| 29th Bombardment Group - 35th Fighter
Group
29th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 29th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 22 Dec 1939.
Activated on 1 Feb 1940. Equipped with B-17's and B-18's. Trained and
took part in aerial reviews. Flew patrol missions in the Caribbean area,
Dec 1941-Jun 1942. Equipped with B-24's in 1942. Functioned as an
operational training and later as a replacement training unit.
Inactivated on 1 Apr 1944.
Redesignated 29th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 1 Apr
1944. Prepared for overseas duty with B-29's. Moved to Guam, Dec
1944-Feb 1945, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Flew its first mission
against Japan with an attack on Tokyo on 25 Feb 1945. Conducted a number
of missions against strategic targets in Japan, operating in daylight
and at high altitude to bomb factories, refineries, and other
objectives. Beginning in Mar 1945, carried out incendiary raids on area
targets, flying at night and at low altitude to complete the
assignments. S/Sgt Henry E Erwin was awarded the Medal of Honor for
action that saved his B-29 during a mission over Koriyama, Japan, on 12
Apr 1945. When a phosphorus smoke bomb exploded in the launching chute
and shot back into the plane, Sgt Erwin picked up the burning bomb,
carried it to a window, and threw it out. During the Allied assault on
Okinawa, the group bombed airfields from which the enemy was sending out
suicide planes against the invasion force. Received a DUC for an attack
on an airfield at Omura, Japan, on 31 Mar 1945. Received second DUC for
strikes on the industrial area of Shizuoka, the Mitsubishi aircraft
plant at Tamashima, and the Chigusa arsenal at Nagoya, in Jun 1945.
After the war, dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners and
participated in several show-of-force missions over Japan. Inactivated
on Guam on 20 May 1946.
Squadrons. 6th: 1940-944; 1944-1946. 43rd (formerly 29th) 1940-1944;
1944-1946. 52d: 1940-1944; 1944-1946. 411th: 1942-1944. 761st (later 9th
Reconnaissance): 1945-1946.
Stations. Langley Field, Va, 1 Feb 1940; MacDill Field, Fla, 21 May
1940; Gowen Field, Idaho, 25 Jun 1942-1 Apr 1944. Pratt AAFld, Kan, 1
Apr-7 Dec 1944; North Field, Guam, 17 Jan 1945-20 May 1946.
Commanders. Maj Vincent I Meloy, 1 Feb 1940; Maj Charles W Lawrence,
15 Jan 1941; Lt Col James P Hodges, 1 Feb 1941; Maj Frank H Robinson, 1
Oct 1941; Lt Col James M Fitzmaurice, 1 Dec 1941; Lt Col Robert F
Travis, 30 Mar 1942; Lt Col William B David, 28 Aug 1942; Maj Henry H
Covington, 2 Feb 1943; Lt Col Walter E Arnold Jr, 20 Feb 1943; Lt Col
Horace M Wade, 20 Sep 1943-1 Apr 1944. 2d Lt Philip J Lamm, 21 Apr 1944;
Capt Samuel W Bright, 28 Apr 1944; Maj Quinn L Oldaker, 2 May 1944; Col
Carl R Storrie, 28 May 1944; Col Robert L Mason, 23 Jul 1945; Lt Col
Loran D Briggs, 9 Oct 1945-unkn; Col Vincent M Miles Jr, 1946.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan;
Western Pacific.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 31 Mar 1945; Japan,
19-26 Jun 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a drop bomb and lightning flash saltirewise
or. Motto: Power For Peace. (Approved 14 Oct 1940.)
30th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18's and A-29's. Equipped with
B-24's for operations. Patrolled the west coast, 1942-1943, and trained
crews for other organizations. Moved to Hawaii in Oct 1943, assigned to
Seventh AF, and sailed for the Central Pacific in Nov. Began operations
from the Ellice Islands in Nov 1943. Assisted the invasion of the
Gilberts by attacking enemy installations on those islands and by
raiding airfields in the Marshalls to help prevent the launching of
Japanese planes against the amphibious assault on Tarawa. After moving
to the Gilberts in Jan 1944, bombed installations in the Marshall
Islands in preparation for the invasion. Moved to Kwajalein in Mar 1944
and raided airfields and navy bases in the Truk Islands to keep them
neutralized before and during the amphibious attack on the Marianas;
also bombed Wake Island, Guam, and Saipan. Moved to Saipan in Aug 1944
and attacked airfields and shipping in the Bonin and Volcano Islands
until Iwo Jima was occupied early in 1945. Struck bypassed islands in
the Carolines and Marianas. Returned to Oahu in Mar 1945. Trained and
flew patrol missions. Inactivated in Hawaii on 25 Jun 1946.
Squadrons. 21st: 1941-1943. 27th: 1941-1946. 38th: 1941-1946. 392d:
1942-1945. 819th: 1943-1945.
Stations. March Field, Calif, 15 Jan 1941 New Orleans, La, c. Jun
1941; Muroc, Calif, 24 Dec 1941; March Field, Calif, 7 Feb 1942-28 Sep
1943; Hickam Field, TH, 20 Oct 1943; Nanumea, Ellice Islands, 12 Nov
1943; Abemama, 4 Jan 1944; Kwajalein, c. 20 Mar 1944; Saipan, 4 Aug
1944; Wheeler Field, TH, Mar 1945; Kahuku, TH, 29 Sep 1945; Wheeler
Field, TH, Feb-25 Jun 1946.
Commanders. Capt Budd Peaslee, 15 Jan 1941; Maj Thomas W Steed, 10
Feb 1941; Lt Col Newton Longfellow, 1941; Maj Thomas W Steed, c. Dec
1941; Lt Col Jack Wood, 21 Aug 1942; Col Robert O Cork, May 1943; Col
Edwin B Miller Jr, 30 Aug 1943; Col John Morrow, c. 2 Nov 1944; Lt Col
Elliott T Pardee, Mar 1945; Col Elder Patteson, 1 Jul 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Central Pacific; Air
Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
31st Fighter Group
Constituted as 31st Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 22 Dec 1939.
Activated on 1 Feb 1940. Trained with P-39's and participated in
maneuvers. Redesignated 31st Fighter Group in May 1942. Moved to
England, May-Jun 1942. Assigned to Eighth AF and equipped with
Spitfires. Entered combat in Aug 1942. Supported a raid made by
Canadian, British, American, and French forces at Dieppe on 19 Aug.
Escorted bombers and flew patrol and diversionary missions until Oct.
Assigned to Twelfth AF for the invasion of North Africa, the pilots of
the group flying Spitfires from Gibraltar to Algeria on 8 Nov 1942 and
the ground echelon landing at Arzeu beach the same day. Attacked motor
transports, gun positions, and troop concentrations during the three-day
campaign for Algeria and French Morocco. Helped to defeat Axis forces in
Tunisia by supporting ground troops and providing cover for bomber and
fighter aircraft. During May and Jun 1943, provided escort for bombers
on raids to Pantelleria and cover for naval convoys in the
Mediterranean. Supported the landings on Sicily in July and took part in
the conquest of that island. Covered the landings at Salerno early in
Sep 1943 and at Anzio in Jan 1944. Also operated in close support of
Allied ground forces in Italy and flew patrol and escort missions.
Assigned to Fifteenth AF in Apr 1944, converted to P-51's, and
thereafter engaged primarily in escort work. Received a DUC for a
mission on 21 Apr 1944 when the group, despite the severe weather that
was encountered, provided cover for a force of heavy bombers during a
raid on production centers in Rumania. On numerous other occasions
escorted bombers that attacked objectives in Italy, France, Germany,
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia,
and Greece. In addition provided escort for reconnaissance aircraft and
for C-47's engaged in the airborne operation connected with the invasion
of Southern France. Also flew strafing missions against airdromes and
communications targets. Took part in an operation in which a task force
from Fifteenth AF attacked targets in Rumania while flying to Russia on
22 Jul 1944 and while returning to Italy on 26 Jul; on 25 Jul, after
escorting P-38's from a base in Russia for a raid on an airdrome in
Poland, the 31st group made attacks on a convoy of German trucks and on
a force of German fighter-bombers, being awarded a DUC for its
performance. Strafed rail and highway traffic in northern Italy in Apr
1945 when Allied forces were engaged in their final offensive in that
area. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Activated in Germany on 20 Aug 1946. Assigned to United States Air
Forces in Europe. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the
US in Jun 1947. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with
P-51's. Converted to F-84's in 1948. Redesignated 31st Fighter-Bomber
Group in Jan 1950. Assigned to Strategic Air Command in Jul 1950.
Redesignated 315t Fighter-Escort Group. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 39th: 1940-1942. 40th: 1940-1942. 41st: 1940-1942. 307th:
1942-1945; 1946-1952. 308th: 1942-1945; 1946- 1952. 309th: 1942-1945;
1946-1952.
Stations. Selfridge Field, Mich, 1 Feb 1940; Baer Field, Ind, 6 Dec
1941; New Orleans AB, La, Feb-19 May 1942; Atcham, England, 11 Jun 1942;
Westhampnett, England, 1 Aug 1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 8 Nov 1942; La
Senia, Algeria, c. 12 Nov 1942; Thelepte, Tunisia, c. 7 Feb 1943;
Tebessa, Algeria, 17 Feb 1943; Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, 21 Feb 1943;
Kalaa Djerda, Tunisia, c. 25 Feb 1943; Thelepte, Tunisia, 11 Mar 1943;
Djilma, Tunisia, 7 Apr 1943; Le Sers, Tunisia, 12 Apr 1943; Korba,
Tunisia, 15 May 1943; Gozo, c. 30 Jun 1943; Ponte Olivo, Sicily, c. 13
Jul 1943; Agrigento, Sicily, 21 Jul 1943; Termini, Sicily, 2 Aug 1943;
Milazzo, Sicily, 2 Sep 1943; Montecorvino, Italy, 20 Sep 1943;
Pomigliano, Italy, 14 Oct 1943; Castel Volturno, Italy, 19 Jan 1944; San
Severo, Italy, 2 Apr 1944; Mondolfo, Italy, 3 Mar 1945; Triolo Airfield,
Italy, 15 Jul-Aug 1945; Drew Field, Fla, Aug-7 Nov 1945. Giebelstadt,
Germany, 20 Aug 1946; Kitzingen, Germany, 30 Sep 1946; Langley Field, Va,
25 Jun 1947; Turner Field, Ga, 4 Sep 1947-16 Jun 1952.
Commanders. Lt Col Harold H George, Feb 1940; Col John R Hawkins, 1
Jul 1941; Col Fred M Dean, 5 Dec 1942; Lt Col Frank A Hill, c. Jul 1943;
Col Charles M McCorkle, c. Sep 1943; Col Yancey S Tarrant, 4 Jul 1944;
Col William A Daniel, Dec 1944-unkn. Lt Col Horace A Hanes, Aug
1946-unkn; Lt Col Frederick H LeFebre, Jan 1947; Maj Arland Stanton, Feb
1947; Col Dale D Fisher, Mar 1947; Lt Col Donald M Blakeslee, May 1947;
Maj Leonard P Marks, 22 Oct 1947; Col Carroll W McColpin, 1 Nov 1947;
Col Earl H Dunham, c. Dec 1949; Col David C Schilling, 1 Jun 1951-16 Jun
1952.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe;
Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Rumania, 21 Apr 1944;
Poland, 25 Jul 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend nebule or and azure, in chief a wyvern,
sans legs, wings endorsed of the second. Motto: Return With Honor.
(Approved 28 Jun 1941.)
32nd Fighter Group
Constituted as 32nd Pursuit Group on 22 Nov 1940. Activated in Panama
on 1 Jan 1941. Redesignated 32nd Fighter Group in May 1942. Trained and
served as part of the defense force for the Panama Canal, using P-26,
P-36, P-38, P-39, and P-40 aircraft. Disbanded in the Canal Zone on 1
Nov 1943.
