Second World War formation badge for the United States 9th Air Force (United States Army Air Force). The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved by the US Quartermaster General on 16 September 1943. Formation note: the 9th Air Force (US Army Air Force, Ninth Air Force) was formed on 8 April 1942 at the New Orleans Army Air Base in Louisiana. The Force served as the US Army Middle East Air Force. Medium bombers and fighters of 9th Air Force supported the British 8th Army (Eighth Army) across North Africa. It served in the Italian campaign and was transferred to England in October 1943 where it provided tactical support for the campaigns in North West Europe. It was disbanded 2 December 1945. © IWM (INS 7305)
![The crew of the B-24D Liberator, serial number 41-23778, named, Jenny, in the 44th Bomb Group, returns to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 27 January 1943.
The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp].
Printed caption on reverse : 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first raid on Germany on Wednesday last. O.PS. The crew of the Liberator, Jenny, leaving after the U.S. raid on Germany. (Barratt's. 29/1/43).'](https://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/freeman/media-379072.jpg?itok=UO5ewWpv)
The crew of the B-24D Liberator, serial number 41-23778, named, Jenny, in the 44th Bomb Group, returns to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 27 January 1943. The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored. Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse : 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first raid on Germany on Wednesday last. O.PS. The crew of the Liberator, Jenny, leaving after the U.S. raid on Germany. (Barratt's. 29/1/43).'
Personnel of the 389th Bomb Group stand atop the engine of a B-24D Liberator, serial number 42-40787, named, Vagabond King. Sitting ( left to right ) : Staff Sergeant David C. Shattles, Staff Sergeant Louis H. Raines, Corporal Alfred P. Rossi. Standing (left to right) : Second Lieutenant Masco, First Lieutenant Marvin Mendlesohn, First Lieutenant George A Brinton, Captain John B. McCormick, Staff Sergeant William J. Budai, Staff Sergeant Richard W. Weaver "They have bombed ten different countries." Associated Press photo shows : "The crew of the Flying Fortress, Vagabond King, which has flown over 250,000 miles in combat and bombed targets in ten different countries, including the airfields at Ploesti, Romania. They are (left to right, sitting) : SSgt. David C. Shattles, of Atlanta, GA. Gunner - SSgt. Louis H. Raines, of Chesson, ALA, Gunner - Cpl. Alfred P. Rossi, of Philadelphia, PA, Gunner - (standing) : 2nd Lt. Masco, of Chicago, ILL, Bombardier - 1st Lt. Marvin Mendlesohn, of Rockaway, N.Y. Navigator - 1st Lt. George A. Brinton, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Co-Pilot - Capt. John B. McCormick, of Syracuse, N.Y. Pilot - SSgt. William J. Budai of Toledo, Ohio - and SSgt. Richard W. Weaver, of Scottdale, PENN."
Engineers of the 354th Fighter Group fit a Packard Merlin engine into a P-51 Mustang. Printed caption on reverse: 'PNA, OWIL 21145 AIRMADA OF LIBERATION Mechanics tear down and tune up motors and parts of one of the fast P-51 Mustang fighters on the Ninth US Air Force in England. The fighting Ninth is pounding enemy-held railway centers, airfields, shipping and military objectives on the Continent in preparation for spearheading the liberation of Nazi-held Europe. KX, Serviced by London OWI to list B.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Changing packard Merlin Engine in a Boxted Factory, men of 354 FG 9th Air Force.'
A P-51 Mustang (AJ-U, serial number 43-12216) of the 354th Fighter Group in flight. Printed caption on reverse: '50373 AC- A 9th Air Force North American P-51 "Mustang" in flight. US Air Force Photo.' Handwritten caption on reverse: '356FS P-51 over a 'solid' undercart.'
A P-51B Mustang A9-V, 42-106485 "Maggie's Drawers" of the 380th[160th] Recon Squadron, 363rd Recon Group, 9th AF.
Captain Wallace M Emmer of the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group with his P-51 Mustang. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Capt Wallace M Emmer, 353FS/354th FG. 3/44 Boxted. 14 air victories, 5th ranking 9AF ace at VE Day.'
American personnel of a 9th Air Force Troop Carrier Group listen to a briefing in front of a control tower.
Buildings at a 9th Air Force Troop Carrier Group base.
A CG-4A Waco glider, of a 9th Air Force Troop Carrier Group.
Constituted as V Air Support Command on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 1 Sep 1941. Redesignated Ninth AF in Apr 1942. Moved to Egypt and began operations on 12 Nov 1942, participating in the Allied drive across Egypt and Libya, the campaign in Tunisia, and the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Moved to England in Oct 1943 to become the tactical air force for the invasion of the Continent. Helped prepare for the assault on Normandy, supported operations on the beach in Jun 1944, and took part in the drive that carried the Allies across France and culminated in victory over Germany in May 1945. Inactivated in Germany on 2 Dec 1945.
Military | Lieutenant General | Commanding General, 8th Air Force Fighter Command
From 1909 to 1913, Kepner served in the US Marine Corps. By 1916 he was a second lieutenant in the Indiana National Guard. After a short spell in the US cavalry, in 1917 he transferred to the infantry as a captain and commanded a company at the Battle...
Military | Lieutenant General | Commanding General
Lewis Hyde Brereton (June 21, 1890 – July 20, 1967) was a military aviation pioneer and lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. A 1911 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he began his military career as a United States Army officer...
