The 8th AF was primarily engaged in the bombardment of strategic targets in Europe.
Visit our 8th Air Force Honor Project with rosters of servicemen who served in the groups of the 8th.
Constituted as VIII Bomber Command on 19 Jan 1942. Activated in the US on I Feb 1942. An advanced detachment was established in England on 23 Feb and units began arriving from the US during the spring of 1942. The command conducted the heavy bombardment operations of Eighth AF from 17 Aug 1942 until early in 1944. Redesignated Eighth AF on 22 Feb 1944.
Afterward, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets in Europe. Transferred, without personnel, equipment, and combat elements, to Okinawa on 16 Jul 1945. Although some personnel and combat units were assigned before V-J Day, the Eighth did not participate in combat against Japan. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US on 7 Jun 1946.
Components: 1st Bombardment Wing: 1942-1943. 2d Bombardment Wing: 1942-1943. 3d Bombardment Wing: 1942-1943. 4th Bombardment Wing: 1942-1943. 12th Bombardment Wing: 1942-1944. 301st Fighter Wing: 1945- 1946. 316th Bombardment Wing: 1945- 1946. 1st Air Division: 1943-1945. 2d Air Division: 1943-1945. 3d Air Division: 1943-1945. VIII Fighter Command 1944-1945.
Stations: Langley Field, Va, 1 Feb 1942; Savannah AB, Ga, c. 10 Feb 1942; Daws Hill, England, 23 Feb 1942; High Wycombe, England, 15 May 1942-16 Jul 1945; Okinawa, 16 Jul 19457 Jun 1946; MacDill Field, Fla, 7 Jun 1946; Ft Worth AAFld, Tex, I Nov 1946; Westover AFB, Mass, Jun 1g55-.
Commanders: Maj Gen Ira C Eaker, 23 Feb 1942; Brig Gen Newton Longfellow, 2 Dec 1942; Maj Gen Frederick L Anderson, I Jul 1943; Lt Gen James H Doolittle, 6 Jan 1944; Maj Gen William E Kepner, 10 May 1945; Maj Gen Westside T Larson, 21 Jun 1945; Lt Gen James H Doolittle, 19 Jul 1945; Maj Gen Earle E Partridge, 12 Sep 1945; Brig Gen Patrick W Timberlake, 30 Nov 1945-unkn; Col Neil B Harding, c. 16 Aug 1946; Brig Gen Roger M Ramey, I Nov 1946; Maj Gen Clements McMullen, 12 Nov 1946; Maj Gen Roger M Ramey, 16 Dec 1946; Maj Gen Archie J Old Jr, 15 Jun 1950; Lt Gen Samuel E Anderson, 14 Aug 1950; Maj Gen John B Montgomery, 8 May 1953;Maj Gen James C Selser Jr, 13 Jun 1955; Maj Gen Walter C Sweeney Jr, 6 Aug 1955-.
CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Europe ; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace ; Central Europe’; Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
INSIGNE. Azure, in the lower lobe of the winged Arabic numeral “8” or a mullet throughout argent charged with a torteaux. (Approved 20 May 1943.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
100th Bombardment Group 13th Bombardment Wing 14th Bombardment Wing 1st AIR Division 1st Bombardment Wing 20th Bombardment Wing 20th Fighter Group 2d Air Division 2d Bombardment Wing 303rd Bombardment Group 305th Bombardment Group 306th Bombardment Group 339th Fighter Group 34th Bombardment Group 351st Bombardment Group 352d Fighter Group 353d Fighter Group 355th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 364th Fighter Group 379th Bombardment Group 381st Bombardment Group 384th Bombardment Group 385th Bombardment Group 388th Bombardment Group 389th Bombardment Group 390th Bombardment Group 392d Bombardment Group 398th Bombardment Group 3d Air Division 401st Bombardment Group 40th Bombardment Wing 41st Bombardment Wing 445th Bombardment Group 446th Bombardment Group 446th Bombardment Group 447th Bombardment Group 448th Bombardment Group 44th Bombardment Group 452nd Bombardment Group 453rd Bombardment Group 457th Bombardment Group 458th Bombardment Group 45th Bombardment Wing 466th Bombardment Group 467th Bombardment Group 479th Fighter Group 482nd Bombardment Group 486th Bombardment Group 487th Bombardment Group 489th Bombardment Group 490th Bombardment Group 491st Bombardment Group 492d Bombardment Group 493d Bombardment Group 4th Bombardment Wing 4th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Wing 66th Fighter Wing 67th Fighter Wing 78th Fighter Group 7th Reconnaissance Group 91st Bombardment Group 92d Bombardment Group 92d Bombardment Wing 93d Bombardment Wing 93rd Bombardment Group 94th Bombardment Group 94th Bombardment Wing 95th Bombardment Group 95th Bombardment Wing 96th Bombardment Group VIII Air Support Command VIII Fighter CommandDo you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear and other artifacts? Read more about Supporting the AALCM.
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