464th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Feb-Apr 1944, with the air echelon training for a few weeks in Tunisia before joining the remainder of the group in Italy. Served with Fifteenth AF, Apr 1944-May 1945, operating primarily as part of the strategic bombardment force that disrupted German industry and communications. Flew long-range missions to attack such objectives as marshalling yards, oil refineries, oil storage facilities, aircraft factories, and chemical plants in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for leading the 55th Wing in compact formation through heavy opposition to bomb marshalling yards and an oil refinery at Vienna on 8 Jul 1944. Received another DUC for a mission on 24 Aug 1944 when the group scored hits not only on the target, an oil refinery at Pardubice, but also on nearby railroad tracks. Sometimes engaged in support and interdictory operations. Supported Allied forces during the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944. Hit railroad centers to assist the advance of Russian troops in southeastern Europe in Mar 1945. Bombed enemy supply lines to assist the advance of US Fifth and British Eighth Army in northern Italy in Apr 1945. Moved to Trinidad in Jun 1945. Assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1945.

Redesignated 464th Troop Carrier Group (Medium). Activated in the US on 1 Feb 1953. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Used C-46 and C-119 aircraft.

Squadrons. 776th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 777th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 778th: 1943-1945; 1953-. 779th: 1943-1945; 1955-.

Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Aug 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 22 Aug 1943; Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 2 Oct 1943-9 Feb 1944; Pantanella Airfield, Italy, Mar 1944; Gioia, Italy, 21 Apr 1944; Pantanella Airfield, Italy, c. 1 Jun 1944-c. May 1945; Waller Field, Trinidad, Jun-31 Jul 1945. Lawson AFB, Ga, 1 Feb 1953; Pope AFB, NC, 16 Sep 1954-.

Commanders. Unkn, 1 Aug-1 Sep 1943; Col Marshall Bonner, 2 Sep 1943; Col Arnold L Schroeder, 30 Jun 1944; Col A J Bird Jr, 13 Mar 1945-unkn. Col James A Evans, c. 1 Feb 1953; Col Charles F Franklin, 1954; Lt Col Adam A Reaves, 1955-.

Campaigns. American Theater; 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: Vienna, Austria, 8 Jul 1944; Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, [24] Aug 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Azure, surmounting a cloud argent, an American eagle descendant, wings, endorsed proper, between his beak four lightning streaks, two and two gules, speed lines of the first all inclosed by two bendlets sinister vert, edged or. Motto: Certissimus In Incertis - Most Certain (in the sense of unerring or dependable) in Uncertainties. (Approved 15 Apr 1954.)

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