Reconstituted and redesignated 32nd Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
11 Dec 1956. Activated in the US on 8 Feb 1957. Assigned to Air Defense
Command.
Squadrons. 51st: 1941-1943. 52d: 1941-1943. 53d: 1941-1943.
Stations. Rio Hato, Panama, 1 Jan 1941; France Field, CZ, 9 Dec
1941-1 Nov 1943. Minot AFB, ND, 8 Feb 1957-.
Commanders. Capt Roger Browne, 1 Jan 1941; Capt James B Buck, 16 Apr
1941; Lt Col Roger J Browne, 4 Aug 1941; Lt Col William R Robertson Jr,
23 Aug 1943-unkn. Maj Joe E Roberts, 1957-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
33rd Fighter Group
Constituted as 33rd Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Began training with P-39's but soon changed to
P-40's. Served as part of the defense force for the east coast after the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Redesignated 33rd Fighter Group in May
1942. Moved to North Africa, part of the group (including the pilots and
their planes) arriving with the invasion force on 8 Nov 1942, and the
remainder arriving shortly afterwards. Operated with Twelfth AF in the
Mediterranean theater until Feb 1944. Provided close support for ground
forces and flew bombing and strafing missions against personnel
concentrations, port installations, fuel dumps, bridges, highways, and
rail lines during the campaigns in North Africa. Received a DUC for
action on 15 Jan 1943: when enemy aircraft attempted to knock out the
group's base in Tunisia, the 33rd drove off the enemy's escort and
destroyed most of the bombers. Took part in the reduction of Pantelleria
and flew patrol missions while Allied troops landed after the enemy's
garrison had surrendered. Participated in the invasion and conquest of
Sicily. Supported landings at Salerno, Allied operations in southern
Italy, and the beachhead at Anzio.
Moved to India in Feb 1944. Assigned to Tenth AF. Trained with P-38
and P-47 aircraft. Moved to China in Apr, became part of Fourteenth AF,
continued training, and flew some patrol and interception missions.
Returned to India in Sept 1944 and, as part of Tenth AF, flew
dive-bombing and strafing missions in Burma until the Allied campaigns
in that area had been completed. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945.
Inactivated on 8 Dec 1945.
Activated in Germany on 20 Aug 1946. Assigned to United States Air
Forces in Europe and equipped with P-51's. Transferred, less personnel
and equipment, to the US in 1947. Remanned and equipped with P-51's;
converted to F-84's in Jun 1948 and F-86's in Feb 1949. Redesignated 33d
Fighter-Interceptor Group in Jan 1950. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952.
Redesignated 33rd Fighter Group (Air Defense). Activated on 18 Aug
1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
Squadrons. 58th: 1941-1945; 1946-1952; 1955-. 59th: 1941-1945;
1946-1952. 60th: 1941-1945; 1946-1952; 1955-.
Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 15 Jan 1941; Philadelphia, Pa, 13 Dec
1941-Oct 1942; Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 10 Nov 1942; Casablanca,
French Morocco, c. 13 Nov 1942; Telergma, Algeria, 24 Dec 1942; Thelepte,
Tunisia, 7 Jan 1943; Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, 8 Feb 1943; Telergma,
Algeria, c. 20 Feb 1943; Berteaux, Algeria, c. 2 Mar 1943; Ebba Ksour,
Tunisia, c. 12 Apr 1943; Menzel Temime, Tunisia, 20 May 1943; Sousse,
Tunisia, 9 Jun 1943; Pantelleria, 19 Jun 1943; Licata, Sicily, c. 18 Jul
1943; Paestum, Italy, 13 Sep 1943; Santa Maria, Italy, 18 Nov 1943;
Cercola, Italy, c. 1 Jan-Feb 1944; Karachi, India, c. 20 Feb 1944;
Shwangliu, China, c. 18 Apr 1944; Pungchacheng, China, 9 May 1944;
Nagaghuli, India, 3 Sep 1944; Sahmaw, Burma, 26 Dec 1944; Piardoba,
India, 5 May-c. 15 Nov 1945; Camp Shanks, NY, 7-8 Dec 1945. Neubiberg,
Germany, 20 Aug 1946; Bad Kissingen, Germany, Jul-25 Aug 1947; Andrews
Field, Md, 25 Aug 1947; Roswell AAFld, NM, 16 Sep 1947; Otis AFB, Mass,
16 Nov 1948-6 Feb 1952. Otis AFB, Mass, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Minthorne W Reed, c. Jan 1941; Col Elwood R Quesada,
7 Oct 1941; Col William W Momyer, 29 Jun 1942; Col Loring F Stetson Jr,
17 Oct 1943; Lt Col Oliver G Cellini, 7 Jun 1944; Col David D Terry Jr,
9 Sep 1944; Col Frank L Dunn, 2 Mar 1945-unkn. Col Barton M Russell, 20
Aug 1946; Lt Col Albert A Cory, unkn; Col Gwen G Atkinson, Jan 1948; Lt
Col Woodrow W Korges, c. May 1949; Col Charles H MacDonald, c. Aug 1949;
Col Harrison R Thyng, 15 Jun 1950; Lt Col Willard W Millikan, c. Aug
1951-6 Feb 1952. Col Fred G Hook Jr, 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia;
Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; India-Burma; China Defensive;
Central Burma.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Central Tunisia, 15 Jan
1943.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, on a pale nebuly or a sword point to chief in
pale of the field, flammant gules, all within a border of the second.
Motto: Fire From The Clouds. (Approved 21 Feb 1942.)
34th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Using B-17's, trained and participated in
maneuvers until Dec 1941. Flew patrol missions along the east coast
after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Later became part of the
defense force for the west coast. Served as a replacement training unit
from mid-1942 until the end of 1943, and then began preparing for
overseas duty with B-24's. Moved to England in Apr 1944 for operations
with Eighth AF.
Entered combat in May 1944. Helped to prepare for the invasion of
Normandy by bombing airfields in France and Germany, and supported the
landing in Jun by attacking coastal defenses and communications.
Continued to take part in the campaign in France by supporting ground
forces at St Lo, 24-25 Jul, and by striking V-weapon sites, gun
emplacements, and supply lines throughout the summer of 1944. Converted
to B-17's and engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic objectives
from Oct 1944 to Feb 1945. Targets included marshalling yards in
Ludwigshafen, Hamm, Osnabruck, and Darmstadt; oil centers in Bielefeld,
Merseburg, Hamburg, and Misburg; factories in Berlin, Dalteln, and
Hannover; and airfields in Munster, Neumunster, and Frankfurt. During
this period the group also supported ground forces during the Battle of
the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. In Mar 1945, with few industrial targets
remaining and with Allied armies advancing across Germany, the 34th
turned almost solely to interdicting enemy communications and supporting
Allied ground forces. After V-E Day it carried food to flooded areas of
Holland and transported prisoners of war from German camps to Allied
centers. Returned to the US in the summer of 1945. Inactivated on 28 Aug
1945.
Squadrons. 4th: 1941-1945. 7th: 1941-1945. 18th: 1941-1945. 391st:
1942-1945.
Stations. Langley Field, Va, 15 Jan 1941; Westover Field, Mass, 29
May 1941; Pendleton Field, Ore, c. 27 Jan 1942; Davis-Monthan Field,
Ariz, c. 13 May 1942; Geiger Field, Wash, 4 Jul 1942; Ephrata, Wash, 1
Dec 1942; Blythe, Calif, 15 Dec 1942-Apr 1944; Mendlesham, England, c.
26 Apr 1944-c. 25 Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, Aug-28 Aug 1945.
Commanders. Maj John W Monahan, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Harold D Smith,
c. 1 Mar 1941; Maj Ford Lauer, 9 Jan 1942; Col Ralph E Koon, 12 Feb
1942; Maj Irvine A Rendel, 21 Jul 1942; Maj John A Rouse, 24 Feb 1943;
Lt Col John E Carmack, 15 Sep 1943; Col Ernest F Wackwitz Jr, c. 5 Jan
1944; Col William E Creer, Sep 1944; Lt Col Eugene B Lebailly, 29 May-c.
Aug 1945.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe;
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a compass rose or. Motto: Valor To Victory.
(Approved 4 Nov 1941.)
35th Fighter Group
Constituted as 35th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 22 Dec 1939.
Activated on 1 Feb 1940. Trained with P-35, P-36, P-39, and P-40
aircraft. Two squadrons (21st and 34th) moved to the Philippines in Nov
1941. Headquarters and another squadron (70th) sailed for Manila on 5
Dec but because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor they returned to
the US where the squadron flew some patrols. Headquarters and the 70th
squadron sailed for Australia on 12 Jan 1942. Three days later all the
combat squadrons were relieved and three others, still in the US, were
assigned. Headquarters reached Australia in Feb 1942 and moved on to
India. Meanwhile the squadrons had moved from the US to Australia and
were training for combat with P-39's. Headquarters was transferred back
to Australia, without personnel and equipment, in May 1942.
Redesignated 35th Fighter Group. Served in combat with Fifth AF,
operating successively from bases in Australia, New Guinea, Owi, Morotai,
and the Philippines. First used P-38's and P-39's; equipped with P-47's
late in 1943 and with P-51's in Mar 1945. Helped to halt the Japanese
advance in Papua and took part in the Allied offensive that recovered
the rest of New Guinea, flying protective patrols over Port Moresby,
escorting bombers and transports, attacking Japanese airfields and
supply lines, and providing cover for Allied landings. In 1944 began
long-range missions against enemy airfields and installations in the
southern Philippines, Halmahera, and Borneo, preparatory to the US
invasion of the Philippines. Beginning in Jan 1945, operated in support
of ground forces on Luzon. Also escorted bombers and completed some
fighter sweeps to Formosa and China. Bombed and strafed railways and
airfields in Kyushu and Korea after moving to Okinawa in Jun 1945. Moved
to Japan in Oct 1945 and, as part of Far East Air Forces, trained, took
part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols over Honshu.
Redesignated 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group in Jan 1950. Equipped with
F-80's.
Entered combat in the Korean War in Jul 1950 and almost immediately
began converting from F-80's to F-51's. Operated from bases in Japan and
Korea in support of UN ground forces, bombing and strafing enemy supply
lines, troop concentrations, and communications. Transferred without
personnel and equipment to Japan in May 1951. Remanned and equipped with
F-51's and F-80's. Provided air defense for Japan. Converted to F-86
aircraft in 1955.
Squadrons. 18th: 1940. 20th: 1940. 21st: 1940-1942. 34th: 1940-1942.
39th: 1942-. 40th: 1942-. 41st: 1942-. 70th: 1941-1942.
Stations. Moffett Field, Calif, 1 Feb 1940; Hamilton Field, Calif, 10
Sep 1940-5 Dec 1941 and 9 Dec 1941-12 Jan 1942; Brisbane, Australia, 1
Feb 1942; New Delhi, India, Mar 1942; Sydney, Australia, 4 May 1942;
Port Moresby, New Guinea, 22 Jul 1942; Tsili Tsili, New Guinea, 15 Aug
1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 5 Oct 1943; Gusap, New Guinea, 7 Feb 1944; Owi,
Schouten Islands, 22 Jul 1944; More tai, 27 Sep 1944; Mangaldan, Luzon,
c. 20 Jan 1945; Lingayen, Luzon, c. 10 Apr 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, 19
Apr 1945; Okinawa, 28 Jun 1945; Irumagawa, Japan, Oct 1945; Yokota,
Japan, 16 Mar 1950; Ashiya, Japan, 8 Jul 1950; Pohang, Korea, 14 Jul
1950; Tsuiki, Japan, 13 Aug 1950; Pohang, Korea, 3 Oct 1950; Yonpo,
Korea, 18 Nov 1950; Pusan, Korea, c. 3 Dec 1950; Johnson AB, Japan, 25
May 1951; Yokota, Japan, 14 Aug 1954-.
