (See the narrative.) Gen George F Schulgen, c. 21 May 1943;
STATIONS.Orlando, Fla, 3 Dec 1942-1 Col Burton M Hovey Jr, c. 5 Jul1943; Brig
APr 1944. Gen George F Schulgen, c. 12 Oct 1943;
COMMANDERS. Col Earl W Barnes, Dec Brig Gen Richard E Nugent, c. 18 Oct
1942; Col Orrin L Grover, c. 31 Jul 1943; 1943; Col Burton M Hovey Jr, c. I Nov
Col Norman D Sillin, c. I Nov 1943; Lt
1943; Col Morris R Nelson, c. 2 Dec 1943;
Col Hervey H Whitfield, 8 Dec 1943; Col
Maj Joseph S Littlepage, c. 27 Dec 1943-
Orrin L Grover, 20 Feb 1944; Col Phineas
c. 31 Jul1944.
K Morrill Jr, I Mar-1 Apr 1944.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater
DECORATIONS. None.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None.
INSIGNE.None.
COMPONENTS. (Operated with an at- in Jul 1943. Served in defense of the San
tached AAF squadron and cooperating Francisco area. Also trained fighter
naval aircraft.) groups and personnel. Disbanded on 7
STATIONS.San Diego, Calif, 20 Aug Jun 1944.
19427 Jun 1944. GROUPS. 328th: 1943-1944. 35qth:
COMMANDERS. Maj Kenneth R Martin, 1943. 357th: 1943. 363d: 1943. 367th:
Aug 1942; Lt Col Paul W Blanchard Jr, 1943-194. 8 9 t h : 1943-1944. 3 p d :
c. 2 Nov 1942; Col Joseph A Bulger, c. 5 1943. 478th: 194-1944.
Feb 1943; Lt Col John 0 Zahn, 14 Oct STATIONS.San Francisco, Calif, m Aug
1943; Capt John W Etheredge, 27 Mar 19427 Jun 1944.
1944; Lt Col E h ~ a r dG Hillery, 7 Apr COMMANDERS. Lt Col Ronald F Fal-
1944; Lt (201 Benjamin w Martin, 20 May- lows, 20 Aug 1942; Col Jesse Auton, c. 16
7 Tun 1944. Jan 1943; Lt Col John R Ulricson, c. 11
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. Apr 1943; Brig Gen Ned Schramm, c. 2
DECORATIONS. None. May 1943; Col John C Crosthwaite, 19
INSIGNE.None. Nov 1943; Brig Gen Warren R Carter, 20
Dec 1943;
- ._ Col John C Crosthwaite, 22 Jan
vided air defense for the northwest. Also TRINIDAD WING, ANTILLES
trained fighter groups and personnel. AIR COMMAND
Disbanded on 7 Jun 1944.
GROUPS.55th: 1943. 372d: 1943-1944. Constituted as VI Interceptor Command
478th: 1944. on 17 Oct 1941 and activated in Puerto
STATIONS.Seattle, Wash, 20 Aug 1942- Rico on 25 Oct. Redesignated VI Fighter
7 Jun 1944. Command in May 1942, and Trinidad
COMMANDERS. Col James W McCauley, Wing, Antilles Air Command in Oct 1943.
20 Aug 1942; Brig Gen Edward M Mor- Disbanded in Trinidad on 15 Mar 1944.
ris, c. 5 Dec 1942; Col James W McCauley, COMPONENTS. Unkn.
c. 18 Dec 1942; Lt Col Wilbur H Stratton, STATIONS. Borinquen Field, PR, 25 Oct
c. 22 Oct 1943; Col John C Crosthwaite, 1941; Henry Barracks, PR, 20 Mar 1943;
22 Feb 1944; Lt Col John 0 Zahn, I Apr Waller Field, Trinidad, 15 May 1943-15
1944; Col Clarence T Edwinson, 4 Apr Mar 1944.
1944; Maj Norman S Archibald, 27 Apr COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Edwin J
1.944; Lt Col Richard E Carlgren, I May- House, Dec 1941-unkn; Brig Gen Charles
c. 7 Jun 1944. F Born, Oct 1942-unkn.
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
DECORATIONS. None. DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.None. INSIGNE.None.
DIVISIONS
1st AIR DIVISION signed and was never adequately manned.
-- \ Inactivated on I Apr 1955.
?
i
Activated on 15 Apr 1955. Assigned to
Strategic Air Command. Had no combat
elements assigned. Conducted high alti-
tude meteorological research. Inactivated
on 20 May 1956.
Redesignated 1st Missile Division. Ac-
tivated on 15 Apr 1957. Assigned to Air
Research and Development Command.
No combat elements were assigned at the
time of activation.
WINGS. zst Bombardment: 1943-1945.
2d Bombardment: 1945. 32d Composite:
Constituted as 1st Bombardment Divi- 1948. 40th Bombardment : 1943-1945.
sion on 30 Aug 1943. Activated in Eng- j z s t Bombardment: 1943-1945. 5zst
land on 13 Sep 1943. Assigned to Eighth Fighter: 1948. 67th Fighter: 1944-1945.
AF. Redesignated 1st Air Division in 71st Reconnaissance: 1948. 92d Bombard-
Dec 1944. Served in combat in the ment: 1943. 94th Bombardment: 1943-
European theater from Sep 1943 until Apr 1945. 3ozst Fighter: 1946-1948. 316th
1945, receiving a DUC for an attack on Bombardment: 1946-1948.
aircraft factories in central Germany on 11 STATIONS. Brampton Grange, England,
Jan 1944. Znactivated in England on 31 13 Sep 1943; Alconbury, England, c. 20
Oct 1945. Sep-31 Oct 1945. Kadena, Okinawa, 7
Activated on Okinawa on 7 Jun 1946. Jun 1946-1 Dec 1948. Westover AFB,
Assigned to Far East Air Forces. Served Mass, I Jul 1954-1 Apr 1955. Offutt AFB,
as an air defense organization. Znacti- Neb, 15 Apr 1955-20 May 1956. Los
uated on I Dec 1948. Angeles, CaIif, 15 Apr 1957-.
Activated in the US on I Jul 1954. As- COMMANDERS. Maj Gen Robert B Wil-
signed to Strategic Air Command. Ap- liams, 16 Sep 1943; Maj Gen Howard M
parently had no combat components as- Turner, 22 Oct 1944; Brig Gen Bartlett
43 I
432 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Beaman, 26 Sep 1945-unkn. Brig Gen tical Air Division in Apr 1944. At various
Patrick W Timberlake, 7 Jun 1946; Maj times, supervised heavy bomber flights to
Gen Albert F Hegenberger, Sep 1946; Hawaii, gave air support to ground units
Maj Gen Charles T Myers, Dec 1947-1 in training, participated in air-ground
Dec 1948. Lt Col Robert G Bradley, c. maneuvers, and put on air support demon-
Jan 1955-unkn. Maj Gen William P strations. Znactivated on 22 Dec 1945.
Fisher, 15 Apr 1955-20 May 1956. Col Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.
William A Sheppard, 15 Apr 1957-. COMPONENTS.(Omitted because of
CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe ; large number and frequent changes.)
Normandy; Northern France; Rhine- STATIONS.Fresno, Calif, 3 Sep 1941;
land ; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Hamilton Field, Calif, 11 Sep 1941; Presi-
DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Cita- dio of San Francisco, Calif, Feb 1942;
tion: Germany, 11 Jan 1944. Thermal AAFld, Calif, Jan 1943; Camp
INSIGNE.Shield: Per fess nebuly abased Young, Calif, c. Sep 1943; Thermal
azure and or fimbriated argent, issuant AAFld, Calif, c. 15 Dec 1943; Esler Field,
from base a demi-sphere with grid lines La, Apr 1944; Alexandria AAFld, La, Sep
and land masses of the third, the latter 1945; Barksdale Field, La, c. 16 Nov 1945;
outlined of the first and water areas Biggs Field, Tex, c. 23 Nov-22 Dec 1945.
proper, heightened and encircled by two COMMANDERS. Col Robert C Candee,
olive branches vert nerved of the second; Sep 1941; Lt Col Errol H Zistel, 27 Dec
surmounting the sphere in pale, a light- 1941; Brig Gen Jacob H Rudolph, 11 Apr
ning flash gules terminating in chief ac- 1942; Lt Col James R Gunn Jr, 23 Jan
costed by two smaller flashes of the like 1943; Col Clarence E Crumrine, 16 Feb
in base radiant from the sphere; in dexter 1943; Col Aubrey W Scholfield, g Nov
chief a descending nose cone in bend 1943; Lt Col John T Shields, 18 Dec 1943;
proper, with seven streaks of the third, in Brig Gen Ford L Fair, 24 Dec 1943; Col
sinister chief four mullets of the like, all Charles G Chandler Jr, I May 1945; Col
within a diminished border of the last. Joseph W Baylor, 15 Aug 1945-unkn.
(Approved 17 Aug 1959.) CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
I TACTICAL AIR DIVISION INSIGNE.None.
3d AIR DIVISION
ipated in various air-ground maneuvers,
supported ground units in training, and
put on air support demonstrations. Zn-
activated on 22 Dec 1945. Disbanded on
1 b
8 Oct 1948.
COMPONENTS. (Omitted because of
large number and frequent changes.)
