Authorized as 9th Group (Observation) on 19 Jul 1922. Organized on 1 Aug 1922. Redesignated 9th Bombardment Group in 1935, 9th Bombardment Group (Medium) in 1939, and 9th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in 1940. Trained, took part in maneuvers, and participated in air shows, during the period 1922-1940. Equipped with B-10's and B-18's in the late 1930's and early 1940's. Moved to Panama late in 1940 to serve as part of the defense force for the canal. Used B-17's for antisubmarine operations in the Caribbean. Returned to the US in 1942. Equipped with B-17, B-24, and B-26 aircraft. Trained cadres for bombardment units and tested equipment.
Redesignated 9th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Mar 1944. Prepared for combat with B-29's. Moved to the Pacific theater, Nov 1944-Feb 1945, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Commenced operations late in Jan 1945 with attacks against Japanese-held Maug. After that, struck industrial targets in Japan, conducting the missions in daylight and at high altitude. Received a DUC for bombing the industrial area of Kawasaki in Apr 1945. Beginning in Mar 1945 the group carried out incendiary raids at night on area targets in Japan. During Apr and May it assisted the Allied assault on Okinawa by hitting airfields that the Japanese were using to launch planes against the invasion force. Also conducted mining operations against Japanese shipping, receiving second DUC for such actions in the Inland Sea during May 1945. After the war, dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners and took part in show-of-force missions over the Japanese home islands. Moved to the Philippines in Apr 1946 and to the Marianas in Jun 1947. Inactivated on Guam on 20 Oct 1948.
Redesignated 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Group. Activated in the US on 1 May 1949. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Equipped primarily with B-29's although a few B-36's were assigned during 1949-1950. Redesignated 9th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Apr 1950, and 9th Bombardment Group (Medium) in Oct 1950. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.
Squadrons. 1st: 1922-1923; 1929-1948; 1949-1952. 5th: 1922-1923; 1929-1948; 1949-1952. 99th: 1929-1948; 1949-1952. 430th: 1943-1944.
Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 1 Aug 1922-6 Nov 1940; Rio Hato, Panama, 12 Nov 1940; Waller Field, Trinidad, 30 Oct 1941; Orlando AB, Fla, 31 Oct 1942; Dalhart AAFld, Tex, 9 Mar 1944; McCook AAFld, Neb, 19 May-18 Nov 1944; North Field, Tinian, 28 Dec 1944; Clark Field, Luzon, 15 Apr 1946; Harmon Field, Guam, 9 Jun 1947-20 Oct 1948. Fairfield Suisun AFB, Calif, 1 May 1949-16 Jun 1952.
Commanders. Unkn 122 929; Maj William O Ryan, 1929-unkn; Col Follett Bradley, Jun 1933-May 1934; Col Walter H Frank, Aug 1934-1936; Lt Col Carl W Connell, 1 Sep 1936-unkn; Col Ross F Cole, Apr 1940; Maj Charles F Born, Aug 1941-unkn; Lt Col Stuart P Wright, 1942; Lt Col Gerald E Williams, 1942; Col Harry G Montgomery, 10 Nov 1942; Col James T Connally, 15 Dec 1942; Col Donald W Eisenhart, 1 May 1944; Col Henry C Huglin, 6 Mar-Aug 1945; Col David Wade, Sep 1945-c. 25 Apr 1947; unkn, Apr 1947-20 Oct 1948. Lt Col Walter Y Lucas, 1 May 1949; Col Donald W Eisenhart, 24 Aug 1949; Col William P. Brett, 27 Mar 1950; Lt Col Walter Y Lucas, 24 Jun 1950; Col Clifford Heflin, 6 Jul 1950-16 Jun 1952.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Western Pacific.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Kawasaki, Japan, 15/16 Apr 1945; Japan, 13-28 May 1945.
Insigne. Shield: Per pale vert and sable a pallet wavy argent; over all on a fess or four crosses patee of the second (sable). Crest: On a wreath of the colors (argent and vert) a rattlesnake entwined about a prickly pear cactus all proper. Motto: Semper Paratus - Always Ready. (Approved 20 Mar 1924.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear and other artifacts? Read more about Supporting the AALCM.
We need help with transcribing data. Unit histories, personnel rosters and group records to digital. Want to help? Contact Us
If you have any data on servicemen rosters and their units and would like to submit it to our digital library; please Contact Us