Commanders. Maj O R Strickland, 1940; Col George P Tourtellot,
1940-unkn; Col Richard A Legg, 12 Mar 1942; Lt Col Malcolm A Moore, 26
Jul 1943; Lt Col Edwin A Doss, 23 Oct 1943; Lt Col Furlo S Wagner, 12
Feb 1944; Col Edwin A Doss, 4 May 1944; Col Harney Estes Jr, 27 Jul
1945; Col Raymond P Todd, 22 Mar 1946; Lt Col Richard D Dick, c. 13 Sep
1946; Col James R Gunn Jr, c. 11 Feb 1947; Col Ford Lauer, 28 Apr 1947;
Col Ray W Clifton, 1 Sep 1947; Col Edgar M Scattergood Jr, 21 Jun 1948;
Lt Col Bert W Marshall Jr, Aug 1948; Lt Col Archie M Burke, 13 May 1949;
Lt Col Jack D Dale Jr, Nov 1949; Col William P McBride, 22 Feb 1951; Lt
Col Homer M Cox, May 1951; Col John C Habecker, 25 Jun 1951; Col John R
Propst, 6 Jun 1952; Lt Col Albert S Aiken, Feb 1955; Col Maurice L
Martin, Jun 1955; Col Raymond M Gehrig, Aug 1955-.
Campaigns. World War II: East Indies; Air Offensive, Japan; China
Defensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific;
Leyte; Luzon; Ryukyus; China Offensive. Korean War: UN Defensive; UN
Offensive; CCF Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring
Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Papua, 23 Jul 1942-23 Jan
1943. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Republic of Korea
Presidential Unit Citation: 7 Sep 1950-7 Feb 1951.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a dexter cubit arm or grasping a dagger point
to base gules. Motto: Attack To Defend (Approved 21 Feb 1941.)
36th Fighter Group - 42nd Bombardment Group
36th Fighter Group
Constituted as 36th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 22 Dec 1939.
Activated on 1 Feb 1940. Trained with P-36's. Moved to Puerto Rico in
Jan 1941. Equipped with P-39 and P-40 aircraft. Served as part of the
defense force for the Caribbean area and Panama Canal, and flew
antisubmarine patrols. Redesignated 36th Fighter Group in May 1942.
Returned to the US, May-Jun 1943. Trained with P-47's.
Moved to England, Mar-Apr 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF. Served in
combat in the European theater from May 1944 to May 1945. Operated
primarily as a fighter-bomber organization, strafing and dive-bombing
armored vehicles, trains, bridges, buildings, factories, troop
concentrations, gun emplacements, airfields, and other targets. Also
flew some escort missions. Began operations from England in May 1944
with armed reconnaissance, escort, and interdictory missions in
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 interdictory missions. Moved to France, Jul-Aug 1944.
Supported the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul and the thrust of Third Army
towaril Germany in Aug and Sep. Received a DUC for operations on 1 Sep
1944 when, in a series of missions, the group attacked German columns
south of the Loire in order to disrupt the enemy's retreat across
central France to Dijon. Moved to Belgium in Oct and supported Ninth
Army. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 194~-Jan 1945, by
flying armed reconnaissance and close-support missions. Aided First
Army's push across the Roer River in Feb 1945. Supported operations at
the Remagen bridgehead and during the airborne assault across the Rhine
in Mar. Received second DUC for performance on 12 Apr 1945 when the
group, operating through intense antiaircraft fire, relentlessly
attacked airfields in southern Germany, destroying a large hangar and
numerous aircraft. Remained in Europe for several months after V-E Day.
Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in Feb 1946,
the group's squadrons being inactivated in Mar. Headquarters was
transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the Panama Canal Zone
in Sep, and the squadrons were activated in Oct. Equipped with P-47's;
converted to F-80's in Dec 1947. Moved to Germany, Jul-Aug 1948, and
became part of United States Air Forces in Europe. Redesignated 36th
Fighter-Bomber Group in Jan 1950, and 36th Fighter-Day Group in Aug
1954. Equipped successively with F-80, F-84, F-86, and F-100 aircraft
after arriving in Europe in 1948.
Squadrons. 22d: 1940-1946, 1946. 23d: 1940-1946, 1946-. 32d:
1940-1943; 1955-. 53d: 1943-1946, 1946.
Stations. Langley Field, Va, 1 Feb 1940-2 Jan 1941; Losey Field, PR,
Jan 1941-May 1943; Morrison Field, Fla, May 1943; Mitchel Field, NY, c.
3 Jun 1943; Charleston, SC, 23 June 1943; Alamogordo AAFld, NM, Sep
1943; Scribner AAFld, Neb, Nov 1943-Mar 1944; Kingsnorth, England, Apr
1944; Brucheville, France, Jul 1944; Le Mans, France, c. 23 Aug 1944;
Athis, France, Sep 1944; Juvincourt, France, c. 1 Oct 1944; Le Culot,
Belgium, c. 23 Oct 1944; Aachen, Germany, 28 Mar 1945; Niedermennig,
Germany, c. 8 Apr 1945; Kassel/Rothwesten, Germany, c. 21 Apr 1945-15
Feb 1946; Bolling Field, DC, 15 Feb-Sep 1946; Howard Field, CZ, Oct
1946-Jul 1948; Furstenfeldbruck AFB, Germany, Aug 1948; Bitburg AB,
Germany, 17 Nov 1952-.
Commanders. Lt Col Ned Schramm, c. 1 Feb 1940; Maj Charles A
Harrington, c. 15 Jul 1941; Lt Col Glenn O Barcus, c. 1 Nov 1941; Maj
Richard P Klocko, c. 20 Feb 1942; Maj James B League Jr, c. 18 Jul 1942;
Maj William L Curry, c. 1 Sep 1942; Maj [Earl H(?)] Dunham, c. 1 Oct
1942; Lt Col William L Curry, c. 14 Jan 1943; Lt Col Van H Slayden, 12
Jan 1944; Lt Col Paul P Douglas Jr, Apr 1945; Lt Col John L Wright, 30
Jun 1945; Maj Arthur W Holderness Jr, c. 25 Sep 1945; Lt Col William T
McBride, 9 Nov 1945-unkn; Col Henry R Spicer, c. 15 Oct 1946 unkn; Col
Hubert Zemke, 1949; Col William A Daniel, c. 1 Dec 1949; Lt Col George F
Ceuleers, Dec 1950; Col George T Lee, Mar 1951; Col Seth McKee, Dec
1951; Col Marvin E Childs, May 1953; Col Edward A McGough III, Dec
1954-.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe;
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: France, 1 Sep 1944;
Germany, 12 Apr 1945. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 1 Oct
1944-; 18 Dec 1944-15 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
Insigne. Shield: Or, an arrow point palewise gules on a chief azure a
wing argent. (Approved 19 Jun 1940.)
37th Fighter Group
Constituted as 37th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 22 Dec 1939.
Inactivated in the Panama Canal Zone on 1 Feb 1940. Redesignated 37th
Fighter Group in May 1942. Served as part of the defense force for the
Panama Canal. Equipped first with P-26's, later with P-40's. Disbanded
in the Canal Zone on 1 Nov 1943.
Reconstituted and redesignated 37th Fighter-Bomber Group, on 3 Mar
1953. Activated in the US on 8 Apr 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air
Command. Inactivated on 25 Jun 1953.
Squadrons. 28th: 1940-1943; 1953. 30th: 1940-1943; 1953. 31st:
1940-1943. 33d: 1953.
Stations. Albrook Field, CZ, 1 Feb 1940; Howard Field, CZ, 30 Sep-1
Nov 1943. Clovis AFB, NM, 8 Apr-25 Jun 1953.
Commanders. Capt Russell E Randall, 1 Feb 1940; Maj Milo N Clark, 27
May 1940; Lt Col Morley F Slaght, 1942; Maj Ernest H Beverly, 2 Sep
1942-unkn. Col George W Larson, 1953.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a saltire or. Crest: On a wreath of the
colors, or and azure, a griffin sejant azure armed and winged or. Motto:
Defenders Of The Crossroads. (Approved 23 Jun 1941.)
38th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18, B-25, and B-26 aircraft.
The ground echelon moved to Australia, Jan-Feb 1942, while the air
echelon remained in the US for further training. Air echelons of two
squadrons arrived in Hawaii in May 1942 and took part in the Battle of
Midway; they did not rejoin the group and eventually were reassigned.
Air echelons of the other squadrons arrived in Australia in Aug 1942.
Assigned to Fifth AF and equipped with B-25's, the group operated from
bases in Australia, New Guinea, and Biak, Sep 1942-Oct 1944, attacking
Japanese airfields and shipping and supporting ground forces in New
Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. Maj Ralph Cheli was awarded the
Medal of Honor for action on 18 Aug 1943: while leading the 405th
squadron to attack a heavily defended airdrome on New Guinea, his plane
was severely hit by enemy fire; rather than disrupt the formation, Maj
Cheli remained in position and led the attack on the target before his
bomber crashed into the sea. The group was awarded a DUC for bombing and
strafing Japanese troops and fortifications on Cape Gloucester, New
Britain, Dec 1943, preparatory to the Allied invasion. Received another
DUC for two missions over New Guinea, 16 and 17 Jun 1944, against
Japanese airfields, merchant ships, and naval vessels. Moved to the
Moluccas in Oct 1944 and bombed airfields, ground installations,
harbors, and shipping in the southern Philippines in support of the US
invasion of Leyte. Struck a large enemy convoy in Ormoc Bay in Nov 1944
to prevent the landing of reinforcements, being awarded a DUC for the
mission. After moving to the Philippines in Jan 1945, supported US
ground forces on Luzon, bombed industries on Formosa, and attacked
shipping along the China coast. Stationed temporarily on Palawan in Jun
1945 for participation in the preinvasion bombing of Japanese
installations on Borneo. Moved to Okinawa in Jul 1945 and conducted
several attacks on industries, railways, and shipping in southern Japan.
Moved to Japan in Nov 1945 as part of Far East Air Forces. Redesignated
38th Bombardment Group (Light) in May 1946. Equipped with A-26 aircraft.
Inactivated in the Far East on 1 Apr 1949.
Activated in France on 1 Jan 1953. Assigned to United States Air
Forces in Europe. Equipped with B-26 and later with B-57 aircraft.
Redesignated 38th Bombardment Group (Tactical) in Oct 1955.
Squadrons. 69th: 1941-1943. 70th: 1941-1943. 71st: 1941-1949; 1953-.
89th: 1946-1949. 405th: 1942-1949; 1953-. 822d: 1943-1946; 1953-. 823d:
1943-1946.
Stations. Langley Field, Va, 15 Jan 1941; Jackson AAB, Miss, c. 5 Jun
1941-18 Jan 1942; Doomben Field, Australia, 25 Feb 1942; Ballarat,
Australia, 8 Mar 1942; Amberley Field, Australia, 30 Apr 1942; Eagle
Farms, Australia, c. 10 Jun 1942; Breddan Field, Australia, 7 Aug 1942;
Townsville, Australia, 30 Sep 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, Oct 1942;
Nadzab, New Guinea, 4 Mar 1944; Biak, 1 Oct 1944; Morotai, 15 Oct 1944;
Lingayen, Luzon, c. 29 Jan 1945; Okinawa, 25 Jul 1945; Itazuke, Japan,
c. 22 Nov 1945; Itami, Japan, 26 Oct 19461 Apr 1949. Laon AB, France, 1
Jan 1953-.
