2nd Bombardment Group

2ndbg.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 2nd 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.

One of the oldest bombardment groups in the U.S. beginning during World War I. During World War II performed antisubmarine duty off the Eastern seaboard for several months after the US officially entered the war. They moved to North Africa, March-May 1943, and remained in the Mediterranean theater of operations until after V-E Day. They were first assigned to the Twelfth Air Force and then in December 1943 to the Fifteenth Air Force. They would engage in strategic missions to targets in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. The group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC) during their assignments in WW2.

Redesignated 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) in 1939. Trained with B-17's. Served on antisubmarine duty for several months after the U.S. entered World War II. Moved to North Africa, Mar-May 1943, and remained in the theater until after V-E Day, being assigned first to Twelfth and later (Dec 1943) to Fifteenth AF. Flew many support and interdictory missions, bombing such targets as marshalling yards, airdromes, troop concentrations, bridges, docks, and shipping. Participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, Apr-May 1943; the reduction of Pantelleria and the preparations for the invasion of Sicily, May-Jul 1943; the invasion of Italy, Sep 1943; the drive toward Rome, January-June 1944; the invasion of Southern France, August 1944; and the campaigns against German forces in northern Italy, June 1944-May 1945.

Engaged primarily in long-range bombardment of strategic targets after Oct 1943, attacking oil refineries, aircraft factories, steel plants, and other objectives in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. En route to bomb a vital aircraft factory at Steyr on 24 Feb 1944, the group was greatly outnumbered by enemy interceptors, but it maintained its formation and bombed the target, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for the performance. On the following day, while on a mission to attack aircraft factories at Regensburg, it met similar opposition equally well and was awarded a second DUC. Served as part of the occupation force in Italy after V-E Day.

World War 2 Commanders:

Lt Col Robert C Olds, c. 1937
Lt Col Darr H Alkire, 6 Jan 1942
Col Dale O Smith, c. Sep 1942
Col Ford J Lauer, 29 Oct 1942
Lt Col Joseph A Thomas, 20 Apr 1943
Col Herbert E Rice, 5 Sep 1943
Col John D Ryan, 8 Jul 1944
Col Paul T Cullen, 25 Sep 1944
Col Robert K Martin, 23 May 1945-20 Feb 1946.