Book: Air Force Combat Units of World War II
Author: Maurer, Maurer
Affiliation: USAF
Date: 1986

Air Force Combat Units of World War II - Part 7


from Air Force Link

This book traces the lineage of each Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force combat group that was active in World War II. In addition to serving as a valuable Air Force history document, it also provides unit commanders with a practical and accurate source of vital statistics.

445th Bombardment Group - 452nd Bombardment Group

445th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Mar 1943. Activated on 1 Apr 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to England, Oct-Dec 1943, for service with Eighth AF. Entered combat on 13 Dec 1943 by attacking U-boat installations at Kiel. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until the war ended, striking such targets as industries in Osnabruck, synthetic oil plants in lutzendorf, chemical works in Ludwigshafen, marshalling yards at Hamm, an airfield at Munich, an ammunition plant at Duneberg, underground oil storage facilities at Ehmen, and factories at Munster. Participated in the Allied campaign against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944, being awarded a DUC for attacking an aircraft assembly plant at Gotha on 24 Feb. Occasionally flew interdictory and support missions. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by bombing airfields, V-weapon sites, and other targets; attacked shore installations on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. Supported ground forces at St Lo by striking enemy defenses in Jul 1944. Bombed German communications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Early on 24 Mar 1945 dropped food, medical supplies, and ammunition to troops that landed near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine; that afternoon flew a bombing mission to the same area, hitting a landing ground at Stormede. On occasion dropped propaganda leaflets and hauled gasoline to France. Awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm by the French government for operations in the theater from Dec 1943 to Feb 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Returned to the US, May-Jun. Inactivated on 12 Sep 1945.

Redesignated 445th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 12 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 445th Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 8 Jul 1952.

Squadrons. 15th: 1947-1949. 700th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-. 701st: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-. 702d: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-. 703d: 1943-1945; 1947-1948.

Stations. Gowen Field, Idaho, 1 Apr 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 8 Jun 1943; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, 8 Jul-20 Oct 1943; Tibenham, England, 4 Nov 1943-28 May 1945; Ft Dix AAB, NJ, 9 Jun-12 Sep 1945. McChord Field, Wash, 12 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949. Buffalo, NY, 8 Jul 1952; Niagara Falls Mun Aprt, NY, 15 Jun 1955-.

Commanders. Col Robert H Terrill, 1 Apr 1943; Col William W Jones, 25 Jul 1944-12 Sep 1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Gotha, Germany, 24 Feb 1944. French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, a snorting bison, proper, winged argent, with streaks of fire proper, issuing from his horns and nostrils, in base three stars of the third. Motto: The Bison Wing. (Approved 7 Sep 1955.)

446th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 446th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Mar 1943. Activated on 1 Apr 1943. Trained for overseas duty with B-14's. Moved to England, Oct-Nov 1943, and assigned to Eighth AF. Operated chiefly against strategic objectives on the Continent from Dec 1943 until Apr 1945. Targets included U-boat installations at Kiel, the port at Bremen, a chemical plant at Ludwigshafen, ball-bearing works at Berlin, aero-engine plants at Rostock, aircraft factories at Munich, marshalling yards at Coblenz, motor works at Ulm, and oil refineries at Hamburg. Besides strategic missions, the group often carried out support and interdictory operations. Supported the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944 by attacking strong points, bridges, airfields, transportation, and other targets in France. Aided ground forces at Caen and St Lo during Jul by hitting bridges, gun batteries, and enemy troops. Dropped supplies to Allied troops near Nijmegen during the airborne attack on Holland in Sep. Bombed marshalling yards, bridges, and road junctions during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Dropped supplies to airborne and ground troops near Wesel during the Allied assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr, attacking a bridge near Salzburg. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul. Inactivated on 18 Aug 1945.

Redesignated 446th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 16 Mar 1948. Redesignated 446th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Jun 1949. Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Inactivated on 25 Jun 1951.

Redesignated 446th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 25 May 1955.

Squadrons. 704th: 1943-1945; 1948-1951; 1955-. 705th: 1943-1945; 1941-1951; 1955-. 706th: 1943-1945; 1948-1949; 1955-. 707th: 1943-1945; 1948-1949.

Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Apr 1943; Lowry Field, Colo, c. 8 Jun-Oct 1943; Flixton, England, c. 4 Nov 1943-c. Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. Jul-18 Aug 1945. Carswell AFB, Tex, 26 Mar 1948-25 Jun 1951. Ellington AFB, Tex, 25 May 1955-.

Commanders. Lt Col Arthur Y Snell, 25 Apr 1943; Col Jacob Brogger, 28 Sep 1943; Col Troy W Crawford, 23 Sep 1944; Lt Col William A Schmidt, 4 Apr 1945-unkn. Unkn, 1 May-25 Jun 1951.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

447th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 6 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to England in Nov 1943 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat in Dec 1943 and operated chiefly as a strategic bombardment organization. From Dec 1943 to May 1944, helped to prepare for the invasion of the Continent by attacking submarine pens, naval installations, and cities in Germany; ports and missile sites in France; and airfields and marshalling yards in France, Belgium, and Germany. During Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944, took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry. Supported the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944 by bombing airfields and other targets near the beachhead. Aided the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul and the effort to take Brest in Sep. Pounded enemy positions to assist the airborne invasion of Holland in Sep. Also dropped supplies to Free French forces during the summer of 1944. Turned to strategic targets in Germany in Oct 1944, placing emphasis on sources of oil production until mid-Dec. 2nd Lt Robert E Femoyer, navigator, won the Medal of Honor for action on 2 Nov 1944: while on a mission over Germany, his B-17 was damaged by flak and Femoyer was severely wounded by shell fragments; determined to navigate the plane out of danger and save the crew, he refused a sedative and, for more than two hours, directed the navigation of the bomber so effectively that it returned to base without further damage; Femoyer died shortly after being removed from the plane. During the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, the group assaulted marshalling yards, railroad bridges, and communications centers in the combat zone. Then resumed operations against targets in Germany, attacking oil, transportation, communications, and other objectives until the war ended. During this period, also supported the airborne assault across the Rhine (Mar 1945). Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Redesignated 447th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 12 Aug 1947. Equipped with B-19's. Redesignated 447th Bombardment Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1951.

Squadrons. 708th: 1943-1945; 1947-1951. 709th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949. 710th: 1943-1945. 711th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Ephrata AAB, Wash, 1 May 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, c. 1 Jul 1943; Harvard AAFld, Neb, Aug-11 Nov 1943; Rattlesden, England, c. 29 Nov 1943-c. 1 Aug 1945; Drew Field, Fla, c. 14 Aug-7 Nov 1945. Bergstrom Field, Tex, 12 Aug 1947; Castle AFB, Calif, 26 Jun 1949-16 Jun 1951.

Commanders. Lt Col Robert D McDonald, 10 May 1943; Col Hunter Harris Jr, 23 May 1943; Col William Wrigglesworth, 25 Sep 1944; Lt Col Louis G Thorup, 31 Mar 1945; Lt Col Wilfred Beaver, 1 Jul 1945-unkn. Unkn, 1 May-16 Jun 1951.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

448th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 6 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Prepared for duty overseas with B-24's. Moved to England, Nov-Dec 1943, and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 22 Dec 1943, and until Apr 1945 served primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, hitting such targets as aircraft factories in Gotha, ball-bearing plants in Berlin, an airfield at Hanau, U-boat facilities at Kiel, a chemical plant at Ludwigshafen, synthetic oil refineries at Politz, aircraft engine plants at Rostock, marshalling yards at Cologne, and a buzz-bomb assembly plant at Fallersleben. Took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. In addition to strategic operations, flew interdictory and support missions. Bombed V-weapon sites, airfields, and transportation facilities prior to the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944, and on D-Day attacked coastal defenses and choke points. Struck enemy positions to assist the Allied offensive at Caen and the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Dropped supplies to airborne troops near Nijmegen during the airborne attack on Holland in Sep. Bombed transportation and communications centers in the combat zone during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Dropped supplies to troops at Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr, attacking a marshalling yard at Salzburg. Returned to the US in Jul 1945. Redesignated 448th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Equipped with B-19's. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.

Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 19 Apr 1947. Redesignated 448th Bombardment Group (Light) in Jun 1949. Ordered to active duty on 17 Mar 1951. Inactivated on 21 Mar 1951.

Redesignated 448th Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 18 May 1955.

Squadrons. 41st: 1947-1949. 711th: 1949-1951; 1955-. 712th: 1943-1946; 1947-1951. 713th: 1943-1946; 1947-1951; 1955-. 714th: 1943-1946; 1947-1951. 715th: 1943-1946.

Stations. Gowen Field, Idaho, 1 May 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, c. 3 Jul 1943; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, c. Sep-Nov 1943; Seething, England, c. 1 Dec 1943-c. Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 15 Jul 1945; McCook AAFld, Neb, c. 8 Sep 1945; Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, c. Dec 1945-4 Aug 1946. Long Beach Mun Aprt, Calif, 19 Apr 1947-21 Mar 1951. Dallas NAS, Tex, 18 May 1955-.

Commanders. Col James M Thompson, c. 25 May 1943; Col Gerry L Mason, 3 Apr 1944; Col Charles B Westover, 14 Nov 1944; Lt Col Lester F Miller, 27 May 1945-unkn; Col John G Ericksen, Sep 1945-4 Aug 1946.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

449th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 6 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, attacking such targets as oil refineries, communications centers, aircraft factories, and industrial areas in Italy, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Greece. Received a DUC for a mission on 4 Apr 1944 when the group, flying without escort, raided marshalling yards in Bucharest; although heavily outnumbered by German fighters, the group succeeded not only in bombing the target but also in destroying many of the enemy interceptors. Received another DUC for action on 9 Jul 1944 when the group flew through heavy smoke and intense enemy fire to attack an oil refinery at Ploesti. Other operations of the group included bombing gun emplacements in southern France in preparation for the invasion in Aug 1944, and attacking troop concentrations, bridges, and viaducts in Apr 1945 to assist Allied forces in northern Italy. Returned to the US in May 1945. Redesignated 449th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Trained with B-17, B-25, and B-29 aircraft. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.

Squadrons. 716th: 1943-1946. 717th: 1943-1946. 718th: 1943-1946. 719th: (later 46th): 1943-1946.

Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 May 1943; Alamagordo AAFld, NM, 5 Jul 1943; Bruning AAFld, Neb, 12 Sea Dec 1943; Grottaglie, Italy, c. 4 Jan 1944-16 May 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 29 May 1945; Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 24 Jul 1945; Grand Island AAFld, Neb, 8 Sep 1945-4 Aug 1946.

Commanders. Col A J Kerwin Malone, 1 May 1943; Col Darr H Alkire, 30 Jul 1943; Col Thomas J Gent Jr, 3 Feb 1944; Col Jack L Randolph, Oct 1944-c. Jun 1945; Capt Charles K Howell, c. Jul 1945; Maj Walter W Cross, 31 Jul 1945; Lt Col Leon Stann, 6 Aug 1945; Col William H Hanson, 15 Aug 1945; Col Richard M Montgomery, 16 Sep 1945-4 Aug 1946.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Bucharest, Rumania, 4 Apr 1944; Ploesti, Rumania, 9 Jul 1944.

Insigne. None.

450th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 450th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 6 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Trained with B-14's. Moved to Italy, arriving in Dec 1943. Began operations with Fifteenth AF in Jan 1944 and engaged chiefly in missions against strategic targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the Balkans until Apr 1945. Bombed aircraft factories, assembly plants, oil refineries, storage areas, marshalling yards, airdromes, and other objectives. Contributed to the intensive Allied campaign against the enemy aircraft industry during Big Week (20-25 Feb 1944) by attacking factories at Steyr and Regensburg, being awarded a DUC for braving the hazards of bad weather, enemy fighters, and flak to bombard a Messerschmitt factory at Regensburg on 25 Feb. Received second DUC for a mission on 5 Apr 1944 when the group fought its way through relentless attacks by enemy aircraft to bomb marshalling yards at Ploesti. Also struck such objectives as enemy defenses, troop concentrations, bridges, and marshalling yards in support of the invasion of Southern France, the advance of Russian troops in the Balkans, and the Allied effort in Italy. Returned to the US in May 1945. Redesignated 45th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Trained with B-29's. Inactivated on 15 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 450th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 1 Jul 1954. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Used F-86 aircraft. Redesignated 450th Fighter-Day Group in Mar 1955. Converted to F-100's.

Squadrons. 720th: 1943-1945. 721st: 1943-1945; 1954-. 722d: 1943-1945; 1954-. 723d: 1943-1945; 1954-.

Stations. Gowen Field, Idaho, 1 May 1943; Clovis AAB, NM, c. 21 May 1943; Alamogordo AAFld, NM, c. 8 Jul-20 Nov 1943; Manduria, Italy, 20 Dec 1943-12 May 1945; Harvard AAFld, Neb, c. 26 Jul-15 Oct 1945. Foster AFB, Tex, Jul 1954-.

Commanders. Col John S Mills, 12 Jun 1943; Col Robert R Gideon, 7 Jul 1944; Col Ellsworth R Jacoby, 17 Nov 1944 1945. Col Wallace E Hopkins, Jul 1954; Lt Col James P Hagerstrom, c. 17 May 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Regensburg, Germany, [25] Feb 1944; Ploesti, Rumania, 5 Apr 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend sinister, argent and azure, a silhouetted eagle, displayed wings inverted gules, fimbriated argent on the azure, debruised by a ribbon bend sinisterwise charged with a diamond all or. (Approved 14 Sep 1955.)

451st Bombardment Group

Constituted as 451st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 6 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Nov 1943-Jan 1944, with the air echelon training in Algeria for several weeks before joining the remainder of the group in Italy. Operated with Fifteenth AF, Jan 1944-May 1945, functioning primarily as a strategic bombardment organization. Attacked such targets as oil refineries, marshalling yards, aircraft factories, bridges, and airfields in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Greece. Received a DUC for each of three missions: to an aircraft factory at Regensburg on 25 Feb 1944, to oil refineries and marshalling yards at Ploesti on 5 Apr 1944, and to an airdrome at Vienna on 23 Aug 1944; although encountering large numbers of enemy fighters and severe antiaircraft fire during each of these missions, the group fought its way through the opposition, destroyed many interceptors, and inflicted serious damage on the assigned targets. At times the group also flew support and interdictory missions. Helped to prepare the way for and participated in the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944. Transported supplies to troops in Italy during Sep 1944. Supported the final advances of Allied armies in northern Italy in Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Jun. Inactivated on 26 Sep 1945.

Squadrons. 724th: 1943-1945. 725th: 1943-1945. 726th: 1943-1945. 727th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 May 1943; Dyersburg AAFld, Tenn, 3 Jun 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, c. 18 Jul 1943; Fairmont AAFld, Neb, 9 Sep-16 Nov 1943; Gioia del Colle, Italy, c. 10 Jan 1944; San Pancrazio, Italy, c. 5 Mar 1944; Castelluccio Airfield, Italy, c. 6 Apr 1944-Jun 1945; Dow Field, Maine, c. 19 Jun-16 Sep 1945.

Commanders. Col Robert E L Eaton, c. 1 May 1943; Col James B Knapp, 19 Sep 1944; Col Leroy L Stefonowicz, Dec 1944; Maj William H McGuire, unkn-16 Sep 1945.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Regensburg, Germany, 25 Feb 1944; Ploesti, Rumania, 5 Apr 1944; Austria, 23 Aug 1944.

Insigne. None.

452nd Bombardment Group

Constituted as 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained with B-17's. Moved to England, Dec 1943-Jan 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 5 Feb 1944 with an attack against aircraft assembly plants at Brunswick. Throughout combat, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets, including marshalling yards at Frankfurt, aircraft assembly plants at Regensburg, aircraft component works at Kassel, the ball-bearing industry at Schweinfurt, a synthetic rubber plant at Hannover, and oil installations at Bohlen. 1st Lt Donald Gott and 2d Lt William E Metzger Jr were each awarded the Medal of Honor for remaining with their aircraft (crippled during a mission over Germany on 9 Nov 1944) in an attempt to save a wounded crew member who was unable to bail out; the men were killed when the B-17 exploded in midair. In addition to strategic missions, the 452d supported ground forces and carried out interdictory operations. Helped prepare for the invasion of Normandy by hitting airfields, V-weapon sites, bridges, and other objectives in France; struck coastal defenses on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. Bombed enemy positions in support of the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul and the offensive against Brest in Aug and Sep. Later in Sep, assisted the airborne attack on Holland. Hit enemy communications in and near the combat zone during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Bombed an airfield in support of the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Received a DUC for action on 7 Apr 1945 when, despite vigorous fighter attacks and heavy flak, it accurately bombed a jet-fighter base at Kaltenkirchen. Flew last combat mission of World War 11 on 21 Apr, striking marshalling yards at Ingolstadt. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 28 Aug 1945.

Redesignated 452nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 19 Apr 1947. Redesignated 452nd Bombardment Group (Light) in Jun 1949. Ordered to active duty on 10 Aug 1950. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with B-26 aircraft for duty in the Korean War. Moved to Japan, Oct-Nov 1950, and assigned to Far East Air Forces. Entered combat against communist forces late in Oct, operating first from Japan and later from Korea. Flew armed reconnaissance, intruder, and interdictory missions, and provided support for ground troops. Bombed and strafed buildings, tunnels, rail lines, switching centers, bridges, vehicles, supply dumps, and airfields. Relieved from active duty and inactivated in Korea, on 10 May 1952.

Allotted to the reserve. Redesignated 452nd Tactical Reconnaissance Group. Activated in the US on 13 Jun 1952. Redesignated 452nd Bombardment Group (Tactical) in May 1955.

Squadrons. 703d: 1948-1949. 728th: 1943-1945; 1947-1952; 1952-. 729th: 1943-1945; 1947-1952; 1952-. 730th: 1943-1945; 1947-1952; 1952-. 731st: 1942-1945; 1947-1951.

Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Ju 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, 15 Jun 194: Pendleton Field, Ore, c. 11 Oct 1944; Walla Walla AAFld, Wash, c. 4 Nov-c. 22 Dec 1943; Deopham Green, England, c. 3 Jan 1944-c. 6 Aug 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 12-28 Aug 1945. Long Beach, Calif, 19 Apr 1947; George AFB, Calif, 10 Aug-Oct 1950; Itazuke, Japan, c. 22 Oct 1950; Miho, Japan, 8 Dec 1950; Pusan-East AB, Korea, c. 17 May 1951-10 May 1952. Long Beach Mun Aprt, Calif, 13 Jun 1952-.

Commanders. Lt Col Herbert O Wangeman, c. 15 Jun 1943; Lt Col Robert B Satterwhite, 8 Feb 1944; Lt Col Marvin F Stalder, 28 Feb 1944; Col Thetus C Odom, 30 Mar 1944; Col Archibald Y Smith, c. 24 Jul 1944; Col William D Eckert, c. 1 Aug 1944; Lt Col Charles W Sherburne, 13 Sep 1944; Col Burnham L Batson, c. 25 Sep 1944; Col Jack E Shuck, 6 Jun 1945-unkn. Col Charles W Howe, 10 Aug 1950; Col Frank L Wood Jr, c. May 1951; Lt Col John A Herrington, c. Jun 1951; Lt Col Harry C Mailey c. Dec 1951; Col James D Kemp, c. 28 Mar 1952-unkn.

Campaigns. World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Korean War: UN Offensive; CCF Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Germany, 7 Apr 1945; Korea, 9 Jul-27 Nov 1951; Korea, 18 Nov 1951-30 Apr 1952. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 27 Oct 1950-27 Oct 1951.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, a bomb, point downward, in pale, gules, highlighted and fimbriated argent, superimposed over two lightning flashes or, shaded of the second, highlighted and fimbriated of the third; the shield edged argent, gules and or. Motto: Labor Ad Futurum . Work for the Future. (Approved 8 Mar 1956.)

453rd Bombardment Group - 460th Bombardment Group

453rd Bombardment Group

Constituted as 453rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained with B-14's. Moved to England, Dec 1943-Jan 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began combat on 5 Feb 1944 with an attack against an airfield at Tours. Throughout combat, served chiefly as a strategic bombardment organization. Targets included a fuel depot at Dulmen, marshalling yards at Paderborn, aircraft assembly plants at Gotha, railroad centers at Hamm, an ordnance depot at Glinde, oil refineries at Gelsenkirchen, chemical works at Leverkusen, an airfield at Neumunster, a canal at Minden, and a railroad viaduct at Altenbeken. Took part in the concentrated attack against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Besides strategic operations, engaged in support and interdictory missions. Bombed V-weapon sites, airfields, and gun batteries in France prior to the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944; on 6 Jun hit shore installations between Le Havre and Cherbourg and other enemy positions farther inland. Attacked enemy troops in support of the Allied breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Bombed German communications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Ferried cargo on two occasions: hauled gasoline, blankets, and rations to France in Sep 1944; dropped ammunition, focal, and medical supplies near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission in Apr. Returned to the US in May. Inactivated on 12 Sep 1945.

Squadrons. 732d: 1943-1945. 733d: 1943-1945. 734th: 1943-1945. 735th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jun 1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 29 Jul 1943; March Field, Calif, 30 Sep-2 Dec 1943; Old Buckenham, England, 23 Dec 1943-9 May 1945; New Castle AAFld, Del, 25 May 1945; Fort Dix AAB, NJ, 18 Jun-12 Sep 1945.

Commanders. Col Joseph A Miller, 29 Jun 1943; Col Ramsay D Potts Jr, 19 Mar 1944; Col Lawrence M Thomas, 7 Jul 1944; Lt Col Edward F Hubbard, 25 Jan 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

454th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 454th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944, and operated with Fifteenth AF until Apr 1945. Flew some interdictory and support missions, bombing bridges, marshalling yards, troop concentrations, and rail lines. Participated in the drive to Rome, the invasion of Southern France, and the defeat of Axis forces in northern Italy. Engaged primarily, however, in long-range strikes against enemy oil refineries, aircraft and munition factories, industrial areas, harbors, and airfields in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. Received a DUC for a raid on an airdrome at Bad Voslau on 12 Apr 1944. Received second DUC for performance on 25 Jul 1944 when, despite severe opposition, the group led the wing formation in an attack against steel plants at Linz. Returned to the US in Jul 1945. Redesignated 454th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 27 Apr 1947. Redesignated 454th Bombardment Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. Ordered into active service on 1 May 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1951.

Redesignated 454th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 13 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 1 Jan 1953.

Squadrons. 81st: 1947-1949. 736th: 1943-1945; 1947-1951; 1952-1953. 737th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1953. 738th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1953. 739th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949.

Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jun 1943; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Jul 1943; McCook AAFld, Neb, c. 31 Jul 1943; Charleston AAFld, SC, 3 Oct-Dec 1943; San Giovanni, Italy, Jan 1944-Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 1 Aug 1945; Pyote AAFld, Tex, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945. McChord Field, Wash, 27 Apr 1947; Spokane AFB, Wash, 27 Jun 1949-16 Jun 1951. Portland Intl Aprt, Ore, 13 Jun 1952-1 Jan 1953.

Commanders. Col Horace D Aynesworth, c. Jun 1943; Col John A Way, 22 Mar 1945; Lt Col William R Large Jr, 21 May 1945; Lt Col Edward R Casey, 24 May 1945-unkn. Unkn, 1 May-16 Jun 1951.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Bad Voslau, Austria, 12 Apr 1944; Linz, Austria, 25 Jul 1944.

Insigne. None.

455th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 455th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained with B-24's. Moved to Italy, arriving in Jan and Feb 1944. Served in combat with Fifteenth AF from Feb 1944 to Apr 1945. Engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets such as factories, marshalling yards, oil refineries, storage areas, harbors, and airdromes in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Balkans. Received a DUC for a mission on 2 Apr 1944 when the group contributed to Fifteenth AF's campaign against enemy industry by attacking a ball-bearing plant at Steyr. Although meeting severe fighter opposition and losing several of its bombers on 26 Jun 1944, the group proceeded to attack an oil refinery at Moosbierbaum, receiving another DUC for this performance. In addition to strategic missions in the Balkans, the group bombed troop concentrations, bridges, marshalling yards, and airdromes during the fall of 1944 to hamper the enemy's withdrawal from the region. The group also supported ground forces at Anzio and Cassino in Mar 1944; knocked out gun positions in preparation for the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944; and assisted the final Allied drive through Italy in Apr 1945 by hitting such targets as bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations. Inactivated in Italy on Sep 1945.

Redesignated 455th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 25 Mar 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 455th Fighter-Day Group. Activated on 25 Jul 1956. Assigned to Tactical Air Command.

Squadrons. 740th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1956-. 741st: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1956-. 742d: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1956-. 743d: 1943-1945; 1947-1949.

Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jun 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 6 Sep 1943; Langley Field, Va, c. 5 Oct-2 Dec 1943; San Giovanni, Italy, 15 Jan 1944-9 Sep 1945. Hensley Field, Tex, 25 Mar 1947-27 Jun 1949. Myrtle Beach AFB, SC, 25 Jul 1956-.

Commanders. Col Kenneth A Cool, c. Jul 1943; Col William L Snowden, c. 16 Sep 1944; Lt Col William R Boutz, May 1945; Maj Jerome Hoss, Jul 1945-unkn. Maj John C Smith, 25 Jul 1956-.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Scuthern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Steyr, Austria, 2 Apr 1944; Austria: 16 Jun 1944.

Insigne. None.

456th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Trained with B-24's for duty overseas. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat with Fifteenth AF in Feb 1944, operating chiefly against strategic targets until late in Apr 1945. Early operations included attacks against such objectives as marshalling yards, aircraft factories, railroad bridges, and airdromes in Italy, Austria, and Rumania. Received a DUC for performance at Wiener Neustadt on 10 May 1944: when other groups turned back because of adverse weather, the 456th proceeded to the target and, withstanding repeated attacks by enemy interceptors, bombed the manufacturing center. Helped to prepare the way for and supported the invasion of Southern France during Jul and Aug 1944. At the same time, expanded previous operations to include attacks on oil refineries and storage facilities, locomotive works, and viaducts in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Balkans. Received second DUC for a mission in Hungary on 2 Jul 1944 when the group braved severe fighter attacks and antiaircraft fire to bomb oil facilities at Budapest. In Apr 1945 bombed gun positions, bridges, roads, depots, and rail lines to support US Fifth and British Eighth Army in their advance through Italy. Transported supplies to airfields in northern Italy after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Jul 1945. Redesignated 456th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 1 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 456th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated on 1 Dec 1952. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with C-119's. Inactivated on 1 Mar 1955.

Squadrons. 744th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1955. 745th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1955. 746th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-1955. 747th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jun 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 14 Jul 1943; Bruning AAFld, Neb, c. 30 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 11 Sep 1943; Muroc AAB, Calif, Oct-Dec 1943; Cerignola, Italy, Jan 1944; Stornara, Italy, Jan 1944-Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 1 Aug 1945; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945. McChord Field, Wash, 12 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949. Miami Intl Aprt, Fla, 1 Dec 1952; Charleston AFB, SC, 15 Aug 1953-1 Mar 1955.

Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jun-14 Jul 1943; Col Thomas W Steed, 14 Jul 1943; Lt Col Joseph G Russell, 16 Jul 1944; Col Thomas W Steed, Oct 1944; Lt Col Robert C Whipple, c. 19 May 1945-unkn; Col George E Henry, 31 Aug 1945; Col John W White, 4 Sep 1945-unkn. Col Leonard J Barrow Jr, c. Dec 1952; Lt Col Malcolm P Hooker, c. Feb 1953; Col Jay D Bogue, 1953-1 Mar 1955.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Wiener Neustadt, Austria, 10 May 1944; Budapest, Hungary, 2 Jul 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, a bar gemel debased argent over-all on a pile quarterly of the second and gules four stylized birds counterchanged. (Approved 7 Jul 1953.)

457th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to England, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew first mission on 21 Feb 1944 during Big Week, taking part in the concentrated attacks of heavy bombers on the German aircraft industry. Until Jun 1944, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets, such as ball-bearing plants, aircraft factories, and oil refineries in Germany. Bombed targets in France during the first week of Jun 1944 in preparation for the Normandy invasion, and attacked coastal defenses along the Cherbourg peninsula on D-Day. Struck airfields, railroads, fuel depots, and other interdictory targets behind the invasion beaches throughout the remainder of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic objectives in Jul 1944 and engaged chiefly in such operations until Apr 1945. Sometimes flew support and interdictory missions, aiding the advance of ground forces during the St Lo breakthrough in Jul 1944 and the landing of British 1 Airborne Division during the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944; and participating in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, and the assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 20 Apr 1945. Transported prisoners of war from Austria to France after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Jun 1945. Inactivated on 18 Aug 1945.

Squadrons. 748th: 1943-1945. 749th: 1943-1945. 750th: 1943-1945. 751st: 1943-1945.

Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Jul 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, 9 Jul 1943; Ephrata AAB, Wash, 28 Oct 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 4 Dec 1943-1 Jan 1944; Glatton, England, 22 Jan 1944-1 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 20 Jul-18 Aug 1945.

Commanders. Col Herbert E Rice, 24 Jul 1943; Lt Col Hugh D Wallace, 3 Sep 1943; Col James R Luper, 4 Jan 1944; Col Harris E Rogner, 11 Oct 1944-Aug 1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

458th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to England, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew diversionary missions on 24 and 25 Feb 1944 to draw enemy fighters from German targets being attacked by other AAF bombers. Began bombardment on 2 Mar 1944, and afterward operated primarily against strategic objectives in Germany. Hit such targets as the industrial area of Saarbrucken, oil refineries at Hamburg, an airfield at Brunswick, aircraft factories at Oschersleben, a fuel depot at Dulmen, a canal at Minden, aircraft works at Brandenburg, marshalling yards at Hamm, and an aircraft engine plant at Magdeburg. Carried out some interdictory and support operations in addition to the strategic missions. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by striking gun batteries, V-weapon sites, and airfields in France; hit coastal defenses in support of the assault on 6 Jun 1944; afterward, bombed bridges and highways to prevent the movement of enemy materiel to the beachhead. Attacked enemy troops to aid the Allied breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Ceased bombardment during Sep 1944 to haul gasoline to airfields in France. Struck transportation lines during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Attacked enemy airfields to assist the Allied assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Redesignated 458th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Trained with B-29's. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

Squadrons. 752d: 1943-1945. 753d: 1943-1945. 754th: 1943-1945. 755th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jul 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 28 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, 11 Sep 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 15 Sep 1943; Tonopah AAFld, Nev, 31 Oct-29 Dec 1943; Horsham St Faith, England, Jan 1944-14 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 12 Jul 1945; Walker AAFld, Kan, 25 Jul 1945; March Field, Calif, 21 Aug-17 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Lt Col Robert F Hardy, 28 Jul 1943; Col James H Isbell, 16 Dec 1943; Col Allen F Herzberg, 10 Mar 1945; Capt Patrick Hays, 13 Aug 1945; Maj Bernard Carlos, 17 Aug 1945; Maj V R Woodward, 22 Aug 1945; Lt Col Wilmer C Hardesty, 3 Sep-17 Oct 1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

459th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 459th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Engaged primarily in strategic bombardment, Mar 1944-Apr 1945, attacking such targets as oil refineries, munitions and aircraft factories, industrial areas, airfields, and communications centers in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for leading the 304th Wing through enemy interceptors and intense flak to raid an airfield and aircraft assembly plant at Bad Voslau on 23 Apr 1944. During combat the group also flew some support and interdictory missions. Struck railroads in Mar 1944 to cut enemy supply lines leading to the Anzio beachhead. Participated in the preinvasion bombing of southern France in Aug 1944. Hit railroad bridges, depots, and marshalling yards during Apr 1945 to assist Allied forces in northern Italy. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 18 Aug 1945.

Redesignated 459th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 19 Apr 1947. Redesignated 459th Bombardment Group (Medium) in Jun 1949. Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1951.

Redesignated 459th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 26 Jan 1955.

Squadrons. 57th: 1947-1949. 756th. 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1955-. 757th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1955-. 758th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949. 759th: 1943-1945; 1947-1951.

Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 31 Aug 1943 Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, c. 20 Sep 1943; Westover Field, Mass, c. 1 Nov 1943-2 Jan 1944; Giulia Airfield, Italy, Feb 1944-c. Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 16-28 Aug 1945. Long Beach AAFld, Calif, 19 Apr 1947; Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz, 27 Jun 1949-16 Jun 1951. Andrews AFB, Md, 16 Jan 1955-.

Commanders. Col Marden M Munn, 2 Jul 1943; Col Henry K Mooney, 13 Aug 1944; Lt Col William R Boutz, 19 May 1945; Lt Col J C Bailey, 30 May 1945-unkn. Unkn, 1 May-16 Jun 1951.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Bad Voslau, Austria, 23 Apr 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, an American eagle proper flying over clouds in the base argent between two parachutes, one in chief transporting an airman, one in base transporting supplies all of the last; in chief a canton argent charged with the Capitol dome of the second. Motto: In Honor Of Congress. (Approved 17 Jan 1956.)

460th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 460th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Jan-Feb 1944, and became part of Fifteenth AF. Entered combat in Mar 1944 and operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until Apr 1945. Attacked oil refineries, oil storage facilities, aircraft factories, railroad centers, industrial areas, and other objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for leading the wing formation through adverse weather and heavy enemy fire to attack an airdrome and aircraft facilities in Zwolfaxing on 16 Jul 1944. Also flew some interdictory and support missions. Participated in the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944 by striking submarine pens, marshalling yards, and gun positions in the assault area. Hit bridges, viaducts, ammunition dumps, railroads, and other targets to aid the advance of Allied forces in northern Italy. Moved to Trinidad and then to Brazil in Jun 1945, being assigned to Air Transport Command to assist in moving redeployed personnel from Europe to the US. Inactivated in Brazil on 26 Sep 1945.

Squadrons. 760th: 1943-1945. 761st: 1943-1945. 762d: 1943-1945. 763d: 1943-1945.

Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, 31 Aug 1943; Chatham AAFld, Ga, Oct 1943-3 Jan 1944; Spinazzola, Italy, Feb 1944-Jun 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, 15 Jun 1945; Natal, Brazil, 30 Jun-26 Sep 1945.

Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jul-12 Aug 1943; Col Robert T Crowder, 12 Aug 1943; Lt Col Bertram C Harrison, 16 Apr 1944; Lt Col Harold T Babb, Sep 1944; Col John M Price, 18 Oct 1944-1945.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Austria, 26 Jul 1944.

Insigne. None.

461st Bombardment Group - 468th Bombardment Group

461st Bombardment Group

Constituted as 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Jan-Feb 1944, the air echelon flying B-14's via the South Atlantic and stopping in North Africa before joining the ground echelon in Italy. Began combat with Fifteenth AF in Apr 1944. Engaged chiefly in bombardment of communications, industries, and other strategic objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Supported Fifteenth AF's counter-air operations by bombing enemy airdromes and aircraft centers, receiving a DUC for a mission on 13 Apr 1944 when the group battled its way through enemy defenses to attack an aircraft components plant in Budapest. Participated in the effort against the enemy's oil supply by flying missions to such oil centers as Brux, Blechhammer, Moosbierbaum, Vienna, and Ploesti. Received second DUC for a mission against oil facilities at Ploesti in Jul 1944 when, despite flak, clouds, smoke, and fighter attacks, the group bombed its objective. Also operated in support of ground forces and flew some interdictory missions. Hit artillery positions in support of the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944 and flew supply missions to France in Sep. Aided the Allied offensive in Italy in Apr 1945 by attacking gun emplacements and troop concentrations. Dropped supplies to prisoner-of-war camps in Austria during May 1945. Returned to the US in Jul. Inactivated on 18 Aug 1945.

Redesignated 461st Bombardment Group (Light). Activated on 23 Dec 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Trained with B-16's and later converted to B-57's. Redesignated 461st Bombardment Group (Tactical) in Oct 1955.

Squadrons. 764th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 765th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 766th: 1942-1945; 1953-. 767th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jul 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 29 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, 11 Sep 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 30 Sep 1943; Hammer Field, Calif, 30 Oct 1943-Jan 1944; Torretto Airfield, Italy, c. 20 Feb 1944-Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 22 Jul-18 Aug 1945. Hill AFB, Utah, 23 Dec 1953-.

Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jul-12 Aug 1943; Lt Col Willis G Carter, 12 Aug 194. Col Frederic E Glantzberg, c. 25 Oct 1943; Col Philip R Hawes, 22 Sep 1944; Col Brooks A Lawhon, 20 Dec 1944; Col Craven C Rogers, 16 Apr 1945-unkn. Maj Gordon Baker, c. Dec 1953; Lt Col Donald F Blake, 4 Feb 1954; Lt Col Robert F Price, 20 Feb 1954; Col Maxwell W Roman, c. 14 Jul 1954; Lt Col John A McVey, c. 16 May 1955; Lt Col William F Furman, c. 1 Aug 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Budapest, Hungary, 13 Apr 1944; Ploesti, Rumania, 15 Jul 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and light blue, superimposed over the bend a thunderbolt, bendwise, or, piercing through a cloud formation proper, over an increscent moon to the sinister chief, and a sun to the dexter base of the third; on a chief argent, over a bar to base of chief, embattled gules, an olive branch and seven arrows in saltire, between two spheres all proper. (Approved 4 Aug 1955.)

462nd Bombardment Group

Constituted as 462nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Redesignated 462nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Nov 1943. Prepared for combat with B-29's. Moved to the CBI theater, via Africa, Mar-Jun 1944. Assigned to Twentieth AF in Jun 1944. Transported supplies over the Hump to staging fields in China before entering combat with an attack on railroad shops at Bangkok, Thailand, on 5 Jun 1944. On 15 Jun 1944 took part in the first AAF strike on the Japanese home islands since the Doolittle raid in 1942. Operating from India and China, bombed transportation centers, naval installations, iron works, aircraft plants, and other targets in Japan, Thailand, Burma, China, Formosa, and Indonesia. From a staging base in Ceylon, mined the Moesi River on Sumatra in Aug 1944. Received a DUC for a daylight attack on iron and steel works at Yawata, Japan, in Aug 1944.

Moved to Tinian in the spring of 1945 for further operations against targets in Japan. Participated in mining operations, bombardment of strategic targets, and incendiary raids on urban areas. Bombed industrial areas in Tokyo and Yokohama in May 1945, being awarded a DUC for the action. Received another DUC for a daylight attack on an aircraft plant at Takarazuka on 24 Jul 1945. Returned to the US late in 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946.

Squadrons. 345th: 1945-1946. 768th: 1943-1946. 769th: 1943-1946. 770th: 1943-1946. 771st: 1943-1944.

Stations. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 Jul 1943; Walker AAFld, Kan, 28 Jul 1943-12 Mar 1944; Piardoba, India, 7 Apr 1944-26 Feb 1945; West Field, Tinian, 4 Apr-5 Nov 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, Nov 1945-31 Mar 1946.

Commanders. Unkn, 1 Jul-5 Aug 1943; Col Alan D Clark, 5 Aug 1943; Col Richard H Carmichael, 26 Aug 1943; Col Alfred F Kalberer, 20 Aug 1944-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater; India-Burma; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Western Pacific; Central Burma.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Yawata, Japan, 20 Aug 1944; Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan, 23, 25, and 29 May 1945; Takarazuka, Japan, 24 Jul 1945.

Insigne. None.

463d Bombardment Group

Constituted as 463rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Trained with B-17's for duty overseas. Moved to Italy, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Entered combat on 30 Mar 1944 and operated chiefly against strategic objectives. Attacked such targets as marshalling yards, oil refineries, and aircraft factories in Italy, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for bombing oil refineries at Ploesti on 18 May 1944: when clouds limited visibility to such an extent that other groups turned back, the 463rd proceeded to Ploesti and, though crippled by opposition from interceptors and flak, rendered destructive blows to both the target and the enemy fighters. Received second DUC for leading the wing through three damaging enemy attacks to bomb tank factories in Berlin on 24 Mar 1945. Also engaged interdictory and support missions. Bombed bridges during May and Jun 1944 in the campaign for the liberation of Rome. Participated in the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944 by striking bridges, gun positions, and other targets. Hit communications such as railroad bridges, marshalling yards, and airdromes in the Balkans. Operated primarily against communications in northern Italy during Mar and Apr 1945. After V-E Day, transported personnel from Italy to Casablanca for return to the US. Inactivated in Italy on 25 Sep 1945.

Redesignated 463rd Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US on 16 Jan 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with C-119's.

Squadrons. 772d: 1943-1945; 1953-. 773d: 1943-1945; 1953-. 774th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 775th: 1943-1945; 1955-.

Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Aug 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, Aug 1943; MacDill Field, Fla, 5 Nov 1943; Lakeland AAFld, Fla, Jan-1 Feb 1944; Celone Airfield, Italy, 9 Mar 1944-25 Sep 1945. Memphis Mun Aprt, Tenn, 16 Jan 1953; Ardmore AFB, Okla, 24 Aug 1954-.

Commanders. Lt Col Elmer H Stambaugh, 9 Aug 1943; Col Frank A Kurtz, 27 Aug 1943; Col George W McGregor, 11 Sep 1944; Col Ephraim M Hampton, Apr-c. Sep 1945. Col John R Roche, 16 Jan 1953; Col Woodrow T Merrill, 10 Aug 1953; Col Benjamin M Tarver Jr, 12 Aug 1954-.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Ploesti, Rumania, 18 May 1944; Germany, 24 Mar 1945.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, on a representation of a cloud argent a silhouette of mythical Pegasus drawing a chariot driven by Mars, the mythical Roman God of War, all sable. (Approved 30 Aug 1954.)

464th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Feb-Apr 1944, with the air echelon training for a few weeks in Tunisia before joining the remainder of the group in Italy. Served with Fifteenth AF, Apr 1944-May 1945, operating primarily as part of the strategic bombardment force that disrupted German industry and communications. Flew long-range missions to attack such objectives as marshalling yards, oil refineries, oil storage facilities, aircraft factories, and chemical plants in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for leading the 55th Wing in compact formation through heavy opposition to bomb marshalling yards and an oil refinery at Vienna on 8 Jul 1944. Received another DUC for a mission on 24 Aug 1944 when the group scored hits not only on the target, an oil refinery at Pardubice, but also on nearby railroad tracks. Sometimes engaged in support and interdictory operations. Supported Allied forces during the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944. Hit railroad centers to assist the advance of Russian troops in southeastern Europe in Mar 1945. Bombed enemy supply lines to assist the advance of US Fifth and British Eighth Army in northern Italy in Apr 1945. Moved to Trinidad in Jun 1945. Assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1945.

Redesignated 464th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US on 1 Feb 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Used C-46 and C-119 aircraft.

Squadrons. 776th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 777th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 778th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 779th: 1943-1945; 1955-.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Aug 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 22 Aug 1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 2 Oct 1943-9 Feb 1944; Pantanella Airfield, Italy, Mar 1944; Gioia, Italy, 21 Apr 1944; Pantanella Airfield, Italy, c. 1 Jun 1944-c. May 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, Jun-31 Jul 1945. Lawson AFB, Ga, 1 Feb 1953; Pope AFB, NC, 16 Sep 1954-.

Commanders. Unkn, 1 Aug-1 Sep 1943; Col Marshall Bonner, 2 Sep 1943; Col Arnold L Schroeder, 30 Jun 1944; Col A J Bird Jr, 13 Mar 1945-unkn. Col James A Evans, c. 1 Feb 1953; Col Charles F Franklin, 1954; Lt Col Adam A Reaves, 1955-.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Vienna, Austria, 8 Jul 1944; Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, [24] Aug 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, surmounting a cloud argent, an American eagle descendant, wings, endorsed proper, between his beak four lightning streaks, two and two gules, speed lines of the first all inclosed by two bendlets sinister vert, edged or. Motto: Certissimus In Incertis - Most Certain (in the sense of unerring or dependable) in Uncertainties. (Approved 15 Apr 1954.)

465th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 465th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Prepared for duty overseas with B-24's. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Feb-Apr 1944; the air echelon received additional training in Tunisia before joining the ground echelon in Italy. Assigned to Fifteenth AF. Entered combat on 5 May 1944 and served primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until late in Apr 1945. Attacked marshalling yards, dock facilities, oil refineries, oil storage plants, aircraft factories, and other objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans. On two different missions - to marshalling yards and an oil refinery at Vienna on 8 Jul 1944 and to steel plants at Friedrichshafen on 3 Aug 1944 - the group bombed its targets despite antiaircraft fire and fighter opposition, being awarded a DUC for each of these attacks. Other operations included bombing troop concentrations and bivouac areas in May 1944 to aid the Partisans in Yugoslavia; attacking enemy troops and supply lines to assist the drive toward Rome, May-Jun 1944; striking bridges, rail lines, and gun emplacements prior to the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944; bombing rail facilities and rolling stock in Oct 1944 to support the advance of Russian and Rumanian forces in the Balkans; and hitting troops, gun positions, bridges, and supply lines during Apr 1945 in support of Allied forces in northern Italy. Moved to the Caribbean area in Jun 1945. Assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated in Trinidad on 31 Jul 1945.