Commanders. Lt Col Robert D Knapp, 15 Jan 1941; Col Fay R Upthegrove,
c. 18 Jan 1942-unkn; Lt Col Brian O'Neill, 19 Oct 1942; Lt Col Lawrence
Tanberg, 1 Oct 1943; Lt Col Carl C Lausman, Jul 1944; Maj Howard M
Paquin, 18 Aug 1944; Col Edward M Gavin, 9 Nov 1944; Lt Col Edwin H
Hawes, 16 Mar 1945; Lt Col Vernon D Torgerson, 9 Aug 1945; Lt Col Bruce
T Marston, 12 Sep 1945; Lt Col Joseph P Gentile, 17 Mar 1946; Lt Col
John P Crocker, 16 May 1946; Col C Bondley Jr, 2 Jul 1946; Col Dale D
Brannon, 12 Nov 1946; Col C Bondley Jr, 13 Dec 1946; Col John Hutchison,
25 Jan 1947; Col Donald D Fitzgerald, 26 Feb 1948; Col Preston P Pender,
7 May 1948; Lt Col Charles R Johnson, 18 Jul 1948-1 Apr 1949. Lt Col Max
H Mortensen, 1 Jan 1953; Col Glen W Clark, 16 Mar 1953; Col Broadus B
Taylor, 6 Jun 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Papua; New Guinea;
Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern
Philippines; China Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, [Sep] 1942-23 Jan
1943; New Britain, 24-26 Dec 1943; New Guinea, 17 Jun 1944; Leyte, 10
Nov 1944. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
Insigne. Shield: Azure a winged sword point downward argent, the hilt
and pommel charged with a torteau, a pomeis, and a bezant, a
fleur-de-lis fretting the blade or, between two cloud formations of the
second issuing from dexter and sinister base. (Approved 16 Apr 1954.)
39th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 39th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Assigned to Second AF. Equipped with B-17's.
Patrolled the northwest coast of the US after the nation entered the
war. Equipped with B-24's in 1942. Served as an operational training and
later as a replacement training unit. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1944.
Redesignated 39th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 1 Apr
1944. Trained with B-29's. Moved to Guam early in 1945 for duty with
Twentieth AF. Bombed enemy-held Maug early in Apr 1945. Conducted its
first mission against the Japanese home islands by hitting the Hodagaya
chemical plant at Koriyama on 12 Apr. Supported the Allied invasion of
Okinawa, Apr-May 1945, by attacking airfields that served as bases for
kamikaze pilots. Bombed military and industrial targets in Japan and
participated in incendiary raids on urban areas from mid-May until the
end of the war. Received a DUC for an attack against the Otake oil
refinery and storage area on Honshu in May 1945. Received second DUC for
bombing industrial and dock areas in Yokohama and manufacturing
districts in Tokyo, 23-29 May 1945. Dropped food and supplies to Allied
prisoners and took part in show-of-force missions over Japan after V-J
Day. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945. Inactivated on 27 Dec 1945.
Squadrons. 60th: 1941-1944; 1944-1945. 61st: 1941-1944; 1944-1945.
62d: 1941-1944; 1944-1945. 402d: 1942-1944; 1944.
Stations. Ft Douglas, Utah, 15 Jan 1941; Geiger Field, Wash, 2 Jul
1941; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 5 Feb 1942-1 Apr 1944. Smoky Hill AAFld,
Kan, 1 Apr 1944-8 Jan 1945; North Field, Guam, 18 Feb-17 Nov 1945; Camp
Anza, Calif, 15-27 Dec 1945.
Commanders. Maj Newton Longfellow, 15 Jan 1941; Capt Maurice A
Preston, 1 Feb 1941; Lt Col Elmer E Adler, 17 Mar 1941; Capt George W
Hansen, 13 May 1941; Maj Charles B Overacker Jr, 12 Nov 1941; Lt Col
George W Hansen, 25 Jan 1942; Col James H Wallace, 16 Feb 1942; Col Fay
R Upthegrove, 12 Jul 1942; Lt Col Samuel C Mitchell, 13 Sep 1942; Maj
Marden M Munn, 17 Dec 1942; Lt Col Horace D Aynesworth, 1 Mar 1943; Lt
Col Charles A Watt, 1 Jul 1943; Lt Col Frank R Pancake, 25 Nov 1943; Col
Clyde K Rich, 1 Dec 1943-1 Apr 1944. Capt Claude Hilton, 28 Apr 1944;
Maj Gordon R Willis, 6 May 1944; Maj Campbell Weir, 11 May 1944; Lt Col
Robert W Strong Jr, 10 Jun 1944; Col Potter B Paige, 15 Jun 1944; Col
John G Fowler, 22 Feb 1945; Col George W Mundy, 16 Mar 1945; Col James E
Roberts, 16 Aug 1945; Lt Col James C Thompson, 9 Oct 1945; Col Robert
Mason, 13 Oct 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Western Pacific.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 10 May 1945; Tokyo
and Yokohama, Japan, 23-29 May 1945.
Insigne. None.
40th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 40th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 22 Nov 1940.
Activated in Puerto Rico on 1 Apr 1941. Redesignated 40th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) in May 1942. Trained and patrolled the Caribbean area,
using B-17 and B-26 aircraft. Operated first from Puerto Rico and later
from the Panama Canal Zone.
Moved to the US in Jun 1943. Redesignated 40th Bombardment Group
(Very Heavy) in Nov 1943. After training with B-29's, moved to India,
via Africa, Mar-Jun 1944. Assigned to Twentieth AF in Jun 1944.
Transported supplies over the Hump to staging bases in China before
entering combat with a strike on railroad shops at Bangkok, Thailand, on
5 Jun 1944. On 15 Jun participated in the first AAF attack on Japan
since the Doolittle raid in 1942. Operating from bases in India, and at
times staging through fields in China, the group struck such targets as
transportation centers, naval installations, iron works, and aircraft
plants in Burma, Thailand, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Formosa,
receiving a DUC for bombing iron and steel works at Yawata, Japan, on 20
Aug 1944. From a staging field in Ceylon, it mined waters near the port
of Palembang, Sumatra, in Aug 1944.
Moved to Tinian, Feb-Apr 1945, for further operations against Japan.
Made daylight attacks from high altitude on strategic targets,
participated in incendiary raids on urban areas, and dropped mines in
Japanese shipping lanes. Received a DUC for attacking naval aircraft
factories at Kure, oil storage facilities at Oshima, and the industrial
area of Nagoya, in May 1945. Raided light metal industries in Osaka in
Jul 1945, being awarded another DUC for this mission. After V-J Day,
dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners in Japan, Korea, and
Formosa, and took part in show-of-force missions. Returned to the US in
Nov 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated
on 1 Oct 1946.
Squadrons. 25th: 1943-1946. 29th: 1941-1943. 44th: 1941-1946. 45th:
1941-1946. 74th: 1942-1943. 343d: 1945-1946. 395th: 1942-1946.
Stations. Borinquen Field, PR, 1 Apr 1941; Howard Field, CZ, 16 Jun
1942; Albrook Field, CZ, 16 Sep 1942; Howard Field, CZ, 3-15 Jun 1943;
Pratt AAFld, Kan, 1 Jul 1943-12 Mar 1944; Chakulia, India, 2 Apr 1944-25
Feb 1945; West Field, Tinian, 4 Apr-Nov 1945; March Field, Calif, 27 Nov
1945; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 8 May-1 Oct 1946.
Commanders. Lt Col William B Sousa, 1 Apr 1941; Maj George W
McGregor, 29 Apr 1941; Col Ivan M Palmer, 26 Nov 1941; Col Vernon C
Smith, 19 Jan 1943; Col Henry K Mooney, 16 May 1943; Col Lewis R Parker,
1 Jul 1943; Lt Col Louis E Coira, 24 Feb 1944; Col Leonard F Harman, 10
Apr 1944; Col William H Blanchard, 4 Aug 1944; Col Henry R Sullivan, 16
Feb 1945; Col William K Skaer, 27 Feb 1945; Lt Col Oscar R Schaaf, 21
Mar 1946; Col Alva L Harvey, 4 May 1946; Lt Col Oscar R Schaaf, 21 Aug
1946; 1st Lt William F Seith, 21 Sep-1 Oct 1946.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; India-Burma; Air
Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Western Pacific; Central Burma.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Yawata, Japan, 20 Aug
1944; Japan, 5-14 May 1945; Japan, 24 Jul 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, on a bomb burst proper fimbriated argent four
drop bombs in cross or. (Approved 28 Mar 1942. This insigne was replaced
6 Jan 1954.)
41st Bombardment Group
Constituted as 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18's and A-29's; later equipped
with B-25's. Patrolled the west coast during 1942 and 1943. Moved to
Hawaii in Oct 1943 and assigned to Seventh AF. Completed final training
and moved to Tarawa in the Central Pacific in Dec 1943. Attacked enemy
installations, airfields, and shipping in the Marshalls in preparation
for the invasion by US forces, and after Feb 1944 staged through
captured fields on Eniwetok to attack shipping in the Caroline Islands.
In Apr 1944 moved to Makin where its missions were directed primarily
against shipping and bypassed islands in the Marshalls and Carolines.
Returned to Hawaii in Oct 1944 for training with rockets and new B-25's.
Moved to Okinawa, May-Jun 1945. Bombed airfields, railways, and harbor
facilities on Kyushu until Aug 1945. Also flew some missions against
airfields in China. Moved to Manila in Dec 1945. Inactivated in the
Philippines on 27 Jan 1946.
Squadrons. 46th: 1941-1943. 47th: 1941-1946. 48th: 1941-1946. 76th:
1943. 396th: 1942-1946. 406th: 1943. 820th: 1943-1946.
Stations. March Field, Calif, 15 Jan 1941; Tucson, Ariz, May 1941;
Muroc, Calif, c. 10 Dec 1941; Hammer Field, Calif, Feb 1942-29 Sep 1943;
Hickam Field, TH, 16 Oct 1943; Tarawa, 17 Dec 1943; Makin, 24 Apr 1944;
Wheeler Field, TH, 14 Oct 1944; Okinawa, 7 Jun 1945; Manila, Dec 1945-27
Jan 1946.
Commanders. Capt Lawrence H Douthit, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Archibald Y
Smith, 2 Jun 1941; Lt Col Charles B Dougher, 1942; Col Murray A Bywater,
18 Aug 1943-c. Nov 1945.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan;
Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Ryukyus; China Offensive.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. None.
42nd Bombardment Group
Constituted as 42nd Bombardment Group (Medium) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18, B-25, and B-26 aircraft.
Patrolled the west coast during 1942. Moved to the Pacific theater,
Mar-Apr 1943, and assigned to Thirteenth AF. Entered combat in Jun 1943,
using B-25's and operating from bases in the Solomon Islands. Attacked
Japanese airfields, personnel areas, gun positions, and shipping in the
central Solomons. Engaged primarily in the neutralization of enemy
airfields and harbor facilities on New Britain from Jan to Jul 1944, but
also supported ground forces on Bougainville and attacked shipping in
the northern Solomons and the Bismarcks. Later, beginning in Aug 1944,
bombed airfields and installations on New Guinea, Celebes, and Halmahera,
and flew photographic reconnaissance missions, while operating from
bases in New Guinea and Morotai. Moved to the Philippines in Mar 1945.
Attacked shipping along the China coast, struck targets in French
Indochina, bombed airfields and installations in the Philippines, and
supported ground operations on Mindanao. Also supported Australian
forces on Borneo during May and Jun 1945, receiving a DUC for its
preinvasion bombing of Balikpapan, 23-30 Jun. Brought its combat service
to an end, Jul and Aug 1945, by attacking isolated Japanese units on
Luzon. Ferried troops and equipment to Manila after the war. Moved to
Japan in Jan 1946 as part of the occupation force. Inactivated in Japan
on 10 May 1946.
Squadrons. 69th: 1943-1946. 70th: 1943-1946. 75th: 1941-1946. 76th:
1941-1943. 77th: 1941-1942. 100th: 1945. 390th: 1942-1946. 406th:
1942-1943.
