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Constituted as 11th Observation Group in 1933. Redesignated 11th Bombardment Group (Medium) in 1938. Activated in Hawaii on 1 Feb 1940. Redesignated 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1940. Assigned to Seventh AF in Feb 1942. Trained with B-18's; received B-17's for operations. Flew patrol and search missions off Hawaii after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Moved to the New Hebrides in Jul 1942. Became part of Thirteenth AF. Struck airfields, supply dumps, ships, docks, troop positions, and other objectives in the South Pacific, Jul-Nov 1942, and received a DUC for those operations. Continued operations, attacking Japanese airfields, installations, and shipping in the Solomons, until late in Mar 1943. Returned to Hawaii, reassigned to Seventh AF, and trained with B-24's. Resumed combat in Nov 1943 and participated in the Allied offensive through the Gilberts, Marshalls, and Marianas, while operating from Funafuti, Tarawa, and Kwajalein. Moved to Guam in Oct 1944 and attacked shipping and airfields in the Volcano and Bonin Islands. Moved to Okinawa in Jul 1945 to take part in the final phases of the air offensive against Japan, bombing railways, airfields, and harbor facilities on Kyushu and striking airfields in China. After the war, flew reconnaissance and surveillance missions to China and ferried liberated prisoners of war from Okinawa to Luzon. Remained in the theater as part of Far East Air Forces but had no personnel assigned after mid-Dec 1945 when the group was transferred to the Philippines. Redesignated 11th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Apr 1946. Transferred to Guam in May 1946, remanned, and equipped with B-29's. Terminated training and operations in Oct 1946. Inactivated on Guam on 20 Oct 1948.
Redesignated 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy). Activated in the US on 1 Dec 1948. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Equipped with B-36 aircraft. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 14th: 1940-1941. 26th: 1940-1948; 1948-1952. 42d: 1919-1948; 1948-1952. 98th: 1941-1948; 1948-1952. 431st: 1942-1946.
Stations. Hickam Field, TH, 1 Feb 1940; New Hebrides, Jul 1942; Hickam Field, TN, 8 Apr 1943; Funafuti, Nov 1943; Tarawa, 20 Jan 1944; Kwajalein, 5 Apr 1944; Guam, 25 Oct 1944; Okinawa, 2 Jul 1945; Manila, Dec 1945; Guam, May 1946-20 Oct 1948. Carswell AFB, Tex, 1 Dec 1948-16 Jun 1952.
Commanders. Lt Col Walter F Kraus, Feb 1940; Lt Col St Clair Streett, 15 Jun 1940; Lt Col Albert F Hegenberger, 1 Apr 1941; Col LaVerne G Saunders, Mar 1942; Col Frank F Everest, Dec 1942; Col William J. Holzapfel Jr, 26 Apr 1943; Col Russell L. Waldron, 7 Jul 1944; Col John Morrow, Mar 1945-c. Dec 1945; Col Vincent M Miles Jr, 20 May 1946; Capt Thomas B Ragland Jr, Nov 1946; Capt Thomas B Hoxie, 27 Dec 1947-20 Oct 1948. Maj Russell F Ireland, Dec 1948; Lt Col Harry E Goldsworthy, 11 Jan 1949; Col Richard H Carmichael, May 1949; Col Bertram C Harrison, 4 Mar 1950; Col Thomas P Gerrity, 3 Apr 1950-16 Jun 1952.
Campaigns. Central Pacific; Air Offensive, Japan; Guadalcanal; Northern Solomons; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Ryukyus; China Offensive.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: South Pacific, 31 Jul-30 Nov 1942.
Insigne. Shield: Azure (Air Force blue), on a bend or (Air Force yellow), three grey geese volant proper (in their natural colors). Crest: On a wreath or and azure a grey goose proper with wings displayed and inverted. Motto: Progressio Sine Timore Aut Praejudicio - Progress without Fear or Prejudice. (Approved 11 Jun 1941.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms, medals, insignia, gear, manuals, and training material. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material. Contact Today
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