501st Bombardment Group

Constituted as 501st Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 25 May 1944. Activated on 1 Jun 1944. Moved to Guam, Mar-Apr 1945, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Entered combat on 19 Jun 1945 when its B-29's bombed Japanese fortifications in the Truk Islands. Flew its first mission against Japan on 27 Jun 1945, and afterward operated principally against the enemy's petroleum industry on Honshu. Received a DUC for attacks on the Maruzen oil refinery at Shimotsu, the Utsubo oil refinery at Yokkaichi, and the petroleum center at Kawasaki, in Jul 1945. After the war, dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners in Japan, China, Korea, and Manchuria. Inactivated on Guam on 10 Jun 1946.

Squadrons. 21st: 1944-1946. 41st: 1944-1946. 485th: 1944-1946.

Stations. Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 1 Jun 1944; Harvard AAFld, Neb, 22 Aug 1944-7 Mar 1945; Northwest Field, Guam, 14 Apr 1945-10 Jun 1946.

Commanders. Capt Harry L Young, c. 27 Jun 1944; Lt Col Arch G Campbell Jr, 6 Jul 1944; Col Boyd Hubbard Jr, 11 Aug 1944; Col Vincent M Miles Jr, 15 Apr-20 May 1946.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan, 6-13 Jul 1945.

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