STATIONS.Ft Douglas, Utah, I Sep
1941; Will Rogers Field, Okla, c. Oct
1941; Birmingham, Ala, c. I Apr 1942;
Geiger Field, Wash, 26 May 1942; Reno,
Nev, 27 May 1942; Colorado Springs,
Colo, Jul 1942; Barksdale Field, La, 15
Mar 1943; DeRidder AAB, La, c. 31 Mar Constituted as 3d Bombardment Divi-
1944; Stuttgart AAFld, Ark, Feb 1945; sion on 30 Aug 1943. Activated in Eng-
Barksdale Field, La, c. 12 Nov 1945; Biggs land on 13 Sep 1943. Assigned to Eighth
Field, Tex, c. 23 Nov-22 Dec 1945. AF. Redesignated 3d Air Division in Dec
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Bernard S 1944. Served in combat in the European
Thompson, 4 Sep 1941; Col Hume Pea- theater from Sep 1943 until Apr 1945. Zn-
body, 11 Oct 1941; Brig Gen William E activated in England on 21 Nov 1945.
Lynd, 18 Mar 1942; Brig Gen John B Organized in England on 23 Aug 1948.
Brooks, 15 Jun 1942; Col Arthur G Hamil- Assigned first to United States Air Forces
ton, 2 Dec 1942; Brig Gen Carlyle H in Europe, later (Jan 1949) directly to
Wash, 14 Dec 1942; Col Dache McC USAF, and again (Jan 1951) to United
Reeves, 30 Jan 1943; Col Arthur G Hamil- States Air Forces in Europe. Had no
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-DIVISIONS 435
combat elements assigned but directed the C Woodbury, c. 6 Sep 1945; Brig Gen
training of Strategic Air Command com- Harold Q Huglin, 25 Sep 1g45-unkn.
ponents on temporary duty in the United Maj Gen Leon W Johnson, Aug 1948-1
Kingdom. Also provided some logistic May 1951. Maj Russel R Frederick, 26
support for the Berlin airlift, 1948-1949. Dec 1953-unkn. Brig Gen Joseph D C
Discontinued in England on I May 1951. Caldara, 18 Jun 1954; Brig Gen Nils 0
Activated in Germany on 25 Oct 1953. Ohman, 10 Feb 1955-.
Assigned to United States Air Forces in CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ;
Europe. Apparently was inadequately Normandy; Northern France; Rhine-
manned and had no combat components land ; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
assigned. Inactivated in Germany on I DECORATIONS. None.
Mar 1954. INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, three lightning
Activated on Guam on 18 Jun 1954. As- bolts, points to base, radiating to chief or.
signed to Strategic Air Command. Given (Approved 14 Mar 1955.)
operational control over Strategic Air
Command wings on temporary duty in
the Far East.
9th AIR DIVISION
WINGS. 4th Bombardment: 1943-1945.
13th Bombardment: 1943-1945. zqth
Bombardment: 1945. 20th Bombard-
4
ment: 1945. 45th Bombardment: 1943-
1945. 65th Fighter: 1945. 66th Fighter:
1944-1945. 67th Fighter: 1945. 92d
Bombardment: 1943-1945. 93d Bombard-
ment: 1944-1945.
STATIONS. Camp Blainey, England, 13
Sep 1943; Honington, England, c. 27 Oct-
21 Nov 1945. Marham, England, 23 Aug
1948; Bushy Park, England, 8 Sep 1948;
Victoria Park Estate, England, 15 Apr Constituted as 19th Composite Wing on
1949-1 May 1951. Wiesbaden, Germany, 8 May 1929. Achvated on I Apr 1931.
25 Oct 1953-1 Mar 1954. Andersen AFB, Moved to the PanAma Canal Zone in Jan
Guam, 18 Jun 1954-. 1933. Redesignated 19th Wing in 1937,
COMMANDERS. Maj Gen Curtis E Le- and 19th Bombardment Wing in 1940.
May, 13 Sep 1943; Maj Gen Earle E Znactivated in the Canal Zone on 25 Oct
Partridge, 21 Jun 1944; Brig Gen Norris 1941. \
to Ninth AF. Redesignated IX Bomber Jul-28 Sep 1942; Ismailia, Egypt, 12 Nov
Command in Nov 1942. Operated in the 1942; Bengasi, Libya, 15 Feb-1 Oct 1943;
Mediterranean area until Oct 1943. Moved Marks Hall, England, 6 Nov 1943;
to the European theater, Oct-Nov 1943, Chartres, France, 18 Sep 1944; Reims,
and served as a tactical bombardment force France, Oct 1944; Namur, Belgium, Apr-
in that area until V-E Day. Redesignated 20 Nov 1945. Birmingham AAB, Ala, 20
9th Bombardment Division (Medium) in Dec 1946-27 Jun 1949. Carswell AFB
Aug 1944, and 9th Air Division in May Tex, 16 Feb 1951-.
1945. Znactivated in Europe on 20 Nov COMMANDERS. Lt Col William C Mc-
1945- Cord, 1933; Brig Gen George H Brett, c.
Redesignated 19th Bombardment Wing Jun 1936; Brig Gen Herbert A Dargue, c.
(Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Sep 1938; Brig Gen Douglas B Nether-
Activated in the US on 20 Dec 1946. Re- wood, 30 Oct 1940; Brig Gen Edwin B
designated 19th Air Division (Bombard- Lyon, 4 Aug-25 Oct 1941. Brig Gen
ment) in Apr 1948. Znactiuated on 27 Jun Patrick W Timberlake, 12 Nov 1942;
1949. Brig Gen Uzal G Ent, c. 18 Mar 1943; Maj
Redesignated 19th Air Division. Organ- Gen Samuel E Anderson, 16 Oct 1943; Brig
ized on 16 Feb 1951. Assigned to Stra- Gen Richard C Sanders, 24 May 1945;
tegic Air Command. Col Reginald F C Vance, 12 Aug-Nov
COMPONENTS. Groups. 6th Bombard- 1945. Maj Gen Clarence S Irvine, 16 Feb
ment: 1931-1941. 9th Bombardment: 1951; Brig Gen J W Kelly, 10 Apr 1952;
1940-1941. 12th Bombardment: 1942- Brig Gen John D Ryan, 4 Aug 1953-.
1943. 16th Pursuit: 1933-1940. 20th Pur- CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME The-
suit: 1931-1933. 37th Pursuit: 1940. 94th ater; Egypt-Libya; Air Offensive, Europe;
Bombardment : 1947-1949. 96th Bom- Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Nor-
bardment: 1947-1949. 98th Bombard- mandy; Northern France; Rhineland ;
ment: 1942-1943. 99th Bombardment: Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
1947-1949. p z s t Bombardment: 1942- DECORATIONS. None.
1943. 376th Bombardment : 1942-1943. INSIGNE.Shield: Azure, surmounting a
Wings. 7th Bombardment: 1951-. zzth lightning flash gules, a globe argent with
Bombardment: 1 9 5 ~ .97th Bombard- latitude and longitude lines dark blue and
ment: 1943-1945. 98th Bombardment: encircled with a planetary ring of the last
1943-1945. 99th Bombardment: 1943- strewn with stars of the third and fimbri-
'945. ated of the like all bendwise, in chief an
STATIONS.Mitchel Field, NY, I Apr olive branch fesswise or, all within a
1931-Jan 1933; Albrook Field, CZ, 25 Jan
~~ diminished border of the third. (Ap-
1933-25 Oct 1941. MacDill Field, Fla, 24 proved 11 Mar 1959.)
COMMANDS
I BOMBER COMMAND COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Westside T
Larson, 15 Oct 1942; Col George A Mc-
Henry, c. 10 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Caleb V
Haynes, c. I Oct 1943-unkn.
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
Theater; Antisubmarine, EAME Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.On a disc azure, border or, a
pile argent charged with a large, red aerial
bomb palewise, all surmounted by a grif-
fin or, facing toward dexter, fimbriated
azure. (Approved 8 Jan 1946.)
I FIGHTER COMMAND
Constituted as Army Air Forces Anti-
submarine Command on 13 Oct 1942 and
activated in the US on 15 Oct. Assigned
directly to AAF. Redesignated I Bomber
Command in Aug 1943. Assigned to
First AF. Conducted antisubmarine op-
erations from bases in the US, the Carib- .rl G
bean, Newfoundland, Northwest Africa,
and England from Oct 1942until Oct 1943.
Afterward, trained bombardment organi-
zations and personnel. Inactivated on 21
Mar 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.
?i
WINGS. 25th Antisubmarine: 1942-
1943. 26th Antisubmarine: 1942-1943. Constituted as I Interceptor Command
STATIONS.New York, NY, 15 Oct 1942; on 26 May 1941. Activated on 5 Jun 1941.
Mitchel Field, NY, c. I Oct 1943-21 Mar Assigned to First AF. Redesignated I
Fighter Command in May 1942. Pro-
1946.