Military | General | Commanding General 9th Air Force
Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (January 24, 1899 – April 2, 1954) was a U.S. Air Force general, its second Chief of Staff, and second Director of Central Intelligence.
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Command
IX Air Defense Command was established in the ETO to carry out Air Defence, it over saw fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery and signal warning units.
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Command
Command
Command
Command
Command
Division
Squadron
The 415th Bomb Squadron was established as a B-24 Liberator Reconnaissance Squadron in early 1942. Initially, it was engaged in antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico. Later, it was redesignated as a Heavy Bombardment Squadron, and was trained...
Battalion
Campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsaces, and Central Europe; Distinguished Unit Citation: 3-8 August 1944 (Company "A" only); Meritorious Unit Commendation: 13 January - 25 March 1945; Occupation Service: 20 May - 5 July 1945 ...
US Army Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF) was activated on 28 June 1942 in Cairo, Egypt. It brought together several units which had been operating the area including the HALPRO Detachment, and Lewis Brereton's 9th Bomb Squadron.
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Military | Captain | Pilot | 366th Fighter Group
Killed in Action on 21 January 1945 in P-47 Thunderbolt 44-20424.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail gunner | 322nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Nantes in B-26 41-31974. Hit by flak in target area, smoke seen trailing from starboard engine, control lost, A/C turned on its back, crashed Trois Moulins, 12km Sth of Nantes,...
Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 474th Fighter Group
Assigned to 430FS, 474FG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Bonn, Germany in P-38 43-28726; hit by flak strafing road transports, crashed Euskirchen 23-Jan-45. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 11936
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | First Lieutenant | Bomber pilot | 391st Bomb Group
Assigned to 573BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. Shot down by Fw190's 3 miles East of Ahrweiler. Last seen dropping behind formation with both engines smoking, gear down, going into spin, crashed....
Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aerial Gunner | 416th Bomb Group
Military | Sergeant | Radio / Gunner | 394th Bomb Group
Assigned to 586BS, 394BG, 9AF USAAF. Lt Myron E Brown Crew [#5].
Military | Major | Fighter Pilot
Assigned to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to HQ Squadron as Asst Group Operations Officer. Transferred to 335th Fighter Squadron. Transferred to HQ Squadron as Group Air Inspector.
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Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier/Navigator | 416th Bomb Group
Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aerial Gunner | 416th Bomb Group
Military | Major | Bomb / Nav | 391st Bomb Group
Assigned to 575BS, 391BG, 8AF USAAF. Bomb/Nav of “Silver Dollar,” B-26C 42-107671, shot down about 30 miles south of their target, the railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany. 23-Dec-44. A/C last seen with starboard engine feathered and port engine...
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 451BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Missions flown 24. Failed to Return (FTR) Nimoyceques, FR with Herb Price crew. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 1216
B-24 Liberator
The B-24D Liberator, 41-23771, named, Jerks Natural, was in the 8th Air Force, the the 93rd Bomb Group, and the 328th Bomb Squadron, based in Britain. It was detached (TDY) to the 9th Air Force in North Africa to assist the 9th Air Force on Operation...
B-24 Liberator
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B-24 Liberator
The B-24D, 41-23810, named, Tarfu, flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. The aircraft returned safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43.
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B-24 Liberator
The B-24D, The Duchess, was in the 8th Air Force, the 93rd Bomb Group, and the 330th Bombing Squadron in Britain. It was detached, transferred temporarily (TDY) to the 9th Air Force in North Africa and flew on Operation Tidal Wave to bomb the oil...
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 555BS, 381BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) St Omer, France 8-Sep-43 last seen with engine feathered dropping out of formation escorted by several Spitfires.
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B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 559BS, 387BG, 9AF USAAF. 149 x combat mission. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Bastogne. Shot down by Me109's, pilot 2Lt Vernon O Staub hit in face by 20mm cannon shell and killed instantly, went down with A/C. Crew baled out. 6 x...
B-26 Marauder
B-26 41-31698 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire on 2 March 1944. Pilot Oliver Jopling and tail gunner Richard Byrem survived. The four other crew members died: Arnold Warmuth, Irving Lerman, John Gober and James White; MACR 2525.
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B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 557BS, 387BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Engers, Germany with Pete Gregorchuk crew; hit by flak, crew baled out, pilot force landed A/C. 5 x POW, 1 x KIA. MACR 12341
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B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 322BG, 449BS, 9AF USAAF. Missions flown 96, 17 Jul 43 to 4 Jun 44; recoded PN-N, Missions flown 16; 17 Jun 44 to 12 Aug 44.
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None
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 06 August 2021 19:33:55 | Kickapoo | Changes to type, nicknames and aircraft types |
| Sources | ||
98th Bombardment Group - Wikipedia |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 12 November 2019 22:22:05 | ihanson7 | Changes to person associations |
| Sources | ||
My Grandfather |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 September 2019 14:25:52 | Emily | Changes to type, category, insignia, us air force combat units of world war ii description, unit part of associations and commanding officers associations |
| Sources | ||
Air Force Combat Units of World War II |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 11 June 2019 19:54:59 | Claiborne Stokes | Changes to type and air forces |
| Sources | ||
CMS |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 29 September 2016 15:02:15 | Al_Skiff | Changes to person associations |
| Sources | ||
Added Gordon E Batdorf. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:42:43 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia |
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