|
|
380th Bomb
Group Association |
|
* NEWS
*
(Newsletters/Notices/More)
Comments Form/TAPS Notification
Gear (Patches and more) - as of Sept 2025
A Brief History of the 380th Bombardment Group (H)
History Project: WE WENT TO WAR
- 380th Roster - Abbreviated Alphabetical Listing
- 380th Aircraft Commanders List
- 380th Aircraft - Listing by Aircraft Name
Medals
Hopi Code Talkers
380th Chaplains
Medical Care
Shady Lady Documentary
References
380th Air Expeditionary Wing
380th Expeditionary Operations Group (Wiki)
Doing research? Need help?
Check out Research Sources
Got memorabilia to donate?
Potential Donation Sites
Our Facebook group page can be found at:
380th Bombardment Group--WWII Veterans Group
Contact:
Membership, Reunions, Newsletters, History Project, Website130 Colony Road
West Lafayette IN 47906-1209 USA
Email: 380th.ww2@gmail.com
The 380th
Bombardment Group (H) flew B-24 Liberator bombers primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theatre in WWII.
They were part of the 5th Air Force and were
known as the FLYING CIRCUS and as the KING OF THE HEAVIES (note the lion in
the insignia).
In addition to flying combat missions,
the group operated as a training unit for Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) crews in B-24 operations.
The group was awarded
both the United States Distinguished Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its combat service in
Borneo, New Guinea and the Philippines.
QUICK FACTS
* Constituted as 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 October 1942
* Activated on 3 November 1942 at Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona
* Inactivated on 20 February 1946 at Clark Field, Luzon
Assignments
* IV Bomber Command, 3 November 1942 – 17 April 1943
* V Bomber Command, May 1943-20 February 1946
Attached to: Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), May 1943 – 20 February 1945
Attached to: 310th Bombardment Wing, 24 March – 9 August 1945
Squadrons
* 528th Bombardment Squadron: 1942–1946
Mascot: HERKY, the clown
* 529th Bombardment Squadron: 1942–1946
Mascot: LITTLE BEAVER, the Indian boy sidekick of RED RYDER in the cowboy movies of the 1930s
* 530th Bombardment Squadron: 1942–1946
Mascot: BUGS BUNNY
* 531st Bombardment Squadron: 1942–1946
Mascot: a fierce DONALD DUCK
Stations
* Davis-Monthan AAF, Arizona, 3 November 1942
* Biggs AAF, Texas, 2 December 1942
* Lowry AAF, Colorado, 4 March – 17 April 1943
* Fenton Airfield, Australia, May 1943
* RAAF Base Darwin, Australia, 9 August 1944
* Murtha Field, Mindoro, Philippines, 20 February 1945
* Motobu Airfield, Okinawa, 9 August 1945
* Fort William McKinley, Luzon, 28 November 1945 – 20 February 1946
Click here to learn more about the History of the 380th Bomb Group