Established as a B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment unit in mid-1943; assigned to II Bomber Command for training. Primarily trained in New Mexico and Utah received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in November 1943. Moved to Virginia where the group flew long-range convoy escort missions over the Mid-Atlantic, October–November 1943 while station in Italy was being constructed.

Deployed to Southern Italy in January 1944; entered combat in January 1944, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives.

In addition to strategic missions in the Balkans, the group bombed troop concentrations, bridges, marshaling yards, and airdromes during the fall of 1944 to hamper the enemy’s withdrawal from the region. The group also supported ground forces at Anzio and Cassino in March 1944; knocked out gun positions in preparation for the invasion of Southern France in August 1944; and assisted the final Allied drive through Italy in April 1945 by hitting such targets as bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations.

Remained in Italy after the German Capitulation in May, although unit personnel were demobilized throughout the summer of 1945. Group was inactivated in Italy on 9 September 1945. A B-24 pilot of the 741st was Senator George McGovern.

Reactivated in the Air Force Reserve in 1947 with B-29 Superfortresses. Trained at Hensley Field, Texas. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget restrictions.

Structure

Part of

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  455th Bomb Group

  Group
  The group was activated July 1943 with four essentially stand-alone bomb squadrons: 740th, 741st, 742nd, and 743rd. After a somewhat nomadic training regimen with dilapidated equipment, the pieces of the group came together at Langley, VA in October...

Encompassing

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Previously was

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Became

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Connections

People

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  Ernest Ackerman

  Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 455th Bomb Group

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  Sam Adams

  Military | Bombardier | 455th Bomb Group
  Flew on the B-24 "Dakota Queen".

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  William Ashlock

  Military | Waist gunner | 455th Bomb Group
  Flew on the George McGovern crew in the B-24 "Dakota Queen".

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  John Burkot

  Military | Technical Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 455th Bomb Group
  Assigned to 334BS, 95BG, 8AF USAAF. Completed tour. 2nd tour with 741BS, 455BG, 15AF USAAF. Awards: DFC, AM (5OLC), PH, WWII Victory, EAME.

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  Gilbert Cole

  Military | Captain | Pilot | 455th Bomb Group

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  Carroll Cooper

  Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Navigator | 455th Bomb Group

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  William Delaney

  Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | 455th Bomb Group
  Captured and held by German forces in Stalag Luft 4

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  Kenneth Higgins

  Military | Radio Operator / Gunner | 455th Bomb Group
  Flew on the George McGovern crew in the B-24 "Dakota Queen".

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  William McAfee

  Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 455th Bomb Group
  Flew on the George McGovern crew in the B-24 "Dakota Queen".

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  George McGovern

  Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 455th Bomb Group
  Born in Avon, South Dakota, on July 19, 1922, U.S. Senator George McGovern worked to end the Vietnam War and helped reform the Democratic Party to better represent minority groups. He ran for the U.S. presidency in 1972 but was defeated by incumbent...

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Aircraft

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  42-78435 Buzz Job

  B-24 Liberator

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  42-50395 Goona's Garbage Wagon

  B-24 Liberator

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  42-78105 Heaven Can Wait

  B-24 Liberator
  Renamed 'Heaven Can Wait' from 'Gremlin's Gripe II' after transferring from 741st BS to 742nd BS. Salvaged 17-Jul-44, after Collision with B-24 41-29264 'Sky Wolf'on the hardstand.

Citations

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