Stations. Ft Douglas, Utah, 15 Jan 1941; Boise, Idaho, c. 3 Jun 1941;
McChord Field, Wash, c. 18 Jan 1942-15 Mar 1943; Fiji Islands, 22 Apr
1943; Guadalcanal, 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-10 May 1946.
Commanders. Col John V Hart, 15 Jan 1941; Col Harry E Wilson, Jul
1942; Maj Edwin Latoszewski, 14 Dec 1942; Lt Col Guy L Hudson, Jan 1943;
Col Harry E Wilson, 22 Apr 1943; Col Charles C Kegelman, 16 Nov 1944; Lt
Col Harry C Harvey, 15 Mar 1945; Col Paul F Helmick, 10 May 1945; Lt Col
Harry E Goldsworthy, Sep 1945; Maj Thomas B Waddel, Mario May 1946.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; China Defensive; New
Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte;
Luzon; Southern Philippines; China Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Balikpapan, Borneo, 23-30
Jun 1945. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, on a bend engrailed or, four annulets gules,
between two aerial bombs palewise of the second. Motto: Aethera Nobis -
The Skies for Us. (Approved 11 Mar 1942.)
43rd Bombardment Group - 49th Fighter Group
43rd Bombardment Group
Constituted as 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-17, B-18, A-29, and LB-30
aircraft. Flew some antisubmarine patrols along the New England coast,
Dec 1941-Feb 1942.
Moved to the Southwest Pacific, via Capetown, Feb-Mar 1942. Became
part of Fifth AF. Equipped first with B-17's, but converted to B-24's,
May-Sep 1943. Operated from Australia, New Guinea, and Owi Island, Aug
1941-Nov 1944, making numerous attacks on Japanese shipping in the
Netherlands East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago. Experimented with
skip bombing and used this method for some shipping strikes, including
attacks on Japanese vessels during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, 2-4
Mar 1943; received a DUC for participation in this latter action in
which repeated air attacks destroyed a large enemy convoy carrying
reinforcements to New Guinea. Other operations during this period
included support for ground forces on New Guinea; attacks on airfields
and installations in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Celebes,
Halmahera, Yap, Palau, and the southern Philippines; and long-range
raids against oil refineries on Ceram and Borneo. Capt Jay Zeamer Jr,
pilot, and 2nd Lt Joseph R Sarnoski, bombardier, each won the Medal of
Honor for action during a photographic mapping mission over the Solomon
Islands on 16 Jun 1943: when the mission was nearly completed, their
aircraft was assaulted by about 20 interceptors; although painfully
wounded, Lt Sarnoski remained at the nose guns and fired at the enemy
until he died at his post; sustaining severe injuries, Capt Zeamer
maneuvered the plane until the enemy had broken combat, then directed
the flight to a base more than 500 miles away. After moving to the
Philippines in Nov 1944, the group atttacked shipping along the Asiatic
coast; struck industries, airfields, and installations in China and
Formosa; and supported ground forces on Luzon. Moved to Ie Shima in Jul
1945 and conducted missions against airfields and railways in Japan and
against shipping in the Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan. Returned to the
Philippines in in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 29 Apr 1946.
Redesignated 43rd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated in the US
on 1 Oct 1946. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Redesignated 43rd
Bombardment Group (Medium) in Jul 1948. Equipped first with B-29's, then
with B-50's. Trained and conducted long-range test missions, including
the first nonstop flight around the world (26 Feb-2 Mar 1949),
accomplished in "Lucky Lady II," a B-50 commanded by Capt
James G Gallagher. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 63d: 1941-1946; 1946-1952. 64th: 1941-1946; 1946-1952.
65th: 1941-1946; 1946-1952. 403d: 1942-1946.
Stations. Langley Field, Va, 15 Jan 1941; Bangor, Maine, 28 Aug
1941-17 Feb 1942; Sydney, Australia, 28 Mar 1942; Torrens Creek,
Australia, c. 1 Aug 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 14 Sep 1942;
Dobodura, New Guinea, 10 Dec 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 4 Mar 1944; Owi,
Schouten Islands, 2 Jul 1944; Tacloban, Leyte, c. 15 Nov 1944; Clark
Field, Luzon, 16 Mar 1945; Ie Shima, 26 Jul 1945; Ft William McKinley,
Luzon, 10 Dec 1945-29 Apr 1946. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Oct 194616
Jun 1952.
Commanders. Lt Col Harold D Smith, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Francis B
Valentine, 1 Mar 1941; Maj Conrad H Diehl Jr, 18 Feb 1942; Col Roger M
Ramey, 21 Oct 1942; Lt Col John A Roberts, 30 Mar 1943; Col Harry
Hawthorne, 24 May 1943; Lt Col Edward W Scott Jr, 18 Nov 1943; Col Harry
Hawthorne, 8 Feb 1944; Col James T Pettus Jr, 18 Sep 1944; Maj Paul B
Hansen, 8 Sep 1945-unkn. Col James C Selser Jr, 5 Oct 1946; Col William
E Eubank Jr, Apr 1948; Col Dalene Bailey, Jul 1948; Col Alvan N Moore, 3
Jan 1949-16 Jun 1952.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan;
China Defensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western
Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus; China Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, [Aug] 1942-23 Jan
1943; Bismarck Sea, 2-4 Mar 1943. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
Insigne. Shield: Per fess nebuly or and azure, a drop bomb
counterchanged. Motto: Willing, Able, Ready. (Approved 31 Jan 1942.)
44th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-24's. Became an operational
training unit in Feb 1942. Also served on antisubmarine duty. In Jul
1942 began intensive preparations for combat. Moved to England, Aug-Oct
1942, for service with Eighth AF. Operations consisted primarily of
assaults against strategic targets in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany,
Italy Rumania, Austria, Poland, and Sicily. Pounded submarine
installations, industrial establishments, airfields, harbors, shipyards,
and other objectives in France and Germany, Nov 1942-Jun 1943. Received
a DUC for an extremely hazardous mission against naval installations at
Kiel on 14 May 1943: with its B-24's carrying incendiaries to be dropped
after three B-17 groups had released high explosive bombs, the 44th flew
in the wake of the main formation; thus the B-24's were particularly
vulnerable because they had no protection from fire power of the main
force, and this vulnerability increased when the group had to open its
own formation for the attack; but the 44th blanketed the target with
incendiaries in spite of the concentrated flak and continuous
interceptor 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 marshalling yards in Italy. The detachment also
participated in the famous low-level raid on the Ploesti oil fields on 1
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 leading his men into smoke, flame, and alerted
fighter and antiaircraft opposition over the target, which already had
been bombed in error by another group. Before returning to England at
the end of Aug, the detachment bombed an aircraft factory in Austria and
supported ground forces in Sicily. In Sep the group struck airfields in
Holland and France and convoys in the North Sea. Also in Sep, a
detachment was sent to North Africa to support the Salerno operations.
The detachment returned to England in Oct and from Nov 1943 to Apr 1945,
the entire group carried out operations against targets in western
Europe, concentrating on airfields, oil installations, and marshalling
yards. Took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the
German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Sometimes flew
support and interdictory missions. Struck airfields, railroads, and
V-weapon sites in preparation for the Normandy invasion; supported the
invasion in Jun 1944 by attacking strong points in the beachhead area
and transportation targets behind the front lines. Aided the Caen
offensive and the St Lo breakthrough in Jul. Dropped food, ammunition,
and other supplies to troops engaged in the airborne attack on Holland
in Sep. Helped to check the enemy offensive during the Battle of the
Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, by striking bridges, tunnels, choke points,
rail and road junctions, and communications in the battle area. Attacked
airfields and transportation in support of the advance into Germany, and
flew a resupply mission during the airborne assault across the Rhine in
Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in
Jun 1945. Redesignated 44th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945.
Trained with B-29's. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946.
Inactivated on 12 Jul 1946.
Activated on 1 Jul 1947. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Not
manned during 1947 and 1948. Inactivated on 6 Sep 1948.
Redesignated 44th Bombardment Group (Medium). Activated on 2 Jan
1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command and equipped with B-29's.
Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 66th: 1941-1946; 1947-1948; 1951-1952. 67th: 1941-1946;
1947-1948; 1951-1952. 68th: 1941-1946; 1947-1948; 1951-1952. 404th:
1942. 506th: 1943-1946.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 15 Jan 1941; Barksdale Field, La, Feb
1942; Will Rogers Field, Okla, Jul-c. 28 Aug 1942; Shipham, England, Oct
1942-c. 15 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 27 Jun 1945; Great Bend
AAFld, Kan, 25 Jul 1945; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 14 Dec 1945-12 Jul 1946.
Andrews Field, Md, 1 Jul 1947-6 Sep 1948. March AFB, Calif, 2 Jan 1951;
Lake Charles AFB, La, c. 1 Aug 1951-16 Jun 1952.
Commanders. Lt Col Melvin B Asp, c. 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Hugo P Rush,
May 1941; Col F H Robinson, c. 1 Apr 1942; Col Leon W Johnson, c. 15 Jan
1943; Lt Col James T Posey, c. 3 Sep 1943; Col Frederick R Dent, Dec
1943; Col John H Gibson, c. 1 Apr 1944; Col Eugene H Snavely, Aug 1944;
Col Vernon C Smith, Apr 1945-unkn; Lt Col Henry C Coles, c. 6 Aug 1945;
Col William 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
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 Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Kiel, Germany, 14 May
1943; Ploesti, Rumania, 1 Aug 1943.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a bomb, point downward, between eight stars,
four and four, or, all bendwise. Motto: Aggressor Beware. (Approved 15
May 1951.)
45th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 45th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18's and A-20's. Redesignated
45th Bombardment Group (Medium) in Dec 1941. Flew patrol and search
missions off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, serving with First AF and
later with AAF Antisubmarine Command. Used B-18, B-34, and DB-7 aircraft
for operations. Inactivated on 8 Dec 1942.
Squadrons. 7th Antisubmarine (formerly 78th Bombardment): 1941-1942.
8th Antisubmarine (formerly 79th Bombardment): 1941-1942. 9th
Antisubmarine (formerly 80th Bombardment): 1941-1942. 10th Antisubmarine
(formerly 433rd Bombardment): 1941-1942.
Stations. Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941; Manchester, NH, 18 Jun 1941;
Dover, Del, 16 May 1942; Miami, Fla, 1 Aug-8 Dec 1942.
Commanders. Lt Col James E Duke Jr, Jan 1941; Lt Col George A
McHenry, 1 Apr 1941; Lt Col Charles W Haas, c. Sep-Dec 1942.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, three aerial bombs or, a chief potentee of
the last. Motto: De Astra - From the Stars. (Approved 6 Jan 1942.)
46th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 46th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with A-20's and Harold L Mace, 13 Sep
1943; Lt Col Rob participated in maneuvers. Flew some antisubmarine
patrols over the Gulf of Mexico early in 1942. Assigned to Second AF in
August and to Third AF in Nov 1942. Served as an operational training
unit until late in 1943, then became a replacement training unit.
Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Squadrons. 50th: 1941-1944. 51st: 1941-1944. 53d: 1941-1944. 87th:
1941-1944.
Stations. Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941; Bowman Field, Ky, 20 May 1941;
Barks dale Field, La, Feb 1942; Galveston Mun Aprt, Tex, c. 1 Apr 1942;
Blythe AAB, Calif, 23 May 1942; Will Rogers Field, Okla, Nov 1942; Drew
Field, Fla, Oct 1943; Morris Field, NC, 6 Nov 1943-1 May 1944.
