San Giovanni
Airfield
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
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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 741st Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 454th Bomb Group 738th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-699573
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36281369
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight engineer / Top turret
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13099395 / O-772888
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group Headquarters (455th Anti-Aircraft Artillery AW Battalion) 742nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Pindown Girl
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Heaven Can Wait
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron 741st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Easy Take Off
- Unit: 454th Bomb Group 738th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Buzz Job
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 454th Bomb Group 737th Bomb Squadron