Your service and sacrifice will be forever remembered. This is the official facebook group, endorsed by the 92nd bomb group memorial association. There was no official insignia for the 487th bomb group or any of its four bomb squadrons 836th, 837th, 838th and 839th during world war ii. Some have writing on the back and others have a small amount of glue from sample books. Usaf patch 487th fighter squadron 352nd fighter group meyers. Group established at sioux falls aafd, sd where the group was trained as a b29 unit. This is remake of an extremely rare chinese jacket patch for the united states 425th bomb squadron, 308th bomb group, 14th air force. The crew originally intended to name her lil lassie. The 448 bomb group was inactivated on the fourth of august 1946.
Watch for a large amount of collectibles being put up for sale over the next few weeks. During ww2 the 351st bomb squadron was one of four in the 100th bomb group. Patch description devil with tuxedo and bow tie standing in fire. Mission this website was created to preserve and perpetuate the history of the 486th bomb group. Salvaged 21may45 per the flying fortress story by roger freemandavid osborne. An original cadre ship acquired 9 november 43 and assigned to gentrys crew who flew her overseas in december 43. Air force 486th bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran. One of the many groups of the eighth air force sent to england to participate in this enormous struggle was the 487th bombardment group heavy, which was based at army air forces station 7 near the village of lavenham, england in 19441945. On 1 october 1921 the 23rd was reactivated into the 23rd bombardment squadron medium in hawaii. The nickname gentlemen from hell has only been used in connection with the group since the 487th bomb group association was formed in 1967. These accounts exemplify the dedication and sacrifice these men made in the face of grave danger while serving their country during the largest 8th air force mission during the battle of the bulge. At that time, the group id was changed from squareo to squarew, perhaps to avoid confusion with the squared on b17s of the. These are well made and preglue or iron on and the pattern of the cloth suggest 1950s1960s, but just not sure of date, but certainly decades old. This book is a touching compilation of personal accounts of the men who served in the 487th bomb group during world war ii.
Dedication this website is dedicated to the men and women who went to war with the 486th bombardment group heavy. Set of 3 352nd us army air force 487th squadron bomb fighter patch new nos 60s. Group the 487th bomb group began operations as preparations for dday were reaching their crescendo and played their part by bombing airfields in northern france. The squadron trained with consolidated b24 liberators until march 1944, when it departed for the european theater of operations. From charles cooks 487 th squadron album dated june 1944. My 546th patch, which many of you have seen, is siggys work. If you intend to pay by check, it must be made out to 384th bomb group, inc. Bomb groups national museum of the united states air force. Ww2 usaaf flight jacket patch 489th bomb group patch 8th air force. Flew a few missions against german industries, refineries, and communications during the period. Like the 486th bomb group, the 487th switched to b17 flying fortress for missions from 1. These squadron patches are beautifully hand embroidered, just like the original theatre made examples from wwii. Please select any of the units below to submit a research inquiry to ww2 researcher bill beigel.
Gaffney bud 36503953 was in the 12 th air force, 340th bomb group m, 487th bomb sqd. Oct 01, 2005 this book is a touching compilation of personal accounts of the men who served in the 487th bomb group during world war ii. Aug 29, 2018 340th bombardment group 9th and 12th aaf486th, 487th, 488th and 489th bomb squadrons constituted as 30th bombardment group medium on 10 aug 1942 and activated on 20 aug. I do remember items sold to other people, it was all usaa. Air force patches jim buchanan jbmilart military art.
His patches are painted on leather, using oilbased paints which are very durable. I purchased this group at a garage sale in 1992, the family who sold these items to me offered vague informationhistory. The group entered combat in may 1944, operating the b24 liberator against targets in northern france. Original wwii squadron patches 2 lost worlds collection.
Equipped with the b17 flying fortress heavy bomber, the 351st regularly attacked naval facilities, industrial areas and airfields, deep inside germany. The 838th bombardment squadron was activated at bruning army air field, nebraska on 20 september 1943 as one of the original squadrons of the 487th bombardment group. I know he served in tunisia and i think also sicily and italy. In the back of this program is mounted a photograph of the combat crew and ground crew of the b17 bomber miss bea havin, this presumably being hawkinss bomber in the 8th air force. E2594 ww2 us army air force 487th bombardment squadron. There are stories written by the men themselves and a memorial to the over 500 flyers whose missions never ended. The gentlemen from hell patch was used by a very few members of the 487th bomb group at alamogordo, new mexico during training janmar 1944, and during the. I created this site to help others research the history of the 390th bomb group. The ground echelon left alamogordo army air field, new mexico on 10 march 1944 for the port of.
