859:
842:
825:
808:
791:
774:
757:
703:
35:
77:
59:
173:
24:
740:
158:
347:
684:
1096:
446:, French Morocco to use its B-17 bombers as transports, ferrying personnel from France to Morocco. However, the two B-17 groups moved to Casablanca proved surplus to Air Transport Command's needs and the squadron was inactivated in late July 1945 and its planes ferried back to the United States.
477:
medium bomber squadron; aircraft not received until April 1953 when squadron received first production block of B-47Es. Conducted routine deployments and training during the 1950s and early 1960s. Inactivated in 1964 with the phaseout of the B-47.
1100:
370:. Although Lt Mathis was mortally wounded, he returned to his position to release his bombs and ensure the squadron struck its target, dying as he toggled the bomb release. For this action, Lt Mathis was awarded the
1291:
881:
287:
Due to the haste to move heavy bombers to Europe, the squadron was insufficiently trained for combat and it continued to train in
England until it entered combat on 17 November 1942 in a strike against
1286:
1281:
315:
In 1943, the squadron began flying missions to
Germany, participating in the first attack by American heavy bombers on a target in Germany, a raid on the submarine yards at
910:
Aircraft is Boeing B-17G-45-BO Flying
Fortress serial 97272, fuselage code BN-T, nicknamed the "Duchess". The plane made an emergency wheels up landing upon its return.
886:
292:, but returned without striking, having been unable to locate its target. It attacked Saint-Nazaire the following day, although its intended target was
1131:
1262:
1171:
1133:
Army Air Forces
Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II
1057:
256:
to fly antisubmarine patrols over the
Pacific. The 359th completed training in southwest by August 1942. The ground echelon departed
1227:
1195:
858:
841:
824:
807:
790:
773:
756:
637:
463:
213:
1034:
Freeman, Chapter 3, "The
Pioneers", pp. 21–32 (describing development of formations, bombing techniques, etc. during this period).
708:
380:
when adverse weather on 11 January 1944 prevented its fighter cover from joining the group, exposing it to continuous attacks by
138:
1120:
124:
689:
377:
229:
134:
366:
on the lead aircraft of the 359th. Less than a minute before bomb release, he was knocked nine feet back from his
602:
467:
702:
172:
1214:
1182:
319:
on 27 January 1943. From that time, it concentrated primarily on strategic bombardment of German industry,
205:
82:
34:
631:
554:
363:
241:
566:
474:
455:
439:
209:
102:
594:
427:. Its last combat mission was an attack on 25 April 1945 against an armament factory at Pilsen (now
420:
1140:
624:
443:
412:
305:
253:
233:
404:
384:
fighters. Despite this opposition, the unit successfully struck an aircraft assembly plant at
23:
1258:
1241:
1233:
1223:
1201:
1191:
1167:
1116:
392:
320:
1159:
1113:
I Flew with Hell's Angels: Thirty-Six Combat
Missions in a B-17 "Flying Fortress": 1944–1945
1061:
739:
309:
249:
157:
579:
408:
355:
237:
614:
371:
359:
265:
1275:
1139:. Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from
459:
400:
316:
308:
during late 1942 and early 1943, the squadron participated in the development of the
301:
289:
272:
64:
462:, Maryland, but not equipped and inactivated in September 1948. Activated again at
1164:
The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and
Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force)
396:
385:
324:
346:
683:
608:
585:
328:
257:
245:
358:
on 18 March 1943, in which bombing was to be done by squadrons, 1st
Lieutenant
293:
1255:
Battle Colors: Insignia and
Markings of the Eighth Air Force in World War II
391:
Although a strategic bombing unit, the squadron was diverted on occasion to
381:
367:
276:
271:
and arrived in Great Britain on 10 September. The air echelon flew through
1257:. Vol. I (VIII) Bomber Command. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd.
1245:
438:
in May 1945 the 303d Group was reassigned to the North African Division,
428:
332:
297:
261:
618:
340:
435:
407:, the invasion of Normandy, in June 1944; bombed enemy troops during
336:
92:
399:
for ground forces. It attacked gun emplacements and bridges in the
304:
in France. As a unit of one of only four Flying Fortress groups in
424:
416:
345:
113:
1222:(reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.
1190:(reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.
1237:
1205:
312:
that would be used throughout the air campaign against Germany.
882:
B-17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air Forces
1104:
22:
1292:
Bombardment squadrons of the United States Army Air Forces
279:, Maine before ferrying its planes across the Atlantic.
1060:. Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from
560:
303d Bombardment Group, 1 July 1947 – 6 September 1948
1287:
Bombardment squadrons of the United States Air Force
179:
164:
149:
144:
130:
120:
108:
98:
88:
70:
52:
44:
20:
350:Lt Mathis' B-17 after the mission of 18 March 1943
1282:Military units and formations established in 1942
887:List of B-47 units of the United States Air Force
354:Flying through intense flak on a mission against
216:, Arizona. It was inactivated on 15 June 1964.
