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The 387th Bomb Group was activated at MacDill Field, Florida, on November 1, 1942, as part of the 21st Bomb Group. After completing initial training, the group moved to Drane Army Air Field, Florida, on April 12, 1943, for further field experience.
The 387th moved to Godman Field, Kentucky, on May 11, 1943, for overseas movement orders. The air crews picked up new B-26 aircraft at Selfridge Field, Michigan, on May 23, 1943. They then traveled to Chipping Ongar, England, with multiple stops along the way:
The ground crews traveled separately, leaving Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on August 10, 1943, and arriving in Chipping Ongar on August 30, 1943, after a journey that included sailing on the "Queen Mary" from New York City to Scotland.
The 387th Bomb Group began operational missions on August 15, 1943, shortly after being declared combat-ready. As the Allies advanced through France and Germany, the group relocated to new airbases to keep up with military operations, including:
Following the end of the war in Europe, the 387th Bomb Group was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on November 17, 1945, marking the end of its active service. The group had consisted of four bomb squadrons: the 556th, 557th, 558th, and 559th Bomb Squadrons, along with the headquarters staff.
The 387th Bomb Group's headquarters was activated on December 1, 1942, at MacDill Field, Florida. Over the course of its service, it underwent several key moves, including locations in Florida, Kentucky, and eventually Europe. By the end of 1943, the group was fully operational, participating in significant WWII campaigns.
Initial Installment - December 1, 1942 to July 1, 1943
2a (1) Original designation of the unit and subsequent changes of designation: The original designation of the unit was the Headquarters, 387th Bombardment Group (M). There have been no changes in the original designation.
2a (2) Date and place of activation and organization together with authority for the same: The Headquarters, 387th Bombardment Group was activated on December 1, 1942, at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida, by Paragraph 1, General Order #97, Headquarters, MacDill Army Air Base.
2a (3) Sources from which personnel was obtained: The Headquarters personnel were obtained from several of the member units of the III Bomber Command. The original cadre came from Miami Beach, Florida, and from Daniel Field, Georgia. Later fillers to the Headquarters were assigned from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, III Bomber Command, Barksdale Field, Anti-Sub Command, 334th Bombardment Group, Greenville, South Carolina, and 309th Bombardment Group, Columbia, South Carolina.
2a (4) Resume of its movements from time of activation until arrival in the European Theatre of Operations:
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