For more information about the 445th BG and James Stewart, see the 445th Links page.

445th BOMBARDMENT GROUP

Constituted as 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Mar 1943. Activated on 1 Apr 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to England, Oct-Dec 1943, for service with Eighth AF. Entered combat on 13 Dec 1943 by attacking U boat installations at Kid. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until the war ended, striking such targets as industries in Osnabruck, synthetic oil plants in Lutzkendorf, chemical works in Ludwigshafen, marshalling yards at Hamm, an airfield at Munich, an ammunition plant at Duneberg, under-ground oil storage facilities at Ehmen, and factories at Munster. Participated in the Allied campaign against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944, being awarded a DUC for attacking an aircraft assembly plant at Gotha on 24 Feb. Occasionally flew interdictory and support missions. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by bombing airfields, V-weapon sites, and other targets; attacked shore installations on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. Supported ground forces at St Lo by striking enemy defenses in July 1944. Bombed German communications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Early on 24 Mar '945 dropped food, medical supplies, and ammunition to troops that landed near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine; that afternoon flew a bombing mission to the same area, hitting a landing ground at Stormede. On occasion dropped propaganda leaflets and hauled gasoline to France. Awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm by the French government for operations in the theater from Dec 1943 to Feb '945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Returned to the US, May-Jun. Inactivated on 12 Sep 1945. Redesignated 445th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 12 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Redesignated 445th Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 8 Jul 1952.

SQUADRONS.

15th: 1947-1949.

700th:1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-.

701st:1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-.

702nd:1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1952-.

703rd: 1943-1945; 1947-1948.

STATIONS

Gowen Field, Idaho, 1 Apr 1943

Wendover Field, Utah, 8 Jun 1943

Sioux City AAB, Iowa, 8 Jul-20 Oct 1943

Tibenham, England, 4 Nov 1943-28 May 1945

Ft Dix AAB, NJ, 9 Jun-12 Sep 1945

McChord Field, Wash, 12 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949

Buffalo, NY, 8 Jul 1952; Niagara Falls Mun Aprt, NY, 15 Jun 1955-.

COMMANDERS

Col. Robert H Terrill, 1 Apr 1943

Col. William W Jones, 25 Jul 1944-12 Sep 1945.

CAMPAIGNS Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Citation: Gotha, Germany, 24 Feb 1944. French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

INSIGNE. Shield: Azure, a Snorting bison, proper, winged argent, with streaks of fire proper, issuing from his horns and nostrils, in base three stars of the third.

Motto: THE BISON WING. (Approved 7 Sep 1955.)