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Constituted as 459th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Engaged primarily in strategic bombardment, Mar 1944-Apr 1945, attacking such targets as oil refineries, munitions and aircraft factories, industrial areas, airfields, and communications centers in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for leading the 304th Wing through enemy interceptors and intense flak to raid an airfield and aircraft assembly plant at Bad Voslau on 23 Apr 1944. During combat the group also flew some support and interdictory missions. Struck railroads in Mar 1944 to cut enemy supply lines leading to the Anzio beachhead. Participated in the preinvasion bombing of southern France in Aug 1944. Hit railroad bridges, depots, and marshalling yards during Apr 1945 to assist Allied forces in northern Italy. Returned to the US in Aug. Inactivated on 18 Aug 1945.
Redesignated 459th Bombardment Group ( Very Heavy ). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 19 Apr 1947. Redesignated 459th Bombardment Group ( Medium ) in June 1949. Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951. Assigned to Stragic Air Command. Inactaviated on 16 June 1951. Reassigned 459th Troop Carrier Group( Medium )Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 26 Jan 1955. Reassigned 459th Air Lift Wing and served in First Gulf War. Reassigned in 2004 and current status- 459th Air Tanker Wing, based at Andrews AFB
Squadrons. 756th, 757th, 758th, 759th.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 31 Aug 1943 Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, c. 20 Sep 1943; Westover Field, Mass, c. 1 Nov 1943-2 Jan 1944; Giulia Airfield, Italy, Feb 1944-c. Jul 1945
Commanders. Col Marden M Munn, 2 Jul 1943; Col Henry K Mooney, 13 Aug 1944; Lt Col William R Boutz, 19 May 1945.
Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Bad Voslau, Austria, 23 Apr 1944.
Insigna. Sheild: an American eagle propoer flying over clouds in the base argent between two parachutes, one in chief transporting an airman, one in base transporting supplies.
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