Redesignated 465th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US on 1 Feb 1953. Trained with C-119's. Moved to France in Dec 1953 to become part of United States Air Forces in Europe.

Squadrons. 780th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 781st: 1943-1945; 1953-. 782d: 1943-1945; 1953-. 783d: 1943-1945.

Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Aug 1943; Kearns, Utah, Sep 1943; McCook AAFld, Neb, c. 5 Oct 1943-1 Feb 1944; Pantanella Airfield, Italy, Apr 1944-Jun 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, 15 Jun-31 Jul 1945. Donaldson AFB, SC, 1 Feb-30 Nov 1953; Toul/Rosiere AB, France, Dec 1953; Evreux AB, France, c. 20 May 1955-.

Commanders. Col Elmer Rogers Jr, 24 Aug 1943; Col Charles A Clark Jr, 13 Mar 1944; Lt Col Joshua H Foster, 1 Dec 1944; Lt Col William F Day Jr, 26 Apr 1945-unkn. Maj Clifford F Harris, Feb 1953; Col Earl W Worley, c. Mar 1953; Lt Col James D Barlow, 10 May 1954; Col James A Evans Jr, 19 Sep 1954; Col James D Barlow, 7 Apr 1955-.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Vienna, Austria, 8 Jul 1944; Germany, 3 Aug 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend gules and vert, a bend argent charged with a bendlet azure, between a wing of the third and a compass proper (bezant, with diapering green, bordered argent, thereover a four-pointed star compass, gules and azure). Motto: Onus Ferens Vitam - Cargo Carrying Life. (Approved 1 Jun 1955.)

466th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 466th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Prepared for duty overseas with B-24's. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 22 Mar 1944 by participating in a daylight raid on Berlin. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, attacking such targets as marshalling yards at Liege, an airfield at St Trond, a repair and assembly plant at Reims, an airdrome at Chartres, factories at Brunswick, oil refineries at Bohlen, aircraft plants at Kempten, mineral works at Hamburg, marshalling yards at Saarbrucken, a synthetic oil plant at Misburg, a fuel depot at Dulmen, and aeroengine works at Eisenach. Other operations included attacking pillboxes along the coast of Normandy on D-Day (6 Jun 1944), and afterward striking interdictory targets behind the beachhead; bombing enemy positions at St Lo during the Allied breakthrough in Jul 1944; hauling oil and gasoline to Allied forces advancing across France in Sep; hitting German communications and transportation during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and bombing the airfield at Nordhorn in support of the airborne assault across the Rhine on 24 Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945, striking a transformer station at Traunstein. Returned to the US in Jul. Redesignated 466th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Trained with B-29's. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

Squadrons. 784th: 1943-1945. 785th: 1943-1945. 786th: 1943-1945. 787th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Aug 1943; Kearns, Utah, 31 Aug 1943; Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 24 Nov 1943; Topeka AAFld, Kan, 5-13 Feb 1944; Attlebridge, England, 7 Mar 1944-6 Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 15 Jul 1945; Pueblo AAB, Colo, 25 Jul 1945; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 15 Aug-17 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Maj Beverly E Steadman, 23 Aug 1943; Maj Walter A Smith Jr, 29 Aug 1943; Col Walter G Bryte Jr, 2 Sep 1943; Col Arthur Pierce, 17 Dec 1943; Col Luther J Fairbanks, 1 Aug 1944; Col William H Cleveland, 1 Nov 1944-1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

467th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began operations on 10 Apr 1944 with an attack on an airfield at Bourges. Served chiefly as a strategic bombardment organization, attacking the harbor at Kiel, chemical plants at Bonn, textile factories at Stuttgart, power plants at Hamm, steel works at Osnabruck, the aircraft industry at Brunswick, and other objectives. In addition to strategic operations, engaged occasionally in support and interdictory missions. Bombed shore installations and bridges near Cherbourg on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. Struck enemy troop and supply concentrations near Montreuil on 25 Jul 1944 to assist the Allied drive across France. Hauled gasoline to France in Sep for mechanized forces. Attacked German communications and fortifications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Hit enemy transportation to assist the Allied assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul. Redesignated 467th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Trained with B-17 and B-29 aircraft. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.

Squadrons. 788th: 1943-1944, 1944-1946. 789th: 1943-1946. 790th: 1943-1946. 791st: 1943-1946.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Aug 1943; Mountain Home AAFld, Idaho, 8 Sep 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 17 Oct 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Nov 1943-12 Feb 1944; Rackheath, England, 11 Mar 1944-12 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 15 Jul 1945; Fairmont AAFld, Neb, 25 Jul 1945; Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 25 Aug 1945; Harvard AAFld, Neb, 8 Sep 1945; Clovis AAFld, NM, Dec 1945-4 Aug 1946.

Commanders. Capt Garnet B Palmer, 9 Sep 1943; Col Frederic E Glantzberg, 17 Sep 1943; Col Albert H Shower, 25 Oct 1943-1945; Maj Frank E McCarthy, Sep 1945; Col Audrin R Walker, 16 Sep 1945; Lt Col William W Amorous, Mar 1946; Lt Col Kenneth S Steele, Apr 1946; Col Thomas Gent Jr, 21 Jun-Aug 1946.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

468th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 468th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Redesignated 468th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Nov 1943. Equipped with B-29's. Moved, via Africa, to the CBI theater, Mar-Jun 1944. Assigned to Twentieth AF in Jun 1944. Flew over the Hump to carry supplies from India to staging fields in China before entering combat with an attack on railroad shops at Bangkok, Thailand, on 5 Jun 1944. On 15 Jun participated in the first AAF attack on Japan since the Doolittle raid in 1942. From bases in India, China, and Ceylon, mined shipping lanes near Saigon, French Indochina, and Shanghai, China, and struck Japanese installations in Burma, Thailand, French Indochina, Indonesia, Formosa, China and Japan. Targets included iron works, aircraft factories, transportation centers and naval installations. Received a DUC for participation in a daylight raid on the iron and steel works at Yawata, Japan, 11 Aug 1944. Evacuated advanced bases in China in Jan 1945 but continued operations from India, bombing storage areas in Rangoon, Burma, a railroad bridge at Bangkok, Thailand, railroad shops at Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, and the drydock in Singapore harbor. Flew additional missions against Japan after moving to Tinian during Feb-May 1945. Took part in mining operations, incendiary raids on area targets, and high-altitude missions against strategic objectives. Dropped incendiaries on Tokyo and Yokohama in May 1945, being awarded a DUC for the attacks. Received another DUC for a daylight strike on an aircraft plant at Takarazuka, Japan, in Jul 1945. After the war, dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners and participated in show-of-force missions over Japan. Returned to the US in Nov 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946.

Squadrons. 512th: 1945-1946. 792d: 1943-1946. 793d: 1943-1946. 794th (later 6th): 1943-1946. 795th: 1943-1946.

Stations. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 Aug 1943-12 Mar 1944; Kharagpur, India, 13 Apr 1944-24 Feb 1945; West Field, Tinian, 6 Apr-15 Nov 1945; Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, 1 Dec 1945; Roswell AAFld, NM, 12 Jan-31 Mar 1946.

Commanders. Col Howard E Engler, 8 Sep 1943; Col Ted S Faulkner, 3 Aug 1944; Col James V Edmundson, 5 Nov 1944-31 Mar 1946.

Campaigns. India-Burma; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Western Pacific; Central Burma.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Yawata, Japan, 20 Aug 1944; Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan, 23-29 May 1945; Takarasuka, Japan, 24 Jul 1945.

Insigne. None.

469th Bombardment Group - 479th Antisubmarine Group

469th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 469th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Assigned to Second AF. Equipped with B-17's. Served as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 Apr 1944.

Squadrons. 796th: 1943-1944. 797th: 1943-1944. 798th: 1943-1944. 799th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Pueblo AAB, Colo, 1 May 1943; Alexandria, La, 7 May 1943-1 Apr 1944.

Commanders. Maj Walter E Chambers, 7 May 1943; Lt Col William I Marsalis, 17 May 1943; Lt Col William E Creer, 21 Aug 1943; Lt Col Marshall R Gray, 5 Sep 1943; Lt Col Quentin T Quick, 12 Nov 1943-unkn.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

470th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 470th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Assigned to Second AF; reassigned to Fourth AF in Jan 1944. Equipped with B-14's. Served first as an operational training and later as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 31 Mar 1944.

Squadrons. 800th: 1943-1944. 801st: 1943-1944. 802d: 1943-1944. 803d: 1943-1944.

Stations. Mountain Home AAFld, Idaho, 1 May 1943; Tonopah AAFld, Nev, 6 Jan-31 Mar 1944.

Commanders. Maj Henry H Covington Jr, 7 Jul 1943; Lt Col Roland Barnick, 12 Nov 1943-unkn.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

471st Bombardment Group

Constituted as 471st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Assigned to Second AF and later (Jan 1944) to First AF. Served as a replacement training unit, using B-24 aircraft. Disbanded on 10 Apr 1944.

Squadrons. 804th: 1943-1944. 805th: 1943-1944. 806th: 1943-1944. 807th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Alexandria, La, 1 May 1943; Pueblo AAB, Colo, 7 May 1943; Westover Field, Mass, 28 Jan-20 Apr 1944.

Commanders. Lt Col Raymond L Cobb, 1 Jun 1943; Lt Col Wilson H Banks, 16 Oct 1943-unkn.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

472nd Bombardment Group

Constituted as 472nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Sep 1943. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 472nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 1 Dec 1943. Trained crews for combat with B-29's. Disbanded on 1 Apr 1944.

Squadrons. 808th: 1943-1944. 809th: 1943-1944. 810th: 1943-1944. 811th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 Sep 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 7 Dec 1943-1 Apr 1944.

Commanders. Maj Conrad H Diehl, Oct 1943; Col Thomas H Chapman, 22 Oct 1943-unkn.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

473rd Fighter Group

Constituted as 473rd Fighter Group on 12 Oct 1943. Activated on 1 Nov 1943. Assigned to Fourth AF. Equipped primarily with P-38 aircraft. Operated as replacement training unit. Disbanded on 31 Mar 1944.

Reconstituted and redesignated 473d Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 8 Jul 1955. Activated on 8 Apr 1956. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Had no combat squadrons assigned.

Squadrons. 451st: 1943-1944. 482d: 1943-1944. 483d: 1943-1944. 484th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Grand Central Air Terminal, Calif, 1 Nov 1943; Ephrata AAB, Wash, 28-31 Mar 1944. K I Sawyer Mun Aprt, Mich, 8 Apr 1956-.

Commanders. Lt Col Robert L Johnston, Nov 1943; Col Romulus W Puryear, 27 Nov 1943; Lt Col Milton H Ashkins, 20 Dec 1943-31 Mar 1944. Lt Col Robert L Brocklehurst, 1956-.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

474th Fighter Group

Constituted as 474th Fighter Group on 26 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Trained for combat with P-38's. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF. Flew first combat mission, an area patrol along the coast of France, on 25 Apr 1944. Attacked bridges and railroads in France in preparation for the Normandy invasion. Provided cover for the invasion force that was crossing the Channel on the night of 5/6 Jun and flew bombing missions to support the landings on the following day. Began armed reconnaissance missions after D-Day to assist ground forces, and attacked highways and troops to aid the Allied breakthrough at St Lo, 25 Jul. Moved to the Continent in Aug 1944 for continued operations in support of ground forces. Bombed and strafed such targets as airfields, hangars railroads, bridges, highways, barges, fuel dumps, ammunition depots, gun emplacements, and troop concentrations until the end of the war; also escorted bombers that struck marshalling yards, factories, cities, and other objectives. Received a DUC for a mission in France on 23 Aug 1944: participating in a joint air-ground attack against retreating enemy forces in the Falaise-Argentan area, the group discovered an immense quantity of enemy equipment massed along the Seine River; despite severe fire from small arms and from antiaircraft guns that the Germans had placed at two bridges to protect the materiel and cover the retreat, the group repeatedly bombed and strafed the enemy, knocking out motor transports, barges bridges, and other objectives, thereby disrupting the evacuation and enabling Allied ground forces to capture German troops and equipment. Other operations included bombardment of flak positions near Eindhoven in advance of British 1 Airborne Division during the attack on Holland in Sep 1944; participation in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and patrols along the route of the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Continued operations until V-E Day. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945. Inactivated on 8 Dec 1945.

Redesignated 474th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated in Japan on 10 Jul 1952. Assigned to Tactical Air Command but attached to Far East Air Forces for duty in the Korean War. Served in combat from Aug 1952 until the armistice in Jul 1953, operating from Korea and using F-84 aircraft. Bombed and strafed such targets as bunkers, troops, artillery positions, bridges, vehicles, airfields, and power plants, and sometimes escorted bombers that attacked munitions factories and other objectives. After the armistice, trained with F-84 and F-86 aircraft. Moved to the US, Nov-Dec 1954, and continued training with F-86's.

Squadrons. 428th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 429th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 430th: 1943-1945; 1952-.

Stations. Glendale, Calif, 1 Aug 1943; Van Nuys Metropolitan Aprt, Calif, 11 Oct 1943; Oxnard Flight Strip, Calif, 5 Jan-6 Feb 1944; Moreton, England, 12 Mar 1944; Neuilly, France, 6 Aug 1944; St Marceau, France, 29 Aug 1944; Peronne, France, 6 Sep 1944; Florennes, Belgium, 1 Oct 1944; Strassfeld, Germany, 22 Mar 1945; Langensalza, Germany, 22 Apr 1945; Schweinfurt, Germany, 16 Jun 1945; Stuttgart, Germany, 25 Oct-21 Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 6-8 Dec 1945. Misawa, Japan, 10 Jul 1952; Kunsan, Korea, 10 Jul 1952; Taegu, Korea, 1 Apr 1953-22 Nov 1954; Clovis AFB, NM, 13 Dec 1954-.

Commanders. Col Clinton C Wasem, 1 Aug 1943; Lt Col Earl C Hedlund, c. 17 Feb 1945; Lt Col David L Lewis, Apr 1945-unkn. Lt Col William L Jacobsen, 10 Jul 1952; Lt Col Francis J Vetort, 29 Aug 1952; Col Joseph Davis Jr, 16 Dec 1952; Col Richard N Ellis, 1953; Col John S Loisel, May 1953-unkn; Col Franklin H Scott, May 1954-.

Campaigns. World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Korean War: Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: France, 23 Aug 1944; Korea, 1 Dec 1952-30 Apr 1953. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944; 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 10 Jul 1952-30 Mar 1953.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and or in bend a lightning bolt throughout bendwise gules, fimbriated or, between a sphere argent, grid lines sable, and a stylized jet tail pipe vert, emitting eight fire blasts gules, the pipe charged with an annulet of the first, fimbriated or, a semee of stars of the fourth on the azure field. (Approved 22 Jun 1955.)

475th Fighter Group

Activated in Australia on 14 May 194 by special authority granted to Fifth AF prior to constitution as 475th Fighter Group on 15 May 1943. Equipped with P-38's and trained to provide long-range escort for bombers during daylight raids on Japanese airfields and strongholds in the Netherlands Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago. Moved to New Guinea and began operations in Aug 1943. Received a DUC for missions in Aug 1943 when the group not only protected B-15's that were engaged in strafing attacks on airdromes at Wewak but also destroyed a number of the enemy fighter planes that attacked the formation. Received second DUC for intercepting and destroying many of the planes the Japanese sent against American shipping in Oro Bay on 15 and 17 Oct 1943. Covered landings in New Guinea, New Britain, and the Schouten Islands. After moving to Biak in Jul 1944, flew escort missions and fighter sweeps to the southern Philippines, Celebes, Halmahera, and Borneo. Moved to the Philippines in Oct 1944 and received another DUC for bombing and strafing enemy airfields and installations, escorting bombers, and engaging in aerial combat during the first stages of the Allied campaign to recover the Philippines, Oct-Dec 1944. Maj Thomas B McGuire Jr was awarded the Medal of Honor: while voluntarily leading flights of P-38's escorting bombers that struck Mabalacat Airdrome on 25 Dec 1944 and Clark Field the following day, he shot down seven Japanese fighters; on 7 Jan 1944, while attempting to save a fellow flyer from attack during a fighter sweep over Los Negroes Island, Maj McGuire risked a hazardous maneuver at low altitude, crashed, and was killed. The group flew many missions to support ground forces on Luzon during the first part of 1945. Also flew escort missions to China and attacked railways on Formosa. Began moving to Ie Shima in Aug but the war ended before the movement was completed. Moved to Korea in Sep 1945 for occupation duty as part of Far East Air Forces. Converted to P-51's in 1946. Moved to Japan in 1948. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1949.

Redesignated 475th Fighter Group (Air Defense). Activated in the US on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with F-89's.

Squadrons. 431st: 1943-1949. 432d: 1943-1949; 1955-. 433d: 1943-1949.

Stations. Amberley Field, Australia, 14 May 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, 14 Aug 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 24 Mar 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, 15 May 1944; Biak, c. 14 Jul 1944; Dulag, Leyte, 28 Oct 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, 5 Feb 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, 28 Feb 1945; Lingayen, Luzon, c. 20 Apr 1945; Ie Shima, 8 Aug 1945; Kimpo, Korea, c. 23 Sep 1945; Itazuke, Japan, 28 Aug 1948; Ashiya, Japan, 25 Mar-1 Apr 1949. Minneapolis-St Paul Intl Aprt, Minn, 18 Aug 1955-.

Commanders. Lt Col George W Prentice, 21 May 1943; Col Charles H MacDonald, 26 Nov 1943; Lt Col Meryl M Smith, Aug 1944; Col Charles H MacDonald, 13 Oct 1944; Lt Col John S Loisel, 15 Jul 1945; Col Henry G Thorne Jr, 18 Apr 1946; Col Ashley B Packard, 20 Jul 1946; Col Leland S Stranathan, 22 Mar 1947; Col Carl W Pyle, 7 Jun 1947; Col William O Moore, 19 Sep 1947; Lt Col Woodrow W Ramsey, 28 Aug 1948-25 Mar 1949. Col David Gould, Aug 1955-.

Campaigns. China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; China Offensive.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: New Guinea, 18 and 21 Aug 1943; New Guinea, 15 and 17 Oct 1943; Philippine Islands, 25 Oct-25 Dec 1944. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, over a crossbow or, string argent, bow striped red and silver; a lightning bolt gules, highlighted of the third, surmounting the stock; a pair of wings argent, issuing from the end of the stock; between four seven-pointed stars and one five-pointed star, spattered over the field; all within a diminutive border per pale argent and gules. Motto: In Proelio Gaudete - Be Joyful in Battle. (Approved 26 Nov 1956.)

476th Fighter Group

Constituted as 476th Fighter Group on 20 Apr 1943. Assigned to Fourteenth AF Activated in China on 19 May 1943 with no squadrons assigned. Disbanded in China on 31 Jul 1943.

Reconstituted on 11 Oct 1943. Activated in the US on 1 Dec 1943. Assigned to First AF as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 Apr 1944.

Reconstituted and redesignated 476th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 11 Dec 1956. Activated on 8 Feb 1957. Assigned, without combat squadrons, to Air Defense Command.

Squadrons. 453d: 1943-1944. 541st: 1943-1944. 542d: 1943-1944. 543d: 1943-1944.

Stations. Kunming, China, 19 May-31 Jul 1943. Richmond AAB, Va, 1 Dec 1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 26 Mar-1 Apr 1944. Glasgow AFB, Mont, 8 Feb 1957-.

Commanders. Unkn.

Campaigns. Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

477th Composite Group

Constituted as 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 13 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jun 1943. Assigned to Third AF. Trained with B-26 aircraft. Inactivated on 25 Aug 1943.

Activated on 15 Jan 1944. Assigned to First AF. Trained with B-15's. Redesignated 477th Composite Group in Jun 1945. Equipped with B-25's and P-47's. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1947.

Squadrons. 99th Fighter: 1945-1947. 616th Bombardment: 1943; 1944-1945. 617th Bombardment: 1943; 1944-1947. 618th Bombardment: 1943; 1944-1945. 619th Bombardment: 1943; 1944-1945.

Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Jun-25 Aug 1943. Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan 1944; Godman Field, Ky, 6 May 1944; Lockbourne AAB, Ohio, 13 Mar 1946-1 Jul 1947.

Commanders. Lt Col Andrew O Lerche, 1943. Col Robert R Selway Jr, 21 Jan 1944; Col Benjamin O Davis Jr, 21 Jun 1945-1 Jul 1947.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

478th Fighter Group

Constituted as 478th Fighter Group on 12 Oct 1943. Activated on 1 Dec 1943. Assigned to Fourth AF. After a delay in obtaining personnel and equipment, the group began operations in Mar 1944 as a replacement training unit, using P-39 aircraft. Disbanded on 31 Mar 1944.

Reconstituted and redesignated 478th Fighter Group (Air Defense), on 11 Dec 1956. Activated on 8 Feb 1957. Assigned to Air Defense Command.

Squadrons. 18th: 1957-. 454th: 1943-1944. 544th: 1943-1944. 545th: 1943-1944. 546th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 1 Dec 1943; Santa Rosa AAFld, Calif, 12 Dec 1943; Redmond AAFld, Ore, 3 Feb-31 Mar 1944. Grand Forks AFB, ND, 1 Feb 1957-.

Commanders. Col John W Weltman,; Dec 1943; Lt Col Ernest C Young, 31 Jan-31 Mar 1944. Unkn, 1957.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

479th Antisubmarine Group

Constituted as 479th Antisubmarine Group on 1 Jul 1943 and activated in England on 8 Jul. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine Command. Began operations with B-24 aircraft on 13 Jul. The 479th's most effective antisubmarine patrols were in the Bay of Biscay from 18 Jul to 2 Aug 1943, the period in which the group made nearly all of its attacks on enemy U-boats After that time the enemy avoided surfacing during daylight and adopted a police of evasion, but the group continued its patrols, often engaging enemy aircraft in combat. Ended operations in Oct 1943. Disbanded in England on 11 Nov 1943.

Squadrons. 4th: 1943. 6th: 1943. 19th: 1943. 22d: 1943.

Stations. St Eval, England, 8 Jul 1943; Dunkeswell, England, 6 Aug 1943; Podington, England, Nov-11 Nov 1943.

Commanders. Col Howard Moore, 8 July. Nov 1943.