Commanders. Maj Guy L McNeil, 15 Jan 1941; Maj Otto C George, 18 Apr
1941; Col Richard H Lee, 9 May 1941; Lt Col Robert D Gapen, 1 Nov 1942;
Lt Col Martin P Crabtree, 11 Apr 1943; Lt Col Robert V DeShazo, 21 Jul
1943; Col ert V DeShazo, 21 Oct 1943-1 May 1944.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Or, a bend invected azure. Motto: Custos Libertate -
Guardians of Liberty. (Approved 14 Jul 1942.)
47th Bombardment Group
Constituted as 47th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Patrolled the west coast for several weeks
after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, then trained for duty overseas. Moved
to North Africa, Oct-Nov 1942. Assigned to Twelfth AF. Served in the
Mediterranean theater until the end of the war, using A-20's and (after
Jan 1945) some A-26's for support and interdictory operations in which
the group attacked such targets as tanks, convoys, bivouac areas, troop
concentrations, supply dumps, roads, pontoon bridges, rail lines, and
airfields. Also flew numerous night intruder missions after Jun 1944.
Began operations by flying low-level missions against the enemy in North
Africa during the period Dec 1942-May 1943. When Axis forces broke
through at Kasserine Pass in Feb 1943, the 47th Group, though
undermanned and undersupplied, flew eleven missions on 22 Feb to attack
the advancing armored columns and thus to help stop the enemy's
offensive - an action for which the group was awarded a DUC. Remained
active in combat during Mar and Apr 1943 while training for medium-level
bombardment. Participated in the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa
in Jun 1943 and the invasion of Sicily in Jul. Bombed German evacuation
beaches near Messina in Aug. Supported British Eighth Army during the
invasion of Italy in Sep. Assisted the Allied advance toward Rome, Sep
1943-Jun 1944. Supported the invasion of Southern France, Aug-Sep 1944.
Attacked German communications in northern Italy, Sep 1944-Apr 1945.
Received second DUC for performance from 21 to 24 Apr 1945 when, in bad
weather and over rugged terrain, the group maintained operations for 60
consecutive hours, destroying enemy transportation in the Po Valley to
prevent the organized withdrawal of German forces. Returned to the US in
July 1945. Trained and participated in maneuvers. Equipped with B-45's
in 1948. Inactivated on 2 Oct 1949.
Activated on 12 Mar 1951. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and
equipped with B-45's. Moved to England, May-Jun 1952, and assigned to
United States Air Forces in Europe. Inactivated on 8 Feb 1955.
Squadrons. 84th: 1941-1949; 1951-1955. 85th: 1941-1949; 1951-1955.
86th: 1941-1949; 1954-1955. 97th: 1941-1946. 422d: 1953-1954.
Stations. McChord Field, Wash, 15 Jan 1941; Fresno, Calif, 14 Aug
1941; Will Rogers Field, Okla, c. 16 Feb 1942; Greensboro, NC, c. 16
Jul-18 Oct 1942; Mediouna, French Morocco, 18 Nov 1942; Youks-les-Bains,
Algeria, 7 Jan 1943; Canrobert, Algeria, 6 Mar 1943; Thelepte, Tunisia,
30 Mar 1943; Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia, 13 Apr 1943; Soliman, Tunisia, c. 1
Jul 1943; Malta, 21 Jul 1943; Torrente Comunelli, Sicily, 9 Aug 1943;
Gerbini, Sicily, 20 Aug 1943; Grottaglie, Italy, 24 Sep 1943; Vincenzo
Airfield, Italy, 15 Oct 1943; Vesuvius Airfield, Italy, c. 10 Jan 1944;
Capodichino, Italy, 22 Mar 1944; Vesuvius Airfield, Italy, 25 Apr 1944;
Ponte Galeria, Italy, c. 10 Jun 1944; Ombrone Airfield, Italy, 27 Jun
1944; Corsica, 11 Jul 1944; Salon, France, 7 Sep 1944; Follonica, Italy,
18 Sep 1944; Rosignano Airfield, Italy, Oct 1944; Grosseto, Italy, 11
Dec 1944; Pisa, Italy, Jun-24 Jun 1945; Seymour Johnson Field, NC, 11
Jul 1945; Lake Charles AAFld, La, Sep 1945; Biggs Field, Tex, 20 Oct
1946; Barksdale AFB, La, 19 Nov 1948-2 Oct 1949. Langley AFB, Va, 12 Mar
1951-12 May 1952; Sculthorpe, England, 1 Jun 1952-8 Feb 1955.
Commanders. Maj William A Schulgen, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Hilbert M
Wittkop, unkn; Col Frederick R Terrell, Jan 1942; Col Malcolm Green Jr,
17 May 1943; Lt Col Kenneth S Wade, 1 Apr 1945; Col Marvin S Zipp, 28
Aug 1945; Col Robert Hughey, 23 Nov 1945; Lt Col Broadus B Taylor, 27
Aug 1946; Col Gerald E Williams, 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.
Campaigns. American Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily;
Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po
Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: North Africa, 22 Feb 1943;
Po Valley, 21-24 Apr 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Or, in chief, a bomb sable, point downward, winged
gules, surmounting an arc, reversed and couped, azure, all above a
stylized cloud indication, of the second, emitting four lightning
flashes gules toward base. (Approved 26 Oct 1951.)
48th Fighter Group
Constituted as 48th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated 48th Bombardment Group (Dive) in
Sep 1942, and 48th Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943. Used A-20's and
B-18's during 1941, and A-20, A-24, A-31, A-35, A-36, P-39, P-40, and
other aircraft between 1942 and 1944. Served as a replacement training
unit, participated in maneuvers, and for a brief time engaged in coastal
patrol work.
Moved overseas, arriving in England in Mar 1944. Assigned to Ninth
AF. Trained with P-47's. Began operations on 20 Apr 1944 by making a
fighter sweep over the coast of France. Redesignated 48th Fighter Group
in May 1944. Flew escort and dive-bombing missions to help prepare for
the invasion of Normandy. Bombed bridges and gun positions on 6 Jun and
attacked rail lines and trains, motor transports, bridges, fuel dumps,
and gun positions during the remainder of the Normandy campaign. Moved
to France, Jun-Jul 1944. Helped Allied forces break through the German
lines at St Lo in Jul, supported the Allied drive across France in Aug
and Sep, and assisted the airborne attack on Holland in Sep. Cited by
the Belgian Government for close cooperation with Allied armies during
the period Jun-Sep 1944. Moved to Belgium and operated from there in the
fall and winter of 1944-1945, being awarded second Belgian citation for
operations during that time. Received a DUC for action on 6 Dec 1944:
facing intense enemy fire while flying below a heavy overcast, the group
struck buildings, entrenchments, and troop concentrations to assist the
advance of ground forces against an enemy stronghold north of Julich.
Supported ground operations during the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan
1945) and received third Belgian citation for relentless assaults
against the enemy during that battle. Continued tactical air operations
from bases on the Continent, supporting ground forces until the end of
the war. During combat, also flew patrol, escort,weather reconnaissance,
and leaflet missions; on one occasion carried blood plasma that was
dropped in belly tanks to ground troops. Moved to the US during Aug-Sep
1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Redesignated 48th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated in France on 10 Jul
1952. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Equipped with
F-84's and later with F-86 aircraft.
Squadrons. 492d (formerly 55th): 1941-1945; 1952-. 493rd (formerly
56th): 1941-1945; 1952-. 494th (formerly 57th): 1941-1945; 1952-. 495th
(formerly 88th): 1941-1944.
Stations. Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941; Will Rogers Field, Okla, 22 May
1941; Savannah, Ga, 7 Feb 1942; Key Field, Miss, 28 Jun 1942; William
Northern Field, Tenn, 20 Aug 1943; Waterboro AAFld, SC, 27 Jan-13 Mar
1944; Ibsley, England, 29 Mar 1944; Deux Jumeaux, France, 18 Jun 1944;
Villacoublay, France, 29 Aug 1944; Cambrai/Niergnies, France, 15 Sep
1944; St Trond, Belgium, 30 Sep 1944; Kelz, Germany, 26 Mar 1945; Kassel,
Germany, 17 Apr 1945; Illesheim, Germany, 29 Apr 1945; Laon, France, 5
Jul-Aug 1945; Seymour Johnson Field, NC, Sep-Nov 1945. Chaumont AB,
France, 10 July 1952-.
Commanders. Lt Col Bernard S Thompson, 1941; Col Norman R Burnett,
unkn; Lt Col Preston P Pender, c. 1943; Lt Col Charles C Kegelman, c.
Apr 1943; Col Dixon M Allison, c. 8 Nov 1943; Col George L Wertenbaker
Jr, 23 Apr 1944; Col James K Johnson, c. Oct 1944; Lt Col Harold L
McNeely, 8 Jun 1945; Lt Col Paul P Douglas Jr, 28 Jun 1945-unkn. Col
Chesley G Peterson, 10 Jul 1952; Lt Col Arthur D Thomas, c. 1 Jun 1953;
Col Frank A Hill, c. Sep 1953; Col Arthur D Thomas, c. Jul 1954; Lt Col
John D McFarlane, 1955-.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe;
Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 6 Dec 1944. Cited
in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944; 1 Oct 1944-;
18 Dec 1944-15 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere.
Insigne. Shield: Argent, on a pale engrailed azure a dexter hand
couped at the wrist grasping a sword or. Motto: Vulneratus Non Victus -
Unconquered even though Wounded. (Approved 12 Jan 1942.)
49th Fighter Group
Constituted as 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with P-35's. Moved to Australia,
Jan-Feb 1942, and became part of Fifth AF. Redesignated 49th Fighter
Group in May 1942. Received P-40's in Australia and, after training for
a short time, provided air defense for the Northern Territory, being
awarded a DUC for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial
combat while operating with limited materiel and facilities, Mar-Aug
1942.
Moved to New Guinea in Oct 1942 to help stall the Japanese drive
southward from Buna to Port Moresby. Engaged primarily in air defense of
Port Moresby; also escorted bombers and transports, and attacked enemy
installations, supply lines, and troop concentrations in support of
Allied ground forces. Participated in the Allied offensive that pushed
the Japanese back along the Buna trail, took part in the Battle of the
Bismarck Sea (Mar 1943), fought for control of the approaches to Huon
Gulf, and supported ground forces during the campaign in which the
Allies eventually recovered New Guinea. Covered landings on Noemfoor and
had a part in the conquest of Biak. After having used P-38, P-40, and
P-47 aircraft, was equipped completely in Sep 1944 with P-38's, which
were used to fly long-range escort and attack missions to Mindanao,
Halmahera, Ceram, and Borneo. Arrived in the Philippines in Oct 1944,
shortly after the assault landings on Leyte. Engaged enemy fighters,
attacked shipping in Ormoc Bay, supported ground forces, and covered the
Allied invasion of Luzon. Maj Richard I Bong, who became AAF's top ace
of World War II, was awarded the Medal of Honor for voluntarily flying
in combat from 10 Oct to 15 Nov 1944, a period for which he was credited
with the destruction of eight enemy aircraft in the air. For intensive
operations against the Japanese on Leyte, the group was awarded a DUC.
Other missions from the Philippines included strikes against industry
and transportation on Formosa and against shipping along the China
coast. Moved to Okinawa in A ug 1945 and to Japan in Sep. Trained, took
part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols, as part of Far East
Air Forces. Equipped with P-51's in 1946, with F-80's being added in
1948. Redesignated 49th Fighter-Bomber Group in Feb 1950.
Began operations in the Korean War in Jun 1950. Covered the
evacuation of civilian personnel from Kimpo and Suwon. Then flew
missions in support of UN ground forces, hitting gun positions, troop
concentrations, and other objectives. Later, struck interdiction targets
in North Korea. In combat, operated first from Japan and later from,
Korea, beginning operations with F-51's and F-80's and completing
conversion to F-84's in Sep 1951. Remained in Korea for a time after the
armistice. Returned to Japan in Nov 1953.
Squadrons. 7th: 1941-. 8th: 1941-. 9th: 1941-.
