In all there were nine full Bombardment groups that came to Kearns. But out of those nine groups other wings were also formed while they were at Kearns. All of these groups were heavy bombing groups.

  The 455^th came to Kearns on September 6, 1943 before being deployed to Langley Field Va. for two months on their way to San Giovanni Italy arriving there January 15, 1944. Colonel William L Snowden came with the unit to Kearns. While at Kearns four other units were formed all part of the 455^th, the 740^th, 741^st, 742^nd, and the 743^rd, they were a B-24 Liberator group.

  They served in combat with the 15^th Air Force from February 1944 until April 1945. They were engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets such as factories, marshalling yards, oil refineries, storage areas, harbors and airdromes in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Balkans. The group received the Distinguished Unit Citations for a mission on April 2, 1944, when the group contributed to the 15^th Air Force campaign against enemy industry by attacking a ball-bearing plant at Steyr, Austria.

  Although meeting with severe fighter opposition and losing several of its bombers on June 26, 1944 the group proceeded to attack an oil refinery at Moosbierbaum Austria. In addition to strategic missions in the Balkans the group bombed troop concentrations, bridges, marshalling yards and airdromes during the fall of 1944 to hamper the enemy’s withdrawal from the region. This group also supported ground forces at Anzio and Cassino in March of 1944 knocking out gun positions in preparation for the invasion of Southern France in August of 1944. They assisted in the final Allied drive through Italy in April of 1945 by hitting such targets as bridges, gun positions and troop concentrations. This group also served in other air offensive campaigns in Europe, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, South France, North Apennines, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Po Valley.

  Colonel William L Snowden was born January 9, 1900 in Ohio and passed away September 20, 1988 in Texas.

  The 456^th Heavy bombardment group came to Kearns September 11, 1943 with Colonel Thomas W. Steed and Lt. Colonel Joseph G Russell staying for almost a month before going on to Muroc Army Air Base in California. They were a B-24 Liberator group having formed on May 14, 1943. While at Kearns they also partially formed four other units, the 744^th, 745^th, 746^th, and the 747^th. They went to Italy in December 1943 and remained overseas until January 1944. They began their combat with the 15^th Air Force in February of 1944 operating chiefly against strategic targets until late in April of 1945. Early operations included attacks against such objectives as marshalling yards, aircraft factories, railroad, bridges and airdromes in Italy, Austria and Rumania. They also flew in air offensive teams in Europe, Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, the North Apennines, Rhineland, Central Europe and Po Valley.

  They received a Distinguished Unit Citation for their performance at Wiener Neustadt on May 10, 1944. When other groups turned back because of adverse weather the 456^th proceeded to the target and withstanding repeated attacks by the enemy interceptors, bombed the manufacturing center. Helped to prepare the way for and supported the invasion of Southern France inn July and August 1944. At the same time, they expanded previous operations to include attacks on oil refineries and storage facilities, locomotive works and viaducts in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria and the Balkans.

  They received a second Distinguished Unit Citation for a mission in Hungary on July 2, 1944 when the group braved severe fighter attacks and antiaircraft fire to bomb oil facilities at Budapest. In April of 1945 they bombed gun positions, bridges, roads, depots and rail lines to support the U.S. 5^th and the British 8^th Army in their advance through Italy. Transported supplies to airfields in northern Italy after V-E Day. They returned to the US in July 1945.

  Colonel Thomas W. Steed passed away 28 May 1971. Lt. Colonel Joseph G. Russell was born March 26, 1912 he passed away June 17,1999

  The 458^th was a fairly new group having first formed at the Wendover Air Field Utah on May 19, 1943. They were deployed to Kearns on September 11,1943 from Gowen Field Idaho. A heavy bombardment group flying the B-24 Liberator and later on the B-29 Superfortress. While they were at Kearns the 753^rd and 754^th was formed, the 752^nd unit was already formed and the 755^th was later formed sometime after leaving Kearns.

