461bg.org is a project of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. Volunteers are transcribing servicemen names and their awards from General Orders that we are publishing on this website for enthusiasts, families and researchers of genealogy and World War II history. The names on this honor roll of men assigned to the 464th Bombardment Group is not a complete list of all who served with the 2nd, however, we are attempting to locate as many documents that have survived as possible. Sources of material include the US National Archives, Air Force Historical Research Agency and the records donated by individual servicemen and their families. We hope you will find this information useful and enjoyable. We are accepting volunteers help in this very large World War II project as we preserve this history and honor service.
Constituted as 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943 and activated on 1 August 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's, then moved to the Mediterranean theater, February-April 1944, with the air echelon training for a few weeks in Tunisia before joining the remainder of the group in Italy. Served with Fifteenth AF, April 1944-May 1945, operating primarily as part of the strategic bombardment force that disrupted German industry and communications.
The 464th flew long-range missions to attack such objectives as marshalling yards, oil refineries, oil storage facilities, aircraft factories, and chemical plants in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for leading the 55th Wing in compact formation through heavy opposition to bomb marshalling yards and an oil refinery at Vienna on 8 Jul 1944. Received another DUC for a mission on 24 August 1944 when the group scored hits not only on the target, an oil refinery at Pardubice, but also on nearby railroad tracks.
Many missions were engaged in support and interdictory operations. Supported Allied forces during the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944. Hit railroad centers to assist the advance of Russian troops in southeastern Europe in Mar 1945. Bombed enemy supply lines to assist the advance of US Fifth and British Eighth Army in northern Italy in April 1945 when they stood down at the end of World War II in Europe on V-E Day.
Col Marshall Bonner, 2 Sep 1943
Col Arnold L Schroeder, 30 Jun 1944
Col A J Bird Jr, 13 Mar 1945
776th: 1943-1945.
777th: 1943-1945.
778th: 1943-1945.
779th: 1943-1945.
Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Aug 1943
Gowen Field, Idaho, 22 Aug 1943
Pocatello AAFld, Idaho, 2 Oct 1943-9 Feb 1944
Pantanella Airfield, Italy, Mar 1944
Gioia, Italy, 21 Apr 1944
Pantanella Airfield, Italy, c. 1 Jun 1944-c. May 1945
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