Campaigns. Antisubmarine, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

479th Fighter Group - 488th Bombardment Group

479th Fighter Group

Constituted as 479th Fighter Group on 12 Oct 1943 and activated on 15 Oct. Equipped with P-38's. Trained for combat and served as an air defense organization. Moved to England, Apr-May 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. From May 1944 to Apr 1945, escorted heavy bombers during operations against targets on the Continent, strafed targets of opportunity, and flew fighter-bomber, counter-air, and area-patrol missions. Engaged primarily in escort activities and fighter sweeps until the Normandy invasion in June 1944. Patrolled the beachhead during the invasion. Strafed and dive-bombed troops, bridges, locomotives, railway cars, barges, vehicles, airfields, gun emplacements, flak towers, ammunition dumps, power stations, and radar sites while on escort or fighter-bomber missions as the Allies drove across France during the summer and fall of 1944; flew area patrols to support the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul and the airborne attack on Holland in Sep. Received a DUC for the destruction of numerous aircraft on airfields in France on 18 Aug and 5 Sep and during aerial battle near Munster on 26 Sep. Continued escort and fighter-bomber activities from Oct to mid-Dec 1944, converting to P-51's during this period. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) by escorting bombers to and from targets in the battle area and by strafing transportation targets while on escort duty. Flew escort missions from Feb to Apr 1945, but also provided area patrols to support the airborne attack across the Rhine in Mar. Returned to the US in Nov 1945. Inactivated on Dec 1945.

Redesignated 479th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 1 Dec 1952. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Equipped successively with F-51, F-86 and F-100 aircraft. Redesignated 479th Fighter-Day Group in Feb 1954.

Squadrons. 434th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 435th: 1943-1945; 1952-. 436th: 1943-1945; 1952-.

Stations. Grand Central Air Terminal Calif, 15 Oct 1943; Lomita Flight Strip, Calif, c. Feb 1944; Santa Maria AAFld, Calif, c. 8-c. 12 Apr 1944; Wattisham, England, c. 15 May 1944-c. 23 Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, c. 29 Nov-1 Dec 1945. George AFB, Calif, 1 Dec 1952-.

Commanders. Lt Col Leo F Dusard Jr, c. 28 Oct 1943; Maj Francis Pope, c. 14 Nov 1943; Lt Col Kyle L Riddle, c. 16 Dec 1943; Col Hubert Zemke, 12 Aug 1944; Col Kyle L Riddle, 1 Nov 1944-unkn. Col Woodrow W Ramsey, 1952- unkn; Lt Col Verl D Luehring, 1953; Col Jacob W Dixon, c. 19 Aug 1953; Col William B Harris, c. 31 May 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: ETO, 18 Aug, 5 and 26 Sep 1944. French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

Insigne. Shield: Or, a broad sword gules in bend piercing a cloud proper, between a point sinister pointed gules, charged with six stars argent three, two and one, and a point in base vert, all within a diminutive border azure. Motto: Protectores Libertatis - Defenders of Liberty. (Approved 10 Sep 1954.)

480th Antisubmarine Group

Constituted as 480th Antisubmarine Group on 19 Jun 1943 and activated in North Africa on 21 Jun. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine Command. Using B-24's, the group had the primary mission of carrying out antisubmarine patrols in an area of the Atlantic extending north and west from Morocco. Its antisubmarine activity reached a peak in Jul 1943 when enemy U-boats concentrated off the coast of Portugal to intercept convoys bound for the Mediterranean; by destroying and damaging several submarines during the month, the group aided in protecting supply lines to forces involved in the campaign for Sicily. The group also covered convoys and engaged numerous enemy aircraft in combat. In Sep 1943 part of the group moved temporarily to Tunisia and operated in connection with the assault on Italy; missions included searching for enemy submarines, covering Allied convoys, and protecting the Italian fleet after the surrender of Italy. The group was awarded a DUC for actions that contributed to the winning of the Battle of the Atlantic. Moved to the US in Nov and Dec 1943. Disbanded on 29 Jan 1944.

Squadrons. 1st: 1943-1944. 2d: 1942-1944.

Stations. Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 21 Jun-Nov 1943; Langley Field, Va, c. 18 Nov 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 1-29 Jan 1944.

Commanders. Col Jack Roberts, 21 Jun 1943-unkn.

Campaigns. Antisubmarine, EAM Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: North African Theater of Operations [1943].

Insigne. None.

482nd Bombardment Group

Constituted as 482nd Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) on 10 Aug 1943 and activated in England on 20 Aug. Assigned to Eighth AF. Provided a pathfinder force of radar-equipped aircraft to precede bomber formations and indicate targets obscured by weather. Flew its first mission on 27 Sep 1943, leading bombers of 1st and 3rd Bombardment Divisions to attack the port at Emden. Operated chiefly as a pathfinder organization until Mar 1944, detaching its B-17 and B-24 aircraft, with crews, to other stations in England to lead Eighth AF elements on specific missions to the Continent. Led attacks on factories at Gotha, Brunswick, Schweinfurt, and other industrial centers during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Also served as the pathfinder force for bombers attacking airfields, submarine installations, cities, marshalling yards, and other targets, primarily in Germany. Received a DUC for a mission on 11 Jan 1944 when it led organizations of Eighth AF into central Germany to attack aircraft industries; although weather conditions prevented effective fighter protection against severe attack by enemy aircraft, the group not only bombed the assigned targets, but also destroyed a number of enemy planes. Removed from combat status in Mar 1944 and after that operated a school for pathfinder crews with the objective of training a pathfinder squadron for each Eighth AF bombardment group; made radarscope photographs of France, the Low Countries, and Germany for use in training and briefing combat crews; and tested radar and other navigational equipment. Often bombed such targets as bridges, fuel depots, power plants, and railroad stations while on experimental flights; flew a pathfinder mission to assist the bombardment of coastal defenses in Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and later that day led attacks on traffic centers behind the beachhead; sometimes dropped propaganda leaflets. Redesignated 482nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1944. Continued its training and experimental work until V-E Day. Moved to the US, May-Jun 1945. Inactivated on 1 Sep 1945.

Redesignated 482nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 26 Jun 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 482nd Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 14 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 1 Dec 1952.

Redesignated 482nd Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 18 May 1955.

Squadrons. 6th: 1947-1949. 812th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952; 1955-. 813th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952. 814th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952.

Stations. Alconbury, England, 20 Aug 1943-21 May 1945; Victorville AAFld, Calif, c. 5 Jul-1 Sep 1945. New Orleans Mun Aprt, La, 26 Jun 1947-27 Jun 1949. Miami Intl Aprt, Fla, 14 Jun-1 Dec 1952; Dobbins AFB, Ga, 18 May 1955-.

Commanders. Col Baskin R Lawrence Jr, 20 Aug 1943; Col Howard Moore, 1 Dec 1943; Lt Col Clement W Bird, 15 Dec 1944-1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.

Insigne. None.

483d Bombardment Group

Constituted as 483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and activated on 20 Sep. Trained with B-17's. Moved to Italy, Mar-Apr 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Began operations in Apr 1944 and served in combat until late in Apr 1945, hitting such targets as factories, oil refineries, marshalling yards, storage areas, airdromes, bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for action on 18 Jul 1944 when, without fighter escort, the group engaged numerous enemy aircraft in the target area and also bombed the objective, an airdrome and installations at Memmingen. Assisting the strategic bombardment of enemy industry the group received another DUC for braving fighter assaults and antiaircraft fire to bomb tank factories at Berlin on 24 May 1945. Struck targets in southern France in preparation for the invasion in Aug 1944. Operated in support of ground force in northern Italy during the Allied offensive in Apr 1945. After V-E Day, transported personnel from Italy to North Africa for movement to the US. Inactivated in Italy on 25 Sep 1945.

Redesignated 483rd Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in Japan on 1 Jan 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command but attached to Far East Air Forces for duty in the Korean War. Used C-119's to transport personnel and supplies to Korea, receiving a Korean DUC for the missions. Received an AFOUA for operations during 1953-1954: while transporting supplies to UN forces in Korea and training with airborne troops, the group also assisted the French in Indochina by hauling supplies and training personnel for airlift operations in C-119's. Assigned to Far East Air Forces in 1954.

Squadrons. 815th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 816th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 817th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 840th (formerly 818th): 1943-1945.

Stations. Ephrata AAB, Wash, 20 Sep 1943; MacDill Field, Fla, 7 Nov 1943-2 Mar 1944; Tortorella, Italy, 30 Mar 1944; Sterparone Airfield, Italy, 22 Apr 1944; Pisa, Italy 15 May-25 Sep 1945. Ashiya AB, Japan, 1 Jan 1953-.

Commanders. Col Paul L Barton, c. 26 Sep 1943; Col Joseph B Stanley, 8 May-c. Sep 1945. Lt Col Ernest W Burton, 1 Jan 1953; Col George M Foster, 1 Mar 1953; Lt Col Kenneth C Jacobs, Jul 1955; Col Horace W Patch, c. Aug 1955-.

Campaigns. World War II: Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley. Korean War: Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Germany, 18 Jul 1944; Germany, 24 Mar 1945. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [Jan]-27 Jul 1953. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 6 May 1953-10 Sep 1954.

Insigne. Shield: Azure (sky blue), a sphere encircled with an orbit all or, latitude and longitude lines azure (deep blue), over the sphere a hand proper supporting a parachute proper, an aircraft proper, and artillery proper; encircling the upper section of the sphere, three clouds proper and an increscent moon and four stars of the second color; on a chief of the third, thirteen stars argent, the chief fimbriated or. Motto: Effective Airlift Support. (Approved 2 Feb 1956.)

484th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and activated on 20 Sep. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Mar-Apr 1944. Assigned to Fifteenth AF. Redesignated 484th Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) in May 1944 but did not perform pathfinder functions. Redesignated 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1944. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, Apr 1944-Apr 1945. Attacked such targets as oil refineries, oil storage plants, aircraft factories, heavy industry, and communications in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia. On 13 Jun 1944 a heavy smoke screen prevented the group from bombing marshalling yards at Munich; however, in spite of severe damage from flak and interceptors, and despite heavy gunfire encountered at the alternate target, the group bombed marshalling yards at Innsbruck and received a DUC for its persistent action. Received second DUC for performance on 21 Aug 1944 when, unescorted, the organization fought its way through intense opposition to attack underground oil storage installations in Vienna. In addition to strategic missions the 484th participated in the drive toward Rome by bombing bridges, supply dumps, viaducts, and marshalling yards, Apr-Jul 1944; ferried gasoline and oil to Allied forces in southern France, Sep 1944; and supported the final advance through northern Italy, Apr 1945. Moved to Casablanca in May 1945. Assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated in French Morocco on 25 Jul 1945.

Squadrons. 824h: 1943-1945. 825th: 1943-1945. 826th: 1943-1945. 827th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Harvard AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943-2 Mar 1944; Torretto Airfield, Italy, Apr 1944; Casablanca, French Morocco, c. 25 May-25 Jul 1945.

Commanders. Col William B Keese, Oct 1943; Lt Col Chester C Busch, Apr 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Munich, Germany, and Innsbruck, Austria, 13 Jun 1944; Vienna, Austria, 21 Aug 1944.

Insigne. None.

485th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 485th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and activated on 10 Sep. Trained with B-24's. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Mar-Apr 1944, with the air echelon receiving additional training in Tunisia before joining the ground echelon in Italy. Assigned to Fifteenth AF. Entered combat in May 1944 and engaged primarily in flying long-range missions to targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia, bombing marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives. Received a DUC for combating intense fighter opposition and attacking an oil refinery at Vienna on 26 Jun 1944. Also carried out some support and interdiction operations. Struck bridges, harbors, and troop concentrations in Aug 1944 to aid the invasion of Southern France. Hit communications lines and other targets during Mar and Apr 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army in northern Italy. Returned to the US in May 1945. Redesignated 485th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Equipped with B-29's. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.

Squadrons. 506th: 1946. 828th: 1943-1946. 829th: 1943-1946. 830th: 1943-1946. 831st: 1943-1945.

Stations. Fairmont AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943-11 Mar 1944; Venosa, Italy, Apr 1944-15 May 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 30 May 1945; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, 24 Jul 1945; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 8 Sep 1945-4 Aug 1946.

Commanders. Col Walter E Arnold Jr, 27 Sep 1943; Col John P Tomhave, c. 29 Aug 1944; Col John B Cornett, 17 Feb 1945; Lt Col Douglas M Cairns, 23 Mar ~94~-unkn; Lt Col Richard T Lively, 6 Aug 1945; Col John W White, 15 Sep 1945; Col Walter S Lee, 1946-Aug 1946.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Vienna, Austria, 16 Jun 1944.

Insigne. None.

486th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 486th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and activated on 20 Sep. Moved to England in Mar 1944 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat in May 1944 with B-14 aircraft but soon converted to B-17's. Operated chiefly against strategic objectives in Germany until May 1945. Targets included marshalling yards in Stuttgart, Cologne, and Mainz; airfields in Kassel and Munster; oil refineries and storage plants in Merseburg, Dollbergen, and Hamburg; harbors in Bremen and Kiel; and factories in Mannheim and Weimar. Other missions included bombing airfields, gun positions, V-weapon sites, and railroad bridges in France in preparation for or in support of the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944; striking road junctions and troop concentrations in support of ground forces pushing across France, Jul-Aug 1944; hitting gun emplacements near Arnheim to minimize transport and glider losses during the airborne invasion of Holland in Sep 1944; and bombing enemy installations in support of ground troops during the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) and the assault across the Rhine (Mar-Apr 1945). Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Squadrons. 832d: 1943-1945. 833d: 1943-1945. 834th: 1943-1945. 835th: 1943-1945.

Stations. McCook AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 9 Nov 1943-Mar 1944; Sudbury, England, Mar 1944-Aug 1945; Drew Field, Fla, 3 Sep-7 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Col Glendon P Overing, 20 Sep 1943; Col William B Kieffer, c. 13 Apr 1945; Lt Col J James Grater, Jul 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air-Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

487th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 487th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and activated on 20 Sep. Prepared for overseas duty with B-24's. Moved to England, Mar-Apr 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began combat in May 1944, bombing airfields in France in preparation for the invasion of Normandy; then pounded coastal defenses, road junctions, bridges and locomotives during the invasion. Attacked German troops and artillery positions to assist British forces near Caen in Jul; struck gun emplacements to support the Allied effort at Brest in Aug and to cover the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944. Flew a few missions against German industries, refineries, and communications during the period May-Aug 1944, but operated almost solely against strategic targets from Aug 1944, when conversion to B-17's was completed, until Mar 1945. Attacked oil refineries in Merseburg, Mannheim, and Dulmen; factories in Nurnberg, Hannover, and Berlin; and marshalling yards in Cologne, Munster, Hamm, and Neumunster. Aided ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, and turned again to support and interdictory operations in Mar 1945 as the Allies crossed the Rhine and made the final thrust into Germany. Returned to the US, Aug-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Squadrons. 836th: 1943-1945. 837th: 1943-1945. 838th: 1943-1945. 839th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Bruning AAFld, Neb, 20 Sep 1943; Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 15 Dec 1943-c. 13 Mar 1944; Lavenham, England, 5 Apr 1944-26 Aug 1945; Drew Field, Fla, 3 Sep-7 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Lt Col Charles E Lancaster, 4 Oct 1943; Lt Col Beirne Lay Jr, 28 Feb 1944; Col Robert Taylor III, 12 May 1944; Col William K Martin, 28 Dec 1944; Lt Col Howard C Todt, May 1945; Col Nicholas T Perkins, 3 Jun 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

488th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 488th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Assigned to Second AF; reassigned to Third AF in Nov 1943. Equipped with B-17's. Served as a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 May 1944:

Squadrons. 818th (formerly 840th): 1943-1944. 841st: 1943-1944. 842d: 1943-1944. 843d: 1943-1944.

Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Oct 1943; MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Nov 1943-1 May 1944.

Commanders. Lt Col Rudolph B Robeck, 1 Oct 1943; Maj George H Goody, 12 Oct 1943; Lt Col Ansley Watson, 25 Oct 1943; Col Gerry L Mason, 11 Dec 1943; Lt Col Ansley Watson, 11 Feb 1944; Lt Col Robert K Martin, 15 Mar-1 May 1944.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

489th Bombardment Group - 499th Bombardment Group

489th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 489th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained with B-24's. Moved to England, Apr-May 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 30 May 1944, and during the next few days concentrated on targets in France in preparation for the Normandy invasion. In an attack against coastal defenses near Wimereaux on 5 Jun 1944, the group's lead plane was seriously crippled by enemy fire, its pilot was killed, and the deputy group commander, Lt Col Leon R Vance Jr, who was commanding the formation, was severely wounded; although his right foot was practically severed, Vance took control of the plane, led the group to a successful bombing of the target, and managed to fly the damaged aircraft to the coast of England, where he ordered the crew to bail out; believing a wounded man had been unable to jump, he ditched the plane in the Channel and was rescued. For his action during this mission, Vance was awarded the Medal of Honor. The group supported the landings in Normandy on 6 Jun 1944, and afterward bombed coastal defenses, airfields, bridges, railroads, and V-weapon sites in the campaign for France. Began flying missions into Germany in Jul, and engaged primarily in bombing strategic targets such as factories, oil refineries and storage plants, marshalling yards, and airfields in Ludwigshafen, Magdeburg, Brunswick, Saarbrucken, and other cities until Nov 1944. Other operations included participating in the saturation bombing of German lines just before the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul, dropping food to the liberated French and to Allied forces in France during Aug and Sep, and carrying food and ammunition to Holland later in Sep. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1944, to prepare for redeployment to the Pacific theater. Redesignated 489th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Mar 1945. Equipped with B-29's. Alerted for movement overseas in the summer of 1945, but war with Japan ended before the group left the US. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

Squadrons. 844th: 1943-1945. 845th: 1943-1945. 846th: 1943-1945. 847th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Oct 1943-3 Apr 1944; Halesworth, England, c. 1 May-Nov 1944; Bradley Field, Conn, 12 Dec 1944; Lincoln AAFld, Neb, c. 17 Dec 1944; Great Bend AAFld, Kan, c. 18 Feb 1945; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 3 Apr 1945; Fairmont AAFld, Neb, c. 13 Jul 1945; Ft Lawton, Wash, 23 Aug 1945; March Field, Calif, 2 Sep-17 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Col Ezekiel W Napier, 20 Oct 1943; Lt Col Robert E Kollimer, 5 Feb 1945; Col Paul C Ashworth, 11 Apr 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

490th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 490th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to England in Apr 1944 for operations with Eighth AF. Entered combat in Jun 1944, bombing airfields and coastal defenses in France immediately preceding and during the invasion of Normandy. Then struck bridges, rail lines, vehicles, road junctions, and troop concentrations in France. Supported ground forces near Caen in Jul and near Brest in Sep 1944. After that, converted to B-17's and operated primarily against strategic targets until the end of Feb 1945. Mounted attacks against enemy oil plants, tank factories, marshalling yards, aircraft plants, and airfields in such cities as Berlin, Hamburg, Merseburg, Munster, Kassel, Hannover, and Cologne. Interrupted strategic missions to attack supply lines and military installations during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Beginning in Mar 1945, attacked interdictory targets and supported advancing ground forces. After V-E Day, carried food to flood-stricken areas of Holland and transported French, Spanish, and Belgian prisoners of war from Austria to Allied centers. Returned to the US, Aug-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Squadrons. 848th: 1943-1945. 849th: 1943-1945. 850th: 1943-1945. 851st: 1943-1945.

Stations. Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, 1 Oct 1943; Mountain Home AAFld, Idaho, 4 Dec 1943-Apr 1944; Eye, England, c. 1 May 1944-Aug 1945; Drew Field, Fla, 3 Sep-7 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Maj Lyle E Halstead, 11 Oct 1943; Lt Col Beirne Lay Jr, 28 Oct 1943; Lt Col James H Isbell, Nov 1943; Col Lloyd H Watnee, 30 Dec 1943; Col Frank P Bostrom, 26 Jun 1944; Col Gene H Tibbets, c. 10 Jun 1945; Lt Col Clarence Adams, c. 9 Jul 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

491st Bombardment Group

Constituted as 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. On 1 Jan 1944 the group, less the air echelon, was transferred without personnel and equipment to England, where personnel were assigned later. The air echelon continued to train in the US until it joined the group in England in May 1944. Served in combat with Eighth AF until the end of Apr 1945. Began operations early in Jun 1944 and attacked airfields, bridges, and coastal defenses both preceding and during the invasion of Normandy. Then concentrated its attacks on strategic objectives in Germany, striking communications centers, oil refineries, storage depots, industrial areas, shipyards, and other targets in such places as Berlin, Hamburg, Kassel, Cologne, Gelsenkirchen, Bielefeld, Hannover, and Magdeburg; on one occasion attacked the headquarters of the German General Staff at Zossen, Germany. While on a mission to bomb an oil refinery at Misburg on 26 Nov 1944, the group was attacked by large numbers of enemy fighters; although about one-half of its planes were destroyed, the remainder fought off the interceptors, successfully bombed the target, and won for the group a DUC. Although engaged primarily in strategic bombardment, the group also supported ground forces at St Lo in Jul 1944; assaulted V-weapon sites and communications lines in France during the summer of 1944; dropped supplies to paratroops on 18 Sep 1944 during the airborne attack in Holland; bombed German supply lines and fortifications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; supported Allied forces in the airborne drop across the Rhine in Mar 1945; and interdicted enemy communications during the Allied drive across Germany in Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Jul. Inactivated on 8 Sep 1945.

Squadrons. 852d: 1943-1945. 853d: 1943-1945. 854th: 1943-1945. 855th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Oct 1943; El Paso, Tex, 11 Nov 1943; England, 1 Jan 1944; North Pickenham, England, Feb 1944; Metfield, England, Mar 1944; North Pickenham, England, 15 Aug 1944-Jun 1945; McChord Field, Wash, 17 Jul-8 Sep 1945.

Commanders. Col Dwight O Monteith, 10 Oct 1943; Maj Jack G Merrell, 20 Dec 1943; Col Wilson H Banks, 5 Jan 1944; Maj Alex E Burleigh, 19 Jan 1944; Lt Col Jack G Merrell, 29 Jan 1944; Lt Col Carl T Goldenburg, 12 Feb 1944; Col F H Miller, 26 Jun 1944; Col Allen W Reed, c. 20 Oct 1944-1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Misburg, Germany, 26 Nov 1944.

Insigne. None.