437
438 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Constituted as I Air Support Command Feb 1942; Col John P Doyle, 2 Sep 1942;
on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on I Sep 1941. Brig Gen Robert M Webster, 2 Oct 1942;
Redesignated 1Ground Air Support Com- Col John P Doyle, c. 23 Apr 1943; Brig
mand in Apr 1942, I Air Support Com- Gen Ralph F Stearley, 2 May 1943; Col
mand in Sep 1942, I Tactical Air Division John E Bodle, I Apr 1944; Brig Gen Ed-
in Aug 1943, I11 Tactical Air Division in mund C Lynch, 24 Jun 1944; Col Robin
Apr 1944, and I11 Reconnaissance Com- A Day, 28 Jan 1g4yunkn.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-COMMANDS 44 1
Col Charles B Dougher, 19 Feb 1944; Col COMMANDERS. Maj Gen Millard F Har-
Elder Patteson, 18-31 Mar 1 9 4 . mon, Jul 1941;Brig Gen William 0 Ryan,
CAMPAIGNS. American Theater. c. 3 Aug 1941; Brig Gen William E Kep-
DECORATIONS. None. ner, c. 23 Feb 1942; Brig Gen Edward M
INSIGNE. On a blue disc with a yellow Morris, 18 Mar 1943; Brig Gen Russell E
border, a winged aerial bomb, nose down, Randall, 4 Dec 1943-31 Mar 1944.
beneath an olive chaplet inclosing a bomb CAMPAIGNS. American Theater.
sight, all yellow. (Approved 4 Dec 1941.) DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.On a bezant bordered blue a
blue falcon with white talons volant hold-
IV FIGHTER COMMAND ing in base in'its beak two red flashes in
saltire. (Approved 28 Nov 1942.)
V BOMBER COMMAND
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-COMMANDS 443
sance and one troop carrier group assigned, May-Jul 1942, and served with Eighth AF
until Jul 1943. Afterward, carried out until after V-E Day. Inactivated in Eng-
medium bombardment operations against land on 20 Mar 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct
the enemy on the Continent until Oct 1943 1948.
when all components and personnel were WINGS. 6th: 1942-1943. 65th (for-
withdrawn from the command. Dis- merly 4th Air Defense): 1943-1944, 1945.
banded in England on I Dec 1943. 66th (formerly 5th Air Defense): 1943-
WINGS. 3d Bombardment: 1943. 44th 1944, '945. 67th: 1943-1944, 1945.
Bombardment: 1943. STATIONS.Selfridge Field, Mich, I Feb
STATIONS.Bolling Field, DC, 28 Apr 1942; Charleston, SC, c. 13 Feb-c. I May
1942; Savannah, Ga, 29 May-c. 20 Jul 1942; High Wycombe, England, c. 12 May
1942; Bushy Park, England, Jul 1942; 1942; Bushey Hall, England, c. 27 Jul
Membury, England, 21 Aug 1942; Sun- 1942; Charleroi, Belgium, c. 15 Jan 1945;
ninghill, England, 19 Oct 1942-1 Dec 1943. High Wycombe, England, 17 Jul 1945;
COMMANDERS. Brig Gen Robert C Honington, England, 26 Oct 1945-c. 20
Candee, May 1942-16 Oct 1943. Mar 1946.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe. COMMANDERS. Col Lawrence P Hickey,
DECORATIONS. None. c. I Feb 1942; Brig Gen Frank O'D
INSIGNE.None. Hunter, 14 May 1942; Maj Gen William
E Kepner, 29 Aug 1943; Brig Gen Murray
VIII FIGHTER COMMAND C Woodbury, I Aug 1944; Brig Gen
Francis H Griswold, 3 Aug 1944; Col
Benjamin J Webster, 17 Oct 1944; Col
Robert W Humphreys, 19Apr 1945; Maj
Gen Westside T Larson, 17 Jul 1945; Maj
Gen William E Kepner, 22 Jul 1945; Maj
Gen Westside T Larson, 3 Aug 1945; Maj
Gen Howard M Turner, 22 Sep 1945; Brig
Gen Emil C Gel, 13 Oct 1945-c. Mar
1946.
b CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ;
Normandy; Northern France; Rhine-
land; Central Europe.
Constittlted as VIII Interceptor Com- DECORATIONS. None.
mand on 19 Jan 1942. Activated on I Feb INSIGNE.A figurehead consisting of a
1942. Redesignated VIII Fighter Com-
blue demi lion rampant outlined in gold.
mand in May 1942. Moved to England, (Approved 23 May 1942.)
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-COMMANDS 447
lips, 11Dec 1942; Col Carlyle H Ridenour, Air Defense) : 1943-1944, 1945-1947. 70gh
16 Dec 1942; Brig Gen John K Cannon, Fighter: 1945-1947. 7zst Fighter: 1945.
I Jan 1943; Maj Gen James H Doolittle, 87th Fighter: 1944.
26 Feb-1 Nov 1943; Brig Gen Robert D STATIONS.Birmingham, Ala, 17 Sep
Knapp, c. Dec 1943-c. 29 Feb 1944. 1942; Bolling Field, DC, 25 Sep-18 Oct
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME The- 1942; French Morocco, 9 Nov 1942; Al-
ater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; geria, Jan 1943; Tunisia, 13 Mar 1943;
Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome- Sicily, c. 12 Jul 1943; Italy, c. g Sep 1943;
Arno. France, 18 Aug 1944; Germany, 27 Mar
DECORATIONS. None. 1945; Erlangen, Germany, Jul 1945; Bad
INSIGNE.None. Kissingen, Germany, I Nov 1945-10 Nov
1947.
XI1 TACTICAL AIR COMMAND COMMANDERS. Col Rosenham Beam, 18
Sep 1942; Brig Gen John K Cannon, 22
Constitzlted as XI1 Ground Air Support Sep 1942; Col Rosenham Beam, c. 30 Dec
Command on 10 Sep 1942 and activated 1942; Col Peter S Rask, I Jan 1943; Brig
on 17 Sep. Assigned to Twelfth AF. Re- Gen Howard A Craig, 10 Jan 1943; Brig
designated XI1 Air Support Command in Gen Paul L Williams, 24 Jan 1943; Brig
Sep 1942, and XI1 Tactical Air Command Gen John K Cannon, 12 May 1943; Col
in Apr 1944. Moved to North Africa, Lawrence P Hickey, 24 May 1943; Maj
Oct-Nov 1942. Col Demas T Craw was Gen Edwin J House, 13 Jun 1943; Brig
awarded the Medal of Honor for action Gen Gordon P Saville, 2 Feb 1944; Brig
during the invasion of Algeria-French Gen Glenn 0 Barcus, 29 Jan 1945; Maj
Morocco: when the Allies landed on 8 Nov Gen William E Kepner, 3 Dec 1945; Brig
1942, Col Craw volunteered to negotiate an Gen Glenn 0 Barcus, 9 Jan 1946; Brig
armistice;while trying to pass through the Gen John F McBlain, 3 Aug 1946; Maj
lines near Port Lyautey, he was killed by Gen Robert LeG Walsh, 27 Nov 1946; Brig
machine-gun fire. The command served Gen James M Fitzmaurice, I Apr-c. Oct
in combat in the Mediterranean and Euro- 1947-
pean theaters until May 1945. Afterward, CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME The-
remained in Europe as part of the occupa- ater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia;
tion force. Znactiuated in Germany on 10 Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-
Nov 1947. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Arno; Northern France; Southern France;
WINGS. 5th Bombardment: 1942. 7th North Apennines; Rhineland; Ardennes-
Fighter: 1942. 42d Bombardment: 1945. Alsace; Central Europe.
57th Bombardment: 1943-1944. 63d DECORATIONS. None.
Fighter: 1945. 64th Fighter (formerly 3d INSIGNE.None.
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-COMMANDS 451
SIXTH AIR FORCE mon, I Feb 1946; Brig Gen Glen C Jami-
son, 4 Oct 1947; Maj Gen Willis H Hale,
13 Nov 1947; Brig Gen Rosenham Beam,
20 Oct 1949; Brig Gen Emil C Kiel, 15Nov
1950; Maj Gen Reuben C Hood Jr, 11 Jun
'9537
CAMPAIGNS. Antisubmarine, American
Theater.
DECORATIONS. None.
INSIGNE.On a blue hexagon, a white
star charged with a red disc partially over
a pair of golden orange wings below a gal-
leon in full sail, golden orange. (Ap-
proved 16 Jul1g43.)
manned and re-equipped as part of Stra- Maj Gen James C Selser Jr, 13 Jun 1955;
tegic Air Command. Maj Gen Walter C Sweeney Jr, 6 Aug
COMPONENTS. zst Bombardment Wing: 1955-.
1942-1943. 2d Bombardment Wing: CAMPAIGNS.Air Offensive, Europe ;
1942-1943. 3d Bombardment Wing: Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
1942-1943. 4th Bombardment Wing: Ardennes-Alsace ; Central Europe’; Asi-
1942-1943. 12th Bombardment Wing: atic-Pacific Theater.
1942-1944. jozst Fighter Wing: 1945- DECORATIONS. None.
1946. 3’6th Bombardment Wing: 1945- INSIGNE.Azure, in the lower lobe of the
1946. zst Air Division: 1943-1945. 2d winged Arabic numeral “8” or a mullet
Air Division: 1943-1945. 3d Air Divi- throughout argent charged with a tor-
sion: 1943-1945. VZZZ Fighter Command: teaux. (Approved 20 May 1943.)
