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Constituted as 405th Bombardment Group (Dive) on 4 Feb 1943. Activated on 1 Mar 1943. Redesignated 405th Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943, and 405th Fighter Group in May 1944. Trained with A-24, A-25, P-39, and finally P-47 aircraft, the latter being used in combat. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944. Entered combat with Ninth AF in Apr 1944. Until D-Day, engaged chiefly in bombing airdromes, marshalling yards, and bridges in France in preparation for the invasion of France. Flew patrols in the vicinity of Brest during the invasion and then flew armed reconnaissance missions to support operations in Normandy. Moved to the Continent at the end of Jun 1944 and engaged primarily in providing support for ground forces until May 1945. Bombed enemy vehicles and gun positions at St Lo in Jul 1944; attacked barges, troops, roads, and warehouses during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and struck airfields and marshalling yards when the Allies crossed the Rhine in Mar 1945. Received a DUC for a mission in France on 24 Sep 1944: answering a request from Third Army for support near Laneuveville-en-Saulnois, two squadrons, flying on instruments through rain and dense overcast, were directed by ground control toward a furious tank battle where, in spite of severe ground fire, one squadron repeatedly bombed and strafed enemy tanks; the second squadron, unable to find this target because of the weather, attacked a convoy of trucks and armored vehicles; later the same day, the third squadron hit warehouses and other buildings and silenced ground opposition in the area. For operations, Jun-Sep 1944, that aided the drive across Normandy and the liberation of Belgium, the group was cited by the Belgian government. Flew last mission on 8 May 1945. Returned to the US, Jul-Oct 1945. Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945.
Redesignated 405th Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 1 Dec 1952. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and equipped with F-84's.
Squadrons. 509th (formerly 624th): 1943-1945; 1952-. 510th (formerly 625th): 1943-1945; 1952-. 511th (formerly 626th): 1943-1945; 1952-. 627th: 1943.
Stations. Drew Field, Fla, 1 Mar 1943; Walterboro AAFld, SC, 14 Sep 1943-14 Feb 1944; Christchurch, England, 7 Mar-22 Jun 1944; Picauville, France, 30 Jun 1944; St-Dizier, France, 14 Sep 1944; Ophoven, Belgium, Feb 1945; Kitzingen, Germany, 30 Apr 1945; Straubing, Germany, 8 May-Jul 1945; Camp Patrick Henry, Va, Oct-29 Oct 1945. Godman AFB, Ky, 1 Dec 1952; Langley AFB, Va, 16 Apr 1953-.
Commanders. Lt Col Marvin S Zipp, 1 Mar 1943; Lt Col Mark E Hubbard, 2 Jul 1943; Maj Fred G Hook Jr, 12 Jul 1943; Col James Ferguson, 5 Nov 1943; Col Robert L Delashaw, 26 Apr 1944; Lt Col Garrett Jackson, 22 Oct 1944-unkn. Col George Laven Jr, 1 Dec 1952; Col Donald A Baccus, 16 Apr 1953; Col William S Cowart Jr, 6 Jul 1954; Col Robert D Johnston, c. 14 May 1955-.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: France, 24 Sep 1944. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944.
Insigne. Shield: Azure, a sphere argent, land marking and grid lines sable, surmounted by a bend gules, charged with a lightning flash or, between a fleur-de-lis of the last and two olive branches, in saltire, proper, all within a diminutive border of the second. Motto: Movere Et Aggredi - Deploy and Attack. (Approved 10 Nov 1955.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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