492d Bombardment Group

Constituted as 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to England in Apr 1944 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 11 May 1944, and throughout the month operated primarily against industrial targets in central Germany. Attacked airfields and V-weapon launching sites in France during the first week in Jun. Bombed coastal defenses in Normandy on 6 Jun 1944 and attacked bridges, railroads, and other interdiction targets in France until the middle of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic targets in Germany and, except for support of the infantry during the St Lo breakthrough on 25 Jul 1944, continued such operations until Aug 1944. Transferred, less personnel and equipment, to another station in England on 5 Aug 1944 and assumed personnel, equipment, and the Carpetbagger mission of a provisional group that was discontinued. Operated chiefly over southern France with B-24's and C-47's, engaging in Carpetbagger operations, that is, transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets to patriots. Ceased these missions on 16 Sep 1944 to haul gasoline to advancing mechanized forces in France and Belgium. Intermittently attacked airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other targets in France, the Low Countries, and Germany until Feb 1945. Meanwhile, in Oct 1944, began training for night bombardment operations; concentrated on night bombing of marshalling yards and goods depots in Germany, Feb-Mar 1945. Ceased these missions on 18 Mar 1945 to engage in Carpetbagger operations over Germany and German-occupied territory, using B-24, A-26, and British Mosquito aircraft to drop leaflets, demolition equipment, and agents. Received a DUC for these operations, performed at night despite adverse weather and vigorous opposition from enemy ground forces, 20 Mar-25 Apr 1945. Also cited by the French government for similar operations over France in 1944. Flew its last Carpetbagger mission in Apr 1945 and then ferried personnel and equipment to and from the Continent until Jul. Returned to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Redesignated 492d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

Squadrons. 406th: 1945. 856th: 1943-1945. 857th: 1943-1945. 858th: 1943-1944, 1944-1945. 859th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Oct 1943-1 Apr 1944; North Pickenham, England, 18 Apr 1944; Harrington, England, 5 Aug 1944-8 Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 14 Aug 1945; Kirtland Field, NM, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Col Arthur Pierce, 19 Oct 1943; Maj Louis C Adams, 17 Dec 1943; Col Eugene H Snavely, 16 Jan 1944; Col Clifford Heflin, 13 Aug 1944; Lt Col Robert W Fish, 16 Aug 1944; Col Hudson H Upham, 17 Dec 1944; Lt Col Jack M Dickerson, c. 7 Jun 1945; Lt Col Dalson E Crawford, 30 Aug-Oct 1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; Rhineland; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany and German-occupied territory, 20 Mar-25 Apr 1945. French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

Insigne. None.

493d Bombardment Group

Constituted as 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Nov 1943. On 1 Jan 1944 transferred, less the air echelon and without personnel and equipment, to England where personnel were assigned. Joined by the air echelon in May 1944. Served in combat with Eighth AF, May 1944-Apr 1945, using B-14's until they were replaced with B-17's in Sep 1944. Operated chiefly against industrial and military installations in Germany, attacking an ordnance depot at Magdeburg, marshalling yards at Cologne, synthetic oil plants at Merseburg, a railroad tunnel at Ahrweiler, bridges at Irlich, factories at Frankfurt, and other strategic objectives. Additional operations included striking airfields, bridges, and gun batteries prior to and during the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944; hitting enemy positions to assist ground forces south of Caen and at St Lo in Jul 1944; bombing German fortifications to cover the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944; attacking enemy communications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and assisting the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission, an attack on marshalling yards at Nauen, on 20 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 28 Aug 1945.

Squadrons. 860th: 1943-1945. 861st: 1943-1945. 862d: 1943-1945. 863d: 1943-1945.

Stations. McCook AAFld, Neb, 1 Nov 1943; Elveden Hall, England, 1 Jan 1944; Debach, England, Apr 1944-6 Aug 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 12-28 Aug 1945.

Commanders. Col Elbert Helton, 1 Nov 1943; Col Robert B Landry, 16 Feb 1945; Lt Col Shepler W Fitzgerald Jr, 5 Jun-28 Aug 1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

494th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 494th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Dec 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Hawaii in Jun 1944 for additional training. Assigned to Seventh AF and moved to Palau late in Sep. Helped to construct a base of operations on Angaur, then entered combat on 3 Nov 1944 with attacks against Japanese airfields on Yap and Koror. Conducted strikes on other bypassed enemy installations in the Pacific and against the Japanese in the Philippines. Late in 1944 hit gun emplacements, personnel areas, ant storage depots on Corregidor and Caballo at the entrance to Manila Bay; bombed radio installations and power plants at Japanese bases in the Philippines; and attacked enemy-held airfields, including Clark Field on Luzon. Early in 1945 struck airfields on Mindanao and ammunition and supply dumps in the Davao Gulf and Illana Bay areas. Moved to Okinawa in Jun 1945. Engaged primarily in attacks against enemy airfields on Kyushu until V-J Day. Also participated in incendiary raids, dropped propaganda leaflets over urban areas of Kyushu and struck airfields in China, in southern Korea, and around the Inland Sea of Japan. Transported personnel and supplies from Manila to Tokyo after the war Returned to the US in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 4 Jan 1946.

Squadrons. 864th: 1943-1946. 865th: 1943-1946. 866th: 1943-1946. 867th: 1944-1946.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Dec 1943; Mountain Home AAFld, Idaho, 15 Apr-2 June 1944; Barking Sands, TH, 15 Jun 1944; Angaur, 30 Sep 1944; Yontan, Okinawa, 24 Jun-8 Dec 1945; Ft Lawton, Wash, 2-4 Jan 1946.

Commanders. Unkn, Dec 1943-Feb 1944; Col Laurence B Kelly, 24 Feb 1944-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus; China Offensive.

Decorations. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Insigne. None.

497th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and activated on 20 Nov. Prepared for overseas duty with B-29's. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Oct 1944, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Began operations in Oct 1944 with attacks against Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. Took part in the first attack (24 Nov 1944) on Japan by AAF planes based in the Marianas. Flew many missions against strategicrobjectives in Japan; on numerous raids, made its attacks in daylight and from high altitude. Received a DUC for a mission on 27 Jan 1945: although weather conditions prevented the group from bombing its primary objective, the unescorted B-29's withstood severe enemy attacks to strike an alternate target, the industrial area of Hamamatsu. Awarded second DUC for attacking strategic centers in Japan during Jul and Aug 1945. Assisted the assault on Okinawa in Apr 1945 by bombing enemy airfields to cut down air attacks against the invasion force. Beginning in Mar 1945 and continuing until the end of the war the group made incendiary raids against Japan, flying at night and at low altitude to bomb area targets. Returned to the US in Nov 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946.

Squadrons. 513th: 1945-1946. 869th: 1943-1946. 870th: 1943-1946. 871st: 1943-1946. 872d: 1943-1946.

Stations. El Paso Mun Aprt, Tex, 20 Nov 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 1 Dec 1943; Pratt AAFld, Kan, 13 Apr-28 Jul 1944; Isley Field, Saipan, 17 Oct 1944-1 Nov 1945; Camp Stoneman, Calif, 14 Nov 1945; March Field, Calif, 26 Nov 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, 5 Jan-31 Mar 1946.

Commanders. Lt Col John P Veerling, 10 Dec 1943; Col Karl Truesdell Jr, 6 Mar 1944; Col Stuart P Wright, 26 Apr 1944; Col Arnold T Johnson, 26 Feb 1945-31 Mar 1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 27 Jan 1945; Japan, 26 Jul-2 Aug 1945.

Insigne. None.

498th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 498th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and activated on 20 Nov. Equipped with B -29's. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Nov 1944, for duty with Twentieth AF. Flew its first combat missions against Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. On 24 Nov 1944 participated in the first assault on Japan by B-29's operating from the Marianas. Conducted numerous attacks against industrial targets in Japan, flying in daylight and at high altitude to carry out these missions. Received a DUC for striking an aircraft engine plant at Nagoya on 13 Dec 1944. Began flying missions at night in Mar 1945, operating from low altitude to drop incendaries on area targets in Japan; received second DUC for incendiary raids on urban industries near Kobe and Osaka during Jun 1945. Operations also included strikes against Japanese airfields during the Allied invasion of Okinawa in Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Nov 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.

Squadrons. 514th: 1945-1946. 873d: 1943-1946. 874th: 1943-1946. 875th: 1943-1946. 876th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Clovis AAFld, NM, 20 Nov 1943; Great Bend AAFld, Kan, 13 Apr-13 Jul 1944; Isley Field, Saipan, 6 Sep 1944-2 Nov 1945; March Field, Calif, Dec 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, 5 Jan-4 Aug 1946.

Commanders. Lt Col Joseph H West, 11 Dec 1943; Maj Crocker Snow, 20 Jan 1944; Col Wiley D Ganey, 14 Mar 1944; Col Donald W Saunders, 10 Aug 1945-unkn; Col Richard T King Jr, unkn-4 Aug 1946.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 13 Dec 1944; Japan, 1-7 Jun 1945.

Insigne. None.

499th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 499th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and activated on 20 Nov. Trained for combat with B-29's. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Nov 1944, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Began operations with attacks in the Truk Islands and on Iwo Jima, and took part on 24 Nov 1944 in the first strike against Japan by AAF planes stationed in the Marianas. Flew numerous missions in daylight, operating from high altitude to bomb strategic targets in Japan. Received a DUC for striking the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya on 23 Jan 1945. In Mar 1945 began to conduct night attacks, flying at low altitude to drop incendiaries on area targets in Japan. Completed a series of attacks against enemy airfields on Kyushu to aid the Allied assault on Okinawa in Apr 1945 and received another DUC for this action. Also dropped propaganda leaflets on Japan, and after the war dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners of war. Returned to the US in Nov 1945. Inactivated on 16 Feb 1946.

Squadrons. 877th: 1943-1946. 878th 1943-1946. 879th: 1943-1946. 880th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 20 Nov 1943; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 Dec 1943-22 Jul 1944; Isley Field, Saipan, 18 Sep 1944-9 Nov 1945; March Field, Calif, c. 25 Nov 1945-16 Feb 1946.

Commanders. Unkn, Nov 1943-Jan 1944; Maj Douglas C Northrup, 22 Jan 1944; Col Thomas C Musgrave, 1 Feb 1944; Col Samuel R Harris, 4 Apr 1944; Col Morris Lee, 17 Mar 1945; Lt Col Walter E Chambers, 13 Aug 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Nagoya, Japan, 23 Jan 1945; Japan, 22-28 Apr 1945.

Insigne. None.

500th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 500th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and activated on 20 Nov. Equipped first with B-17's; later trained for combat with B-29's. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Nov 1944, for service with Twentieth AF. Entered combat on 11 Nov 1944 with an attack against a submarine base in the Truk Islands. On 24 Nov participated in the first attack on Japan by B-29's based in the Marianas. After that, conducted many daylight raids, operating from high altitude to bomb strategic targets in Japan. Struck the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya in Jan 1945 and received a DUC for the mission. Bombed enemy airfields and other installations on Kyushu in support of the Allied assault on Okinawa in Apr 1945. Beginning in Mar 1945, flew missions at night and at low altitude to drop incendiaries on area targets in Japan. Received second DUC for incendiary attacks on the urban-industrial section of Osaka, feeder industries at Hamamatsu, and shipping and rail targets on Kyushu, in Jun 1945. Released propaganda leaflets over the Japanese home islands, Jul-Aug 1945. Dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners in Japan, Korea, China, and Formosa after the war. Returned to the US in Oct 1945. Inactivated on 17 Jan 1946.

Squadrons. 881st: 1943-1946. 882d: 1943-1946. 883d: 1943-1946. 884th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Gowen Field, Idaho, 20 Nov 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 12 Jan 1944; Walker AAFld, Kan, 16 Apr-13 Jul 1944; Isley Field, Saipan, 18 Sep 1944-21 Oct 1945; March Field, Calif, 24 Oct 1945-17 Jan 1946.

Commanders. Unkn, Nov 1943-Jan 1944; Maj Ralph A Reeve, 28 Jan 1944; Maj John E Gay, 7 Feb 1944; Lt Col John E Dougherty, 8 Mar 1944; Col Richard T King Jr, 5 May 1944; Col John E Dougherty, 5 Dec 1944; Lt Col William L McDowell Jr, 4 Dec 1945; Maj James H Coats, 19 Dec 1945-17 Jan 1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Nagoya, Japan, 23 Jan 1945; Japan, 15-20 Jun 1945.

Insigne. None.

501st Bombardment Group

Constituted as 501st Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 25 May 1944. Activated on 1 Jun 1944. Moved to Guam, Mar-Apr 1945, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Entered combat on 19 Jun 1945 when its B-29's bombed Japanese fortifications in the Truk Islands. Flew its first mission against Japan on 27 Jun 1945, and afterward operated principally against the enemy's petroleum industry on Honshu. Received a DUC for attacks on the Maruzen oil refinery at Shimotsu, the Utsubo oil refinery at Yokkaichi, and the petroleum center at Kawasaki, in Jul 1945. After the war, dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners in Japan, China, Korea, and Manchuria. Inactivated on Guam on 10 Jun 1946.

Squadrons. 21st: 1944-1946. 41st: 1944-1946. 485th: 1944-1946.

Stations. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 1 Jun 1944; Harvard AAFld, Neb, 22 Aug 1944-7 Mar 1945; Northwest Field, Guam, 14 Apr 1945-10 Jun 1946.

Commanders. Capt Harry L Young, c. 27 Jun 1944; Lt Col Arch G Campbell Jr, 6 Jul 1944; Col Boyd Hubbard Jr, 11 Aug 1944; Col Vincent M Miles Jr, 15 Apr-20 May 1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan, 6-13 Jul 1945.

Insigne. None.

502d Bombardment Group

Constituted as 502d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 25 May 1944 Activated on 1 Jun 1944. Trained for combat with B-29's. Moved to Guam, Apr-Jun 1945, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Entered combat on 30 Jun 1945 when the group bombed enemy installations on Rota. Bombed Japanese-held Truk early in Jun 1945. Flew its first mission against the Japanese home islands on 15 Jul 1945, and afterward operated principally against the enemy's petroleum industry. Awarded a DUC for attacks on the coal liquefaction plant at Ube, the tank farm at Amagasaki and the Nippon oil refinery at Tsuchizaki in Aug 1945. After the war, dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners in Japan and participated in several show-of-force missions over Japan. Inactivated on Guam on is Apr 1946.

Squadrons. 402d: 1944-1946. 411th: 1944-1946. 430th: 1944-1946.

Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Jun 1944; Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 5 Jun 1944; Grand Island AAFld, Neb, 26 Sep 1944-7 Apr 1945; Northwest Field, Guam, 12 May 1945-15 Apr 1946.

Commanders. Lt Col Estley R Farley, 9 Jul 1944; Lt Col Robert C McBride, 1 Aug 1944; Col Kenneth O Sanborn, 6 Oct 1944-15 Apr 1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan, 5-15 Aug 1945.

Insigne. None.

504th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 504th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 18 Feb 1944. Activated on 11 Mar 1944. Equipped first with B-17's; later trained for combat with B-29's. Moved to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater late in 1944 for service with Twentieth AF. Began combat operations from Tinian in Jan 1945 with attacks on Japanese airfields and other installations on Maug and Iwo Jima and in the Truk Islands. Flew its first mission against the Japanese home islands early in Feb 1945 when the group bombed the industrial area of Kobe. Continued to attack strategic targets in Japan, operating in daylight and at high altitude to bomb such objectives as aircraft factories, chemical plants, harbors, and arsenals. Received a DUC for striking the industrial center at Yokohama late in May 1945. Began incendiary raids in Mar 1945, flying at night and at low altitude to strike area targets in Japan. Started mining operations against enemy shipping late in Mar, receiving a DUC for mining Korean shipping lanes, the Shimonoseki Strait, and harbors of the Inland Sea, Jul-Aug 1945. In Apr and May 1945 the group hit airfields from which the Japanese launched kamikaze planes against the invasion force during the assault on Okinawa. After the war it dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners, participated in show-of-force missions, and flew over Japan to evaluate damage inflicted by bombardment operations. Moved to the Philippines in Mar 1946. Inactivated on Luzon on 15 Jun 1946.

Squadrons. 393d: 1944. 398th: 1944-1946. 421st: 1944-1946. 507th: 1944. 680th: 1944-1946.

Stations. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 11 Mar 1944; Fairmont AAFld, Neb, 12 Mar-5 Nov 1944; North Field, Tinian, 23 Dec 1944; Clark Field, Luzon, 6 Mar-15 Jun 1946.

Commanders. Capt Basil D Murray, Mar 1944; Col James T Connally, 6 Apr 1944; Col Glen W Martin, 6 Feb 1945; Col Charles B Root, 18 Sep 1945; Col John P Kenny, 2 Apr-15 Jun 1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Yokohama, Japan, 28 May 1945; Japan and Korea, 27 Jul-14 Aug 1945.

Insigne. None.

505th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 505th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 28 Feb 1944. Activated on 11 Mar 1944. Equipped first with B-17's; later trained for overseas duty with B-29's. Moved to Tinian late in 1944. Assigned to Twentieth AF. Entered combat in Feb 1945 with strikes on Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. Then began daylight missions against Japan, operating at high altitude to bomb strategic objectives. Received a DUC for a strike against the Nakajima aircraft factory at Ota in Feb 1945. Conducted incendiary raids on area targets in Japan, carrying out these missions at night and at low altitude. Bombed in support of the Allied assault on Okinawa in Apr 1945. Engaged in mining operations against Japanese shipping, receiving second DUC for mining the Shimonoseki Strait and harbors of the Inland Sea, Jun-Jul 1945. After V-J Day, dropped supplies to Allied prisoners, participated in show-of-force missions, and flew over Japan to evaluate bombardment damage. Moved to the Philippine Islands in Mar 1946. Inactivated on Luzon on 30 Jun 1946.

Squadrons. 482d: 1944-1946. 483d: 1944-1946. 484th: 1944-1946. 485th: 1944.

Stations. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 11 Mar 1944; Harvard AAFld, Neb, 1 Apr-Nov 1944; North Field, Tinian, 19 Dec 1944-5 Mar 1946; Clark Field, Luzon, 14 Mar-30 Jun 1946.

Commanders. Maj George D Roberts, 15 Apr 1944; Col Robert A Ping, 3 May 1944; Lt Col Charles M Eisenhart, 1 Jul 1945; Col John P Kenny, c. Sep 1945-1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Ota, Japan, 10 Feb 1945; Japan, 17 Jun-1 Jul 1945.

Insigne. None.

506th Fighter Group

Constituted as 506th Fighter Group on 5 Oct 1944 and activated on 21 Oct. Equipped with P-51 aircraft. Moved to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Feb-Apr 1945, the air echelon flying patrols from Tinian before joining the rest of the group on Iwo Jima. The group, assigned to Twentieth AF, flew its first mission from Iwo on 18 May when it bombed and strafed an airfield in the Bonin Islands. Afterward attacked airfields, antiaircraft emplacements, shipping, barracks, radio and radar stations, railway cars, and other targets in the Bonin Islands or Japan. Also provided air defense for Iwo and escorted B-29's during bombardment mission from the Marianas to Japan. Received DUC for defending B-29's against attack by fighter aircraft during the period 7-10 Jun 1945. Returned to the US in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 16 Dec 1945.

Squadrons. 457th: 1944-1945. 458th: 1944-1945. 462nd: 1944-1945.

Stations. Lakeland AAFld, Fla, 2 Oct 1944-16 Feb 1945; North Field, Iwo Jima, 24 Apr-3 Dec 1945; Camp Anza, Calif, 15-16 Dec 1945.

Commanders. Col Bryan B Harper, 25 Oct 1944-1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan, 7-10 Jun 1945.

Insigne. Shield: On a barry wavy of four argent and azure, second bar semee of stars of the first, over-all an escutcheon, per pale argent and or, a crest of a stylized wing of the first, fimbriated of the second, the escutcheon surmounting a sword bendwise, hilt and pommel or, blade of the last, shaded gules; on a chief of the second, a sphere argent, land areas vert, over two lightning flashes in saltire gules, fimbriated of the first. (Approved 21 Jul 1955.)

507th Fighter Group

Constituted as 507th Fighter Group on 5 Oct 1944 and activated on 12 Oct. Moved to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Apr-Jun 1945. Assigned to Twentieth AF; reassigned to Eighth AF in Aug 1945. Entered combat on 1 Jul 1945, operating from Ie Shima with P-47's. Flew missions to Japan, Korea, and China to attack such targets as shipping, railroad bridges, airfields, factories, and barracks. Met little fighter opposition until 8 Aug 1945 when the group, flying its only B-29 escort mission of the war, encountered many enemy planes over Yawata, Japan. Received a DUC for its performance on 13 Aug 1945: while flying a long-range sweep to Korea, the group engaged a host of interceptors and destroyed a number of them. Moved to Okinawa in Jan 1946. Inactivated on 27 May 1946.

Redesignated 507th Fighter Group (Air Defense). Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with F-89's.

Squadrons. 438th: 1955-. 463d: 1944-1946. 464th: 1944-1946. 465th: 1944-1946.

Stations. Peterson Field, Colo, 12 Oct 1944; Bruning AAFld, Neb, 20 Oct 1944; Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 15 Dec 1944-24 Apr 1945; Ie Shima, 24 Jun 1945; Yontan, Okinawa, 29 Jan-27 May 1946. Kinross AFB, Mich, 18 Aug 1955-.

Commanders. Col Loring F Stetson Jr, 27 Oct 1944; Lt Col Woodrow W Korges, 12 Sep 1945; Maj Byron H Foreman, 2 Nov 1945; Capt Franklin L Fisher, 20 Nov 1945-unkn. Col John L Locke, 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Western Pacific; Ryukyus; China Offensive.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Korea, 13 Aug 1945.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, edged argent, over a point pointed in point bendwise and arched gules, fimbriated of the second, a falcon flying downward per bend argent; between two planets and a star in sinister chief, and the Great Dipper in dexter base all proper. Motto: Defendimus Usque Ad Astra - We Defend Even to the Stars. (Approved 17 Aug 1956.)

508th Fighter Group

Constituted as 508th Fighter Group on 5 Oct 1944 and activated on 12 Oct. Trained with P-47 aircraft to provide very-long-range escort for bombardment units. Moved to Hawaii in Jan 1945 and served as part of the defense force for the islands. Also trained replacement pilots for other organizations, repaired P-47's and P-51's received from combat units, and ferried aircraft to forward areas. Inactivated in Hawaii on 25 Nov 1945.

Squadrons. 466th: 1944-1945. 467th: 1944-1945. 468th: 1944-1945.

Stations. Peterson Field, Colo, 12 Oct 1944; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 25 Oct 1944; Bruning AAFld, Neb, 15 Nov-18 Dec 1944; Kahuku, TH, 6 Jan 1945; Mokuleia, TH, 25 Feb 1945; Bellows Field, TH, 16 Sep-25 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Col Henry G Thorne Jr, 9 Nov 1944; Col Frank H Mears, 27 Nov 1944; Col Oswald W Lunde, 4 May-25 Nov 1945.

