319th Bombardment Group, Martin B-26 Marauder.

Constituted as 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942. Activated on 26 Jun. Trained with B-26's. Moved via England to the Mediterranean theater, Aug-Nov 1942, with part of the group landing at Arzeu beach during the invasion of North Africa on 8 Nov. Operated with Twelfth AF until Jan 1945, except for a brief assignment to Fifteenth, Nov 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat in Nov 1942, attacking airdromes, harbors, rail facilities, and other targets in Tunisia until Feb 1943. Also struck enemy shipping to prevent supplies and reinforcements from reaching the enemy in North Africa. After a period of reorganization and training, Feb-Jun 1943, the group resumed combat and participated in the reduction of Pantelleria and the campaign for Sicily. Directed most of its attacks against targets in Italy after the fall of Sicily in Aug 1943. Hit bridges, airdromes, marshalling yards, viaducts, gun sites, defense positions, and other objectives. Supported forces at Salerno in Sep 1943 and at Anzio and Cassino during Jan-Mar 1944. Carried out interdictory operations in central Italy to aid the advance to Rome, being awarded a DUC for a mission on 3 Mar 1944 when the group, carefully avoiding religious and cultural monuments, bombed rail facilities in the capital. Received another DUC for striking marshalling yards in Florence on 11 Mar 1944 to disrupt rail communications between that city and Rome. Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support of the Allied offensive in Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. From Jul to Dec 1944, bombed bridges in the Po Valley, supported the invasion of Southern France, hit targets in northern Italy, and flew some missions to Yugoslavia, converting in the meantime, in Nov, to B-25 aircraft. Returned to the US in Jan 1945. Redesignated 319th Bombardment Group (Light) in Feb. Trained with A-26 aircraft. Moved to Okinawa, Apr-Jul 1945, and assigned to Seventh AF. Flew missions to Japan and China, attacking airdromes, shipping, marshalling yards, industrial centers, and other objectives. Returned to the US, Nov-Dec 1945. Inactivated on 18 Dec 1945.

Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 27 Dec 1946. Inactivated on 2 Sep 1949.

Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 10 Oct 1949. Ordered to active duty on 10 Mar 1951. Inactivated on 22 Mar 1951.

Redesignated 319th Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 18 May 1955.

Squadrons

46^th: 1947-1949; 1949-1951; 1955-.
50^th: 1947-1949; 1949-1951.
51^st: 1947-1949; 1949-1951.
59^th: 1947-1949; 1949-1951.
437^th: 1942-1945.
438^th: 1942-1945.
439^th: 1942-1945.
440^th: 1942-1945.

Stations

Barksdale Field, La, 26 Jun 1942
Harding Field, La, 8-27 Aug 1942
Shipdham, England, 12 Sep 1942
Horsham St Faith, England, c. 4 Oct 1942
St Leu, Algeria, c. 11 Nov 1942
Tafaraoui, Algeria, 18 Nov 1942
Maison Blanche, Algeria, 24 Nov 1942
Telergma, Algeria, c. 12 Dec 1942
Oujda, French Morocco, 3 Mar 1943
Rabat Sale, French Morocco, 25 Apr 1943
Sedrata, Algeria, 1 Jun 1943
Djedeida, Tunisia, 26 Jun 1943
Sardinia, c. 1 Nov 1943
Corsica, c. 21 Sep 1944-1 Jan 1945
Bradley Field, Conn, 25 Jan 1945
Columbia AAB, SC, c. 28 Feb-27 Apr 1945
Kadena, Okinawa, c. 2 Jul 1945
Machinato, Okinawa, 21 Jul-21 Nov 1945
Ft Lewis, Wash, 17-18 Dec 1945
Mitchel Field, NY, 27 Dec 1946
Reading Mun Aprt, Pa, 27 Jun-2 Sep 1949
Birmingham Mun Aprt, Ala, 10 Oct 1949-22 Mar 1951
Memphis Mun Aprt, Tenn, 18 May 1955-

Commanders

Lt Col Alvord Rutherford, 26 Jun 1942
Lt Col Sam W Agee Jr, 27 Nov 1942
Maj Joseph A Cunningham, 5 Dec 1942
Lt Col Wilbur W Aring, c. 11 Jan 1943
Col Gordon H Austin, 6 Jul 1943
Col Joseph R Holzapple, 13 Aug 1943-1945

Campaigns

Air Combat, EAME Theater
Algeria-French Morocco
Tunisia
Sicily
Naples-Foggia
Anzio
Rome-Arno
Southern France
North Apennines
Air Offensive, Japan
Ryukyus
China Offensive

Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citations: Rome, Italy, 3 Mar 1944; Florence, Italy, 11 Mar 1944. French Croix de Guerre with Palm: Apr, May and Jun 1944.

Insigne: None