Stations. Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan 1941; Morrison Field, Fla, 25
May 1941-4 Jan 1942; Melbourne, Australia, 2 Feb 1942; Bankstown,
Australia, 16 Feb 1942; Darwin, Australia, c. 16 Apr 1942; Port Moresby,
New Guinea, 9 Oct 1942; Dobodura, New Guinea, Mar 1943; Gusap, New
Guinea, 20 Nov 1943; Finschhafen, New Guinea, 19 Apr 1944; Hollandia,
New Guinea, c. 17 May 1944; Biak, 3 Jan 1944; Tacloban, Leyte, 24 Oct
1944; San Jose, Mindoro, c. 30 Dec 1944; Lingayen, Luzon, c. 25 Feb
1945; Okinawa, 16 Aug 1945; Atsugi, Japan, 15 Sep 1945; Chitose, Japan,
18 Feb 1946; Misawa, Japan, 20 Mar 1948; Itazuke, Japan, 9 Jul 1950;
Taegu, Korea, 1 Dec 1950; Kunsan, Korea, 1 Apr 1953; Komaki, Japan, 2
Nov 1953; Nagoya, Japan, 16 Sep 1954-.
Commanders. Maj Glenn L Davasher, 16 Jan 1941; Maj John F Egan, 10
Feb 1941; Maj George McCoy Jr, 2 May 1941; Col Paul B Wurtsmith, 11 Dec
1941; Col Donald R Hutchinson, 11 Nov 1942; Lt Col Robert L Morrissey,
30 Jan 1943; Col James C Selman, Jul 1943; Lt Col David A Campbell, 25
Jan 1944; Lt Col Furlo S Wagner, 3 Jun 1944; Col George A Walker, 19 Jul
1944; Lt Col Gerald R Johnson, 10 Mar 1945; Lt Col Clay Tice Jr, 16 Jul
1945; Lt Col Wallace R Jordan, Feb 1946; Lt Col Charles H Terhune Jr, c.
18 Feb 1946; Col Herbert L Grills, 25 Mar 1946; Col Merrill D Burnside,
20 Jul 1946; Lt Col Clay Tice Jr, 11 Sep 1946; Col Louis R Hughes, 1 Sep
1947; Lt Col Robert E Kirtley, 18 Aug 1948; Lt Col Niven K Cranfill, 11
Mar 1949; Lt Col John R Murphy, 1 Sep 1949; Lt Col James A Rippin, 31
Oct 1949; Col Wilbur H Stratton, 10 Nov 1949; Col Stanton T Smith Jr, 20
Jan 1950; Col John R Murphy, 21 Oct 1950; Col Wilbur Grumbles, 20 May
1951; Col William L Mitchell, 4 Nov 1951; Lt Col Gordon F Blood, 20 May
1952; Col Charles G Teschner, 1952; Col Robert H Orr, Sep 1952; Col
Richard N Ellis, 17 Jan 1953; Col Charles G Teschner, 1 Apr 1953; Col
Gilbert L Pritchard, Aug 1953-.
Campaigns. World War II: East Indies; Air Offensive, Japan; China
Defensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific;
Leyte; Luzon; China Offensive. Korean War: UN Defensive; UN Offensive;
CCF Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN
Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952;
Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Australia, 14 Mar-25 Aug
1942; Papua, [Oct] 1942-23 Jan 1943; Philippine Islands, 27 Oct-Dec
1944; Korea [Jun]-25 Nov 1950; Korea, 9 Jul-27 Nov 1951. Philippine
Presidential Unit Citation. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit
Citations: [Jun] 1950-7 Feb 1951; 8 Feb 1951-31 Mar 1953.
Insigne. Shield: A gyronny of three gules, or and azure, a bolt of
lightning, bend sinisterwise argent, in chief, a knight's helmet, winged
of the last, in dexter chief, five stars (Southern Cross) argent, two on
gules, and three on azure, in sinister base a covered wagon, trees and
road scene, all proper. Motto: Tutor Et Ultor - I Protect and Avenge.
(Approved 29 Dec 1951.)
50th Fighter Group - 55th Fighter Group
50th Fighter Group
Constituted as 50th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated 50th Fighter Group in May 1942.
Functioned as part of the Fighter Command School, testing equipment and
conducting training in air defense operations; also trained pilots and
furnished cadres to night fighter units. Later operated with AAF School
of Applied Tactics, training personnel in fighter tactics under
simulated combat conditions. Used P-40's and P-47's, plus some DB-7's,
P-51's, and P-70's.
Moved to England, Mar-Apr 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF and, using
P-47's, began operations by making a fighter sweep over France on 1 May.
Engaged primarily in escort and dive-bombing missions for the next
month. Covered the beach during the invasion of Normandy on 6 and 7 Jun,
and moved to the Continent late that month. Attacked bridges, roads,
vehicles, railways, trains, gun emplacements, and marshalling yards
during the Normandy campaign. Bombed targets in the St Lo region in Jul
and supported the subsequent drive across France. Assisted in stemming
the German offensive in the Saar-Hardt area early in Jan 1945, engaged
in the offensive that reduced the Colmar bridgehead in Jan and Feb 1945,
and supported the drive that breached the Siegfried Line and resulted in
the movement of Allied forces into southern Germany in Mar and Apr 1945.
Received a DUC for close cooperation with Seventh Army in Mar during the
assault on the Siegfried Line; in spite of the hazards of enemy
opposition and difficult weather conditions, the group struck enemy
defenses and isolated battle areas by destroying bridges,
communications, supply areas, and ammunition dumps. Received second DUC
for a mission on 25 Apr 1945 when, despite intense antiaircraft fire,
the group destroyed or damaged many enemy aircraft on an airfield
southeast of Munich. Ended operations in May 1945. Returned to the US in
Aug. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 1 Jun 1949. Redesignated 50th
Fighter-Interceptor Group in Mar 1950. Ordered into active service on 1
Jun 1951. Inactivated on 2 Jun 1951.
Redesignated 50th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 1 Jan 1953.
Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Equipped with F-51's; converted to
F-86's early in 1953. Moved to Germany, Jul-Aug 1953, and assigned to
United States Air Forces in Europe.
Squadrons. 10th: 1941-1945; 1953-. 11th: 1941-1942. 12th: 1941-1942.
81st: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1953-. 313th: 1942-1945. 417th: 1953-.
445th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan 1941; Key Field, Miss, 3 Oct
1941; Orlando AB, Fla, 22 Mar 1943; Alachua AAFld, Fla, 20 Nov 1943;
Orlando AB, Fla, 1 Feb-13 Mar 1944; Lymington, England, 5 Apr 1944;
Carentan, France, 25 Jun 1944; Meautis, France, 16 Aug 1944; Orly,
France, 4 Sep 1944; Laon, France, 15 Sep 1944; Lyons/Bron, France, 28
Sep 1944; Toul/Ochey, France, 3 Nov 1944; Giebelstadt, Germany, 20 Apr
1945; Mannheim, Germany, 21 May-c. Jun 1945; La Junta AAFld, Colo, Aug-7
Nov 1945. Otis AFB, Mass, 1 Jun 1949-2 Jun 1951. Clovis AFB, NM, 1
Jan-22 Jul 1953; Hahn AB, Germany, 10 Aug 1953-.
Commanders. Capt George McCoy Jr, 16 Jan 1941; Col Allen R Springer,
1 May 1941; Lt Col John C Crosthwaite, 1 Apr 1942; Lt Col Murray C
Woodbury, 15 May 1942; Lt Col T Alan Bennett, 23 Jul 1942; Lt Col Walter
B Putnam, 29 Jan 1943; Lt Col Robert S Quinn, 9 Nov 1943; Col William D
Greenfield, 1 Dec 1943; Col Harvey L Case Jr, Nov 1944-1945. Col Gerald
Dix, 1 Jan 1953; Col Albert W Schinz, 1 Jun 1953; Lt Col Edward A
McGough III, 2 Apr 1954; Col James F Hackler Jr, 23 Apr 1954; Lt Col
Chester L VanEtten, May 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy;
Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: ETO, 13-20 Mar 1945;
Germany, 25 Apr 1945. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6
Jun-30 Sep 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, an Opinicus passant argent. Motto: Master Of
The Sky. (Approved 9 Jan 1942. This insigne was replaced 23 Aug 1956.)
51st Fighter Group
Constituted as 51st Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Assigned to Fourth AF and equipped with
P-40's. Redesignated 51st Pursuit Group (Fighter) in Mar 1941. While
training for combat, served as part of the defense force for the west
coast. Left the US in Jan 1942, stopped in Australia and Ceylon, and
arrived in India in Mar 1942. Assigned to Tenth AF. Redesignated 51st
Fighter Group in May 1942. Defended the Indian terminus of the Hump
route and airfields in that area. Flew strafing, bombing,
reconnaissance, and patrol missions in support of Allied ground troops
during a Japanese offensive in northern Burma in 1943. Moved to China in
Oct 1943 and assigned to Fourteenth AF. Used P-38's, P-40's, and (in
1945) P-51's to defend the eastern end of the route over the Hump, guard
air bases in the Kunming area, harass Japanese shipping in the Red River
delta, and support Chinese ground forces in their drive along the
Salween River. Returned to India in the fall of 1945 and sailed for the
US in Nov. Inactivated on 13 Dec 1945.
Activated on Okinawa on 15 Oct 1946. Assigned to Far East Air Forces.
Equipped with P-47's and P-61's in 1946, and with F-80 and F-82 aircraft
in 1948. Trained, served as part of the occupation force, and provided
air defense for the Ryukyus. Redesignated 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group
in Feb 1950. Moved to Japan in Sep 1950 and, operating from bases in
Japan and Korea, served in combat against Communist forces until the end
of the Korean War. Used F-80's until Nov 1951 and then converted to F-86
aircraft. Supported ground forces and flew patrol, escort, interdictory,
and reconnaissance missions. Frequently engaged the enemy's jet (MIG)
fighters and reported numerous victories in aerial combat, Capt Joseph
McConnell Jr becoming the leading ace of the Korean War. Returned to
Okinawa in Aug 1954.
Squadrons. 16th: 1941-1945; 1946. 25th: 1941-1945; 1946. 26th:
1941-1945; 1946. 449th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 15 Jan 1941; March Field, Calif, 20
Jun 1941-11 Jan 1942; Karachi, India, 14 Mar 1942; Dinjan, India, 10 Oct
1942; Kunming, China, 2 Oct 1943; India, Sep-Nov 1945; Ft Lewis, Wash,
12-13 Dec 1945. Yontan, Okinawa, 15 Oct 1946; Naha, Okinawa, 22 May
1947; Itazuke, Japan, 22 Sep 1950; Kimpo, Korea, 24 Oct 1950; Itazuke,
Japan, 3 Jan 1951; Tsuiki, Japan, 20 Jan 1951; Suwon, Korea, 27 Jul
1951; Naha, Okinawa, 1 Aug 1954-.
Commanders. Col Homer L Sanders, 1941; Col John F Egan, 23 Mar 1943;
Lt Col Samuel B Knowles Jr, 20 Sep 1943; Col Louis R Hughes Jr, 27 May
1944; Lt Col William E Blankenship, Feb-13 Dec 1945. Col Loring F
Stetson Jr, 15 Oct 1946; Col Homer A Boushey, 12 Apr 1947; Lt Col James
F McCarthy, 1 Aug 1947; Col Homer A Boushey, unkn; Lt Col Bruce D
Biddlecome, Jun 1948; Lt Col Kenneth L Garrett, 7 Mar 1949; Lt Col
Robert F Worley, 24 May 1949; Col John T Shields, 1 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 Albert S Kelly,
Jun 1952; Col Robert P Baldwin, Jan 1953; Lt Col Harold C Gibson, Aug
1953; Col Malcolm E Norton, Oct 1953; Lt Col Harold G Shook, 23 Mar
1954; Lt Col William A Campbell, 9 Jul 1954; Col George V Williams, 10
Aug 1954-.