Campaigns. Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend engrailed azure and gules, in bend a chain or and in chief an atomic cloud argent issuing from a base gray, over-all three figures representing the "Spirit of '76" sable fimbriated of the fourth. Motto: Knowledge And Courage. (Approved 14 Sep 1953.)

509th Composite Group

Constituted as 509th Composite Group on 9 Dec 1944 and activated on 17 Dec. Became the first AAF group to be organized, equipped, and trained for atomic warfare. Moved to Tinian, Apr-Jun 1945. Assigned to Twentieth AF. Flew practice missions in Jun and Jul. On 6 Aug 194 one of the group's B-29's, the "Enola Gay," piloted by the group commander Col Paul W Tibbets Jr, dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later a B-29, "Bock's Car," piloted by Maj Charles W Sweeney, dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. These two bombs, the first atomic weapons ever employed, quickly brought the war to an end. The group returned to the US, Oct-Nov 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946, providing the nucleus for the command's atomic striking force. Redesignated 509th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Jul 1946. Participated in atomic tests (Operation Crossroads) in the Marshall Islands in 1946. Redesignated 509th Bombardment Group (Medium) in Jul 1948. Converted from B-29 to B-50 aircraft, 1949-1950. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.

Squadrons. 320th Troop Carrier: 1944-1946. 393d Bombardment: 1944-1952. 715th: 1946-1952. 830th: 1946-1952.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 17 Dec 1944-26 Apr 1945; North Field, Tinian, 29 May-17 Oct 1945; Roswell AAFld, NM, 6 Nov 1945-16 Jun 1952.

Commanders. Col Paul W Tibbets Jr, 17 Dec 1944; Col William H Blanchard, 22 Jan 1946; Col John D Ryan, 15 Sep 1948; Col William H Blanchard, 21 Jul 1951-16 Jun 1952.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Or, in base a label of three points gules, surmounted by an atomic cloud proper, between a pair of wings conjoined in base azure. Crest: On a wreath of the colors, or and azure, an atomic cloud or, with broken pattern gules, between two lightning bolts gules. Motto: Defensor Vindex - Defender Avenger. (Approved 10 Jul 1952.)

1st Bombardment Wing - 13th Bombardment Wing

1st Bombardment Wing

Organized as 1st Pursuit Wing in France on 6 Jul 1918. Served in combat, Jul-Nov 1918. Operated first in the defensive sector near Toul. During the St Mihiel offensive in Sep, flew reconnaissance sorties, protected observation aircraft, attacked enemy observation balloons, strafed enemy troops, flew counter-air patrols, and bombed towns, bridges, and railroad stations behind the enemy's lines. During the Meuse-Argonne offensive (26 Sep-11 Nov 1918) bombardment aircraft continued their attacks behind the lines while pursuit ships concentrated mainly on large-scale counter-air patrols. Demobilized in France in Dec 1918.

Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 1st Wing, which was organized in the US on 16 Aug 1919 and was engaged in border patrol activities until it became an advanced flying training wing in 1922. Inactivated on 26 Jun 1924.

Redesignated 1st Bombardment Wing in 1929. Activated on 1 Apr 1931. Redesignated 1st Pursuit Wing in 1933, 1st Wing in 1935, and 1st Bombardment Wing in 1940. Became one of the original wings of GHQAF in 1935 and conducted much of the Army's pursuit, bombardment, attack, and observation activities in the western part of the US until 1941. Moved to England, Jul-Aug 1942, and became a heavy bombardment wing of Eighth AF. Redesignated 1st Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943, and 1st Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Served in combat in the European theater from Aug 1942 until 25 Apr 1945, receiving a DUC for an attack on aircraft factories in Germany on 11 Jan 1944. Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Groups. 1st Pursuit: 19119-1922; 1933-1935. 2d (formerly 1st) Bombardment: 1918; 1919-1922. 2d Pursuit: 1918. 3d Pursuit: 1918. 3d Attack (formerly 1st Surveillance): 1919-1924. 7th Bombardment: 1931-1933, 1935-1941. 8th Pursuit: 1933-1935. 17th Bombardment: 1931-1941. 19th Bombardment: 1935-1941. 20th Pursuit: 1939-1941. 35th Pursuit: 1940-1941. 41st Bombardment: 1941. 91st Bombardment: 1942-1945. 92d Bombardment: 1942, 1943. 97d Bombardment: 1942. 97th Bombardment: 1942. 301st Bombardment: 1942. 303d Bombardment: 1942-1943. 305th Bombardment: 1942-1943. 306th Bombardment: 1942-1943. 351st Bombardment: 1943. 379th Bombardment: 1943. 381st Bombardment: 1943-1945. 384th Bombardment: 1943. 398th Bombardment: 1944-1945. 482d Bombardment: 1943.

Stations. Toul, France, 6 Jul 1918; Chaumont-Sur-Aire, France, c. 24 Sep 1918-unkn. Kelly Field, Tex, 16 Aug 1919-26 Jun 1924. March Field, Calif, 1 Apr 1931; Tucson, Ariz, 27 May 1941-Jul 1942; Brampton Grange, England, c. 19 Aug 1942; Bassingbourn, England, Sep 1943; Alconbury, England, c. 26 Jun-c. 26 Aug 1945; McChord Field, Wash, c. 6 Sep-7 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Lt Col Thomas DeW Milling, c. 6 Jul 1918; Lt Col Bert M Atkinson, c. 20 Aug 1918-unkn. Lt Col Henry B Clagett, 1919-unkn; Col Henry C Pratt, c. 1 Jun-c. 1 Sep 1920. Maj Carl Spaatz, c. 1 Nov 1931-c. Jun 1933; Brig Gen Henry H Arnold, Nov 1933-Jan 1936; Brig Gen Henry B Clagett, c. 1 Mar 1936; Brig Gen Delos C Emmons, 17 Jul 1936; Brig Gen Jacob E Fickel, c. 31 Mar 1939; Brig Gen Frank D Lackland, 1 Feb 1940-unkn; Maj Woodrow W Dunlop, Jul 1942-unkn; Col Claude E Duncan, c. 19 Aug 1942; Brig Gen Newton Longfellow, 21 Aug 1942; Brig Gen Laurence S Kuter, 1 Dec 1942; Brig Gen Haywood S Hansell Jr, 2 Jan 1943; Brig Gen Frank A Armstrong Jr, 15 Jun 1943; Brig Gen Robert B Williams, 1 Aug 1943; Brig Gen William M Gross, 17 Sep 1943-c. Oct 1945.

Campaigns. World War I: Lorraine; St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne. World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.

Insigne. None.

2d Bombardment Wing

Organized as 2d Wing on 4 Sep 1919. Served as an observation organization. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1921.

Activated on 8 Aug 1922. Redesignated 2d Bombardment Wing in 1929, 2d Wing in 1935, and 2d Bombardment Wing in 1940. Engaged primarily in bombardment activities for more than a decade. Became one of the original wings of GHQAF in 1935 and conducted much of the Army's pursuit, bombardment, and observation operations in the eastern part of the US. Inactivated on 5 Sep 1941.

Activated on 7 June 1942. Moved to England, Aug-Sep 1942, and became a heavy bombardment wing of Eighth AF. In the fall of 1942, helped to train bombardment groups assigned to Twelfth AF. Served in combat in the European theater from Nov 1942 to June 1943. Ceased combat temporarily during Jul-Aug 1943 when its groups were on detached duty in the Mediterranean theater. Redesignated 2d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug. Served on detached duty in the Mediterranean theater during Sep-Oct 1943. Resumed combat in the European theater in Oct 1943 and continued operations until Apr 1945. Redesignated 2d Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Groups. 1st Pursuit: 1935-1941. 2d Bombardment: 1922-1941. 7th Bombardment (formerly 1st Army Observation): 1919-1921; 1933-1935. 8th Pursuit: 1932-1933, 1935-1941. 9th Bombardment: 1935-1940. 22d Bombardment: 1940-1941. 31st Pursuit: 1940-1941. 44th Bombardment: 1942-1943, 1943. 93d Bombardment: 1942-1943. 389th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 392d Bombardment: 1943. 445th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 453d Bombardment: 1944-1945.

Stations. Langley Field, Va, 4 Sep 1919-30 Sep 1921. Langley Field, Va, 8 Aug 1922-5 Sep 1941. Detrick Field, Md, 7 Jun-15 Aug 1942; Old Catton, England, c. 7 Sep 1942; Hethel, England, 14 Sep 1943; Alconbury, England, c. 12 Jun-c. 25 Aug 1945; McChord Field, Wash, 6 Sep-7 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Col Townsend F Dodd, 4 Sep-c. 5 Oct 1919; unkn, 1919-1921. Unkn, 1922-1924; Maj Oscar Westover, Sep 1924-c. Sep 1916; Lt Col Clarence C Culver, c. Sep 1926-unkn; Col Roy T Kirtland, Jul 1930-Jul 1932; Maj Byron Q Jones, 1934-unkn; Brig Gen Henry C Pratt, 1 Mar 1935; Brig Gen Gerald C Brant, 15 Mar 1937; Brig Gen Arnold N Krogstad, 31 Mar 1938-5 Sep 1941. Maj Justus K Hetsch, c. 13 Jul 1942; Col Harold D Smith, c. 10 Aug 1942; Brig Gen James P Hodges, 7 Sep 1942; Col Edward J Timberlake Jr, c. 15 Sep 1943; Brig Gen James P Hodges, 16 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Edward J Timberlake Jr, 4 Oct 1943; Col Milton J Arnold, 7 Aug 1944; Col James M Stewart, 10 May 1945; Col Eugene A Romig, 15 Jun 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Naples-Foggia; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: On a hurt a griffin segreant within a diminished border argent. (Approved 5 Jan 1933.)

4th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 4th Bombardment Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1941. Inactivated on 1 Oct 1941.

Activated on 7 Jun 1942. Moved to England, Aug-Sep 1942. Assigned to Eight AF. Redesignated 4th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Had no groups assigned until the spring of 1943 and was not manned from 29 Sep 1942 to 19 Jan 1943. Began combat in May 1943 and received a DUC for a mission on 17 Aug 1943 when the wing attacked an aircraft factory at Regensburg. Brig Gen Frederick W Castle, wing commander, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for action on 24 Dec 1944 when he kept a burning B-17 from crashing until other members of the crew had parachuted to safety. The wing remained in combat until Apr 1945. Disbanded in England on 18 Jun 1945.

Reconstituted, redesignated 4th Bombardment Wing (Light), and allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 20 Dec 1946. Redesignated 4th Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 4th Air Division. Organized on 10 Feb 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 34th: 1941. 43d: 1941. 94th: 1943-1945. 95th: 1943. 96th: 1943. 100th: 1943. 319th: 1946-1949. 320th: 1947-1949. 385th: 1943-1945. 388th: 1943. 390th: 1943. 447th: 1943-1945. 486th: 1945. 487th: 1945.

Wings. 91st Reconnaissance: 1951. 301st Bombardment: 1951-. 376th Bombardment: 1951-.

Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 18 Dec 1940; Westover Field, Mass, 20 Mar-1 Oct 1941. Westover Field, Mass, 7 Jun 1942; Bolling Field, DC, c. 28 Jul-c. 28 Aug 1942; Camp Lynn, England, 12 Sep 1942; Marks Hall, England, 18 Jan 1943; Camp Blainey, England, Jun 1943; Bury St Edmunds, England, 13 Sep 1943-18 Jun 1945. Mitchel Field, NY, 20 Dec 1946-27 Jun 1949. Barksdale AFB, La, 10 Feb 1951-.

Commanders. Brig Gen John B Brooks, c. 18 Dec 1940-c. 31 Jul 1941. Brig Gen James H Doolittle, c. Jun 1942; Col Charles T Phillips, c. 1 Aug 1941-unkn; Lt Col Thomas L Dawson, c. 19 Jan 1943; Lt Col Charles C Bye Jr, c. 27 Jan 1943; Brig Gen Frederick L Anderson, 19 Apr 1943; Col Curtis E LeMay, 18 Jun 1943; Brig Gen Russell A Wilson, 14 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Frederick W Castle, c. 6 Mar 1944; Col Charles B Dougher, 25 Dec 1944; Col Robert W Burns, 29 Jan 1945-unkn. Col Thomas W Steed, 10 Feb 1951; Brig Gen Henry K Mooney, 22 May 1951; Brig Gen Fay R Upthegrove, 22 Oct 1952; Maj Gen Frederic E Glantzberg, 6 Jan 1953; Brig Gen Maurice A Preston, 14 Jan 1954-.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 17 Aug 1943.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend, or and azure a terrestrial globe sable, markings argent, winged proper, enfiled and interfretted with a chain of twelve links of the third; a hand bendwise, proper issuing from the sinister base grasping the chain. (Approved 18 Jun 1954.)

5th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 5th Bombardment Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Assigned to Second AF. Inactivated on 5 Sep 1941.

Activated on 10 Jul 1942. Moved to North Africa, Oct-Dec 1942, and began operations with Twelfth AF. Assigned to Fifteenth AF in Nov 1943. Redesignated 5th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jan 1945. Served in combat until May 1945. Inactivated in Italy on 2 Nov 1945.

Redesignated 5th Air Division. Activated in the US on 14 Jan 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Transferred without personnel and equipment, to French Morocco in May 1951. Had no combat elements assigned but operated with bombardment wings temporarily deployed from the US and attached for short periods of duty.

Groups. 1st Fighter: 1943, 1943-1944. 2d Bombardment: 1943-1945. 12th Bombardment: 1941. 14th Fighter: 1943-1944. 17th Bombardment: 1941. 39th Bombardment: 1941. 47th Bombardment: 1942-1943. 68th Reconnaissance: 1942-1943. 82d Fighter: 1944. 97th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 98th Bombardment: 1943. 99th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 301st Bombardment: 1943-1945. 325th Fighter: 1943-1944. 376th Bombardment: 1943. 463d Bombardment: 1944-1945. 483d Bombardment: 1944-1945.

Stations. McChord Field, Wash, 18 Dec 1940; Ft George Wright, Wash, Jan-5 Sep 1941. Bolling Field, DC, 10 Jul 1942; Westover Field, Mass, c. 31 Jul-Oct 1942; Casablanca, French Morocco, Nov 1942; Oujda, French Morocco, Dec 1942; Biskra, Algeria, c. Jan 1943; Chateaudun, Algeria, c. Mar 1943; Depienne, Tunisia, Aug 1943; Foggia, Italy, Dec 1943-2 Nov 1945. Offutt AFB, Neb, 14 Jan 1951; Rabat/Sale Airfield, French Morocco, 25 May 1951; Sidi Slimane, French Morocco, 29 May 1954-.

Commanders. Brig Gen Carlyle H Wash, c. Dec 1940-1941. Maj Charles R Simpson, 28 Jul 1942; Col John W Monahan, 11 Sep 1942; Brig Gen Joseph H Atkinson, 5 Jan 1943; Brig Gen Charles W Lawrence, 24 Jan 1944; Col Wallace E Whitson, c. 22 May 1945-unkn. Maj Gen Archie J Old Jr, 25 May 1951; Maj Gen David W Hutchison, 15 Jan 1953; Brig Gen Charles B Dougher, 5 Mar 1954; Brig Gen Joseph Nazzaro, 6 Jul 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Gules, a stylized silhouetted aircraft volant, nose to the chief argent; on a chief per fess gules and argent, five stars argent in chief, and a ribbon of the firmament, sky blue, in base charged with semee of stars of the second. (Approved Nov 1954.)

6th Fighter Wing

Constituted as 6th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Inactivated on 7 Dec 1941.

Redesignated 6th Fighter Wing. Activated on 7 Jun 1942. No combat groups were assigned. Moved to England in Aug 1942 for duty with Eighth AF. Trained replacement pilots for fighter organizations. Disbanded in England in 13 Sep 1943.

Reconstituted on 5 Aug 1946 and activated in the Panama Canal Zone on 25 Aug. Inactivated in the Canal Zone on 28 Jul 1948.

Redesignated 6th Air Division. Organized in the US on 10 Feb 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 1st Pursuit: 1940-1941. 31st Pursuit: 1940-1941. 36th Fighter: 1946-1948. 52d Pursuit: 1941.

Wings. 305th Bombardment: 1951. 306th Bombardment: 1951-. 307th Bombardment: 1951-1953.

Stations. Selfridge Field, Mich, 18 Dec 1940-7 Dec 1941. Harrisburg Mun Aprt, Pa, 7 Jun-c. 4 Aug 1942; Bushey Hall, England, c. 16 Aug 1942; Atcham, England, c. 24 Aug 1942-13 Sep 1943. Howard Field, CZ, 25 Aug 1946-28 Jul 1948. MacDill AFB, Fla, 10 Feb 1951-.

Commanders. Brig Gen Henry B Clagett, c. 16 Jan 1941-unkn; Col Lawrence P Hickey, c. 8 Apr-c. 7 Dec 1941. Lt Col Paul M Jacobs, 13 Jul-14 Sep 1942; Lt Col John W Ranson, c. 17 Sep 1942; Lt Col Jack W Hickman, 13 Mar 1943; Col Ross G Hoyt, 18 Mar 1943; Col Jack W Hickman, c. 4 Jun 1943-unkn. Brig Gen Morris R Nelson, Aug 1946; Col William R Morgan, 29 Dec 1947; Col Murray C Woodbury, 17 Feb 1948-unkn. Col Thayer S Olds, 10 Feb 1951; Maj Gen Frank A Armstrong Jr, May 1951; Brig Gen Henry K Mooney, 16 Nov 1952; Brig Gen Kenneth O Sanborn, 31 Jul 1954-.

Campaigns. European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Per chevron argent and gules, in chief, a stylized silhouetted jet aircraft, issuing from chief, nose toward base azure; in base a sphere with land areas of the first and water areas of the third, grid lines black, over a branch of olive or, between two lightning bolts argent; superimposed over-all and flanking the dexter and sinister, two stylized arrows or. Motto: Power For Peace. (Approved 5 Oct 1955.)

7th Fighter Wing

Constituted as 7th Fighter Wing on 31 Mar 1944. Activated in Hawaii on 21 Apr 1944. Assigned to Seventh AF to provide air defense for the Hawaiian Islands. Redesignated 7th Air Division in Dec 1947. Inactivated in Hawaii on 1 May 1948.

Activated in England on 20 Mar 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Operated with components of Strategic Air Command temporarily deployed to the United Kingdom.

Groups. 15th Fighter: 1945-1946. 21st Fighter: 1944. 30th Bombardment: 1945-1946. 81st Fighter: 1946-1948. 508th Fighter: 1945.

Stations. Ft Shafter, TH, 21 Apr 1944; Wheeler Field, TH, 18 Nov 1946-1 May 1948. South Ruislip, England, 20 Mar 1951-.

Commanders. Col John M Weikert, 1 Jul 1944; Col Orrin L Grover, 24 Nov 1944; Brig Gen John W Weikert, 15 Dec 1944; Col Richard A Grussendorf, 22 Apr 1946; Col Earl H Jacobsen, 10 Jun 1947; Col Thomas W Blackburn, 26 Aug 1947-1 May 1948. Maj Gen Archie J Old Jr, 26 Apr 1951; Maj Gen John P McConnell, 23 May 1951; Maj Gen James C Selser Jr, 14 Mar 1953; Brig Gen Thomas C Musgrave Jr, 20 Jul 1954; Brig Gen James H Walsh, 10 Jul 1955-.

Campaigns. Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Blue within a narrow yellow border, a vertical white sword partially sheathed, point down, the hilt in the shape of wings, the handle diagonally striped blue and yellow, the sword interlaced with a red seven terminating in a pointed foot between two smaller red flashes, all three outlined in white; interlaced with the flashes and behind the sword a spray of yellow laurel leaves. (Approved 16 Sep 1954.)

9th Fighter Wing

Constituted as 9th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Inactivated on 1 Oct 1941.

Redesignated 9th Fighter Wing. Activated on 24 Jul 1942. Moved to the Middle East, Dec 1942-Feb 1943. Assigned to Ninth AF. Apparently no combat groups were assigned to the wing during 1942-1943. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1943.

Groups. 14th: 1941. 51st: 1941.

Stations. March Field, Calif, 18 Dec 1940-1 Oct 1941. Drew Field, Fla, 24 Jul-13 Dec 1942; El Kabrit, Egypt, 1 Feb-31 Mar 1943.

Commanders. Unkn.

Campaigns. European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

10th Fighter Wing

Constituted as 10th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Inactivated on 7 Dec 1941.

Redesignated 10th Fighter Wing. Activated on 1 Oct 1942. Assigned to Eighth AF but attached to Third AF for manning and training. No groups were assigned. Inactivated on 1 May 1943. Disbanded on 1 Dec 1943.

Groups. 20th: 1940-1941. 35th: 1940-1941.

Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 18 Dec 1940-7 Dec 1941. Drew Field, Fla, 1 Oct 1942-1 May 1943.

Commanders. Col Michael F Davis, Dec 1940-1941. Maj William L Hayes Jr, Oct 1942-unkn.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: On an ultramarine blue disc a golden orange winged sunburst above two arrows of like color, crossed salterwise and with points down, in front of a white cloud. (Approved 1 Oct 1941.)

11th Fighter Wing

Constituted as 11th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Inactivated on 1 Oct 1941.

Redesignated 11th Fighter Wing. Activated on 1 Nov 1942. Assigned to Eighth AF but attached to Third AF for manning and training. No groups were assigned. Inactivated in the US on 1 May 1943. Disbanded on 1 Dec 1943.

Groups. 54th: 1941. 55th: 1941.

Stations. Hamilton Field, Calif, 18 Dec 1940; Portland, Ore, Jun-1 Oct 1941. Drew Field, Fla, 1 Nov 1942-1 May 1943.

Commanders. Unkn.

Campaigns. None.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

12th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 12th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated in the Panama Canal Zone on 20 Nov 1940. Inactivated on 6 Mar 1942.

Redesignated 12th Bombardment Wing. Activated in the US on 8 Sep 1942. No groups were assigned. Moved to England, Nov-Dec 1942. Assigned to Eighth AF. All personnel and equipment were withdrawn in Jan 1943. Disbanded in England on 9 Oct 1944.

Reconstituted, redesignated 12th Bombardment Wing (Light), and allotted to the reserve, on 3 Jul 1947. Activated in the US on 3 Aug 1947. Redesignated 12th Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 12th Air Division. Organized on 10 Feb 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 16th: 1940-1942. 32d: 1941-1942. 37th: 1940-1942. 53d: 1941-1942. 321st: 1947-1949. 322d: 1947-1949.

Wings. 22d Bombardment: 1951-. 44th Bombardment: 1951. 106th Bombardment: 1951-1952. 320th Bombardment: 1952-.

