380th

Bomb Group

380th Bomb Group Association
World War II Veterans Group


About the Association

* NEWS *
(Newsletters/Notices/More)

In Memoriam -- TAPS

Membership Application Form

Comments Form/TAPS Notification

Gear (Patches and more) - as of March 2024

A Brief History of the 380th Bombardment Group (H)

History Project: WE WENT TO WAR

Videos - New 8/31/2023

Medals
Hopi Code Talkers

380th Chaplains

Medical Care - New 7/1/2023
Shady Lady Documentary


References

380th Air Expeditionary Wing - New 1/12/2022
380th Expeditionary Operations Group (Wiki)

Reunion Information

Links to Related Sites

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, Website  Barbara J. Gotham
130 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



Last updated: 4 March 2024