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Constituted as 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-18's and A-29's. Equipped with B-24's for operations. Patrolled the west coast, 1942-1943, and trained crews for other organizations. Moved to Hawaii in Oct 1943, assigned to Seventh AF, and sailed for the Central Pacific in Nov. Began operations from the Ellice Islands in Nov 1943. Assisted the invasion of the Gilberts by attacking enemy installations on those islands and by raiding airfields in the Marshalls to help prevent the launching of Japanese planes against the amphibious assault on Tarawa. After moving to the Gilberts in Jan 1944, bombed installations in the Marshall Islands in preparation for the invasion. Moved to Kwajalein in Mar 1944 and raided airfields and navy bases in the Truk Islands to keep them neutralized before and during the amphibious attack on the Marianas; also bombed Wake Island, Guam, and Saipan. Moved to Saipan in Aug 1944 and attacked airfields and shipping in the Bonin and Volcano Islands until Iwo Jima was occupied early in 1945. Struck bypassed islands in the Carolines and Marianas. Returned to Oahu in Mar 1945. Trained and flew patrol missions. Inactivated in Hawaii on 25 Jun 1946.
Squadrons. 21st: 1941-1943. 27th: 1941-1946. 38th: 1941-1946. 392d: 1942-1945. 819th: 1943-1945.
Stations. March Field, Calif, 15 Jan 1941 New Orleans, La, c. Jun 1941; Muroc, Calif, 24 Dec 1941; March Field, Calif, 7 Feb 1942-28 Sep 1943; Hickam Field, TH, 20 Oct 1943; Nanumea, Ellice Islands, 12 Nov 1943; Abemama, 4 Jan 1944; Kwajalein, c. 20 Mar 1944; Saipan, 4 Aug 1944; Wheeler Field, TH, Mar 1945; Kahuku, TH, 29 Sep 1945; Wheeler Field, TH, Feb-25 Jun 1946.
Commanders. Capt Budd Peaslee, 15 Jan 1941; Maj Thomas W Steed, 10 Feb 1941; Lt Col Newton Longfellow, 1941; Maj Thomas W Steed, c. Dec 1941; Lt Col Jack Wood, 21 Aug 1942; Col Robert O Cork, May 1943; Col Edwin B Miller Jr, 30 Aug 1943; Col John Morrow, c. 2 Nov 1944; Lt Col Elliott T Pardee, Mar 1945; Col Elder Patteson, 1 Jul 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Central Pacific; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
Decorations. None.
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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