Stations. Albrook Field, CZ, 20 Nov 1940-6 Mar 1942. MacDill Field, Fla, 8 Sep 1942-28 Nov 1943; Chelveston, England, c. 17 Dec 1942; Marks Hall, England, 12 Jan 1943-9 Oct 1944. Cleveland Mun Aprt, Ohio, 3 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949. March AFB, Calif, 10 Feb 1951-.

Commanders. Brig Gen Adlai H Gilkeson, 20 Nov 1940-c. 6 Mar 1942. 2d Lt Leonard B Flemmons Jr, c. 10 Sep 1942; Maj George M Green, c. 24 Sep 1942; Maj Henry G Silleck, c. 17 Nov 1942; Maj Thomas L Dawson, c. 25 Nov 1942-c. 19 Jan 1943. Brig Gen Wiley D Ganey, 10 Feb 1951; Brig Gen Howell M Estes Jr, 1 Mar 1952; Brig Gen Charles B Westover, 23 Jul 1953-.

Campaigns. American Theater; European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Azure (sky blue), in dexter chief a star argent, charged with a torteau, two fuzes of bomb or, encased with boxing gloves proper, in bend, gloves toward base, surrounded with indications of speed lines argent. Motto: The Old One Two. (Approved 16 Apr 1952.)

13th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 13th Composite Wing on 2 Oct 1940 and activated on 10 Oct. Moved to Puerto Rico at the end of the same month. Inactivated on 25 Oct 1941.

Redesignated 13th Bombardment Wing. Activated in the US on 1 Oct 1942. Assigned to Eighth AF. Redesignated 13th Bombardment Wing (Medium) in Feb 1943. Moved to England, May-Jun 1943. Redesignated 13th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Groups were assigned in Sep 1943 and the wing served in combat in the European theater until Apr 1945. Redesignated 13th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Redesignated 13th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

Groups. 25th Bombardment: 1940-1941. 36th Pursuit: 1941. 40th Bombardment: 1941. 95th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 100th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 390th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 490th Bombardment: 1945. 493d Bombardment: 1945.

Stations. Langley Field, Va, 10-26 Oct 1940; Borinquen Field, PR, 1 Nov 1940; San Juan, PR, c. 6 Jan 1941; Borinquen Field, PR, c. 1 May-25 Oct 1941. MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Oct 1942-c. 10 May 1943; Marks Hall, England, c. 2 Jun 1943; Camp Blainey, England, c. 13 Jun 1943; Horham, England, 13 Sep 1943-c. 6 Aug 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 15 Aug 1945; Peterson Field, Colo, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Capt Kenneth O Sanborn, c. 10 Oct 1940; Brig Gen Follett Bradley, c. 1 Nov 1940; Lt Col Robert V Ignico, c. 4 Aug 1941; Brig Gen Douglas B Netherwood, c. 7 Sep-25 Oct 1941. Maj Henry G Silleck, 1942-unkn; Col Alfred A Kessler Jr, 16 Sep 1943; Col Harold Q Huglin, c. 9 Feb-c. 1 Apr 1944; Col Edgar M Wittan, 17 Apr 1944; Col Karl Truesdell Jr, 13 Sep 1944; Col Hunter Harris Jr, 25 Sep 1944; Brig Gen Alfred A Kessler Jr, 5 Nov 1944; Brig Gen Harold Q Huglin, 19 Nov 1944; Lt Col Clifton D Wright, 18 Jul 1945-unkn; Lt Col Paul C Hutchins, 31 Aug 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

14th Bombardment Wing - 45th Bombardment Wing

14th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 14th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated in Hawaii on 1 Nov 1940. Suffered heavy losses during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 1941 but managed to shoot down several enemy aircraft. Inactivated in Hawaii on 23 Jan 1942.

Redesignated 14th Bombardment Wing. Activated in the US on 1 Oct 1942. Redesignated 14th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Feb 1943. Moved to England, May-Jun 1943. Redesignated 14th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Received groups in Sep 1943 and served in combat in the European theater until Apr 1945. Redesignated 14th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.

Redesignated 14th Air Division. Organized on 10 Feb 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 15th Pursuit: 1940-1942. 18th Pursuit: 1940-1942. 44th Bombardment: 1943, 1943-1945. 94th Bombardment: 1945. 392d Bombardment: 1943-1945. 447th Bombardment: 1945. 486th Bombardment: 1945. 487th Bombardment: 1945. 491st Bombardment: 1944-1945. 492d Bombardment: 1944.

Wings. 5th Bombardment: 1951-. 9th Bombardment: 1951-1953.

Stations. Wheeler Field, TH, 1 Nov 1940-23 Jan 1942. MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Oct 1942-c. 9 May 1943; Camp Lynn, England, c. 4 Jun 1943; Hethel, England, c. 9 Jun 1943; Camp Thomas, England, c. 1 Jul 1943; Shipham, England, 13 Sep 1943; Bury St Edmunds, England, 13 Jun-26 Aug 1945; McChord Field, Wash, 6 Sep-7 Nov 1945. Travis AFB, Calif, 10 Feb 1951-.

Commanders. Col Harvey S Burwell, Nov 1940; Brig Gen Howard C Davidson, 7 May 1941-c. 23 Jan 1942. Maj Alan W Detweiler, 16 Dec 1942-unkn; Lt Col Roderick Ott, 1943; Brig Gen Leon W Johnson, c. 14 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Robert W Burns, c. 16 Jun 1945; Lt Col Charles D Birdsall, c. 24 Jul 1945-unkn. Brig Gen J W Kelly, 10 Feb 1951; Col John M Sterling, 16 Sep 1951; Brig Gen Richard H Carmichael, 22 Oct 1951; Brig Gen Stanley Donovan, 16 May 1953; Brig Gen Alfred F Kalberer, 1 Aug 1955-.

Campaigns. Central Pacific; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Quartered, azure and white; first quarter an atomic symbol of the second; second quarter, an olive branch vert and a sword proper, hilt and pommel or, in saltire; superimposed over the third and fourth quarter, a silhouetted stylized heavy bomber sable in fess, nose to the dexter, all within a diminutive border of the last. Motto: On a light pink scroll, edged and inscribed black, Day And Night - Peace Or War. (Approved 10 May 1957.)

15th Bombardment Training Wing

Constituted as 15th Bombardment Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Apparently never had sufficient personnel to carry out effectively its mission of light bombardment operations and training. Inactivated on 3 Sep 1941.

Activated on 23 Jun 1942. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 15th Bombardment Training Wing in Jan 1943, and 15th Bombardment Operational Training Wing in Apr 1943. Trained groups and heavy bombardment replacement crews until Feb 1945 when it ceased all activity. Inactivated on 9 Apr 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Groups. 47th: 1941. 48th: 1941. (Various groups assigned for training, 1942-1945.)

Stations. March Field, Calif, 18 Dec 1940; Fresno, Calif, c. 2 Aug-Sep 1941. Gowen Field, Idaho, 23 Jun 1942; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, Nov 1942; Gowen Field, Idaho, Jul 1943; Pueblo AAB, Colo, May 1944; Colorado Springs, Colo, 18 Sep 1944-9 Apr 1946.

Commanders. Unkn, 1940-1941. Col Ford Lauer, c. 23 Jun 1942; Brig Gen Robert F Travis, 3 Sep 1942; Col Hugo P Rush, Jul 1943; Col Henry K Mooney, Jan 1944; Lt Col Willis G Carter, Jul 1944; Col Harold A McGinnis, c. 1 Sep 1944; Col Brooke E Allen, c. Oct 1944; Brig Gen Julius K Lacey, c. Jul 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: On a light blue rectangle, long axis vertical, corners engrailed, a chevron inverted gold between a gold stylized wing in chief and fifteen gold stars in base, all within a border of gold. (Approved 26 Mar 1943.)

16th Bombardment Training Wing

Constituted as 16th Bombardment Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Apparently did not have sufficient personnel for effective training and operations. Inactivated on 1 Sep 1941.

Activated on 23 Jun 1942. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 16th Bombardment Training Wing in Jan 1943, 16th Bombardment Operational Training Wing in Apr 1943, and 16th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Very Heavy) in May 1945. Began training heavy bombardment groups and personnel in Jun 1942; later changed to very heavy bombardment training, which lasted until operations ceased late in 1945. Inactivated on 9 Apr 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Groups. 45th: 1941. 46th: 1941. (Various groups assigned for training, 1942-1945.)

Stations. Langley Field, Va, 18 Dec 1940; Bowman Field, Ky, Mar-1 Sep 1941. Wendover Field, Utah, 23 Jun 1942; Biggs Field, Tex, Nov 1942; Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, c. 1 Jun 1943; Biggs Field, Tex, Oct 1943; Colorado Springs, Colo, Dec 1945-9 Apr 1946.

Commanders. Brig Gen Junius W Jones, c. Apr-c. 1 Sep 1941. Col Ernest H Lawson, 23 Jun 1942; Brig Gen Robert B Williams, 4 Apr 1943; Col Walter R Agee, May 1943; Brig Gen Newton Longfellow, 11 Oct 1943; Col Claude E Duncan, c. 25 Nov 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

17th Bombardment Training Wing

Constituted as 17th Bombardment Wing on 3 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Inactivated on 1 Sep 1941.

Activated on 23 Jun 1942. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 17th Bombardment Training Wing in Jan 1943, and 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing in Apr 1943. Trained a number of heavy bombardment groups; also trained heavy bombardment crews. Inactivated on 15 Nov 1943.

Redesignated 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Very Heavy). Activated on 11 Mar 1944. Assigned to Second AF. Trained very heavy bombardment organizations and personnel. Inactivated on 9 Apr 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Groups. 3d Bombardment: 1940-1941. 27th Bombardment: 1940-1941.

Stations. Savannah, Ga, 18 Dec 1940-1 Sep 1941. Rapid City, SD, 23 Jun 1942; Walla Walla AAFld, Wash, c. 1 Jul-15 Nov 1943. Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 11 Mar 1944; Colorado Springs, Colo, Apr 1944; Grand Island AAFld, Neb, May 1944; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, Feb 1945; Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, Dec 1945-9 Apr 1946.

Commanders. Maj Gen Lewis H Brereton, Dec 1940-unkn; Col Asa N Duncan, c. 7 Aug-c. 1 Sep 1941. Brig Gen Walter R Peck, 5 Jul 1942; Col Allen W Reed, 14 Sep-c. 15 Nov 1943. Brig Gen Frank A Armstrong Jr, 12 Apr 1944; Brig Gen Robert F Travis, c. 7 Nov 1944; Col Kermit D Stevens, Aug 1945; Brig Gen Hugo P Rush, 7 Sep 1945; Brig Gen Robert F Travis, 5 Nov 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

18th Replacement Wing

Constituted as 18th Composite Wing on 8 May 1929. Activated in Hawaii on 1 May 1931. Served as part of the defense force for the Hawaiian Islands. Redesignated 18th Wing in 1937, and 18th Bombardment Wing in 1940. Inactivated in Hawaii on 29 Jan 1942.

Redesignated 18th Replacement Wing. Activated in the US on 23 Jun 1942. Assigned to Second AF. Processed personnel entering Second AF for assignments to units. Disbanded on 11 Apr 1944.

Groups. 5th Bombardment: 1931-1942. 11th Bombardment: 1940-1942. 18th Pursuit: 1931-1940.

Stations. Ft Shafter, TH, 1 May 1931; Hickam Field, TH, 30 Oct 1937-29 Jan 1942. Salt Lake City, Utah, 23 Jun 1942-11 Apr 1944.

Commanders. Lt Col Gerald C Brant, May 1931; Lt Col Delos C Emmons, Aug 1934; Lt Col John C McDonnell, Jul 1936; Lt Col Hume Peabody, Jul 1936; Lt Col John C McDonnell, Jul 1936; Brig Gen Barton K Yount, Sep 1936; Col Millard F Harmon, Jul 1937; Brig Gen Barton K Yount, Jul 1937; Brig Gen Walter H Frank, Sep 1938; Col Shepler W FitzGerald, Jul 1940; Col Howard C Davidson, Oct 1940; Brig Gen Jacob H Rudolph, unkn; Brig Gen Willis H Hale, 20-29 Jan 1942. Col Henry W Harms, 23 Jun 1942; Col Frank W Wright, 30 Jan 1944; Col Henry W Harms, 27 Mar-11 Apr 1944.

Campaigns. American Theater; Central Pacific.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

20th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 20th Bombardment Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Inactivated on 1 Sep 1941.

Activated on 1 Nov 1942. Redesignated 20th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Feb 1943. Moved to England, May-Jun 1943, for duty with Eighth AF. Redesignated 20th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Received its first groups in Nov 1943 and served in combat in the European theater from Dec 1 1943 until Apr 1945. Redesignated 10th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Redesignated 20th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Aug, and VIII Bomber Command (Very Heavy) in Oct 1945. Apparently had no combat components assigned after Aug 1945. Inactivated on 10 Nov 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Groups. 7th: 1940-1941. 34th: 1945. 42d: 1941. 93d: 1943-1945. 385th: 1945. 388th: 1945. 446th: 1943-1945. 448th: 1943-1945. 452d: 1945. 489th: 1944.

Stations. Ft Douglas, Utah, 18 Dec 1940-1 Sep 1941. MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Nov 1942-c. 8 May 1943; Camp Lynn, England, c. 9 Jun 1943; Cheddington, England, c. 1 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 June Aug 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 15 Aug 1945; Peterson Field, Colo, 17 Aug 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, 14 May-10 Nov 1946.

Commanders. Col Shepler W FitzGerald, 16 Jan 1941; Brig Gen Walter H Frank, 6 Feb 1941; Brig Gen Ralph Royce, 2 Mar 1941; Col Lowell H Smith, 6 May-c. 1 Sep 1941. Col John H Hayden, c. 30 Oct 1943; Col Jack W Wood, 29 Dec 1943; Brig Gen Edward Timberlake Jr, 25 Sep 1944; Col Leland G Fiegel, 17 May 1945; Brig Gen Archie Old Jr, 18 Jun 1945-unkn; Col Broake E Allen, c. 18 Aug 1945; Col John W Warren, 22 Aug 1945; Brig Gen Hugo P Rush, 2 Nov 1945-unkn; Col Neil B Harding, 14 May 1946; Maj Gene A Nelson, 16 Aug 1946; Maj Leroy S English, 10 Sep 1946; Lt Col Ermanno D Grana, 3-c. 10 Nov 1946.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

21st Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 21st Bombardment Wing on 16 Dec 1942 and activated on 22 Dec. Assigned to Second AF. Functioned throughout the war as a staging wing, processing heavy bombardment crews and aircraft to prepare them for overseas movement; in Apr 1944 began processing men returning to the US from combat zones. Redesignated I Staging Command in Sep 1945. Assigned to Fourth AF in Nov. Inactivated on 3 Apr 1946.

Redesignated 21st Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 20 Dec 1946. Redesignated 21st Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 21st Air Division. Activated on 16 Feb 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

(This wing is not related to a 21st Bombardment Wing that was constituted on 19 Oct 1940, activated at Barksdale Field on 1 Nov 1940, inactivated on 1 Nov 1941, and disbanded on 15 Dec 1942.)

Components. Groups. 95th: 1947-1949. 384th: 1947-1949.

Wings. 44th Bombardment: 1951-1952. 55th Reconnaissance: 1952-. 90th Reconnaissance: 1951-.

Stations. Smoky Hill AB, Kan, 22 Dec 1942; Topeka AAFld, Kan, May 1943; Merced AAFld, Calif, c. 7 Oct 1945-3 Apr 1946. Memphis Mun Aprt, Tenn, 20 Dec 1946-27 Jun 1949. Forbes AFB, Kan, 16 Feb 1951-.

Commanders. Brig Gen Albert F Hegenberger, 22 Dec 1942; Col Henry W Harms, Feb 1944; Col Cornelius W Cousland, 26 Dec 1944; Col Wallace S Dawson, 21 Jan 1945; Col Ralph E Koon, 29 May 1945; Brig Gen James M Fitzmaurice, 19 Jul 1945-c. Apr 1946. Maj Gen David W Hutchison, 16 Mar 1951; Brig Gen Joseph D C Caldara, Dec 1952; Brig Gen David Wade, 15 Apr 1954; Brig Gen Henry R Sullivan Jr, 25 Jul 1955-.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend enhanced, azure and argent, in base a branch of olive proper, over all a sword bend sinisterwise proper, hilt and pommel or, point to dexter base, in chief five stars or, encircling the hilt and pommel of the sword, three and two. (Approved 17 Jul 1952.)

24th Composite Wing

Constituted as 24th Composite Wing on 19 Nov 1942. Activated in Iceland on 25 Dec 1942. Served in the defense of Iceland. Disbanded on 15 Jun 1944.

Reconstituted on 5 Aug 1946 and activated in Puerto Rico on 25 Aug. Assigned to Caribbean Air Command. No tactical groups were assigned, but the wing supervised various air force units and bases in the Antilles. Inactivated in Puerto Rico on 28 Jul 1948.

Groups. 342d: 1942-1944.

Stations. Iceland, 25 Dec 1942-15 Jun 1944. Borinquen Field, PR, 25 Aug 1946-28 Jul 1948.

Commanders. Brig Gen George P Tourtellot, c. 25 Dec 1942; Brig Gen Early E W Duncan, c. 5-15 Jun 1944. Brig Gen John A Samford, c. Jan 1947-c. 28 Jul 1948.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

25th Antisubmarine Wing

Constituted as 25th Antisubmarine Wing on 17 Nov 1942 and activated on 20 Nov. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine Command and later (Aug 1943) to First AF. Conducted patrols, primarily off the eastern coast of the US. Disbanded on 15 Oct 1943.

Squadrons. 1st: 1942-1943. 2d (formerly 523d Bombardment): 1942-1943. 3d: 1942-1943. 4th: 1942-1943. 5th: 1942-1943. 6th: 1942-1943. 11th: 1942-1943. 12th: 1942-1943. 13th: 1942-1943. 14th: 1942-1943. 16th (formerly 521st 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.

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.

26th Antisubmarine Wing

Constituted as 26th Antisubmarine Wing on 17 Nov 1942 and activated on 20 Nov. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine Command and later (Aug 1943) to First AF. Flew patrols in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Disbanded on 15 Oct 1943.

Squadrons. 7th: 1942-1943. 8th: 1942-1943. 9th: 1942-1943. 10th: 1942-1943. 15th: 1942-1943. 17th: 1942-1943. 21st: 1943. 23d: 1943. 25th: 1943.

Stations. Miami, Fla, 20 Nov 1942-15 Oct 1943.

Commanders. Col Harry A Halverson, c. 20 Nov 1942-1943.

Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

40th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 40th Bombardment Wing on 15 Jan 1943 and activated on 21 Jan. Redesignated 40th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in May 1943. Moved to England, May-Jun 1943, for duty with Eight AF. Redesignated 40th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943, and 40th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jun 1945. Served in combat in the European theater from Sep 1943 until Apr 1945, receiving a DUC for an attack on aircraft factories in central Germany on 11 Jan 1944. Remained in Europe after the war as part of United States Air Force in Europe. Inactivated in Germany on 25 Dec 1946.

Redesignated 40th Air Division. Organized in the US on 14 Mar 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 2d: 1945-1946. 92d: 1943-1946. 305th: 1943-1945, 1945-1946. 306th: 1943-1945, 1945-1946. 384th: 1945-1946. 492d: 1944-1945.

Wings. 31st Fighter: 1951-. 108th Fighter: 1951. 146th Fighter: 1951. 508th Fighter: 1952-.

Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 21 Jan-c. 17 May 1943; Brampton Grange, England, Jun 1943; Thurleigh, England, c. 16 Sep 1943; Istres, France, 26 Jun 1945; Erlangen, Germany, 15 Nov 1945-25 Dec 1946. Turner AFB, Ga, 14 Mar 1951-.

Commanders. Maj Charles Normand, 1943-unkn; Brig Gen Howard M Turner, 16 Sep 1943; Col Anthony Q Mustoe, 22 Oct 1944; Brig Gen Emil C Kiel, 1 Mar-c. 1 Dec 1946. Col Eugene H Snavely, 14 Mar 1951; Brig Gen Thayer S Olds, 1 Jun 1951; Col Hubert Zemke, 11 Oct 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, in dexter chief a stylized comet gules, bordered argent, with tail of stripes, gules, argent, and gules curved toward base edge, overall four lightning flashes or, bend sinisterwise, one above the other. (Approved 14 Apr 1952.)

41st Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 41st Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 29 Jan 1943. Activated on 16 Feb 1943. Moved to England in Jul 1943 for duty with Eighth AF. Redesignated 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Aug 1943. Served in the European theater from Sep 1943 to Apr 1945, receiving a DUC for a raid on aircraft factories in central Germany on 11 Jan 1944. Disbanded in England on 18 Jun 1945.

Groups. 303d: 1943-1945. 379th: 1943-1945. 384th: 1943-1945.

Stations. Salt Lake City AAB, Utah, 16 Feb 1943; Rapid City AAB, SD, Mar-c. 4 Jul 1943; Brampton Grange, England, c. 26 July 1943; Molesworth, England, c. 16 Sep 1943-18 Jun 1945.

Commanders. Lt Col Donald S Graham, 1943-unkn; Brig Gen Robert F Travis, 16 Sep 1943; Col Maurice A Preston, 11 Oct 1944; Col Lewis E Lyle, May 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.

Insigne. None.

42d Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 42d Bombardment Wing (Dive) on 8 Feb 1943 and activated on 6 Feb. Redesignated 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium), transferred overseas without personnel and equipment, and assigned to Twelfth AF, on 31 Jul 1943. Received groups in Aug 1943 and served in combat in the Mediterranean and European theaters until the end of the war. Returned to the US in Oct 1945. Inactivated on 25 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 42d Air Division. Organized on 10 Mar 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 1st Fighter: 1943. 17th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 319th Bombardment: 1943-1944. 320th Bombardment: 1943-1945. 325th Fighter: 1943.

Wings. 1st Fighter: 1951-. 27th Fighter: 1951-. 531st Fighter: 1951.

Stations. Birmingham AAB, Ala, 16 Feb-31 Jul 1943; North Africa, 31 Jul 1943; Ariana, Tunisia, 21 Aug 1943; Elmas, Sardinia, 15 Nov 1943; Borgo, Corsica, 21 Sep 1944; Dijon, France, 24 Nov 1944; Reims, France, Jul-c. Oct 1945; Camp Shanks, NY, 24-25 Oct 1945. Bergstrom AFB, Tex, 10 Mar 1951-.

Commanders. Brig Gen Robert M Webster, 24 Aug 1943; Brig Gen John P Doyle, 1 Sep 1944-1945. Brig Gen Clarence T Edwinson, c. 15 Mar 1951-.

