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.

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