$Unique_ID{USH00402} $Pretitle{56} $Title{Air Force Combat Units of World War II 43rd Bombardment Group - 49th Fighter Group} $Subtitle{} $Author{Maurer, Maurer} $Affiliation{USAF} $Subject{col lt jan group sep jun nov aug mar jul} $Volume{} $Date{1986} $Log{} Book: Air Force Combat Units of World War II Author: Maurer, Maurer Affiliation: USAF Date: 1986 43rd Bombardment Group - 49th Fighter Group 43rd Bombardment Group Constituted as 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-17, B-18, A-29, and LB-30 aircraft. Flew some antisubmarine patrols along the New England coast, Dec 1941-Feb 1942. Moved to the Southwest Pacific, via Capetown, Feb-Mar 1942. Became part of Fifth AF. Equipped first with B-17's, but converted to B-24's, May-Sep 1943. Operated from Australia, New Guinea, and Owi Island, Aug 1941-Nov 1944, making numerous attacks on Japanese shipping in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago. Experimented with skip bombing and used this method for some shipping strikes, including attacks on Japanese vessels during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, 2-4 Mar 1943; received a DUC for participation in this latter action in which repeated air attacks destroyed a large enemy convoy carrying reinforcements to New Guinea. Other operations during this period included support for ground forces on New Guinea; attacks on airfields and installations in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Celebes, Halmahera, Yap, Palau, and the southern Philippines; and long-range raids against oil refineries on Ceram and Borneo. Capt Jay Zeamer Jr, pilot, and 2nd Lt Joseph R Sarnoski, bombardier, each won the Medal of Honor for action during a photographic mapping mission over the Solomon Islands on 16 Jun 1943: when the mission was nearly completed, their aircraft was assaulted by about 20 interceptors; although painfully wounded, Lt Sarnoski remained at the nose guns and fired at the enemy until he died at his post; sustaining severe injuries, Capt Zeamer maneuvered the plane until the enemy had broken combat, then directed the flight to a base more than 500 miles away. After moving to the Philippines in Nov 1944, the group atttacked shipping along the Asiatic coast; struck industries, airfields, and installations in China and Formosa; and supported ground forces on Luzon. Moved to Ie Shima in Jul 1945 and conducted missions against airfields and railways in Japan and against shipping in the Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan. Returned to the Philippines in in Dec 1945. Inactivated on 29 Apr 1946. Redesignated 43rd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated in the US on 1 Oct 1946. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Redesignated 43rd Bombardment Group (Medium) in Jul 1948. Equipped first with B-29's, then with B-50's. Trained and conducted long-range test missions, including the first nonstop flight around the world (26 Feb-2 Mar 1949), accomplished in "Lucky Lady II," a B-50 commanded by Capt James G Gallagher. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952. Squadrons. 63d: 1941-1946; 1946-1952. 64th: 1941-1946; 1946-1952. 65th: 1941-1946; 1946-1952. 403d: 1942-1946. Stations. Langley Field, Va, 15 Jan 1941; Bangor, Maine, 28 Aug 1941-17 Feb 1942; Sydney, Australia, 28 Mar 1942; Torrens Creek, Australia, c. 1 Aug 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 14 Sep 1942; Dobodura, New Guinea, 10 Dec 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 4 Mar 1944; Owi, Schouten Islands, 2 Jul 1944; Tacloban, Leyte, c. 15 Nov 1944; Clark Field, Luzon, 16 Mar 1945; Ie Shima, 26 Jul 1945; Ft William McKinley, Luzon, 10 Dec 1945-29 Apr 1946. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Oct 194616 Jun 1952. Commanders. Lt Col Harold D Smith, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Francis B Valentine, 1 Mar 1941; Maj Conrad H Diehl Jr, 18 Feb 1942; Col Roger M Ramey, 21 Oct 1942; Lt Col John A Roberts, 30 Mar 1943; Col Harry Hawthorne, 24 May 1943; Lt Col Edward W Scott Jr, 18 Nov 1943; Col Harry Hawthorne, 8 Feb 1944; Col James T Pettus Jr, 18 Sep 1944; Maj Paul B Hansen, 8 Sep 1945-unkn. Col James C Selser Jr, 5 Oct 1946; Col William E Eubank Jr, Apr 1948; Col Dalene Bailey, Jul 1948; Col Alvan N Moore, 3 Jan 1949-16 Jun 1952. Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus; China Offensive. Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, [Aug] 1942-23 Jan 1943; Bismarck Sea, 2-4 Mar 1943. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Insigne. Shield: Per fess nebuly or and azure, a drop bomb counterchanged. Motto: Willing, Able, Ready. (Approved 31 Jan 1942.) 44th Bombardment Group Constituted as 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-24's. Became an operational training unit in Feb 1942. Also served on antisubmarine duty. In Jul 1942 began intensive preparations for combat. Moved to England, Aug-Oct 1942, for service with Eighth AF. Operations consisted primarily of assaults against strategic targets in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy Rumania, Austria, Poland, and Sicily. Pounded submarine installations, industrial establishments, airfields, harbors, shipyards, and other objectives in France and Germany, Nov 1942-Jun 1943. Received a DUC for an extremely hazardous mission against naval installations at Kiel on 14 May 1943: with its B-24's carrying incendiaries to be dropped after three B-17 groups had released high explosive bombs, the 44th flew in the wake of the main formation; thus the B-24's were particularly vulnerable because they had no protection from fire power of the main force, and this vulnerability increased when the group had to open its own formation for the attack; but the 44th blanketed the target with incendiaries in spite of the concentrated flak and continuous interceptor attacks it encountered. Late in Jun 1943 a large detachment moved to North Africa to help facilitate the invasion of Sicily by bombing airfields and marshalling yards in Italy. The detachment also participated in the famous low-level raid on the Ploesti oil fields on 1 Aug 1943. The group was awarded a DUC for its part in this raid and its commander, Col Leon Johnson, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his daring and initiative in leading his men into smoke, flame, and alerted fighter and antiaircraft opposition over the target, which already had been bombed in error by another group. Before returning to England at the end of Aug, the detachment bombed an aircraft factory in Austria and supported ground forces in Sicily. In Sep the group struck airfields in Holland and France and convoys in the North Sea. Also in Sep, a detachment was sent to North Africa to support the Salerno operations. The detachment returned to England in Oct and from Nov 1943 to Apr 1945, the entire group carried out operations against targets in western Europe, concentrating on airfields, oil installations, and marshalling yards. Took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Sometimes flew support and interdictory missions. Struck airfields, railroads, and V-weapon sites in preparation for the Normandy invasion; supported the invasion in Jun 1944 by attacking strong points in the beachhead area and transportation targets behind the front lines. Aided the Caen offensive and the St Lo breakthrough in Jul. Dropped food, ammunition, and other supplies to troops engaged in the airborne attack on Holland in Sep. Helped to check the enemy offensive during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, by striking bridges, tunnels, choke points, rail and road junctions, and communications in the battle area. Attacked airfields and transportation in support of the advance into Germany, and flew a resupply mission during the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Jun 1945. Redesignated 44th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Trained with B-29's. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 12 Jul 1946. Activated on 1 Jul 1947. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Not manned during 1947 and 1948. Inactivated on 6 Sep 1948. Redesignated 44th Bombardment Group (Medium). Activated on 2 Jan 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command and equipped with B-29's. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952. Squadrons. 66th: 1941-1946; 1947-1948; 1951-1952. 67th: 1941-1946; 1947-1948; 1951-1952. 68th: 1941-1946; 1947-1948; 1951-1952. 404th: 1942. 506th: 1943-1946. Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 15 Jan 1941; Barksdale Field, La, Feb 1942; Will Rogers Field, Okla, Jul-c. 28 Aug 1942; Shipham, England, Oct 1942-c. 15 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, c. 27 Jun 1945; Great Bend AAFld, Kan, 25 Jul 1945; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 14 Dec 1945-12 Jul 1946. Andrews Field, Md, 1 Jul 1947-6 Sep 1948. March AFB, Calif, 2 Jan 1951; Lake Charles AFB, La, c. 1 Aug 1951-16 Jun 1952. Commanders. Lt Col Melvin B Asp, c. 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Hugo P Rush, May 1941; Col F H Robinson, c. 1 Apr 1942; Col Leon W Johnson, c. 15 Jan 1943; Lt Col James T Posey, c. 3 Sep 1943; Col Frederick R Dent, Dec 1943; Col John H Gibson, c. 1 Apr 1944; Col Eugene H Snavely, Aug 1944; Col Vernon C Smith, Apr 1945-unkn; Lt Col Henry C Coles, c. 6 Aug 1945; Col William Cain Jr, c. 30 Aug 1945; Lt Col James F Starkey, c. 8 Jan 1946-unkn. Unkn, 1947-1948. Col Howell M Estes Jr, Feb 1951; Col Carlos Cochrane, 7 Mar 1951-16 Jun 1952. Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Kiel, Germany, 14 May 1943; Ploesti, Rumania, 1 Aug 1943. Insigne. Shield: Azure, a bomb, point downward, between eight stars, four and four, or, all bendwise. Motto: Aggressor Beware. (Approved 15 May 1951.) 45th Bombardment Group Constituted as 45th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18's and A-20's. Redesignated 45th Bombardment Group (Medium) in Dec 1941. Flew patrol and search missions off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, serving with First AF and later with AAF Antisubmarine Command. Used B-18, B-34, and DB-7 aircraft for operations. Inactivated on 8 Dec 1942. Squadrons. 7th Antisubmarine (formerly 78th Bombardment): 1941-1942. 8th Antisubmarine (formerly 79th Bombardment): 1941-1942. 9th Antisubmarine (formerly 80th Bombardment): 1941-1942. 10th Antisubmarine (formerly 433rd Bombardment): 1941-1942. Stations. Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941; Manchester, NH, 18 Jun 1941; Dover, Del, 16 May 1942; Miami, Fla, 1 Aug-8 Dec 1942. Commanders. Lt Col James E Duke Jr, Jan 1941; Lt Col George A McHenry, 1 Apr 1941; Lt Col Charles W Haas, c. Sep-Dec 1942. Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater. Decorations. None. Insigne. Shield: Azure, three aerial bombs or, a chief potentee of the last. Motto: De Astra - From the Stars. (Approved 6 Jan 1942.) 46th Bombardment Group Constituted as 46th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with A-20's and Harold L Mace, 13 Sep 1943; Lt Col Rob participated in maneuvers. Flew some antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico early in 1942. Assigned to Second AF in August and to Third AF in Nov 1942. Served as an operational training unit until late in 1943, then became a replacement training unit. Disbanded on 1 May 1944. Squadrons. 