Campaigns. Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe.

Decorations. French Croix de Guerre with Palm: Apr-Jun 1944.

Insigne. None.

45th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 45th Bombardment Wing (Medium) on 15 Feb 1943. Activated on 1 Apr 1943. Redesignated 45th Bombardment Wing (Heavy). Moved to England in Aug 1943 for duty with Eighth AF. Redesignated 45th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy). Groups were assigned in Sep 1943 and the wing participated in combat in the European theater until Apr 1945. Disbanded in England on 18 Jun 1945.

Reconstituted and redesignated 45th Air Division, on 24 Sep 1954. Activated in the US on 8 Oct 1954. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 34th: 1945. 96th: 1943-1945. 385th: 1945. 388th: 1943-1945. 452d: 1944-1945.

Wings. 42d Bombardment: 1954-.

Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Apr-c. 3 Aug 1943; Brampton Grange, England c. 25 Aug 1943; Snetterton Heath, Eng land, 13 Sep 1943-18 Jun 1945. Loring AFB, Maine, 8 Oct 1954-.

Commanders. Maj Carl L Liles, c. Apr 1943-unkn; Col Archie J Old Jr, 14 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Charles P Cabell, c. 1 Dec 1943; Brig Gen Archie J Old Jr, 12 Apr 1944-18 Jun 1945. Brig Gen Bertram C Harrison, 8 Oct 1954; Brig Gen William K Martin, 18 Jun 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

47th Bombardment Wing - 63d Fighter Wing

47th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 7th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Inactivated on 31 Aug 1941.

Redesignated 7th Fighter Wing. Activated on 7 Jun 1942. Moved to North Africa, Oct-Nov 1942, to operate with Twelfth AF. Redesignated 47th Bombardment Wing (Medium) in Feb 1943. Assigned to Fifteenth AF in Nov 1943 and afterward operated as a heavy bombardment organization until the war ended. Redesignated 47th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Apr 1945. Returned to the US in May. Redesignated 47th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Jun. Inactivated on 15 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 47th Air Division. Organized on 10 Feb 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 8th Pursuit: 1940-1941. 17th Bombardment: 1943. 33d Fighter: 1940-1941; 1942-1943, 1943. 57th Pursuit: 1940-1941. 81st Fighter: 1942-1943. 82d Fighter: 1943-1944. 98th Bombardment: 1943, 1943-1945. 310th Bombardment: 1943. 319th Bombardment: 1943. 320th Bombardment: 1943. 321st Bombardment: 1943. 325th Fighter: 1943. 376th Bombardment: 1943, 1943-1945. 449th Bombardment: 1944-1945. 450th Bombardment: 1944-1945. 451st Bombardment: 1944. 489th Bombardment: 1945.

Wings. 6th Bombardment: 1951-. 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. 1 Mar 1943; Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia, 8 Jun 1943; Hammamet, Tunisia, 7 Aug 1943; Manduria, Italy, 11 Nov 1943-May 1945; Sioux Falls, SD, May 1945; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, Jul-15 Oct 1945. Walker AFB, NM, 10 Feb 1951-.

Commanders. Lt Col Edward M Morris, 1941. Maj Eugene Berglund, 7 Jun 1942; Col John C Crosthwaite, 14 Sep 1942; Brig Gen Carlyle H Ridenour, 14 Jan 1943; Brig Gen Joseph H Atkinson, 11 Feb 1944; Brig Gen Hugo P Rush, 5 Mar 1944-7 Oct 1945. Brig Gen Hunter Harris Jr, 10 Feb 1951; Co] William H Blanchard, c. Dec 1951; Brig Gen Thomas C Musgrave Jr, 7 Apr 1952; Brig Gen Charles W Scott, 7 Jul 1954-.

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. None.

Insigne. Shield: Sable, an atomic cloud proper (shades of red, orange and yellow) rising from base to chief, surmounted by a bend argent charged with a sword proper (blade silver, hilt and pommel gold), the blade entwined with a branch of olive vert. (Approved 6 Sep 1956.)

49th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 49th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Medium) on 17 Mar 1943 and activated on 31 Mar. Redesignated 49th Bombardment Wing (Medium) in Oct 1943, and 49th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Dec. Moved to Italy (Feb-Apr 1944) where groups were assigned. Operated with Fifteenth AF in the Mediterranean and European theaters from Apr 1944 until May 1945. Inactivated in Italy on 16 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 49th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated in the US on 20 Dec 1946. Redesignated 49th Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 49th Air Division. Activated on 7 Nov 1951. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Redesignated 49th Air Division (Operational) in Apr 1952. Moved to England, May-Jun 1952, and assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. No combat elements were assigned but wings were attached for operations.

Groups. 100th: 1946-1949. 380th: 1946-1949. 451st: 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 Jul 1949. Langley AFB, Va, 7 Nov 1951-May 1952; Sculthorpe RAF Station, England, Jun 1952-.

Commanders. Brig Gen William L Lee, c. 31 Mar 1943; Col Robert F Worden, 4 Aug-c. Oct 1945. Col James D Jones, 7 Nov 1951; Brig Gen John D Stevenson, Feb 1952; Brig Gen James F Whisenand, 26 Feb 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Quarterly argent and sable, rising from base the outline of a atomic cloud counterchanged, overall lightning flash issuing from sinister chief and striking to dexter base or. (Approved 23 Dec 1953.)

50th Troop Carrier Wing

Constituted as 50th Transport Wing on 8 Jan 1941 and activated on 14 Jan. Assigned to Office, Chief of the Air Corps. Transported personnel, supplies, and materiel in the US, Alaska, and the Caribbean area. Assigned to Air Transport Command (later I Troop Carrier Command) in Apr 1942. Redesignated 50th Troop Carrier Wing in Jul 1942. Functioned as a training organization. Moved overseas, Sep-Oct 1943, and assigned to Ninth AF. Operated in the European and Mediterranean theaters until after the war. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in Sep 1945. Remanned and re-equipped. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1946.

Groups. 439th: 1944-1945. 440th: 1944-1945. 441st: 1944-1945. 442d: 1944-1945. (Numerous other groups assigned for training or operations, 1941-1944.)

Stations. Wright Field, Ohio, 14 Jan 1941; Camp Williams, Wis, 25 May 1942; Knobnoster, Mo, 9 Sep 1942; Camp Mackall, NC, 27 Apr 1943; Pope Field, NC, 28 Jul-29 Sep 1943; Cottesmore, England, 17 Oct 1943; Bottesford, England, 18 Nov 1943; Exeter, England, 26 Apr-1 Oct 1944; Le Mans, France, 1 Oct 1944; Chartres, France, 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.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: On a blue diamond edged in gold, a transport aircraft with stylized wing surmounting a pile voided of the second, issuing from sinister and extending to dexter base. Motto: Nobis Volandum Est - It will be flown by us. (Approved 22 Sep 1942.)

51st Troop Carrier Wing

Constituted as 51st Transport Wing on 30 May 1942. Activated on 1 Jun 1942. Redesignated 51st Troop Carrier Wing in Jul 1942. Arrived in England in Sep 1942 and trained for the invasion of North Africa. Operated with Twelfth AF in North Africa and the Mediterranean area from Nov 1942 to May 1945. Moved to Germany in Sep 1945. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Inactivated in Germany on 5 Jan 1948.

Groups. 60th: 1942-1945, 1946-1947. 61st: 1942, 1946-1947. 62d: 1942-1945. 64th: 1942-1945. 313th: 1946-1947. 314th: 1945-1946. 441st: 1945-1946. 442d: 1945-1946. 516th: 1945-1946.

Stations. Pope Field, NC, 1 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. Col Russell L Maughan, 1 Jun 1942; Col Paul L Williams, 20 Oct 1942; Col Ralph B Bagby, 22 Jan 1943; Col Ray A Dunn, c. 22 Feb 1943; Col Samuel Davis, 26 Mar 1943; Brig Gen Ray A Dunn, 22 May 1943; Brig Gen George H Beverley, 28 Sep 1943; Brig Gen Timothy Manning, 20 Mar 1944; Lt Col Paul A Jones, 3 Jun-Aug 1945; Brig Gen Lucas V Beau, c. Sep 1945; Brig Gen James F Powell, 13 Aug 1947-5 Jan 1948.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

52d Troop Carrier Wing

Constituted as 52d Transport Wing on 30 May 1942. Activated on 15 Jun 1942. Redesignated 52d Troop Carrier Wing in Jul 1942. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Apr-May 1943, and served with Twelfth AF until Feb 1944. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944, assigned to Ninth AF, and engaged in operations in the European theater until Jun 1945. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Inactivated on 27 Aug 1946.

Redesignated 52d Fighter Wing. Allotted to ANG (NY) on 28 Aug 1946 Extended federal recognition on 3 Oct 1947. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950.

Groups. 10th: 1942-1943. 61st: 1942, 1943-1945. 63d: 1942. 64th: 1943. 313th: 1942, 1942-1945. 314th: 1942, 1943-1945. 315th: 1942, 1944-1945. 316th: 1942, 1943-1946. 317th: 1942. 349th: 1945, 1946. 433d: 1943. 434th: 1945-1946. 439th: 1945-1946.

Stations. Daniel Field, Ga, 15 Jun 1942; Bowman Field, Ky, 20 Jul 1942; Pope Field, NC, 3 Aug 1942-24 Apr 1943; Oujda, French Morocco, 8 May 1943; Kairouan, Tunisia, Jul 1943; Agrigento Sicily, 1 Sep 1943-13 Feb 1944; Cottesmore, England, 17 Feb 1944; Amiens, France, 5 Mar-20 Jun 1945; Baer Field, Ind, Jul 1945; Kellogg Field, Mich, Aug 1945; Sedalia AAFld, Mo, 1 Oct 1945; Bergstrom Field, Tex, 1 Mar-17 Aug 1946.

Commanders. Lt Col Donald F Shugart, 1 Jul 1942; Brig Gen Harold L Clark, 10 Nov 1942; Lt Col James A Provan, c. Jul 1945; Maj Wilfred F Simmons, Sep 1945; Col Reed G Landis, 4 Oct 1945; Brig Gen Paul H Prentiss, 14 Jan 1946-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: On a blue rectangle edged in gold, long axis vertical, corners rounded, a stylized wing between five (5) mullets in chief and two of the like in base all gold. (Approved 22 Sep 1942.)

53d Troop Carrier Wing

Constituted as 53d Troop Carrier Wing on 27 Jul 1942. Activated on 1 Aug 1942. Moved to England, Jan-Mar 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF. Operated in the European theater until after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Oct 1945. Inactivated on 11 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 53d Fighter Wing. Allotted to ANG (Pa) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 17 Jan 1947. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950.

Groups. 61st: 1942-1943. 63d: 1942-1943. 89th: 1942. 313th: 1942. 314th: 1942. 316th: 1942. 433d: 1943. 434th: 1943, 1944-1945. 435th: 1943, 1944-1945. 436th: 1943, 1944-1945. 437th: 1943, 1944-1945. 438th: 1943, 1944-1945. 439th: 1943. 440th: 1943.

Stations. General Billy Mitchell Field, Wis, 1 Aug 1942; Pope Field, NC, 26 Aug 1942; Ft Sam Houston, Tex, 15 Sep 1942; Bergstrom AAFld, Tex, 5 Nov 1942; Sedalia AAFld, Mo, 15 Apr 1943; Alliance AAFld, Neb, 25 Jul 1943; Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, 19 Sep 1943; Pope Field, NC, 20 Dec 1943-19 Jan 1944; Greenham Common, England, 11 Mar 1944; Voisenon, France, 20 Feb-Oct 1945; Camp Shanks, NY, 10-11 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Col Harold L Clark, 1 Aug 1942; Brig Gen Maurice M Beach, 22 Aug 1942-1945.

Campaigns. American Theater; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Over and through an ultramarine blue disc, within a light blue annulet, piped gold, a torch of liberty fired proper, handle of torch formed of open parachute argent, surmounted by a C-47 transport plane or, in flight, in front of flames of torch; on the field eight mullets or, arranged five to dexter, three to sinister. (Approved 6 Apr 1943.)

54th Troop Carrier Wing

Constituted as 54th Troop Carrier Wing on 26 Feb 1943. Activated in Australia on 13 Mar 1943. Assigned to Fifth AF. Engaged in troop carrier and transport operations from May 1943 until after the end of the war. Inactivated in the Philippines on 31 May 1946.

Redesignated 54th Fighter Wing. Allotted to ANG (Ga) on 1 Jun 1946. Extended federal recognition on 2 Oct 1946. Called to active service on 10 Oct 1950. Inactivated on 11 Oct 1950.

Groups. 2d Combat Cargo: 1944-1946. 317th Troop Carrier: 1943-1946. 374th Troop Carrier: 1943. 375th Troop Carrier: 1943-1946. 433d Troop Carrier: 1943-1946.

Stations. Brisbane, Australia, 13 Mar 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 3 May 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 18 Apr 1944; Biak, 5 Oct 1944; Leyte, 14 Feb 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, Jun 1945; Tachikawa, Japan, Sep 1945; Manila, Luzon, Jan-31 May 1946.

Commanders. Brig Gen Paul H Prentiss, 20 May 1943; Brig Gen Warren R Carter, 30 Mar 1944; Brig Gen Paul H Prentiss, 19 Nov 1944; Brig Gen William D Old, c. Oct 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus.

Decorations. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Insigne. None.

55th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 55th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Medium) on 17 Mar 1943 and activated on 31 Mar. Various groups were attached for training prior to Oct 1943. Redesignated 55th Bombardment Wing (Medium) in Oct 1943, and 55th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Dec. Moved to Italy (Feb-Mar 1944) where combat elements were assigned. Operated with Fifteenth AF in the Mediterranean and European theaters from Mar 1944 until May 1945. Inactivated in Italy on 9 Sep 1945.

Redesignated 55th Fighter Wing. Allotted to ANG (Ohio) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 7 Dec 1947. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950.

Groups. 460th: 1944-1945. 461st: 1944. 464th: 1944-1945. 465th: 1944-1945. 485th: 1944-1945.

Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 31 Mar 1943-Feb 1944; Spinazzola, Italy, Mar 1944; Bari, Italy, c. Jul-9 Sep 1945.

Commanders. Col Guy L McNeil, Apr 1943; Brig Gen George R Acheson, 11 Jun 1943-c. Jun 1945.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

57th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 8th Pursuit Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 6 Nov 1940. Inactivated on 1 Nov 1941.

Redesignated 8th Fighter Wing. Activated on 24 Jul 1942. Moved to Egypt, Oct-Dec 1942, and served with Ninth AF in the Middle East and North Africa. Redesignated 57th Bombardment Wing in Apr 1943. Assigned to Twelfth AF in Aug 1943 and continued operations in the Mediterranean theater until the end of the war. Inactivated in Italy on 12 Sep 1945.

Redesignated 57th Air Division. Organized on 16 Apr 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Components. Groups. 12th Bombardment: 1943-1944. 47th Bombardment: 1943-1944. 49th Pursuit: 1941. 57th Fighter: 1943-1944. 79th Fighter: 1943-1944. 310th Bombardment: 1944-1945. 319th Bombardment: 1944-1945. 321st Bombardment: 1943-1944, 1944-1945. 340th Bombardment: 1943-1944, 1944-1945.

Wings. 92d Bombardment: 1951-. 98th Bombardment: 1951-1953. 99th Bombardment: 1953-. 111th Reconnaissance: 1951-1953.

Stations. Maxwell Field, Ala, 6 Nov 1940; Morrison Field, Fla, 16 May-1 Nov 1941. Drew Field, Fla, 24 Jul-28 Oct 1942; Egypt, 23 Dec 1942; Tunisia, c. 29 Aug 1943; Lentini, Sicily, 4 Sep 1943; Naples, Italy, 7 Oct 1943; Foggia, Italy, 29 Oct 1943; Trocchia, Italy, 4 Jan 1944; Ghisonaccia, Corsica, 20 Apr 1944; Fano, Italy, 7 Apr 1945; Pomigliano, Italy, Aug-12 Sep 1945. Fairchild AFB, Wash, 16 Apr 1951-.

Commanders. Capt Harold H Fulk, 6 Nov 1940-1941. Unkn, 1942-c. Mar 1943; Col Thomas C Darcy, c. Mar 1943-unkn; Capt John J Darmody, 1943; Col William S Gravely, 15 Oct 1943-1 Jan 1944; Brig Gen Robert D Knapp, 1 Mar 1944; Col Anthony G Hunter, 24 May 1945-unkn. Brig Gen Charles J Bondley Jr, 16 Apr 1951; Brig Gen David Wade, 1 Nov 1952; Brig Gen James V Edmundson, 20 Mar 1954; Brig Gen Edwin B Broadhurst, 18 Jan 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Tunisia; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Central Europe; Po Valley.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend azure and gules, a bend argent between in chief a globe of the third lined sable emitting three lightning flashes or and issuing from base a hand holding a torch of the fourth garnished of the fifth flammant of the second and silver. (Approved 7 Apr 1954.)

58th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 58th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Redesignated 58th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in Jul 1943, and 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Nov 1943. Moved to India in the spring of 1944. Assigned to Twentieth AF. Engaged in very-long-range bombardment operations from Jun to Oct 1944. Disbanded in India on 12 Oct 1944.

Reconstituted on 1 Feb 1945 and activated in India on 8 Feb. Assigned to Twentieth AF. Engaged in combat until the war ended. Returned to the US late in 1945. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Redesignated 58th Air Division (Bombardment) in Apr 1948. Inactivated on 16 Oct 1948.

Redesignated 58th Air Division (Defense). Activated on 8 Sep 1955. Assigned to Air Defense Command. No combat elements were assigned to the division prior to 31 Dec 1955.

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, May 1943; Cobb County AAFld, Ga, 1 Jun 1943; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 1 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 Nov 1945; March Field, Calif, 2 Dec 1945; Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, 9 May 1946; Andrews AFB, Md, 1 Mar-16 Oct 1948. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 8 Sep 1955-.

Commanders. Brig Gen Kenneth B Wolfe, 21 Jun 1943; Col Leonard F Harman, 27 Nov 1943; Brig Gen LaVern G Saunders, Mar 1944-unkn. Col Dwight O Monteith, 8 Feb 1945; Brig Gen Roger M Ramey, 24 Apr 1945-1 Nov 1946; unkn, 1 Nov 1946-16 Oct 1948. Col Von R Shores Jr, 8 Sep 1955-.

Campaigns. India-Burma; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Western Pacific; Central Burma.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend argent, and checky of the first and sable, in chief an escutcheon gules, charged with a cross or between four stylized arrowheads, tips to center, of the last. Motto: Primus Inter Pares - First Among Equals. (Approved 11 Jan 1956.)

60th Troop Carrier Wing

Constituted as 60th Troop Carrier Wing on 5 Jun 1943 and activated on 12 Jun. Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command. Trained groups and glider crews and participated in several airborne maneuvers. Inactivated on 8 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 60th Fighter Wing. Allotted to ANG (Wash) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 19 Apr 1948. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950.

Components. (Omitted because of large number and frequent changes.)

Stations. Sedalia AAFld, Mo, 12 Jun 1943; Pope Field, NC, c. 22 Jul 1943; Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, c. 20 Dec 1943; Pope Field, NC, c. 8 Mar 1944-8 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Col Maurice M Beach, Jun 1943; Col Julian M Chappell, c. 22 Jul 1943; Col Jerome B McCauley, c. 31 Aug 1943; Col Younger A Pitts, 23 Mar 1944-c. 8 Oct 1945.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

61st Troop Carrier Wing

Constituted as 61st Troop Carrier Wing on 5 Jun 1943 and activated on 13 Jun. Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command. Trained groups, troop carrier replacement personnel, and glider crews. Inactivated on 4 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 61st Fighter Wing. Allotted to ANG (Calif) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 4 Apr 1948. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950.

Components. (Omitted because of large number and frequent changes.)

Stations. Pope Field, NC, 13 Jun 1943; Sedalia AAFld, Mo, Jul 1943-4 Oct 1945.

Commanders. Col Tracy K Dorsett, Jun 1943; Col Reed G Landis, Dec 1943-4 Oct 1945.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

62d Fighter Wing

Constituted as 1st Air Defense Wing on 12 Dec 1942 and activated the same day. Moved to the Mediterranean theater in Jan 1943. Redesignated 62d Fighter Wing in Jul 1943. Served with Twelfth AF until the end of the war. Inactivated in Italy on 12 Sep 1945.

Allotted to ANG (Calif) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 14 Sep 1946. Inactivated on 31 Oct 1950.

Groups. 52d: 1943. 81st: 1943, 1943-1944. 332d: 1944. 350th: 1944-1945.

Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 12 Dec 1942-13 Jan 1943; Casablanca, French Morocco, 30 Jan 1943; Sousse, Tunisia, 14 May 1943; Palermo, Sicily, 25 Jul 1943; Naples, Italy, 20 Oct 1943; Antignano, Italy, c. 15 Sep 1944; Pomigliano, Italy, Aug-22 Sep 1945.

Commanders. Brig Gen Elwood R Quesada, 12 Dec 1942; Col John N Stone, 18 Mar 1943; Brig Gen Robert S Israel Jr, 4 Sep 1943; Col John F Wadman, 11 May 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; North Apennines; Po Valley.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

63d Fighter Wing

Constituted as 2d Air Defense Wing on 12 Dec 1942 and activated the same day. Moved to North Africa in Jan 1943. Redesignated 63d Fighter Wing in Jul 1943. Operated with Twelfth AF until Nov 1944 when the wing moved to the European theater and lost its combat elements. Returned to the US in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 11 Dec 1945.

Allotted to ANG (Tex) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 23 May 1948. Ordered into active service on 10 Oct 1950. Inactivated on 11 Oct 1950.

Groups. 52d: 1943-1944. 350th: 1943-1944.

Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 12 Dec 1942-13 Jan 1943; Oran, Algeria, 27 Jan 1943; Maison Blanche, Algeria, c. May 1943; Rerhaia, Algeria, 8 Aug 1943; Bastia, Corsica, c. Oct 1943; San Pietro, Italy, c. 15 Oct 1944; Vittel, France, 22 Nov 1944; Heidelberg, Germany, c. 7 Apr 1945; Schwabisch-Hall, Germany, 14 Jun 1945; Darmstadt, Germany, 17 Jul 1945-unkn; Camp Kilmer, NJ, Dec-11 Dec 1945.

Commanders. Brig Gen Davis D Graves, Dec 1942; Brig Gen Laurence C Craigle, 8 Mar 1944; Col Richard A Ames, 7 Oct 1944-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

To Part 8