1944-1945
STATIONS.Langley Field, Va, I Feb
NINTH AIR FORCE
1942; Savannah AB, Ga, c. 10 Feb 1942;
Daws Hill, England, 23 Feb 1942; High
Wycombe, England, 15 May 1942-16 Jul
1945; Okinawa, 16 Jul 19457 Jun 1946;
MacDill Field, Fla, 7 Jun 1946; Ft Worth
AAFld, Tex, I Nov 1946; Westover AFB,
Mass, Jun 1g55-.
COMMANDERS. Maj Gen Ira C Eaker,
23 Feb 1942; Brig Gen Newton Long-
fellow, 2 Dec 1942; Maj Gen Frederick L
Anderson, I Jul 1943; Lt Gen James H
Doolittle, 6 Jan 1944; Maj Gen William
E Kepner, 10 May 1945; Maj Gen West-
side T Larson, 21 Jun 1945; Lt Gen James Constituted as V Air Support Command
H Doolittle, 19 Jul 1945; Maj Gen Earle on 2 1 Aug 1941. Activated on I Sep 1941.
E Partridge, 12 Sep 1945; Brig Gen Pat- Redesignated Ninth AF in Apr 1942.
rick W Timberlake, 30 Nov 1945-unkn; Moved to Egypt and began operations on
Col Neil B Harding, c. 16 Aug 1946; Brig 12 Nov 1942, participating in the Allied
Gen Roger M Ramey, I Nov 1946; Maj drive across Egypt and Libya, the cam-
Gen Clements McMullen, 12 Nov 1946; paign in Tunisia, and the invasions of Sic-
Maj Gen Roger M Ramey, 16 Dec 1946; ily and Italy. Moved to England in Oct
Maj Gen Archie J Old Jr, 15 Jun 1950; Lt 1943 to become the tactical air force for
Gen Samuel E Anderson, 14 Aug 1950; the invasion of the Continent. Helped
Maj Gen John B Montgomery, 8 May 1953; prepare for the assault on Normandy, sup-
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-AIR FORCES 465
ported operations on the beach in Jun 1942; Lt Gen Lewis H Brereton, 12 Nov
1944, and took part in the drive that car- 1942; Lt Gen Hoyt S Vandenburg, 8 Aug
ried the Allies across France and culmi- 1944; Maj Gen Otto P Weyland, 23 May
nated in victory over Germany in May 1945; Maj Gen William E Kepner, 4 Aug-
1945. Znactivated in Germany on 2 Dec 2 Dec 1945. Brig Gen Homer L Sanders,
Tactical Air (formerly XI1 Fighter) : a pair of stylized golden orange wings.
'942-1945. (Approved I Dec 1943.)
STATIONS. Bolling Field, DC, 20-28 Aug
1942; England, 12 Sep-22 Oct 1942; Al-
THIRTEENTH AIR FORCE
geria, 9 Nov 1942; Tunisia, 10 Aug 1943;
Italy, 5 Dec 1943-31 Aug 1945. March
Field, Calif, 17 May 1946; Brooks AFB,
Tex, I Jan 1949-1 Jul 1950. Wiesbaden,
Germany, 21 Jan 1951; Ramstein, Ger-
many, 27 k p r 1953-.
COMMANDERS. Lt Col Roger J Browne,
26 Aug 1942; Lt Col Harold L Neely, 28
Aug 1942; Maj Gen James H Doolittle,
23 Sep 1942; Lt Gen Carl Spaatz, I Mar
1943; Lt Gen John K Cannon, 21 Dec 1943;
Maj Gen Benjamin W Chidlaw, 2 Apr
1945; Brig Gen Charles T Myers, 26 May-
31 Aug 1945. Brig Gen Yantis H Taylor, Constituted as Thirteenth AF on 14 Dec
17 May 1946; Brig Gen John P Doyle, 10 1942. Activated in New Caledonia on 13
Jul 1946; Maj Gen William D Old, 24 Sep Jan 1943. Served in the South Pacific and,
1946; Brig Gen John P Doyle, 23 Jan 1947; later, Southwest Pacific, participating in
Maj Gen Glenn 0 Barcus, 2 May 1947; the Allied drive north and west from the
Maj Gen Alden R Crawford, I Sep 1949; Solomons to the Philippines. Remained in
Col Ezekiel W Napier, 13 Jun-1 Jul 1950. the Philippines, as part of Far East Air
Maj Gen Robert W Douglass Jr, 22 Jan Forces, after the war. Transferred, with-
1951; Maj Gen Dean C Strother, 16 Mar out personnel and equipment, to Okinawa
1951; Maj Gen Robert M Lee, 20 Nov in Dec 1948 and back to the Philippines
'953-* in May 1949.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME The- COMMANDS. XZZZ Bomber: 1943-1946.
ater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; XZZZ Fighter: 1943-1946.
Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome- STATIONS. New Caledonia, 13 Jan 1943;
Arno; Southern France; North Apen- Espiritu Santo, 21 Jan 1943; Guadalcanal,
nines; Po Valley. 13 Jan 1944; Los Negros, 15 Jun 1944; Hol-
DECORATIONS. None. landia, New Guinea, 13 Sep 1944; Noem-
INSIGNE.On an ultramarine blue equi- foor, 23 Sep 1944; Morotai, 29 Oct 1944;
lateral triangle, one point down, a white Leyte, I Mar 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, c.
star with a red disc in the center thereof I Jan 1946; Ft William McKinley, Luzon,
bearing the numeral "12" in white, below 30 May 1946; Clark Field, Luzon, 15 Aug
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-AIR FORCES 469
ering a white star charged with a red disc. rado Springs, Colo, 31 Mar 1946; March
(Approved 6 Aug 1943.) AFB, Calif, 7 Nov 1949.
COMMANDERS. Maj Gen James H Doo-
FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE little, I Nov 1943; Maj Gen Nathan F
Twining, 3 Jan 1944; Brig Gen James A
Mollison, 26 May 1945; Brig Gen William
L Lee, 3 Aug 1945; Col Elmer J Rogers
Jr, 31 Aug-15 Sep 1945. Maj Gen Charles
F Born, 31 Mar 1946; Brig Gen Leon W
Johnson, 24 Apr 1947; Maj Gen Emmett
O’Donnell Jr, 6 Oct 1948; Maj Gen Walter
C Sweeney Jr, 20 Apr 1953; Maj Gen
Archie J Old Jr, c. 20 Aug 1955-.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Thea-
ter ; Air Offensive, Europe; Naples-Fog-
gia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy;
Northern France; Southern France;
Constituted as Fifteenth AF on 30 Oct North Apennines; Rhineland; Central
1943. Activated in the Mediterranean Europe; Po Valley.
theater on I Nov 1943. Began operations DECORATIONS. None.
on 2 Nov and engaged primarily in stra- INSIGNE. On a blue disc a white star
tegic bombardment of targets in Italy, charged with a red disc in the center and
France, Germany, Poland, Czechosle with golden orange stylized wings below
vakia, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans a golden orange Arabic numeral “15”, all
until the end of the war. Znactivated in within a golden orange annulet. (Ap-
Italy on 15 Sep 1945. proved 19 Feb 1944.)
Activated in the US on 31 Mar 1946.
Assigned to Strategic Air Command. TWENTIETH AIR FORCE
WINGS. 5th Bombardment: 1943-1945.
p d Bombardment: 1943. 47th Bombard- Constituted as Twentieth AF on 4 Apr
ment: 1944-1945. 49th Bombardment: 1944 and activated the same day. Some
1944-1945. 55th Bombardment: 1944- combat elements moved in the summer of
1945. 304th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 1944 from the US to India where they
305th Bombardment : 1943-1945. 306th carried out very heavy bombardment o p
Fighter: 1944-1945. 307th Bombardment: erations against targets in Japan, Formosa,
1944. Thailand, and Burma. Other combat ele-
STATIONS. Tunis, Tunisia, I Nov 1943; ments began moving late in 1944 from the
Bari, Italy, I Dec 1943-15 Sep 1945. Colo- US to the Marianas, being joined there
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS-AIR FORCES 47 1
was disbanded. After disbandment, a unit sional units were organized rather than
could have its lineage cantinued by recon- constituted. They had no personnel as-
stitution. Further, the lineage of one unit signed but were manned by persons who
could be merged with that of another were attached. Likewise, provisional
(without violating the policy mentioned establishments had components attached
above) by formal action taken to cansoli- but none assigned. Detachments were not
date the two units. Constitutions, dis- units but segments of units.
bandments, reconstitutions, and consoli- The following glossary defines organiza-
dations were accomplished by the Depart- tional terms, including those that relate to
ment of the Air Force, which alsa con- lineage:
trolled all actions relating to activations, Activate. To bring a constituted unit into
inactivations, and redesignations. physical existence by assigning person-
The lineage of an organized unit began nel. (In some cases a token activation
when the unit was designated and organ- was accomplished by assigning a mini-
ized. The unit could at any time be re- mum number of personnel, generally
designated, but its lineage continued until one officer and one enlisted man; in
the unit was discontinued. Designation, other cases activation was recorded 0%-
organization, redesignation, and discon- cially without assignment of personnel.)
tinuance were usually controlled by the Active list. The constituted units that
Department of the Air Force for organ- were active and those that had been as-
ized units at higher echelons and by the signed to commands for activation.
major commands for units at lower eche- Assign. To place a unit in a military or-
lons. ganization, making it an element af that
Sometimes a constituted headquarters organization.
was inactivated and replaced simultane- Attach. To place a unit with a military
ously by an organized headquarters that organization for administration, opera-
had essentially the same name and func- tional control, logistic support, or other
tions and often the same personnel. In purposes, without making the unit an
other instances the reverse took place. integral part of the organization.