50th: 1941-1944. 51st: 1941-1944. 53d: 1941-1944. 87th: 1941-1944. Stations. Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941; Bowman Field, Ky, 20 May 1941; Barks dale Field, La, Feb 1942; Galveston Mun Aprt, Tex, c. 1 Apr 1942; Blythe AAB, Calif, 23 May 1942; Will Rogers Field, Okla, Nov 1942; Drew Field, Fla, Oct 1943; Morris Field, NC, 6 Nov 1943-1 May 1944. Commanders. Maj Guy L McNeil, 15 Jan 1941; Maj Otto C George, 18 Apr 1941; Col Richard H Lee, 9 May 1941; Lt Col Robert D Gapen, 1 Nov 1942; Lt Col Martin P Crabtree, 11 Apr 1943; Lt Col Robert V DeShazo, 21 Jul 1943; Col ert V DeShazo, 21 Oct 1943-1 May 1944. Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater. Decorations. None. Insigne. Shield: Or, a bend invected azure. Motto: Custos Libertate - Guardians of Liberty. (Approved 14 Jul 1942.) 47th Bombardment Group Constituted as 47th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Patrolled the west coast for several weeks after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, then trained for duty overseas. Moved to North Africa, Oct-Nov 1942. Assigned to Twelfth AF. Served in the Mediterranean theater until the end of the war, using A-20's and (after Jan 1945) some A-26's for support and interdictory operations in which the group attacked such targets as tanks, convoys, bivouac areas, troop concentrations, supply dumps, roads, pontoon bridges, rail lines, and airfields. Also flew numerous night intruder missions after Jun 1944. Began operations by flying low-level missions against the enemy in North Africa during the period Dec 1942-May 1943. When Axis forces broke through at Kasserine Pass in Feb 1943, the 47th Group, though undermanned and undersupplied, flew eleven missions on 22 Feb to attack the advancing armored columns and thus to help stop the enemy's offensive - an action for which the group was awarded a DUC. Remained active in combat during Mar and Apr 1943 while training for medium-level bombardment. Participated in the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in Jun 1943 and the invasion of Sicily in Jul. Bombed German evacuation beaches near Messina in Aug. Supported British Eighth Army during the invasion of Italy in Sep. Assisted the Allied advance toward Rome, Sep 1943-Jun 1944. Supported the invasion of Southern France, Aug-Sep 1944. Attacked German communications in northern Italy, Sep 1944-Apr 1945. Received second DUC for performance from 21 to 24 Apr 1945 when, in bad weather and over rugged terrain, the group maintained operations for 60 consecutive hours, destroying enemy transportation in the Po Valley to prevent the organized withdrawal of German forces. Returned to the US in July 1945. Trained and participated in maneuvers. Equipped with B-45's in 1948. Inactivated on 2 Oct 1949. Activated on 12 Mar 1951. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with B-45's. Moved to England, May-Jun 1952, and assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Inactivated on 8 Feb 1955. Squadrons. 84th: 1941-1949; 1951-1955. 85th: 1941-1949; 1951-1955. 86th: 1941-1949; 1954-1955. 97th: 1941-1946. 422d: 1953-1954. Stations. McChord Field, Wash, 15 Jan 1941; Fresno, Calif, 14 Aug 1941; Will Rogers Field, Okla, c. 16 Feb 1942; Greensboro, NC, c. 16 Jul-18 Oct 1942; Mediouna, French Morocco, 18 Nov 1942; Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, 7 Jan 1943; Canrobert, Algeria, 6 Mar 1943; Thelepte, Tunisia, 30 Mar 1943; Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia, 13 Apr 1943; Soliman, Tunisia, c. 1 Jul 1943; Malta, 21 Jul 1943; Torrente Comunelli, Sicily, 9 Aug 1943; Gerbini, Sicily, 20 Aug 1943; Grottaglie, Italy, 24 Sep 1943; Vincenzo Airfield, Italy, 15 Oct 1943; Vesuvius Airfield, Italy, c. 10 Jan 1944; Capodichino, Italy, 22 Mar 