Constituted as 3rd Photographic Group on 9 Jun 1942 and
activated on 20
Jun. Redesignated 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group in May
1943, 3rd Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) in
Nov 1943, and 3rd
Reconnaissance Group in May 1945. Moved, via England,
to the Mediterranean
theater, Nov-Dec 1942, and assigned to Twelfth AF.
Used F-4 and F-5 aircraft.
Provided photographic intelligence that
assisted the campaigns for Tunisia,
Pantelleria, Sardinia, and Sicily.
Reconnoitered airdromes, roads,
marshalling yards, and harbors both
before and after the Allied landings at
Salerno. Covered the Anzio area
early in 1944 and continued to support Fifth
Army in its drive through
Italy by determining troop movements, gun positions,
and terrain. Flew
reconnaissance missions in connection with the invasion of
Southern
France in Aug 1944. Received a DUC for a mission on 28 Aug 1944
when
the group provided photographic intelligence that assisted the
rapid advance
of Allied ground forces. Also mapped areas in France and
the Balkans.
Inactivated in Italy on 12 Sep 1945. Disbanded on 6 Mar
1947.
Squadrons. 5th: 1942-1945. 12th: 1942-1945. 13th: 1942-1943.
14th:
1942-1943. 15th: 1942-1944. 23d: 1944-1945.
Stations. Colorado Springs, Colo, 20 Jun-13 Aug 1942;
Membury, England,
8 Sep 1942; Steeple Morden, England, 26 Oct-22 Nov
1942; La Senia, Algeria, 10
Dec 1942; Algiers, Algeria, 25 Dec 1942; La
Marsa, Tunisia, 13 Jun 1943; San
Severo, Italy, 8 Dec 1943; Pomigliano,
Italy, 4 Jan 1944; Nettuno, Italy, 16
Jun 1944; Viterbo, Italy, 26 Jun
1944; Corsica, c. 14 Jul 1944; Rosia, Italy,
c. Sep 1944; Florence,
Italy, 17 Jan 1945; Pomigliano, Italy, 26 Aug-12 Sep
1945.
Commanders. Capt George H McBride, 20 Jun 1942; Maj Harry T
Eidson, 25
Jun 1942; Maj Elliott Roosevelt, 11 Jul 1942; Lt Col Furman
H Limeburner, 13
Aug 1942; Col Elliott Roosevelt, 30 Sep 1942; Lt Col
Frank L Dunn, c. Mar
1943; Lt Col James F Setchell, c. 4 Nov 1943; Maj
Hal C Tunnell, 19 Jan 1944;
Maj Thomas W Barfoot Jr, c. 29 May 1944;
Col Duane L Kime, 17 Sep 1944; Lt Col
Oscar M Blomquist, 29 May 1945;
Lt Col James E Hill, 2 Aug-c. Sep 1945.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Tunisia; Sicily;
Naples-Foggia;
Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines;
Rhineland; Central Europe;
Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: MTO, 28 Aug
1944.
Insigne. Shield: Per chevron or and azure, in center chief
point a
stylized camera, lens to base sable. Motto: Archez Bien - Shoot
Well.
(Approved 29 Oct 1942.) Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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