1216:Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II
1058:"Factsheet 303 Air Expeditionary Group (USAFE)"
1166:. London, England, UK: Macdonald and Company.
946:
466:, Arizona in September 1951 and equipped with
982:
980:
978:
976:
974:
972:
944:
942:
940:
938:
936:
934:
932:
930:
928:
926:
323:, and other strategic targets, including the
8:
1000:
998:
996:
411:, the breakout at Saint Lo, and during the
640:, Arizona, 4 September 1951 – 15 June 1964
634:, Maryland, 1 July 1947 – 6 September 1948
627:, French Morocco, c. 31 May – 25 July 1945
962:
960:
415:. It bombed military installations near
720:
664:
563:303d Bombardment Group, 4 September 1951
922:
903:
597:, California, 28 May – c. 14 June 1942)
1184:Air Force Combat Units of World War II
650:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, 1942–1945
228:was established in February 1942 as a
17:
7:
1105:Air Force Historical Research Agency
653:Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 1951–1953
264:on 24 August. It sailed aboard the
260:, Texas in August 1942, arriving at
180:World War II tail and fuselage codes
1115:. Westminster, Md: Heritage Books.
208:unit. It was last assigned to the
833:16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945
339:and an aircraft engine factory at
165:359th Bombardment Squadron emblem
150:359th Bombardment Squadron emblem
14:
816:15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945
1099: This article incorporates
1094:
857:
840:
823:
806:
799:25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944
789:
772:
755:
738:
709:Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
701:
682:
656:Boeing B-47 Stratojet, 1953–1964
557:, 3 February 1942 – 25 July 1945
423:, the Allied assault across the
248:, Idaho, where it trained under
171:
156:
139:Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
116:Let the Buyer Beware (from 1955)
75:
57:
39:Lockheed B-47E Stratojet 52-3363
33:
1056:Robertson, Patsy (2 May 2011).
867:12 September 1942 – 11 May 1945
765:12 September 1942 – 5 June 1944
527:Inactivated on 6 September 1948
48:1942–1945; 1947-1947; 1951–1964
1130:Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985).
283:Combat in the European Theater
125:European Theater of Operations
1:
1213:Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) .
1181:Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) .
569:, 16 June 1952 – 15 June 1964
541:Activated on 4 September 1951
240:, Oregon and assigned to the
713:1 January 1961–31 March 1962
638:Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
519:, Very Heavy on 11 June 1947
496:Activated on 3 February 1942
464:Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
296:. Its initial raids were on
252:. The squadron deployed to
214:Davis–Monthan Air Force Base
850:22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945
690:Distinguished Unit Citation
544:Inactivated on 15 June 1964
510:Inactivated on 25 July 1945
378:Distinguished Unit Citation
230:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
135:Distinguished Unit Citation
21:359th Bombardment Squadron
1308:
1083:Station number in Anderson
782:6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944
748:3 February 1942 – June 142
605:, New Mexico, 18 June 1942
588:, Idaho, 13 March 13, 1942
536:, Medium on 27 August 1951
534:359th Bombardment Squadron
517:359th Bombardment Squadron
503:359th Bombardment Squadron
491:(Heavy) on 28 January 1942
489:359th Bombardment Squadron
226:359th Bombardment Squadron
202:359th Bombardment Squadron
152:(approved 5 December 1955)
611:, Texas, 7–22 August 1942
603:Alamogordo Army Air Field
582:, Oregon, 3 February 1942
505:, Heavy on 20 August 1943
473:Reactivated in 1951 as a
468:Boeing B-29 Superfortress
454:Activated in the postwar
32:
1253:Watkins, Robert (2008).
1111:Albertson, Bill (2004).
864:Air Combat, EAME Theater
524:Activated on 1 July 1947
694:11 January 1944 Germany
206:United States Air Force
83:United States Air Force
1101:public domain material
632:Andrews Air Force Base
555:303d Bombardment Group
351:
242:303d Bombardment Group
27:
762:Air Offensive, Europe
630:Andrews Field (later
567:303d Bombardment Wing
475:Boeing B-47 Stratojet
456:Strategic Air Command
450:Strategic Air Command
440:Air Transport Command
376:The 359th received a
349:
210:303d Bombardment Wing
103:Strategic Air Command
26:
1074:(group redesignated)
661:Awards and campaigns
595:Muroc Army Air Field
421:Operation Lumberjack
625:Casablanca Airfield
621:, 12 September 1942
487:Constituted as the
444:Casablanca Airfield
413:Battle of the Bulge
306:VIII Bomber Command
254:Southern California
1064:on 8 December 2015
1043:Freeman, pp. 27–28
966:Watkins, pp. 52–53
724:Campaign Streamer
405:Operation Overlord
352:
28:
1264:978-0-7643-1987-7
1173:978-0-87938-638-2
1160:Freeman, Roger A.