1944; Vesuvius Airfield, Italy, 25 Apr 1944; Ponte Galeria, Italy, c. 10 Jun 1944; Ombrone Airfield, Italy, 27 Jun 1944; Corsica, 11 Jul 1944; Salon, France, 7 Sep 1944; Follonica, Italy, 18 Sep 1944; Rosignano Airfield, Italy, Oct 1944; Grosseto, Italy, 11 Dec 1944; Pisa, Italy, Jun-24 Jun 1945; Seymour Johnson Field, NC, 11 Jul 1945; Lake Charles AAFld, La, Sep 1945; Biggs Field, Tex, 20 Oct 1946; Barksdale AFB, La, 19 Nov 1948-2 Oct 1949. Langley AFB, Va, 12 Mar 1951-12 May 1952; Sculthorpe, England, 1 Jun 1952-8 Feb 1955. Commanders. Maj William A Schulgen, 15 Jan 1941; Lt Col Hilbert M Wittkop, unkn; Col Frederick R Terrell, Jan 1942; Col Malcolm Green Jr, 17 May 1943; Lt Col Kenneth S Wade, 1 Apr 1945; Col Marvin S Zipp, 28 Aug 1945; Col Robert Hughey, 23 Nov 1945; Lt Col Broadus B Taylor, 27 Aug 1946; Col Gerald E Williams, 30 Aug 1946; Lt Col Stebbins W Griffith, 5 Jun 1947; Lt Col Frederick E Price, Aug 1947; Col Willis F Chapman, 10 Oct 1947-2 Oct 1949. Col Benjamin C Willis, 12 Mar 1951; Col David M Jones, Sep 1951; Col Galen B Price, 20 Feb 1952; Lt Col Hubert M Blair, unkn; Col Galen B Price, 1954-c. Feb 1955. Campaigns. American Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley. Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: North Africa, 22 Feb 1943; Po Valley, 21-24 Apr 1945. Insigne. Shield: Or, in chief, a bomb sable, point downward, winged gules, surmounting an arc, reversed and couped, azure, all above a stylized cloud indication, of the second, emitting four lightning flashes gules toward base. (Approved 26 Oct 1951.) 48th Fighter Group Constituted as 48th Bombardment Group (Light) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated 48th Bombardment Group (Dive) in Sep 1942, and 48th Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943. Used A-20's and B-18's during 1941, and A-20, A-24, A-31, A-35, A-36, P-39, P-40, and other aircraft between 1942 and 1944. Served as a replacement training unit, participated in maneuvers, and for a brief time engaged in coastal patrol work. Moved overseas, arriving in England in Mar 1944. Assigned to Ninth AF. Trained with P-47's. Began operations on 20 Apr 1944 by making a fighter sweep over the coast of France. Redesignated 48th Fighter Group in May 1944. Flew escort and dive-bombing missions to help prepare for the invasion of Normandy. Bombed bridges and gun positions on 6 Jun and attacked rail lines and trains, motor transports, bridges, fuel dumps, and gun positions during the remainder of the Normandy campaign. Moved to France, Jun-Jul 1944. Helped Allied forces break through the German lines at St Lo in Jul, supported the Allied drive across France in Aug and Sep, and assisted the airborne attack on Holland in Sep. Cited by the Belgian Government for close cooperation with Allied armies during the period Jun-Sep 1944. Moved to Belgium and operated from there in the fall and winter of 1944-1945, being awarded second Belgian citation for operations during that time. Received a DUC for action on 6 Dec 1944: facing intense enemy fire while flying below a heavy overcast, the group struck buildings, entrenchments, and troop concentrations to assist the advance of ground forces against an enemy stronghold north of Julich. Supported ground operations during the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) and received third Belgian citation for relentless assaults against the enemy during that battle. Continued tactical air operations from bases on the Continent, supporting ground forces until the end of the war. During combat, also flew patrol, escort,weather reconnaissance, and leaflet missions; on one occasion carried blood plasma that was dropped in belly tanks to ground troops. Moved to the US during Aug-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. Redesignated 48th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated in France on 10 Jul 1952. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Equipped with F-84's and later with F-86 aircraft. Squadrons. 492d (formerly 55th): 1941-1945; 1952-. 493rd (formerly 56th): 1941-1945; 1952-. 494th (formerly 57th): 1941-1945; 1952-. 495th (formerly 88th): 1941-1944. Stations. Savannah, Ga, 15 Jan 1941; Will Rogers Field, Okla, 22 May 1941; Savannah, Ga, 7 Feb 1942; Key Field, Miss, 28 Jun 1942; William Northern Field, Tenn, 20 Aug 1943; Waterboro AAFld, SC, 27 Jan-13 Mar 1944; Ibsley, England, 29 Mar 1944; Deux Jumeaux, France, 18 Jun 1944; Villacoublay, France, 29 Aug 1944; Cambrai/Niergnies, France, 15 Sep 1944; St Trond, Belgium, 30 Sep 1944; Kelz, Germany, 26 Mar 1945; Kassel, Germany, 17 Apr 1945; Illesheim, Germany, 29 Apr 1945; Laon, France, 5 Jul-Aug 1945; Seymour Johnson Field, NC, Sep-Nov 1945. Chaumont AB, France, 10 July 1952-. Commanders. Lt Col Bernard S Thompson, 1941; Col Norman R Burnett, unkn; Lt Col Preston P Pender, c. 1943; Lt Col Charles C Kegelman, c. Apr 1943; Col Dixon M Allison, c. 8 Nov 1943; Col George L Wertenbaker Jr, 23 Apr 1944; Col James K Johnson, c. Oct 1944; Lt Col Harold L McNeely, 8 Jun 1945; Lt Col Paul P Douglas Jr, 28 Jun 1945-unkn. Col Chesley G Peterson, 10 Jul 1952; Lt Col Arthur D Thomas, c. 1 Jun 1953; Col Frank A Hill, c. Sep 1953; Col Arthur D Thomas, c. Jul 1954; Lt Col John D McFarlane, 1955-. Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 6 Dec 1944. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944; 1 Oct 1944-; 18 Dec 1944-15 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere. Insigne. Shield: Argent, on a pale engrailed azure a dexter hand couped at the wrist grasping a sword or. Motto: Vulneratus Non Victus - Unconquered even though Wounded. (Approved 12 Jan 1942.) 49th Fighter Group Constituted as 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with P-35's. Moved to Australia, Jan-Feb 1942, and became part of Fifth AF. Redesignated 49th Fighter Group in May 1942. Received P-40's in Australia and, after training for a short time, provided air defense for the Northern Territory, being awarded a DUC for engaging the enemy in frequent and intense aerial combat while operating with limited materiel and facilities, Mar-Aug 1942. Moved to New Guinea in Oct 1942 to help stall the Japanese drive southward from Buna to Port Moresby. Engaged primarily in air defense of Port Moresby; also escorted bombers and transports, and attacked enemy installations, supply lines, and troop concentrations in support of Allied ground forces. Participated in the Allied offensive that pushed the Japanese back along the Buna trail, took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea (Mar 1943), fought for control of the approaches to Huon Gulf, and supported ground forces during the campaign in which the Allies eventually recovered New Guinea. Covered landings on Noemfoor and had a part in the conquest of Biak. After having used P-38, P-40, and P-47 aircraft, was equipped completely in Sep 1944 with P-38's, which were used to fly long-range escort and attack missions to Mindanao, Halmahera, Ceram, and Borneo. Arrived in the Philippines in Oct 1944, shortly after the assault landings on Leyte. Engaged enemy fighters, attacked shipping in Ormoc Bay, supported ground forces, and covered the Allied invasion of Luzon. Maj Richard I Bong, who became AAF's top ace of World War II, was awarded the Medal of Honor for voluntarily flying in combat from 10 Oct to 15 Nov 1944, a period for which he was credited with the destruction of eight enemy aircraft in the air. For intensive operations against the Japanese on Leyte, the group was awarded a DUC. Other missions from the Philippines included