When any such change was, in effect, Azltttorixe. To designate a unit and place
merely a reorganization (usually asso- it on the active or inactive list (used
ciated with a shift from one system of prior to World War 11 in the place of
manning to another), the Department of constitution of some units).
the Air Force disregarded the change in Consolidate. To combine two units, merg-
tracing the history of the establishment. ing their lineage and histories into a
It may be noted in passing that provi- single unit.
APPENDIX I-ORGANIZATIONAL TERMS 477
Allies immediately took the offensive in The Americans who attacked in the
the region between the Marne and the Meuse-Argonne sector west of Verdun
Aisne. The attack was a success, although made slow progress for three days. Then
the Germans were able to withdraw most the offensive bogged down, but it was re-
of their forces. After reaching the Vesle newed on 4 October. By the end of the
on 6 August, the Allies temporarily month the enemy’s fixed positions had
abandoned their offensive on this part of been taken, and by 7 November Pershing’s
the front. troops had reached Sedan, thrown bridge-
Somme Oflensive: 8 August to 11 No- heads across the Meuse, and cut the Mez-
vember 1918. In August the Allies, under eires-Metz railroad that was so vital to the
Foch, undertook a number of offensives to entire German front. Four days later the
improve their position so that an attack war ended.
could be made on the Hindenburg Line, NOTE:The War Department used the names
One attack began on 8 August in the Brit- of the Old Provinces (e.g., Lorraine) to award
ish sector before Amiens. Progress there credit for combat outside the areas of the named
was slow, but by early October the drive campaigns.
had smashed through the German’s defen-
sive line. World War I1
Oise-Aisne: 18 August to 11 November
1918. Another of the Allied offensives AMERICAN THEATER: 7 December 1941
undertaken in August was in the French to 2 March 1946.
sector in the vicinity of Soissons and along Antisubmarine, American Theater: 7
the Vesle-Aisne line. The movement was December 1941to 2 September 1945. To
bitterly contested as the attackers pushed protect Allied shipping from enemy sub-
in the direction of Laon. This offensive, marines, AAF flew many antisubmarine
like that in the Somme, merged later with patrols in the American Theater during
the great Allied assault that was under- World War 11. Perhaps the most impor-
taken all along the front in September and tant of these operations were conducted
that ended with the defeat of Germany from bases in Newfoundland and along
in November. the east coast of the United States. By
St. Mihiel: 12to 16September 1918. On the fall of 1942 these patrols, in conjunc-
12September Pershing’s forces attacked at tion with naval operations, had succeeded
St. Mihiel east of Verdun and within 36 in driving off the German U-boat packs
hours had eliminated a salient that the that had been taking such a heavy toll of
enemy had held since 1914. shipping in the western Atlantic. In addi-
Meuse-Argonne: 26 September to 11 No- tion, AAF flew patrols in the Gulf of
vember 1918.Foch began his great assault Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea, and along
on the Hindenburg Line on 26 September. the west coast of the United States. In
480 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
the latter part of 1943 the Navy assumed Morocco offered little resistance to the in-
the antisubmarine responsibilities that had vaders.
been assigned to AAF when the United Tunisia: 12 November 1942 to 13 May
States had entered the war in December 1943. Having gained Algeria, the Allies
1941. quickly turned eastward, hoping to take
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THE- Tunis and Bizerte before the Germans
ATER: 7 December IWI to 8 November could send reinforcements into Tunisia.
1945.
But the drive broke down short of the
Egypt-Libya: 11 June 1942 to 12 Febru- goal. In February 1943, after Rommel
ary 1943. Army Air Forces entered com- had been driven into Tunisia, the Axis
bat in the EAME Theater on 11 June took the offensive and pushed through
1942 when a small detachment equipped Kasserine Pass before being stopped. With
with B-24’s and commanded by Col. Har- Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces in the bat-
ry A. Halverson began operations in the tle, the Allies drove the enemy back into
Middle East. Shortly afterward the a pocket around Bizerte and Tunis, where
United States, answering a British appeal Axis forces surrendered in May. Thus
for assistance against Axis forces that were Tunisia became available for launching
on the offensive in Libya, sent additional an attack on Sicily as a preliminary to an
men and equipment into the area. In assault on Italy.
the Middle East, AAF units, which be- Sicily: 14 May to 17 August 1943. In
came part of Ninth Air Force in Novem- preparation for the invasion of Sicily the
ber 1942, helped to stop Rommel’s drive Allies captured the islands in the Sicilian
toward the Suez Canal, took part in the strait, with aerial bombardment forcing
Battle of El Alamein (25 October-5 No- the capitulation of Pantelleria on 11 June
vember 1942), and worked with Mont- 1943. By that time Allied air power had
gomery’s Eighth Army in driving Axis begun the attack on Sicily by bombing
forces westward into Tunisia. defenses and airfields. The invasion it-
self got under way on the night of 9/10
Agevia-French Morocco: 8 to 11 No-
July with airborne landings that were
vember 1942. Three days after their vic-
followed the next day by an amphibious
tory at El Alamein the Allies opened a assault. The enemy offered strong resist-
new front with an assault on Algeria and ance, but the Allies had superiority in the
French Morocco. Twelfth Air Force, air and soon had planes operating from
with some units based on Gibraltar, some Sicilian bases to support Montgomery’s
aboard the invasion fleet, and some bear- Eighth Army and Patton’s Seventh. In-
ing paratroops from England, entered terdictory operations against communica-
combat at this time. The campaign was tions in Italy and between Italy and Sicily
brkf, for the French in Algeria and French convinced the enemy that it would be im-
APPENDIX 11-THEATERS A N D CAMPAIG;NS 48 1
possible to move strong reinforcements. air power then began a vigorous campaign
By 17 August 1943 the Allies were in pos- against railroads, highways, and shipping
session of the island, but they had not that supported German forces in Italy.
been able to prevent a German evacuation With supply lines strangled, the Germans
across the Strait of Messina. could not repulse the new drive launched
Naples-Foggia: 18 August 1943 to 21 by the Allies in May. German resistance
January 1944. After Allied bombardment crumbled. By 4 June 1944 the Allies had
of communications and airfields in Italy, taken Rome. But the advance ground to
Montgomery crossed the Strait of Messina a halt against a new defensive line the
on 3 September 1943 and started north- enemy established along the Arno River.
ward. Five days later Eisenhower an- Southern France: 15 August to 14 Sep-
nounced that the Italian Government had tember 1944. While the Germans were
surrendered. Fifth Army, under Clark, retreating in Italy in the summer of 1944,
landed at Salerno on g September and the Allies diverted some of their strength
managed to stay despite furious counter- in the theater to the invasion of Southern
attacks. By 18 September the Germans France. After preliminary bombardment,
were withdrawing northward. On 27 a combined seaborne-airborne force landed
September Eighth Army occupied the im- on the French Riviera on 15 August.
portant airfields of Foggia, and on I Marseilles having been taken, Sevmth
October Fifth Army took Naples. As the Army advanced up the Rhone Valley and
Allies pushed up the peninsula, the enemy by mid-September was in touch with
slowed the advance and brolJght it to a Allied forces that had entered France from
halt at the Gustav Line. the north.
Anxio: 22 January to 24 May 1944. On North Apennines: 10 September 1944
u January 1944, in conjunction with a to 4 April 1945. In Italy during the fall
frontal assault, the Allies attempted to turn and winter of 1944-1945 the Allies used
the Gustav Line by landing troops at their air power against the enemy’s com-
Anzio. But the frontal attack failed, and munications as ground forces beat against
the Allies were unable to break out of the the Gothic Line north of the Arno.
beachhead at Anzio until the Gustav Line Although little progress was made on the
was breached in May 1944. ground, the action in the Apennines tied
Rome-Arno: 22 January to g September down a large German army at a time when
1944. The unsuccessful attempt to break those troops could have been used in de-
the Gustav Line on 22 January was fol- cisive campaigns being directed against
lowed by another unsuccessful effort in Germany by the Allies in the west and
March when the infantry failed to push the Russians on the east.
through after bombers had endeavored to Po Valley: 5 April to 8 May 1945. The
open the line at Monte Cassino. Allied effectiveness of interdiction in northern
482 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS O F WORLD WAR I1
Italy was shown by the success of the final man Air Force and aircraft industry. In
Allied drive in that area in April 1945. the aerial offensive Eighth Air Force was
With communications shattered, the joined by the Ninth, which was transferred
Germans were unable to move enough ma- from the Mediterranean to England in
teriel to make a stand after being driven October 1943 to provide tactical air power
from their defensive positions south of the for the invasion of France, and by the
Po. Allied forces crossed the river on 25 Fifteenth, which operated heavy bombers
April; and on 4 May, at the Italian end of from Italy. As attacks on strategic objec-
the Brenner Pass, Fifth Army met the tives continued, AAF planes struck
Seventh, which had driven into Germany V-weapon sites in France and Belgium,
and turned southward into Austria. With and hit defensive positions, rail centers,
the joining of these forces the war in Italy bridges, and other targets in preparation
was over. for the invasion of Normandy.
