History
Constituted as 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and activated on 20 Sep. Trained for combat with B-24’s. Moved to Italy, Mar-Apr 1944. Assigned to Fifteenth AF. Redesignated 484th Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) in May 1944 but did not perform pathfinder functions. Redesignated 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1944. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, Apr 1944-Apr 1945. Attacked such targets as oil refineries, oil storage plants, aircraft factories, heavy industry, and communications in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslavia. On 13 Jun 1944 a heavy smoke screen prevented the group from bombing marshalling yards at Munich; however, in spite of severe damage from flak and interceptors, and despite heavy gunfire encountered at the alternate target, the group bombed marshalling yards at Innsbruck and received a DUC for its persistent action. Received second DUC for performance on 21 Aug 1944 when, unescorted, the organization fought its way through intense opposition to attack underground oil storage installations in Vienna. In addition to strategic missions the 484th participated in the drive toward Rome by bombing bridges, supply dumps, viaducts, and marshalling yards, Apr-Jul 1944; ferried gasoline and oil to Allied forces in southern France, Sep 1944; and supported the final advance through northern Italy, Apr 1945. Moved to Casablanca in May 1945. Assigned to Air Transport Command. Inactivated in French Morocco on 25 Jul 1945.
Campaigns
Air Combat, EAME Theater, Air Offensive, Europe, Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, North Apennines, Rhineland, Central Europe, Po Valley,
Decorations

Stations

Commanders

Squadrons

Constituted as Fifteenth AF on 30 Oct 1943. Activated in the Mediterranean theater on 1 Nov 1943. Began operations on 2 Nov and engaged primarily in strategic bombardment of targets in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans until the end of the war. Inactivated in Italy on 15 Sep 1945. Activated in the US on 31 Mar 1946. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.

Wings

• 5th Bombardment: 1943-1945.
• 42d Bombardment: 1943.
• 47th Bombardment: 1944-1945.
• 49th Bombardment: 1944-1945.
• 55th Bombardment: 1944-1945.
• 304th Bombardment: 1943-1945.
• 305th Bombardment: 1943-1945.
• 306th Fighter: 1944-1945.
• 307th Bombardment: 1944.

Stations

• Tunis, Tunisia, 1 Nov 1943
• Bari, Italy, 1 Dec 1943-15 Sep 1945
• Colorado Springs, Colo, 31 Mar 1946
• March AFB, Calif, 7 Nov 1949-.

Commanders

• Maj Gen James H Doolittle, 1 Nov 1943
• Maj Gen Nathan F Twining, 3 Jan 1944
• Brig Gen James A Mollison, 26 May 1945
• Brig Gen William L Lee, 3 Aug 1945
• Col Elmer J Rogers Jr, 31 Aug-15 Sep 1945
• Maj Gen Charles F Born, 31 Mar 1946
• Brig Gen Leon W Johnson, 24 Apr 1947
• Maj Gen Emmett O’Donnell Jr, 6 Oct 1948
• Maj Gen Walter C Sweeney Jr, 20 Apr 1953
• Maj Gen Archie J Old Jr, c. 20 Aug 1955

Campaigns

• Air Combat, EAME Theater
• Air Offensive, Europe
• Naples-Foggia
• Anzio
• Rome-Arno
• Normandy
• Northern France
• Southern France
• North Apennines
• Rhineland
• Central Europe
• Po Valley.

Decorations. None

Insigne. On a blue disc a white star charged with a red disc in the center and with golden orange stylized wings below a golden orange Arabic numeral "15", all within a golden orange annulet. (Approved 19 Feb 1944.)