presidential unit citation nov 13 1945 20th air force

8/6/2019 Presidential Unit Citation Nov 13 1945 20th Air Force

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HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH AIR FORCEAPO 234, c/o PostmasterSan Francisco, California

13 November 1945GENERAL ORDERS )

:

NO. . . . 106 )

DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION--As authorized by Executive Order 9396 (Sec I,WDBull 22, 1943), superseding Executive Order 9075 (Sec III, WD Bul, 11 1942),and under the provisions of paragraph 2d(1), Section IV, Circular No 333 WD1943; and letter, Headquarters United States Army Strategic Air Forces, file

AG 200.6, subject: "Distinguished Unit Badge," dated 11 October 1945, thefollowing units are cited for outstanding performance of duty in actionagainst the enemy:

The 498th Bombardment Group (VH) is cited for outstanding performance of

duty in armed conflict with the enemy. Alerted to prepare maximum aircraftfor a mission against the highly important and heavily-defended Mitsubishi

Aircraft Engine Plant, Nagoya, the ground crews worked steadily anduntiringly throughout the day and night to have their B-29's in perfectoperating condition for this important strike. This plant was one of the two

largest airplane engine producing plants in Japan. On 13 December 1944, 29Superfortresses of this group, heavily loaded with high explosive bombs, tookoff on their hazardous 1500 mile flight over enemy-controlled open sea to thetarget. The crews manning the relatively untested aircraft were in constantdanger of mechanical failure and consequent ditching many miles at sea, with

no adequate rescue patrol as yet established. No emergency base was availablefor battle damaged or distressed planes anywhere along the 1500 mile returnto bases past numerous enemy island garrisons of unknown strength. The

mission was flown at an altitude of 27,000 feet where severe frosting was aconstant threat to formation flying and battle damage often resulted in

depressurization and constant frostbite in temperatures averaging minus 55degrees centigrade. Winds in excess of 200 miles per hour furthercomplicated the many difficulties of navigation over open sea. Inadequate

maps and charts for target recognition, and non-availability of accurateweather forecasts in the face of the most adverse and rapidly changingweather

encountered in any theatre presented almost insurmountable difficulties tothe pioneering crews. In addition, no fighter escort was available at thisearly period. As their formation reached landfall it was engaged by waves of

persistent and highly aggressive enemy fighters which made a total of 107attacks. Repeated barrages from anti-aircraft rocked the B-29's. Despite

the long and tiring flight to the target, the heavy flak, and the fiercefighter attacks, the intrepid crews continued grimly and steadfastly on theirassigned course and bombed the target area by radar with excellent results,considering the size of the force employed. Despite the intense anti-

aircraft fire and aggressive fighter opposition, the formation, by thehighest professional skill was able to return to the base with only one planelost and five seriously battle damaged. The Gallant crews destroyed threeenemy aircraft, probably destroyed eight, and caused major damage to ten

more. The conspicuous courage, airmanship and intrepid determination of thecombat crews, together with the superior technical skill and devotion to duty

of the ground personnel of the 498th Bombardment Group (VH) are in keepingwith the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great crediton themselves and the Army Air Forces.


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The 499th Bombardment Group (VH) is cited for outstanding performanceofduty in armed conflict with the enemy. Alerted to prepare maximum aircraftfor a mission against the highly important and heavily-defended Mitsubishi

Aircraft Engine Plant, Nagoya, the ground crews worked steadily anduntiringly throughout the day and night to have their B-29's in perfectoperating condition for this important strike. Their target, it wasestimated, was producing at this time 30 to 40% of all Japanese airplane

engines. On 23 January 1945, 17 Superfortresses of this group, heavilyloaded with high explosive bombs, took off on their hazardous 1500 mileflight over enemy-controlled open sea to the target. The crews manning therelatively untested aircraft were in constant danger of mechanical failureand consequent ditching many miles at sea, with no adequate rescue patrol asyet established. No emergency base was available for battle damaged or

