Constituted as 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942.
Activated on 3 Feb 1942. Trained with B-17's. Moved to England, Jul-Aug
1942, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began combat in Sep 1942 and attacked
submarine pens, airfields, railroads, bridges, and other targets on the
Continent, primarily in France. Operated with Twelfth AF after moving to
North Africa in Nov 1942. Bombed docks, shipping facilities, airdromes,
and railroad yards in Tunisia, Sicily, and Sardinia. Attacked enemy
shipping between Tunisia and Sicily. Received a DUC for action on 6 Apr
1943 when the group withstood intense antiaircraft fire from shore
defenses and nearby vessels to attack a convoy of merchant ships off
Bizerte and thus destroy supplies essential to the Axis defense of
Tunisia. Assaulted gun positions on Pantelleria during May-Jun 1943. Flew
numerous missions to Italy, Jul-Oct 1943. Assigned to Fifteenth AF in Nov
1943, moved to Italy in Dec, and afterward directed most of its attacks
against such strategic targets as oil centers, communications, and
industrial areas in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia,
Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received
another DUC for a mission to Germany on 25 Feb 1944 when, in spite of
vicious encounters with enemy fighters, the group bombed aircraft
production centers at Regensburg. Other operations for the group during
1944-1945 included flying missions in support of ground forces in the
Anzio and Cassino areas, supporting the invasion of Southern France,
knocking out targets to assist the Russian advance in the Balkans, and
aiding the Allied drive through the Po Valley. Returned to the US in July
1945. Redesignated 301st Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug.
Inactivated on 15 Oct 1945.
Activated on 4 Aug 1946. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Equipped
with B-29's. Redesignated 301st Bombardment Group (Medium) in May 1948.
Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 32d: 1942-1945; 1946-1952. 352d: 1942-1945; 1946-1952. 353d:
1942-1945; 1946-1952. 354th: 1942. 419th: 1942-1945.
Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 3 Feb 1942; Alamogordo, NM, 27 May 1942;
Richard E Byrd Field, Va, 21 Jun-19 Jul 1942; Chelveston, England, 9 Aug
1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, c. 26 Nov 1942; Maison Blanche, Algeria, 5 Dec
1942; Biskra, Algeria, c. 16 Dec 1942; Ain M'lila, Algeria, c. 17 Jan
1943; St-Donat, Algeria, 6 Mar 17, 1943; Oudna, Tunisia, 6 Aug 1943;
Cerignola, Italy, c. 7 Dec 1943; Lucera, Italy, 1 Feb 1944-1945; Sioux
Falls AAFld, SD 28 Jul 1945; Pyote AAFld, Tex, 23 Aug-15 Oct 1945. Clovis
AAFld, NM, 4 Aug 1946; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 16 Jul 1947; Barksdale AFB,
La, 7 Nov 1949-16 Jun 1952.
Commanders. Col Ronald R Walker, Feb 1942; Lt Col Samuel Gormly Jr, c.
Feb 1943; Col John K Brown Jr, 3 Sep 1943; Col Jean R Byerly, 24 Nov 1943;
Lt Col Karl T Barthelmess, 25 Dec 1943; Col John F Batjer, 3 Mar 1944; Lt
Col John D Moorman, Sep 1944; Col Ernest S Holmes Jr, 8 Dec 1944; Lt Col
Robert H Allyn, 1945; Col Raymond L Winn, 31 Aug 1945-unkn. Unkn, Aug
1946-Aug 1947; Col George L Robinson, 1 Aug 1947; Lt Col Frank W Ellis,
Sep 1947; Lt Col Thomas Classen, 20 Jun 1949; Col Harris E Rogner, 21 Jul
1949; Col Chester C Cox, 15 Dec 1950; Col Horace M Wade, Mar 1951-16 Jun
1952.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia;
Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France;
Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po
Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Tunisia, 6 Apr 1943;
Germany, 25 Feb 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, three ravens pendent from a spear fessways or.
Motto: Who Fears? (Approved 11 Aug 1942.) Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 |
