304th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 304th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 7 Dec 1943 and activated in Italy on 29 Dec. Operated with Fifteenth AF in the Mediterranean and European theaters from Feb 1944 until May 1945. Moved to the US, Sep-Oct 1945. Inactivated on 13 Oct 1945.

Redesignated 304th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) and allotted to the reserve. Activated on 19 Apr 1947. Redesignated 304th Air Division (Bombardment) Apr 1948. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Groups. 448th: 1947-1949. 452d: 1947-1949. 454th: 1944-1945. 455th: 1944-1945. 456th: 1944-1945. 459th: 1944-1945; 1947-1949.

Stations. Cerignola, Italy, 29 Dec 1943-Sep 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 12-13 Oct 1945. Long Beach, Calif, 19 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949.

Commanders. Col John K Brown Jr, c. 29 Dec 1943; Brig Gen Fay R Upthegrove, 27 Jan 1944; Lt Col William R Boutz, 5 Jul 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. None.

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986