Campaigns. World War II: India-Burma; China Defensive; China
Offensive. Korean War: UN Offensive; CCF Intervention; 1st UN
Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second
Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea
Summer-Fall, 1953.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Korea, 28 Nov 1951-30 Apr
1953. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations: [Sep] 1950-30 Jun
1951; 1 Jul 1951-31 Mar 1953.
Insigne. Shield: Per fess nebuly abased azure and or, issuing from
partition line a demipegasus argent with a machine gun in each wing
bendwise sable, gun fire proper. Motto: Deftly And Swiftly. (Approved 5
Feb 1942. This insigne was modified 2 May 1956.)
52nd Fighter Group
Constituted as 52nd Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated 52nd Fighter Group in May 1942.
Trained with P-39 and P-40 aircraft, and participated in maneuvers.
Moved to the British Isles, the air echelon arriving in Jul 1942 and the
ground echelon in Aug. Received Spitfire aircraft and, as part of Eighth
AF, flew missions from England to France during Aug and Sep. The pilots
of the group flew Spitfires from Gibraltar to Algeria during the
invasion of North Africa on 8 Nov 1942; the remainder of the group,
moving by ship from England, arrived after the campaign for
Algeria-French Morocco had ended. Assigned first to Twelfth AF and later
(after May 1944) to Fifteenth, the group served in combat in the
Mediterranean theater until the end of the war. Flew escort, patrol,
strafing, and reconnaissance missions to help defeat Axis forces in
Tunisia. Took part in the conquest of Sicily. Attacked railroads,
highways, bridges, coastal shipping, and other targets to support Allied
operations in Italy. Converted to P-51's during Apr-May 1944 and
afterwards engaged primarily in escorting bombers that attacked
objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary,
Rumania, and Yugoslavia. Received a DUC for a mission of 9 Jun 1944 when
the group protected bombers that struck aircraft factories,
communications centers, and supply lines in Germany. In addition to
escorting bombers of Fifteenth AF, the group made strafing attacks on
important targets in Italy, France, central Europe, and the Balkans.
Received second DUC for a strafing raid in which the group destroyed a
great number of fighter and transport planes on a landing ground in
Rumania on 31 Aug 1944. Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7
Nov 1945.
Activated in Germany on 9 Nov 1946. Assigned to United States Air
Forces in Europe and organized as an all-weather fighter group.
Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in Jun 1947.
Redesignated 52nd Fighter Group (All Weather) in May 1948, and 52nd
Fighter-Interceptor Group in May 1951. Equipped with P-61's in 1947,
F-82's in 1948, and F-94's in 1950. Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952.
Redesignated 52nd Fighter Group (Air Defense). Activated on 18 Aug
1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with F-86 aircraft.
Squadrons. 2d: 1941-1945; 1946-1952; 1955-. 4th: 1941-1945. 5th:
1941-1945; 1946-1952; 1955-.
Stations. Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan 1941; Norfolk, Va, 18 Dec
1941; Selfridge Field, Mich, Jan 1942; Florence, SC, 18 Feb 1942;
Wilmington, NC, 27 Apr 1942; Grenier Field, NH, 14-24 Jun 1942; Northern
Ireland, c. 13 Jul 1942; Goxhill, England, c. 26 Aug-Oct 1942; Tafaraoui,
Algeria, 9 Nov 1942; La Senia, Algeria, 14 Nov 1942; Orleansville,
Algeria, c. Jan 1943; Telergma, Algeria, c. 17 Jan 1943; Youks-les-Bains,
Algeria, c. 9 Mar 1943; Le Sers, Tunisia, 14 Apr 1943; La Sebala,
Tunisia, 21 May 1943; Boccadifalco, Sicily, 30 Jul 1943; Corsica, 1 Dec
1943; Madna Airfield, Italy, 14 May 1944; Piagiolino Airfield, Italy, 21
Apr 1945; Lesina, Italy, 8 Jul-Aug 1945; Drew Field, Fla, 25 Aug-7 Nov
1945. Schweinfurt, Germany, 9 Nov 1946; Bad Kissingen, Germany, 5 May
1947-25 Jun 1947; Mitchel Field, NY, 25 Jun 1947; McGuire AFB, NJ, 10
Oct 1949-6 Feb 1952. Suffolk County AFB, NY, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Earl W Barnes, 16 Jan 1941; Lt Col Robert L
Schoenlein, 15 May 1941; Col Dixon M Allison, 27 Feb 1942; Lt Col Graham
W West, 1 Mar 1943; Lt Col James S Coward, 24 Jun 1943; Lt Col Richard A
Ames, 1 Sep 1943; Col Marvin L McNickle, 6 Sep 1943; Lt Col Robert
Levine, 25 Feb 1944; Col Marion Malcolm, 27 Aug 1944-1945. Col Carroll W
McColpin, c. 14 Dec 1946; Col Oliver G Cellini, unkn; Col Benjamin S
Preston Jr, 6 Jul 1950; Col Royal N Baker, 1951-6 Feb 1952. Col James H
Hancock, 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe;
Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno;
Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland;
Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Germany, 9 Jun 1944;
Rumania, 31 Aug 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Quarterly per fess nebuly, first and fourth argent,
each charged with a dagger in pale point downward gules, hilt and pommel
of the same, grip or; second quarter azure; third quarter, sable. Motto:
Seek, Attack, Destroy. (Approved 11 Jan 1951.)
53rd Fighter Group
Constituted as 53rd Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated 53rd Fighter Group in May 1942.
Trained with P-35's and P-40's. Moved to the Panama Canal Zone in Dec
1941 and equipped with P-39's for operations as part of the defense
force for the canal. Returned to the US in Nov 1942 and assigned to
Third AF. Trained replacement pilots in P-39, P-47, and P-51 aircraft.
Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 53rd Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command.
Equipped first with F-86's, later with F-89's.
Squadrons. 13th: 1941-1944; 1955-. 14th: 1941-1944; 1955-. 15th:
1941-1944. 438th: 1943-1944.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 15 Jan 1941; Tallahassee, Fla, 8 May-8
Dec 1941; Howard Field, CZ, 1 Jan-20 Nov 1942; Dale Mabry Field, Fla, 26
Nov 1942; Drew Field, Fla, 7 Jan 1943; Ft Myers, Fla, Feb 1943-1 May
1944. Sioux City Mun Aprt, Iowa, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Maj Hugo P Rush, 15 Jan 1941; Maj Eugene C Fleming, 9 May
1941; Col Earl W Barnes, 1 Jun 1941; Lt Col Don L Wilhelm Jr, 28 Jun
1942; Col Morley F Slaght, 11 Apr 1943; Lt Col Anthony V Grossetta, 22
Sep 1943; Col Bryan B Harper, Oct 1943-1 May 1944. Col Malcolm A Moore,
Aug 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and or, in chief an ancient Norse
winged helmet argent, in base a palm tree proper. Motto: Defense By
Offense. (Approved 8 Jan 1943. This insigne was modified 26 Jul 1956.)
54th Fighter Group
Constituted as 54th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with P-40's. Served as a part of the
defense force for the northwest Pacific coast during the first few
months of the war. Redesignated 54th Fighter Group in May 1942. The air
echelon, equipped with P-39's, served in Alaska against the Japanese
forces that invaded the Aleutian Islands during the summer of 1942, and
for these operations the group received a DUC. The air echelon returned
to the US in Dec 1942 and rejoined the group, which had been assigned to
Third AF, and which became a replacement training unit for P-51 pilots.
Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
Reconstituted and redesignated 54th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on
20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command
and equipped with F-86's.
Squadrons. 42d: 1941-1944; 1955-. 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 1944. Greater Pittsburgh Aprt, Pa, 18 Aug 1955-.
Commanders. Capt Harry A Hammond, 15 Jan 1941; 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, 1955-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Aleutian Islands, [Jun]-4
Nov 1942.
Insigne. Shield: Per bend of the light blue sky and azure, over a
bomb, bend sinisterwise, a lightning flash, palewise, gules, fimbriated
argent; a bend of the last superimposed over all and charged with a jet
aircraft, in chief, sable, with vapor trail of the third; all between an
increscent moon and a radiant sun in fess all of the fourth. (Approved 8
Mar 1957.)
55th Fighter Group
Constituted as 55th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940.
Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with P-43's. Redesignated 55th Fighter
Group in May 1942. Converted to P-38's and prepared for combat. Moved to
England, Aug-Sep 1943. Assigned to Eighth AF. Began operations with
P-38's on 15 Oct 1943; converted to P-51's in Jul 1944. Engaged
primarily in escorting bombers that attacked such targets as industries
and marshalling yards in Germany, and airfields and V-weapon sites in
France. Provided cover for B-17's and B-24's that bombed aircraft plants
during Big Week in Feb 1944, gun emplacements during the St Lo
breakthrough in Jul 1944, and transportation facilities during the
Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Also patrolled the air over the
Channel and bombed bridges in the Tours area during the invasion of the
Continent in Jun 1944; patrolled the Arnhem sector to support the
airborne invasion of Holland in Sep 1944; 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 destroyed enemy fighters in the air to protect
the bombers it was escorting, but also descended 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, troop cars, buildings, and
military vehicles. Flew last combat mission on 21 Apr 1945. Moved to
Germany in Jul 1945 as part of the occupation forces. Assigned to United
States Air Forces in Europe. Trained with P-51 and P-80 aircraft.
Inactivated in Germany on 20 Aug 1946.
Redesignated 55th Reconnaissance Group (Very Long Range, Mapping).
Activated in the US on 24 Feb 1947. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.
Redesignated 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1948. Aircraft
included RB-17's and B-29's and RB-29's. Inactivated on 14 Oct 1949.
Redesignated 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Group (Medium). Activated
in Puerto Rico on 1 Nov 1950. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.
Equipped with RB-29 and RB-50 aircraft. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 7th Geodetic: 1949. 37th: 1941-1943. 38th: 1941-1946;
1949; 1950-1952. 54th: 1941-1942. 338th: 1942-1946; 1949; 1950-1952.
343d: 1943-1946; 1947-1949; 1950-1952.
Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 15 Jan 1941; Portland, Ore, 21 May
1941; Paine Field, Wash, 10 Feb 1942; McChord Field, Wash, 22 Jul
1942-23 Aug 1943; Nuthampstead, England, 14 Sep 1943; Wormingford,
England, 16 Apr 1944; Kaufbeuren, Germany, 22 Jul 1945; Giebelstadt,
Germany, 29 Apr-20 Aug 1946. MacDill Field, Fla, 24 Feb 1947; Topeka
AFB, Kan, 30 Jun 1948-14 Oct 1949. Ramey AFB, PR, 1 Nov 1950-16 Jun
1952.
Commanders. Capt Kenneth S Wade, 15 Jan 1941; Maj James W McCauley, 1
May 1941; Lt Col Karl K Bowen, 1 May 1942; Maj Jack S Jenkins, 1 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 May 1945; Lt Col Horace A Hanes, Jul 1946-unkn.
Capt Daniel W Burrows, 24 Feb 1947; Lt Col Albert M Welsh, 20 May
1947-unkn; Lt Col George Humbrecht, 26 Oct 1948-unkn; Col Herbert K
Baisley, unkn-1949. Col Richard T King, 1 Nov 1950; Brig Gen Sydney D
Grubbs Jr, 20 Dec 1950; Col Alfred K Kalberer, 18 Feb-16 Jun 1952.
Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy;
Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: ETO, 3-13 Sep 1944;
Germany, 19 Feb 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, on a fess indented or a similar bar gules.
Motto: Pursuit To Defend. (Approved 18 Feb 1942. This insigne was
replaced 4 Feb 1954.)
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