Air Offensive, Europe: 4 July 1942 to 5 Normandy: 6 June to 24 July 1944.
June 1944. At the time AAF entered Early on D-Day airborne troops landed in
combat in the Middle East in June 1942, France to gain control of strategic areas.
Eighth Air Force was moving to England Aerial and naval bombardment followed.
for operations against Germany. On 4 Then the invasion fleet, covered by an um-
July six AAF crews, using Bostons brella of aircraft, discharged Eisenhower’s
(A-20’s)~joined six RAF crews for an at- assault forces. Soon the beachhead was
tack on airdromes in Holland. Operations secure, but its expansion was a slow and
with heavy bombers began on 17 August difficult process in the face of strong op-
with a raid on marshalling yards at Rouen, position. It was not until late in July that
but in the fall of 1942 much of the Eighth‘s the Allies were able to break out of Nor-
strength was diverted to North Africa. mandy.
In 1943 the Eighth gradually increased the Northern France: 25 July to 14 Septem-
intensity of its operations, attacking fac- ber 1944. Bombardment along a five-mile
tories, shipyards, transportation, airfields, stretch of the German line enabled the
and other targets on the Continent. Allies to break through on 25 July. While
Bomber formations frequently sustained some armored forces drove southward into
heavy losses, as in the famous raids on Brittany, others fanned out to the east and,
Regensburg and Schweinfurt on 17 August overcoming a desperate counterattack,
1943 and on Schweinfurt on 14 Oct 1943; executed a pincers movement that trapped
but losses were reduced after long-range many Germans in a pocket at Falaise.
escort became available early in 1944, and The enemy fell back on the Siegfried Line,
after the Allies had waged a vigorous cam- and by mid-September 1944 nearly all of
paign, including the attacks of Big Week France had been liberated. During these
(20-25 February 1g44), against the Ger- operations in France, while light and
APPENDIX 11-THEATERS A N D CAMPAIGNS 483
medium bombers and fighter-bomber air- the Ruhr was encircled. Armored col-
craft of Ninth Air Force had been engaged umns raced across Germany and into Aus-
in close support and interdictory opera- tria and Czechoslovakia. On 25 April, the
tions, Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces had day American and Russian forces met on
continued their strategic bombing. the Elbe, strategic bombing operations
Rhineland: 15 September 1944 to 21 came to an end. Germany surrendered on
March 1945. Attempting to outflank the 7 May 1945 and operations officially came
Siegfried Line, the Allies tried an airborne to an end the following day, although
attack on Holland on 17 September 1944. sporadic actions continued on the Euro-
But the operation failed, and the enemy pean front until 11 May.
was able to strengthen his defensive line Air Combat, E A M E Theater: 7 Decem-
from Holland to Switzerland. Little ber 1941 to 11 May 1945. Some of the
progress was made on the ground, but the AAF’s aerial operations in the EAME
aerial attacks on strategic targets contin- Theater-such as those in the Balkans (in-
ued. Then, having regained the initiative cluding the raids on Ploesti), over the
after defeating a German offensive in the Mediterranean Sea, and in Iceland-were
Ardennes in December 1944, the Allies outside the areas of the campaigns listed
drove through to the Rhine, establishing above. A special campaign, Air Combat,
a bridgehead across the river at Remagen. EAME Theater, was established to pro-
Ardennes-Alsace: 16 December 1944 to vide credits for these operations. (Pro-
25 January 1945. During their offensive in vision was made for similar campaigns for
the Ardennes the Germans drove into Bel- the other theaters, but no aerial combat
gium and Luxembourg, creating a great occurred in the American Theater, and no
bulge in the line. For some time the credits were awarded by the War Depart-
weather was bad, but when it cleared the ment for Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific The-
Allies could send their planes to assist their ater.)
ground forces by bombing and strafing the Antisubmarine, E A M E Theater: 7
enemy’s columns, dropping paratroops and December 1941 to 2 September 1945. AAF
supplies, and interdicting the enemy’s lines antisubmarine operations began from
of communications. By the end of Janu- England in November 1942 and from
ary 1945 the lost ground had been regained North Africa in March 1943. The most
and the Battle of the Bulge, the last great successful of these operations were carried
German offensive, was over. out in the Bay of Biscay in the summer of
Central Europe: 22 March to 11 May 1943, and in the Mediterranean during the
1945. Following the Battle of the Bulge campaigns in Sicily and southern Italy.
the Allies had pushed through to the AAF units received credit for this cam-
Rhine. On 22 March 1945 they began their paign if they were engaged in antisubma-
assault across the river, and by I April rine warfare outside of the regularly
484 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
designated campaign areas of the EAME Japanese landed xoops at Buna, Gona, and
Theater. Sanananda in July 1942. At first the Al-
lies could offer only feeble resistance to the
THEATER:
ASIATIC-PACIFIC 7 December
enemy forces that pushed southward
1941 to 2 March 1946.
through Papua, but the Allies were build-
Philippine Islands: 7 December 1941 to ing up their strength in Australia. By
10 May 1942. A few hours after the raid midSeptember Fifth Air Force had su-
on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, periority in the air over New Guinea, and
Japanese aircraft attacked the Philippines. the Japanese drive had been stopped. The
Three days later Japanese troops landed on Allies then began to push the enemy back,
Luzon. America’s meager air power in with Fifth Air Force ferrying supplies and
the islands was soon destroyed. Unable to reinforcements to the troops fighting in the
obtain reinforcements and supplies, Mac- jungle. Buna was taken on 2 January
Arthur could do nothing more than fight a 1943, and enemy resistance at Sanananda
delaying action. Between 16 and 18 De- ended three weeks later.
cember the few bombing planes that re- Guadalcanal: 7 August 1942 to 21 Feb-
mained were evacuated, by their crews, ruary 1943. The seizure of Guadalcanal
to Australia, where US air power in the in June 1942 marked the high tide of the
Far East was to be concentrated. Other Japanese advance in the Southwest Pacific.
members of the air units took up arms and U.S. Marines landed on the island on 7
fought as infantrymen in the battle that August and quickly took Henderson
ended, at Bataan and Corregidor, with the Field, which was needed in order to gain
loss of the Philippines in May 1942. control of the air. The Japanese made
East Zndies: I January to 22 July 1942. several attempts to retake the field, and
While engaged in the conquest of the they repeatedly bombed the base to curtail
Philippines, the Japanese thrust south- Allied aerial activity. The contest, which
ward, landing troops in Sumatra, Borneo, became one of reinforcement and supply,
Celebes, and elsewhere in the East Indies. was decided when Japanese troop trans-
Defeated in the Battle of the Java Sea at ports that were heading for the island were
the end of February 1942, the Allies lost destroyed by American ships and planes
Java. Then the Japanese put forces into in November, but the Japanese held out on
New Guinea and the Solomons, on the Guadalcanal until the following February.
road to Australia. But a Japanese attempt Northern Solomons: 22 February 1943
to take Port Moresby early in May was to 21 November 1944. After the conquest
thwarted when the Japanese were beaten of Guadalcanal, Halsey’s forces, supported
in the Battle of the Coral Sea. by Thirteenth Air Force, began a cam-
Paptra: 23 July 1942 to 23 January 1943. paign to capture Japanese strongholds in
In another effort to take Port Moresby the the Northern Solomons. In February 1943
APPENDIX 11-THEATERS AND CAMPAIGNS 485
American forces landed in the Russell convoy in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
Islands to obtain an air strip. Air bases at Salamaua and Lae then became the objec-
Munda (New Georgia) and on Kolom- tives for an Allied advance along the
bangara Island were attacked as the Allies northern coast of New Guinea. Fifth Air
fought to gain superiority in the air. Force bombers attacked airfields at We-
American troops landed on Rendova and wak, 300 miles west of Lae, to neutralize
on New Georgia at the end of June. The them. The Allies dropped paratroops at
air base at Munda was taken in August, Nadzab, just beyond Lae. Enemy resist-
and the base on Kolombangara was neu- ance at Salamaua broke on 14 September
tralized. Landings were made in the 1943; Lae fell two days later. In the
Treasury Islands in October. Allied air months that followed, MacArthur’s forces
power struck the great Japanese naval and pushed westward, capturing some Japa-
air bases at Rabaul on New Britain to sup- nese strongholds and bypassing others.
port the assault on Bougainville, which After taking Hollandia in April 1944, the
began on I November 1943. Enemy gar- Allies attacked islands off the northern
risons on Bougainvillewere contained, and coast of New Guinea, taking Wakde and
other Japanese forces in the Northern Biak in May, Owi in June, and Noemfoor
Solomons were isolated. Although the in July. Sansapor on New Guinea also
enemy continued to resist, American air was gained in July. Aerial attacks on the
and naval power dominated the Solomons. Philippines began in August, and Morotai
Bismarck Archipelago: 15 December was seized in October to provide air bases
1943 to 27 November 1944. To isolate and for the invasion of the Philippines. Allied
neutralize Rabaul on New Britain and the planes also bombed the oil center at Balik-
Japanese base at Kavieng on New Ireland, papan and other targets in Borneo and
American forces landed at Arawe and Celebes.