873:
872:
719:
718:
393:close air support
321:marshalling yards
195:
194:
168:
153:
1299:
1268:
1249:
1221:
1209:
1189:
1177:
1155:
1153:
1151:
1145:
1138:
1126:
1098:
1097:
1084:
1081:
1075:
1073:
1071:
1069:
1050:
1044:
1041:
1035:
1029:
1023:
1020:
1014:
1011:
1005:
1002:
991:
984:
967:
964:
955:
952:Combat Squadrons
948:
911:
908:
861:
844:
827:
810:
793:
776:
759:
742:
721:
705:
686:
665:
300:, railroads and
250:Second Air Force
175:
166:
160:
151:
81:
79:
78:
63:
61:
60:
37:
18:
1307:
1306:
1302:
1301:
1300:
1298:
1297:
1296:
1272:
1271:
1265:
1252:
1230:
1219:
1212:
1198:
1187:
1180:
1174:
1158:
1149:
1147:
1146:on 4 March 2016
1143:
1136:
1129:
1123:
1110:
1095:
1092:
1087:
1082:
1078:
1067:
1065:
1055:
1051:
1047:
1042:
1038:
1030:
1026:
1021:
1017:
1012:
1008:
1004:Freeman, p. 247
1003:
994:
985:
970:
965:
958:
949:
924:
920:
915:
914:
909:
905:
900:
895:
878:
830:Ardennes-Alsace
796:Northern France
663:
647:
580:Pendleton Field
576:
551:
484:
452:
409:Operation Cobra
356:Bremen-Vegesack
285:
275:, Michigan and
244:. It moved to
238:Pendleton Field
222:
212:, stationed at
198:
191:
137:
76:
74:
58:
56:
40:
12:
11:
5:
1305:
1303:
1295:
1294:
1289:
1284:
1274:
1273:
1270:
1269:
1263:
1250:
1228:
1210:
1196:
1178:
1172:
1156:
1127:
1121:
1091:
1088:
1086:
1085:
1076:
1045:
1036:
1024:
1022:Freeman, p. 20
1015:
1013:Freeman, p. 19
1006:
992:
968:
956:
921:
919:
916:
913:
912:
902:
901:
899:
896:
894:
891:
890:
889:
884:
877:
874:
871:
870:
868:
865:
862:
854:
853:
851:
848:
847:Central Europe
845:
837:
836:
834:
831:
828:
820:
819:
817:
814:
811:
803:
802:
800:
797:
794:
786:
785:
783:
780:
777:
769:
768:
766:
763:
760:
752:
751:
749:
746:
743:
735:
734:
731:
728:
725:
717:
716:
714:
711:
706:
698:
697:
695:
692:
687:
679:
678:
675:
672:
669:
668:Award streamer
662:
659:
658:
657:
654:
651:
646:
643:
642:
641:
635:
628:
622:
615:RAF Molesworth
612:
606:
599:
598:
593:Operated from
590:
589:
583:
575:
572:
571:
570:
564:
561:
558:
550:
547:
546:
545:
542:
538:
537:
529:
528:
525:
521:
520:
512:
511:
507:
506:
498:
497:
493:
492:
483:
480:
451:
448:
372:Medal of Honor
360:Jack W. Mathis
302:submarine pens
284:
281:
221:
218:
196:
193:
192:
183:
181:
177:
176:
169:
167:(World War II)
162:
161:
154:
147:
146:
142:
141:
132:
128:
127:
122:
118:
117:
112:Caveat Emptor
110:
106:
105:
100:
96:
95:
90:
86:
85:
72:
68:
67:
54:
50:
49:
46:
42:
41:
38:
30:
29:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1304:
1293:
1290:
1288:
1285:
1283:
1280:
1279:
1277:
1266:
1260:
1256:
1251:
1247:
1243:
1239:
1235:
1231:
1229:0-405-12194-6
1225:
1218:
1217:
1211:
1207:
1203:
1199:
1197:0-912799-02-1
1193:
1186:
1185:
1179:
1175:
1169:
1165:
1161:
1157:
1142:
1135:
1134:
1128:
1124:
1118:
1114:
1109:
1108:
1107:
1106:
1103:from the
1102:
1089:
1080:
1077:
1063:
1059:
1054:
1049:
1046:
1040:
1037:
1033:
1032:See generally
1028:
1025:
1019:
1016:
1010:
1007:
1001:
999:
997:
993:
990:, pp. 175–176
989:
983:
981:
979:
977:
975:
973:
969:
963:
961:
957:
953:
947:
945:
943:
941:
939:
937:
935:
933:
931:
929:
927:
923:
917:
907:
904:
897:
892:
888:
885:
883:
880:
879:
875:
869:
866:
863:
860:
856:
