San Giovanni

Airfield
media-19993.jpeg UPL 19993 San Giovanni Airfield, Italy
Home of the 454th and 455th Bomb Groups

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 19993 - San Giovanni Airfield, Italy Home of the 454th and 455th Bomb Groups

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Detailed History

San Giovanni airfield was a semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield located approximately 9km (5mi) west-southwest of Cerignola in Apulia, Italy.

Its double PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas and steel control tower were built by the US Army Corps Of Enigineers in late 1943, as part of the Foggia Airfield Complex, a series of World War II military airfields located within a 25 mile (40 km) radius of Foggia. The air field opened in January 1944.

The only known units to operate from the very large and expansive field are the 454th and 455th Bombardment Group, flying a total of six squadrons of B-24 Liberators, from January 1944 until September 1945. The airfield remained operational until the end of the war and the airfield closed in October 1945.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39195519
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-448999
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17098393 / 0-721153
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-0801636
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16111169
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Hairless Joe
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 738th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: King of the Pack
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
Miss America 44
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Miss America 44
  • Unit: 739th Bomb Squadron 454th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Dazzlin Dutchess and the Ten Dukes
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 743rd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

San Giovanni: Gallery (10 items)