Cape Gloucester in December 1943, on Leyte: 17 October 1944 to I July 1945.
Green and Los Negros Islands in February On 17 October 1944, after preparatory
1944, and at Talasea on New Britain and bombardment, the invasion of the Philip-
on Manus Island in March. Some other pines got under way with the seizure of
enemy forces in the Bismarck Archipelago islands guarding Leyte Gulf. The land-
were bypassed. ing on Leyte itself on 20 October was
New Guinea: 24 January 1943 to 31 De- strongly contested by Japanese forces on
cember 1944. After the loss of Buna and land and at sea. Organized resistance on
Gona in New Guinea, the Japanese fell the island did not end until after Christ-
back on their stronghold at Lae. Their mas, and mopping up operations con-
attempt to reinforce Lae by sea in March tinued for a long time. Meanwhile, at the
1943 met with disaster when American end of October, the neighboring island of
and Australian planes sank most of the Samar was occupied with little difficulty.
486 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
Luxon: 15December 1944to 4 July 1945. place becoming engaged in one of the
After Leyte came Mindoro, which was in- bloodiest battles of the war.
vaded on 15 December 1944,an air strip Eastern Mandates: 7 December 1943 to
being obtained to provide a base for opera- 16April 1944. After the operations in the
tions during the invasion on Luzon. Gilberts, American air and naval forces
American troops landed on the shores of bombed and shelled Japanese bases in the
Lingayen Gulf on g January 1945 and Marshall Islands. In February 1944
pushed to Manila, which the Japanese de- American troops went ashore on Kwaja-
fended vigorously until 24 February. kin, Roi, Namur, and Eniwetok. Other
Rather than meet the Americans in a deci- islands, including Jaluit and Wotje in the
sive battle, the Japanese decided to fight Marshalls and Truk in the Carolines, were
delaying actions in numerous places. Or- bombed and shelled but were bypassed.
ganized resistance ended in southern Western Pacific: 17April 1944to 2 Sep-
Luzon in April and in central and north- tember 1945. Attacks on Truk, where the
ern Luzon in June. Japanese had a major base, continued as
Southern Philippines: 27 February to 4 preparations were made for the invasion
July 1945. After Luzon had been invaded of the Marianas. The American troops
and Manila taken, a series of landings that landed on Saipan on 15June 1944met
were made in the southern Philippines, on bitter opposition; but, after a desperate
Palawan, Mindanao, Panay, Cebu, Negros, Japanese counterattack on 7 July, organ-
and other islands. In some places the ized resistance soon terminated. Tinian,
Japanese offered little resistance; in others invaded on 25 July, was won by I August.
they held out for considerable time. The Guam, which had been seized by the Japa-
liberation of the Philippines was an- nese on 10 December 1941,was invaded
nounced by MacArthur on 5 July 1945. on 20 July and regained after 20 days of
Central Pacific: 7 December 1941 to 6 fighting. With the conquest of the Mari-
December 1943. The war in the Central anas, the United States gained valuable
Pacific began with the Japanese attack on bases for an aerial offensive against Japan
Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Six itself. To provide bases for operations
months later an AAF task force took part against the Philipgines, the Palaus were
in the Battle of Midway, in which a great invaded in mid-September. Later, aerial
Japanese fleet was defeated. But another attacks were made on Formosa to support
year and a half elapsed before American the invasion of the Philippines and
forces began an offensive against Japanese Ok’mawa.
positions in the Central Pacific. It was Ryubus: 26 March to 2 July 1945.
then, on 20 November 1943,that landings Some small islands close to the southern
were made in the Gilberts, on Makin and tip of Okinawa were seized on 26-27
Tarawa, with the Marines at the latter March 1945,and the invasion of Okinawa
APPENDIX 11-THEATERS A N D CAMPAIGNS 487
itself began on I April. Only light resist- lasted a month. Support for the invasion
ance was encountered in the northwestern of Okinawa was provided by B-29’s that
part of the island, where the American hit airfields the Japanese were using for
troops landed. Japanese pilots, however, their kamikaze attacks. To destroy
made suicidal (kamikaze) attacks on the Japanese shipping, the very heavy bomb-
invasion fleet. And savage opposition was ers sowed mines in the waters around
met ashore as the troops moved southwest Japan. And in the north Eleventh Air
to clear the island. The campaign was Force attacked targets in the Kurils. The
costly, but it gave the United States a posi- offensive, increasing in intensity and eff ec-
tion from which it could use medium tiveness, reached its climax with the drop-
bombers and fighter aircraft of Seventh Air ping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima (6
Force to attack the Japanese home islands. August 1945) and Nagasaki (9 August
Air Oflensive, Japan: 17 April 1942 to 1945).
2 September 1945. The aerial offensive Burma, 1942: 7 December 1941 to 26 May
against the Japanese home islands began 1942. While some Japanese forces were
in April 1942 with the Doolittle raid, in conquering the Philippines, the East
which the B-25’s of a special task force Indies, and islands of the South Pacific,
were launched from a carrier. The second others were penetrating Burma from
AAF strike was made on 15 June 1944 by Thailand. Moving rapidly, they con-
B-29’s operating from China. Other mis- trolled southern Burma by the end of
sions were flown from Asia in the months January 1942, took Rangoon in March, and
that followed, but the strength of the offen- cut the Burma Road in April. Pushing on,
sive increased rapidly after B-29’s of the enemy forced the British westward into
Twentieth Air Force began operating from India and drove Stillwell’s Chinese forces
the Marianas late in 1944. At first the raids back into China. By the end of May the
from the Marianas were made at high alti- Japanese had taken all of Burma. Only
tude during daylight, with high-explosive the monsoon prevented an invasion of
bombs being used for precision bombard- India.
ment of industrial targets. When such India-Burma: 2 April 1942 to 28 January
operations failed to produce good results, 1945. By 2 April 1942, Singapore, the
the tactics were changed, the B-29’s being Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Thailand,
sent in at low altitude during the night to as well as most of Burma, were under Japa-
drop incendiary bombs on urban areas. nese domination. For a long time after-
To provide a base for fighter escort, as well ward the only counterblows were provided
as to gain emergency landing fields on the by the small air forces the Allies had in the
route from the Marianas to Japan, Marines area, and by Wingate’s Raiders operating
landed on Iwo Jima on 25 February 1945 behind the enemy’s lines. In the spring
and took the island in a bloody battle that of 1944, while AngleIndian troops were
488 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
resisting a Japanese invasion of the Imphal was in a better position to support the
plain, Chinese troops and Merrill’s Ma- Chinese as they recovered the territory lost
rauders in northern Burma started an of- to the Japanese during 1944.
fensive that captured the key town of Aleutian Islands: 3 June 1942to 24 Au-
Myitkyina in August and opened the Bur- gust 1943. On 3-4 June 1942,at the time
ma Road the following January. of the Battle of Midway, a Japanese force
Central Burma: 29 January to 15 July attacked Dutch Harbor and inflicted con-
1945. Having repulsed the Japanese in- siderable damage before it was driven off.
vasion of India, Anglo-Indian troops took The Japanese then occupied Attu and
the offensive. They crossed the Irrawaddy Kiska. For the rest of 1942and into 1943,
River in February 1945,took Mandalay in Eleventh Air Force struck enemy bases
March, and recaptured Rangoon on 4 May, and installations whenever weather over
by which time the Japanese were virtually the Aleutians permitted. The United
beaten in Burma. States troops that landed on Attu on 11
China Defensive: 4 July 1942 to 4 May May 1943 had possession of the island by
1945. The American Volunteer Group the end of the month. The capture of
(Flying Tigers) under Chennault helped Attu isolated Kiska, which was bombed
to defend China until 4 July 1942,when repeatedly by American aircraft. The
regular AAF units (formed into Four- troops that invaded Kiska on 15 August
teenth Air Force in March 1943) took 1943 discovered that the Japanese, under
over the task. The AAF support for the cover of fog, had secretly evacuated
Chiang Kai-shek’s armies was limited, their garrison.
however, because of the small size of the
NOTE:In the Asiatic-Pacific Theater the the-
force, and because of the lack of supplies, ater commander had authority to award cam-
which had to be transported by air over paign credits to units that were engaged in
the Hump route from India. A strong combat in the Northern Solomons, Bismarck
Japanese offensive along the Hankow rail- Archipelago, New Guinea, Luzon, Southern
way in 1944 resulted in the loss of impor- Philippines, Eastern Mandates, Western Pacific,
and Ryukyus after the closing dates shown above
tant air bases Fourteenth Air Force had
for those campaigns.
been using in southeastern China. And
by December 1944 the Japanese columns
driving southward had met others that Korean War
were moving up from Indochina.