distressed planes anywhere along the 1500 mile return to bases past numerousenemy island garrisons of unknown strength. The mission was flown at analtitude of 27,000 feet where severe frosting was a consequent threattoformation flying and battle damage often resulted in depressurizationandconstant frostbite in temperatures averaging minus 55 degrees

centigrade.Winds in excess of 200 miles per hour further complicated the many-1-

General Orders No 106 13 November 1945

difficulties of navigation over open sea. Inadequate maps and charts fortarget recognition,and non-availability of accurate weather forecasts in theface of the most adverse and rapidly changing weather encountered in anytheatre presented almost insurmountable difficulties to the pioneering crews.

In addition, no fighter escort was available at this early period. As theirformation approached the target area, it was engaged by 125 enemy fighters

which made a total of 233 attacks on the gallant crews. At the same time theformation was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire. Despite the long andtiring flight to the target, the heavy flak, and the fierce fighter attacks,

the intrepid crews continued grimly and steadfastly on their assigned course

and released their powerful loadof high explosives on the target withexcellent results. In the face of thisoverwhelming combination of enemyaircraft and ground defenses, by their superior airmanship and professionalskill they were able to leave the target with but six B-29's seriously

damaged. The outstanding courage, conspicuous gallantry and expert tacticsof the combat crews and the grim determination and technical mastery of theground personnel of the 499th Bombardment Group (VH) reflect the highestcredit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.

The 500th Bombardment Group (VH) is cited for outstanding performanceofduty in armed conflict with the enemy. Notified to prepare maximumaircraft for a mission against the highly important and heavily defended

Mitsubishi Aircraft Engine Plant, Nagoya, the ground crews worked steadily

and untiringly throughout the day and night to have their B-29's in perfectoperating condition for this important strike. At the time of the attack,this plant was estimated to be producing from 30 to 40% of all Japaneseairplane engines. On 23 January 1945,17 Superfortresses of this group,heavily loaded with high explosive bombs, took off on their hazardous 1500

mile flight over enemy-controlled open sea to the target. The crews manning

the relatively untested aircraft were in constant danger of mechanicalfailure and consequent ditching many miles at sea, with no adequate rescue

patrol as yet established. No emergency base was available for battledamaged or distressed planes anywhere along the 1500 mile return tobases past


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numerous enemy island garrisons of unknown strength. The mission was flownat an altitude of 26,000 feet where severe frosting was a constant threat toformation flying and battle damage often resulted in depressurization and

consequent frostbite in temperatures averaging minus 55 degrees centigrade. Winds in excess of 200 miles per hour further complicated the manydifficulties of navigation over open sea. Inadequate maps and charts fortarget recognition, and non-availability of accurate weather forecasts in the

face of the most adverse and rapidly changing weather encountered in anytheatre presented almost insurmountable difficulties to the pioneering crews.In addition, no fighter escort was available at this early period. As theirformation approached the target area, it was engaged by 160 aggressive enemyfighters which made a total of 253 determined attacks on the intrepid crews. At the same time the formation was rocked by heavy and accurate anti-

aircraft fire. Despite the long and tiring flight to the target, the heavyflak, and the fierce fighter opposition, the gallant crews continued grimlyand steadfastly on their assigned course and released their powerful load ofhigh explosives on the target with excellent results. Although one B-29 waslost and ten of the bombers seriouslydamaged, the formation destroyed fifteen

enemy planes, probably destroyed eight and seriously damaged six. The heroicdetermination and combat efficiency of the airplane crews, together with the

professional skill and intense devotion to duty of the ground personnel, ofthe 500th Bombardment Group (VH) reflect great credit on themselves and the

Army Air Forces.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL PARKER:

R K TAYLORBrigadier General, USA

OFFICIAL: Chief of Staffs/ Gustav A Neuberg

GUSTAV A NEUBERGLt Col, AGDAdjutant General

THIS IS A TRUE COPY:

WILLIAM H. HAINES IIICaptain, Air Corps.

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presidential unit citation nov 13 1945 20th air force

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