However, after noting that flak repairs had made many patches on her wings and fuselage, the. This is the official facebook group, endorsed by the 92nd bomb group. E2594 ww2 us army air force 487th bombardment squadron 340th. This patch is a modern replica of the gentlemen from hell patch that was worn by some of the original crew of the 487th bomb group h. The 23rd bombardment squadron patch is as interesting as the 5th bomb group it belonged to. Displayed on this page is a terrific grouping of items now residing in my private collection relating to a b17 pilot, 1st. He has access to many designs and will work with you to get the size you want. Welcome to the official 92nd bomb group h fame s favored few facebook page. The 487th bombardment group was a heavy bomber unit of the eighth air force, based at lavenham, suffolk, from august 1944 until the end of the war in europe. B17 flying fortress nose art, aircraft and crews of the 379th bg aircraft of the 379th bg b. On the sixth of may 1946 the 715 bomb squadron was reassigned to the 509th bomb group and was inactivated in 1965. Large identified wwii 8th air force b17 armorer air.
As a little kid, i didnt know or care about details such as which bomb group he was in 487th or the name of his plane, i just knew that he was a navigator and sat in the nose under the clear dome and next to the two little windows and that his pilots name was otto petr. However, after noting that flak repairs had made many patches on her wings and fuselage, the name patches was agreed upon. Wwii aac aaf squadron insignia patch page 2 units above 200. The 487th bomb group h attacked german troops and artillery positions to assist british forces near caen in july. See more ideas about wwii, nose art and woman painting. The 487th air expeditionary wing is a provisional united states air force unit assigned to the united states air forces in europe. Wwii usaaf 487th bomb squadron group of patches, photos. This page is dedicated to the airmen and ground crews of that group, and to all who served. Ordering information for group sales please email keith ellefson with your order, including your postal address for shipping and your preferred payment method paypal, check, etc. Oboe b24swilliam b17s 487th bg aircraft id code squarew group aircraft b24 and b17 converted from b24s to b17s in summer 1944. As far back as i can remember i knew that my dad flew in b17s in wwii.
As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time. The rediscovery of the patch occurred because of the work of bob jacobs, son of jimmy jacobs navigator with the 836th squadron. If you do not see the name of the unit you are searching for, you may click on any unit and type the correct name into the form that follows. Destroyed on crash landing, 8644 with mahoney crew aboard, salvaged 8744. Shegal was killed in action along with most of the lloyd w. For more information about the 487th bomb group contact.
Most veterans of the 487th bomb group knew nothing about it during the war. Usaaf squadron patches these squadron patches are beautifully hand embroidered, just like the original theatre made examples from wwii. Large identified wwii 8th air force b17 armorer air gunner. The gentlemen from hell motto and patch was used briefly during the group s training days at. Jul 30, 2012 i purchased this group at a garage sale in 1992, the family who sold these items to me offered vague informationhistory. The units last known assignment was in 2003 at cairo west air base, egypt, during operation iraqi freedom. Unidentified aaf squadron patch 5th bombardment group bomber barons. B17 aircraft, airmen and nose art of the 379th bombardment group wwii. Please look over the patch to make sure it is perfect for you. Originally assigned 351st bomb group 509bs, transferred to 487th 16jul44. On 11 january 1982, the 487th bombardment group, and 587th tactical missile group were consolidated effectively merged on paper and the merged unit became the 487th tactical missile wing. The gentlemen from hell patch was used by a very few members of the 487th bomb group at alamogordo, new mexico during training janmar 1944, and during the early days of operations at lavenham, england. We wish to preserve the history of the 390th heavy bombardment group and its role in wwll.
A history of the 487th bomb group, us 8th air force, lavenham, england, during wwii. Listing is for 1, stock photos show front and back. This is a united states army air forces 487th bomb squadron grouping including. Bomb groups national museum of the united states air. Measuring approximately 5 12 inches 14cm in diameter, each design has been specially selected from the hundreds that existed, to offer famous units with the most glowing credentials, and attractive emblems. Diary of a 487th navigator story of a 487th radio operator lee hauensteins 487th bg page lavenham community councils website includes pictures of the airfield today keepers of the castles of little america. In the frenzy of making money i quickly lost their attention, so i grabbed all that was left of the butchered lot. Msgt brockman and his crew never got the time to send her into battle because they had received another ship that was more suited for their squadrons needs before it could. Before the dday landings it attacked german airfields, while during the invasion. The first predecessor of the wing is the 487th bombardment group, a united states army air forces unit. They were shot down by flak while on a mission to bomb the oil refinery at leuna near merseburg, germany. Siggy custompaints group and squadron patches to order. Please email me if you need to get a picture of the back or need the measurements.
It was used as a station hack to ferry men and equipment between bases. They flew combat missions with the eighth air force, from raf thorpe abbotts in norfolk, england. The 487th bomb grouph attacked german troops and artillery positions to assist british forces near caen in july. We know this that the original 4237791 was named to honor msgt brockmans wife by calling her blues in the night after their favorite song. History of the toby jug home of the 918th bomb group. Original cutedge wool ww2 aaf 457th bomb group patch. Many 487th bomb group veterans were sons of immigrants. Bomb group for sale military collectibles for sale.