855:
852:
849:
846:
843:
839:
838:
835:
832:
829:
826:
822:
821:
818:
815:
812:
809:
805:
804:
801:
798:
795:
792:
788:
787:
784:
781:
778:
775:
771:
770:
767:
764:
761:
758:
754:
753:
750:
747:
745:Antisubmarine
744:
741:
737:
736:
732:
729:
726:
723:
722:
715:
712:
710:
707:
704:
700:
699:
696:
693:
691:
688:
685:
681:
680:
676:
673:
670:
667:
666:
660:
655:
652:
649:
648:
644:
639:
636:
633:
629:
626:
623:
620:
616:
613:
610:
607:
604:
601:
600:
596:
592:
591:
587:
584:
581:
578:
577:
573:
568:
565:
562:
559:
556:
553:
552:
548:
543:
540:
539:
535:
532:Redesignated
531:
530:
526:
523:
522:
518:
515:Redesignated
514:
513:
509:
508:
504:
501:Redesignated
500:
499:
495:
494:
490:
486:
485:
481:
479:
476:
471:
469:
465:
461:
460:Andrews Field
457:
449:
447:
445:
442:and moved to
441:
437:
432:
430:
426:
422:
418:
414:
410:
406:
402:
401:Pas-de-Calais
398:
394:
389:
387:
383:
379:
374:
373:
369:
365:
361:
357:
348:
344:
342:
338:
334:
330:
326:
322:
318:
317:Wilhelmshaven
313:
311:
307:
303:
299:
295:
291:
290:Saint-Nazaire
282:
280:
278:
274:
273:Kellogg Field
270:
269:
263:
259:
255:
251:
247:
243:
239:
235:
232:heavy bomber
231:
227:
219:
217:
215:
211:
207:
203:
197:Military unit
190:
186:
182:
178:
174:
170:
163:
159:
155:
148:
143:
140:
136:
133:
129:
126:
123:
119:
115:
111:
107:
104:
101:
97:
94:
91:
87:
84:
73:
69:
66:
65:United States
55:
51:
47:
43:
36:
31:
25:
19:
16:
1254:
1215:
1183:
1163:
1148:. Retrieved
1141:the original
1132:
1112:
1093:
1090:Bibliography
1079:
1066:. Retrieved
1062:the original
1052:
1048:
1039:
1031:
1027:
1018:
1009:
988:Combat Units
987:
951:
906:
533:
516:
502:
488:
472:
453:
433:
397:interdiction
390:
386:Oschersleben
375:
353:
325:ball bearing
314:
286:
267:
225:
223:
201:
199:
188:
184:
99:Part of
15:
1068:30 November
617:(AAF-107),
609:Biggs Field
586:Gowen Field
549:Assignments
458:in 1947 at
329:Schweinfurt
258:Biggs Field
246:Gowen Field
131:Decorations
121:Engagements
93:Bombardment
1276:Categories
1122:078843506X
893:References
434:Following
364:bombardier
327:plants at
294:La Pallice
268:Queen Mary
185:Triangle C
918:Citations
813:Rhineland
727:Campaign
470:bombers.
382:Luftwaffe
368:bombsight
333:shipyards
298:airfields
277:Dow Field
266:RMS
1238:70605402
1206:61060979
1162:(1970).
986:Maurer,
954:, p. 447
950:Maurer,
876:See also
779:Normandy
645:Aircraft
574:Stations
262:Fort Dix
234:squadron
145:Insignia
109:Motto(s)
619:England
482:Lineage
419:during
403:during
341:Hamburg
310:tactics
220:History
53:Country
1261:
1244:
1236:
1226:
1204:
1194:
1170:
1150:7 July
1119:
733:Notes
730:Dates
677:Notes
436:VE Day
362:, was
337:Bremen
204:was a
80:
71:Branch
62:
45:Active
1246:72556
1220:(PDF)
1188:(PDF)
1144:(PDF)
1137:(PDF)
898:Notes
674:Dates
671:Award
429:Plzeň
425:Rhine
417:Wesel
114:Latin
1259:ISBN
1242:OCLC
1234:LCCN
1224:ISBN
1202:LCCN
1192:ISBN
1168:ISBN
1152:2012
1117:ISBN
1070:2015
395:and
224:The
200:The
89:Role
1053:See
431:).
335:at
236:at
1278::
1240:.
1232:.
1200:.
995:^
971:^
959:^
925:^
388:.
343:.
331:,
189:BN
187:,
1267:.
1248:.
1208:.
1176:.
1154:.
1125:.
1072:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
