487th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

Activated by Second Air Force on 22 September 1943
Transferred to Eighth Air Force on 15 April 1944
Deactivated by Eighth Air Force on 7 November 1945

Comprised of 836th, 837th, and 838th Bombardment Squadrons. The 8th Anti-submarine Squadron was redesignated the 839th Bombardment Squadron and assigned to the 487th Bomb Group on 1 October 1943.

Bases of Operation: 22 September 1943 - Bruning, Nebraska
10 December 1943 - Alamogordo, New Mexico
13 March 1944 - Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
5 April 1944 - Station 137, Lavenham, Suffolk, England
25 August 1945 - Drew Field, Florida

Combat Group Commanders: February 1944 to May 1944 - Lt. Col. Beirne Lay, Jr. (MIA - evaded - returned to duty)
May 1944 to December 1944 - Col. Robert Taylor III
December 1944 to May 1945 - Col. William K. Martin
May 1945 to June 1945 - Lt. Col. Howard C. Todt (Acting CO)
June 1945 to August 1945 - Col. Nicholas T. Perkins

Missions: First Mission - 7 May 1944
Final Mission - 21 April 1945
Total Missions - 185
Sorties - 6,021
Total Tonnage Dropped - 14,641

Aircraft

Aircraft Used -
B-24H/J February 1944 to July 1944
B-17G July 1944 to November 1945

Aircraft Lost -
33 Missing In Action, 24 lost in other operations

Enemy Aircraft Claims -
22 destroyed, 6 probable, 18 damaged

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