Constituted as 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated
on 1 Mar 1942. Trained with B-17's and performed antisubmarine duty. Moved
to England, Jul-Aug 1942, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew a few combat
missions in Sep and Oct 1942, then trained replacement crews. Began
bombardment of strategic objectives in May 1943 and engaged primarily in
such operations throughout the war. Targets from May 1943 to Feb 1944
included shipyards at Kiel, ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, submarine
installations at Wilhelmshaven, a tire plant at Hannover, airfields near
Paris, an aircraft factory at Nantes, and a magnesium mine and reducing
plant in Norway. Flight Officer John C Morgan, co-pilot, received the
Medal of Honor for action aboard a B-17 during a mission over Europe, [26]
Jul 1943: when the aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters, the pilot
suffered a brain injury which left him in a crazed condition; for two
hours Morgan flew in formation with one hand at the controls and the other
holding off the struggling pilot who was attempting to fly the plane;
finally another crew member was able to relieve the situation and the B-17
made a safe landing at its base. Although handicapped by weather
conditions, enemy fire, and insufficient fighter protection, the group
bombed aircraft factories in central Germany on 11 Jan 1944 and received a
DUC for the mission. Took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers
against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944.
After that, attacked V-weapon sites in France; airfields in France,
Germany, and the Low Countries; and industrial targets in France, Germany,
and Belgium, making concentrated strikes on oil and transportation
facilities after Oct 1944. In addition to strategic missions, performed
some interdictory and support operations. Assisted the Normandy invasion
in Jun 1944 by hitting gun emplacements, junctions, and marshalling yards
in the beachhead area. Supported ground forces at St Lo during the
breakthrough in Jul 1944. Bombed gun positions and bridges to aid the
airborne assault on Holland in Sep 1944. Participated in the Battle of the
Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, by attacking bridges and marshalling yards in
and near the battle area. Bombed airfields near the landing zone to cover
the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Moved to France in Jun
1945 and transported troops from Marseilles to Casablanca for return to
the US. Inactivated in France on 28 Feb 1946.
Redesignated 92nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated in the US
on 4 Aug 1946. Assigned to Strategic Air Command and equipped with B-29's.
Redesignated 92nd Bombardment Group (Medium) in May 1948. Temporarily
stationed in Japan and attached to Far East Air Forces for duty in the
Korean War. Served in combat against the communist forces from 12 Jul to
20 Oct 1950. Bombed strategic and interdictory targets, including
factories, refineries, iron works, airfields, bridges, tunnels, troop
concentrations, barracks, marshalling yards, road junctions, rail lines,
supply dumps, docks, and vehicles. Returned to the US, Oct-Nov 1950.
Redesignated 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Jun 1951. Converted to B-36
aircraft. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 325th: 1942-1946; 1946-1952. 326th: 1942-1946; 1946-1952.
327th: 1942-1946; 1946-1952. 407th: 1942-1946.
Stations. Barksdale Field, La, 1 Mar 1942; MacDill Field, Fla, c. 26
Mar 1942; Sarasota, Fla, May-Jul 1942; Bovingdon, England, Aug 1942;
Alconbury, England, Jan 1943; Podington, England, Sep 1943; Istres,
France, Jun 1945-28 Feb 1946. Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, 4 Aug 1946; Smoky Hill
AAFld, Kan, Oct 1946; Spokane AAFld, Wash, Jun 1947-16 Jun 1952.
Commanders. Col James S Sutton, c. 27 Mar 1942; Lt Col Baskin R
Lawrence Jr, c. 2 May 1943; Col William M Reid, c. 23 May 1943; Col James
W Wilson, 27 Sep 1944; Lt Col Albert L Cox, Aug 1945; Lt Col James A
Smyrl, c. 12 Oct 1945; Maj Victor A Cherbak Jr, c. 18 Oct 1945-unkn. Col
John G Eriksen, 4 Aug 1946; Col Brooks A Lawhon, Oct 1946; Capt William M
Carrithers, Dec 1946-unkn; Lt Col Frank A Sharp, 14 Jul 1947; Col Albert
Shower, Jul 1947; Lt Col Richard Fry, 18 Nov 1947; Col George A Blakey,
Apr 1948; Col Salvatore E Manzo, c. 1 Jul 1948; Col Claude E Putnam Jr, 3
Oct 1949; Col Conrad F Necrason, c. Feb 1951; Col Claude E Putnam Jr, c.
14 Apr 1951; Col Kenneth B Hobson, c. Jun 1951; Col David Wade, c. 9
Feb-16 Jun 1952.
Campaigns. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air
Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace;
Central Europe. Korean War: UN Defensive; UN Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 Jan 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a pterodactyl (pteranodon) volant, in bend or,
langued gules, eyed vert. Motto: Higher - Stronger - Faster. (Approved 9
Mar 1943. This insigne was replaced 21 Nov 1957.) Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 |