strikes against industry and transportation on Formosa and against shipping along the China coast. Moved to Okinawa in A ug 1945 and to Japan in Sep. Trained, took part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols, as part of Far East Air Forces. Equipped with P-51's in 1946, with F-80's being added in 1948. Redesignated 49th Fighter-Bomber Group in Feb 1950. Began operations in the Korean War in Jun 1950. Covered the evacuation of civilian personnel from Kimpo and Suwon. Then flew missions in support of UN ground forces, hitting gun positions, troop concentrations, and other objectives. Later, struck interdiction targets in North Korea. In combat, operated first from Japan and later from, Korea, beginning operations with F-51's and F-80's and completing conversion to F-84's in Sep 1951. Remained in Korea for a time after the armistice. Returned to Japan in Nov 1953. Squadrons. 7th: 1941-. 8th: 1941-. 9th: 1941-. Stations. Selfridge Field, Mich, 15 Jan 1941; Morrison Field, Fla, 25 May 1941-4 Jan 1942; Melbourne, Australia, 2 Feb 1942; Bankstown, Australia, 16 Feb 1942; Darwin, Australia, c. 16 Apr 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 9 Oct 1942; Dobodura, New Guinea, Mar 1943; Gusap, New Guinea, 20 Nov 1943; Finschhafen, New Guinea, 19 Apr 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, c. 17 May 1944; Biak, 3 Jan 1944; Tacloban, Leyte, 24 Oct 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, c. 30 Dec 1944; Lingayen, Luzon, c. 25 Feb 1945; Okinawa, 16 Aug 1945; Atsugi, Japan, 15 Sep 1945; Chitose, Japan, 18 Feb 1946; Misawa, Japan, 20 Mar 1948; Itazuke, Japan, 9 Jul 1950; Taegu, Korea, 1 Dec 1950; Kunsan, Korea, 1 Apr 1953; Komaki, Japan, 2 Nov 1953; Nagoya, Japan, 16 Sep 1954-. Commanders. Maj Glenn L Davasher, 16 Jan 1941; Maj John F Egan, 10 Feb 1941; Maj George McCoy Jr, 2 May 1941; Col Paul B Wurtsmith, 11 Dec 1941; Col Donald R Hutchinson, 11 Nov 1942; Lt Col Robert L Morrissey, 30 Jan 1943; Col James C Selman, Jul 1943; Lt Col David A Campbell, 25 Jan 1944; Lt Col Furlo S Wagner, 3 Jun 1944; Col George A Walker, 19 Jul 1944; Lt Col Gerald R Johnson, 10 Mar 1945; Lt Col Clay Tice Jr, 16 Jul 1945; Lt Col Wallace R Jordan, Feb 1946; Lt Col Charles H Terhune Jr, c. 18 Feb 1946; Col Herbert L Grills, 25 Mar 1946; Col Merrill D Burnside, 20 Jul 1946; Lt Col Clay Tice Jr, 11 Sep 1946; Col Louis R Hughes, 1 Sep 1947; Lt Col Robert E Kirtley, 18 Aug 1948; Lt Col Niven K Cranfill, 11 Mar 1949; Lt Col John R Murphy, 1 Sep 1949; Lt Col James A Rippin, 31 Oct 1949; Col Wilbur H Stratton, 10 Nov 1949; Col Stanton T Smith Jr, 20 Jan 1950; Col John R Murphy, 21 Oct 1950; Col Wilbur Grumbles, 20 May 1951; Col William L Mitchell, 4 Nov 1951; Lt Col Gordon F Blood, 20 May 1952; Col Charles G Teschner, 1952; Col Robert H Orr, Sep 1952; Col Richard N Ellis, 17 Jan 1953; Col Charles G Teschner, 1 Apr 1953; Col Gilbert L Pritchard, Aug 1953-. Campaigns. World War II: East Indies; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; China Offensive. Korean War: UN Defensive; UN Offensive; CCF Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953. Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Australia, 14 Mar-25 Aug 1942; Papua, [Oct] 1942-23 Jan 1943; Philippine Islands, 27 Oct-Dec 1944; Korea [Jun]-25 Nov 1950; Korea, 9 Jul-27 Nov 1951. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations: [Jun] 1950-7 Feb 1951; 8 Feb 1951-31 Mar 1953. Insigne. Shield: A gyronny of three gules, or and azure, a bolt of lightning, bend sinisterwise argent, in chief, a knight's helmet, winged of the last, in dexter chief, five stars (Southern Cross) argent, two on gules, and three on azure, in sinister base a covered wagon, trees and road scene, all proper. Motto: Tutor Et Ultor - I Protect and Avenge. (Approved 29 Dec 1951.)