China Oflenshe: 5 May to 2 September KOREAN THEATER: 27 June 1950to 27 July
1945. In the spring of 1945 the Chinese 1953.
began an offensive in southern China. U N Defensive: 27 June to 15 September
Some of the air bases lost the previous 1950. Communist forces of North Korea
year being retaken, Fourteenth Air Force attacked the Republic of Korea early on
APPENDIX 11-THEATERS AND CAMPAZGNS 489
the morning of 25 June 1950. The follow- the Communists had been driven from
ing day, fighter planes of Far East Air South Korea. As the offensive continued,
Forces stood guard while American cit- UN forces moved beyond the 38th paral-
izens were evacuated by ship from In- lel, took the North Korean capital of
chon. On 27 June, when the Com- Pyongyang, and pushed northward
munists were at the gates of Seoul, FEAF toward the Yalu River.
transport planes began to evacuate Ameri- CCF Intervention: 3 November 1950to
cans from the city. That same day 24 January 1951. The UN hoped to end
USAF fighters covering the aerial evac- the war by driving through to the Man-
uation encountered five North Korean churian border, but the offensive was
fighter planes and destroyed three. Tru- halted and turned by forces from Com-
man ordered MacArthur to use his air munist China. X Corps was evacuated,
and naval forces to support ROK army. by air and sea, from the Hamhung-Hung-
The United Nations Security Council rec- nam area; Eighth Army withdrew over
ommended that UN members assist the land. By the end of December 1950 the
Republic of Korea in repelling the inva- battle line was just below the 38th parallel,
sion. Aerial attacks against military ob- but the UN had to withdraw farther south,
jectives in North Korea were authorized beyond Seoul, before the enemy’s drive
by the President on 30 June. And Ameri- was stopped.
can army forces were thrown into the 1st UN Counteroflensive: 25 January to
conflict. As the Communists drove south- 21 April 1951.Taking the offensive on 25
ward, FEAF provided close support for January 1951,the UN began operations
UN ground forces, attacked the enemy’s that were directed more toward wearing
communications, and engaged in strategic down the enemy than toward capturing
operations against industrial targets in territory. Against strong resistance, UN
North Korea. UN forces were driven forces advanced slowly, trying to main-
back to a defensive line around Pusan, tain a solid line. Inchon and the airfield
where the North Korean offensive was at Kimpo were taken on 10 February.
stopped. Seoul was regained in mid-March.
UN Oflensiue: 16 September to 2 Having been pushed north of the 38th
November 1950. With the North Korean paullel, the Communists built up strength
army virtually destroyed in the fighting for a new offensive. Meantime, on 11
around Pusan, the UN began an offensive April, Truman had relieved MacArthur
in mid-September. UN troops landed at and made Ridgway commander in the Far
Inchon and soon had the important air East.
base at Kimpo. Eighth Army attacked CCF Spring Oflensive: 22 April to 8
northward from Pusan. By 29 September July 1951. The enemy attacked on 22
490 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1
April 1951, but the thrust was checked just ment, but the aerial attacks on railroads in
short of Seoul. After a lull, in which the North Korea continued. The ,UN’s inter-
U N strengthened its positions along the dictory operations, which destroyed some
new line, the Communists struck again, material and curtailed efforts to stockpile
pushing back the eastern end of the line. supplies, so damaged the Communists’
Having again been driven south of the railway system that it could not be used
38th parallel, the U N counterattacked and again to support a sustained offensive on
by 24 June not only had regained the terri- the ground. But interdiction could not
tory lost during the enemy’s spring offen- force the Communists to end the war.
sive but had shoved the line deeper into The enemy made some probing attacks,
North Korea. It was then that Malik sug- but there were no important changes in
gested an armistice. the battle line.
U N Summer-Fall Ofiensive: 9 July to Korea Summer-Fall, 1952: I May to 30
27 November 1951. Truce negotiations November 1952. In May 1952 the Com-
began on 10July, but hostilities continued, munists increased their probing and
although neither side was willing to begin stepped up their artillery fire. As a result,
a major offensive while the peace talks in June the UN began a limited action to
were being conducted. When negotia- advance the patrol bases in front of the
tions were suspended in August, the UN line, but the fighting was relatively of
began an offensive in the area known as minor significance. Both sides made
the Punchbowl, and in the fierce fighting some small-scale attacks during the sum-
that followed was able to take some impor- mer. After knocking out most of the
tant positions, including Bloody and
electric plants in North Korea during
Heartbreak Ridges. After peace negotia-
June, FEAF began to apply continuous
tions were resumed in October, Ridgway
pressure on the Communists with the view
stopped offensive operations on the
ground. In August FEAF had begun a of making the war as costly as possible in
strong campaign against the enemy’s rail- terms of enemy personnel, materiel, and
roads. For three months the results of facilities. The tempo of the action on the
the latter campaign were good, but after- ground increased in October, but there
ward the Communists provided stronger were only minor changes in the line.
defenses and rushed repairs, thereby re- Third Korean Winter: I December 1952
ducing the effectiveness of the interdictory to 30 April 1953. Activity along the front
operations. subsided during the winter, increased
Second Korean Winter: 28 November somewhat in March, but declined again in
1951 to 30 April 1952. Terminating its April. Negotiations for an armistice were
offensive,the UN waged a war of contain- approaching a decisive stage, but it was
APPENDIX II-THEATERS A N D CAMPAIGNS 49 1
apparent from troop movements and other was relatively quiet. Then, on 10 June the
signs that the Communists were prepar- Chinese struck, and in the fighting that
ing for large-scale operations. followed, the heaviest since the spring of
Korea Summer-Fall, '953: I May to 27 1951, the UN lost some ground before
July 1953. The Communists made a se- agreement for an armistice was reached on
ries of attacks on UN outposts during the 19 July. The war ended when the armis-
last week in May, but the following week tice papers were signed on 27 July 1953.
APPENDIX 111: DECORATIONS
Air Force units, like individuals, receive gian Government. No emblem awarded
citations and other awards for outstand- to unit cited.
ing operations or for services of special Distinguished Unit Citation. A decora-
significance. The awards mentioned in tion for extraordinary heroism in action
this book, and the devices displayed by against an armed enemy of the United
units as evidence of such awards, are de- States. Dark blue streamer, with the
scribed below: name of the action embroidered in
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. A white. Separate streamer for each cita-
decoration for exceptionally meritori- tion. Displayed on unit flag or guidon.
ous achievement or service of great na- French Croix de Guerre. A citation by
tional or international significance not decree of the French Government.
involving combat operations against an Green and red streamer, embroidered
enemy. Blue streamer, with a narrow with name of action or theater of opera-
red band center bordered by white lines, tions. Displayed on unit flag or guidon.
and red bands at each edge separated French Fourragere. A decoration that
from the blue by white lines; embroid- may be awarded, by separate decree of
ered in white with the name of the the French Government, to units cited
theater or area of operations and the in- twice for the Croix de Guerre. Braided
clusive dates, or whenever possible, with
cord, in colors of the Croix de Guerre.
the service or achievement performed;
Displayed on unit flag or guidon.
separate streamer for each award. Dis-
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. A
played on unit flag or guidon.
citation for achievements while serving
Belgian Fourragere. A decoration that
may be awarded, by separate decree of in the Philippines during periods 7 De-
the Belgian Government, to units cited cember 1941-10 May 1942 or 17 October
twice in the Order of the Day, Belgian 1944-4 July 1945. No emblem awarded
Army. Braided cord in red and green, to unit.
looped, and ending in metal ferrule. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Cita+
Displayed on unit flag or guidon. tion. A citation for achievement during
Citation in the Order of the Day, Belgian the Korean War. No emblem awarded
Army. A citation by decree of the Bel- to unit.
492
APPENDIX IV: ABBREVIATIONS
An asterisk (") indicates that a history of the unit appears under the heading
given in this index. Other entries refer to designations assigned at various times to
units for which histories are provided in this volume.
GROUPS 3d Reconnaissance,* 33
4th Combat Cargo," 34
1st Air Commando,* 19 4th Fighter,* 35
1st Army Observation, 43 4th Fighter-Bomber, 36
1st Combat Cargo,* 20 4th Fighter-Interceptor, 36
1st Day Bombardment, 25 4th Photographic, 37
1st Fighter,' 21 4th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping,
1st Fighter-Interceptor, 22
37
1st Mapping, 24 4th Reconnaissance," 37
1st Photographic,* 24 5th Bombardment," 38
1st Photographic Charting, 24 5th Composite, 38
1st Pursuit, 21 5th Observation, 38
1st Search Attack," 24
5th Photographic, 39
1st Sea-SearchAttack, 24 5th Photographic Reconnaissance, 39
1st Surveillance, 29 5th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping,
1st Transport, 52
39
2d Air Commando,* 25 5th Pursuit and Bombardment, 38
2d Bombardment," 25 5th Reconnaissance,* 39; also see 38
2d Combat Cargo," 28 5th Strategic Reconnaissance,39
2d Observation, 38 6th Bombardment," 41
2d Photographic, 28 6th Composite, 41
2d Photographic Reconnaissance,28 6th Observation, 41
2d Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping, 6th Photographic, 42
28 6th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping,
2d Reconnaissance," 28
42
3d Air Commando,* 29 6th Photographic Reconnaissance, 42
3d Attack, 30 6th Reconnaissance,* 42
3d Bombardment,* zg 7th Bombardment," 43
3d Combat Cargo,* 32 7th Observation, 43
3d Observation, 4r 7th Photographic, 45
3d Photographic, 33 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping,
3d Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping, 45
33 7th Reconnaissance," 45
495
496 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS O F WORLD WAR 11
8th Fighter," 46 2 1 s Fighter-Bomber, 71