  This group was activated on July 1,1943 still in Wendover, they were sent to England on January 1944 and assigned to the 8^th Air Force. They flew diversionary missions on February 24 –25 1944 to draw enemy fighters from German targets being attacked by other Army Air Force bombers. They began bombardment on March 2, 1944 and afterward operated primarily against strategic objectives in Germany. Hitting such targets as the industrial area of Saarbrucken, oil refineries in Hamburg, and airfield at Brunswick, the aircraft factories at Oschersleben, a fuel depot at Dulemen. Also on their list was a canal at Minden, the aircraft works at Brandenburg, marshalling yards at Hamm and an aircraft engine plant at Magdeburg. They also carried out some interdictory and support operations in addition to strategic missions. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by striking gun batteries, V-weapon sites, and airfields in France, hit coastal defenses in support of the assault on June 6, 1944. Afterwards bombed bridges and highways to prevent the movement of enemy materiel to the beachhead. Attacked enemy troops to aid the allied breakthrough at St. Lo in July. Their next order of business was to haul gasoline to airfields in France during September 1944. Struck transportation lines during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945. Attacked enemy airfields to assist the allied assault across the Rhine in March of 1945. They flew their last combat mission on April 25, 1945, afterwards they returned to the US, trained on the B-29’s and was redesignated as the 458^th Bombardment group a very heavy group in August 1945.

  Bringing this group to Kearns was Colonel James H Isbell, who was born March 3, 1919 and passed away December 13, 1984 in Tennessee. Lt. Colonel Robert F. Harding he was born and raised in Newark born April 5, 1925 and passed away April 5, 20002 in New Jersey.

  The 459^th came to Kearns from Alamogordo Air Force field on August 31, 1934 being brought by Colonel Henry K Mooney and Lt. Colonel William R Boutz. While at Kearns all four of their squadron units were formed in Kearns 756^th 757^th 758^th and 759^th all of these groups were classified as heavy bombardments. Activated on July 1, 1943 at Alamogordo New Mexico they were trained for combat with the B-24’s. This is one of the few groups at this time that had a motto – “In Honor of Congress”. They went to Italy in January ad February 1944 and assigned to the 15^th Air Force, engaging primarily in strategic bombardments, attacking such targets as oil refineries, munitions and aircraft factories, industrial areas, airfields and communications centers in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Bulgaria Yugoslavia and Greece.

  Awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for leading the 304^th Wing through enemy interceptors and intense flak to raid an airfield and aircraft assembly plant at Bad Voslau Austria on April 23, 1944. During combat the group also flew some support and interdictor missions. Struck railroads in March of 1944 to cut enemy supply lines leading to the Anzio beachhead. Participated in the pervasion bombing of southern France in August 1944. Hit railroad bridges, depots, and marshalling yards during in April 19445 to assist Allied forces in northern Italy. They returned to the United States on August 18, 1945. Their campaigns too them to Europe, Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, North Apennines, Rhineland, Central Europe and Po Valley.

  Colonel Henry K Mooney passed away May 29, 1976 in Texas; he was born in 1910 in Tennessee. Lt. Colonel William R. Boutz was born June 2, 1910 in New Mexico he passed away December 9, 2002 in Albuquerque New Mexico.

  The 460^th Heavy Bombardment group came to Kearns from Alamogordo Army airfield on August 31, 1943 on their way to Chatham Army Airfield in Ga. While they were at Kearns they formed 4 wing units, 760^th, 761^st, 762^nd, 763^rd. They were activated on July 1, 1943 trained for combat with the B-24’s. Went on to Italy in February 1944 and became part of the 15^th Air Force, they entered into combat in March 1944 and operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until April of 1945. Attacked oil refineries, oil storage facilities, aircraft factories, railroad centers, industrial areas and other objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia and Greece. On July 26, 1944 they were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for their heroic efforts of leading the wing formation through adverse weather and heavy enemy fire to attack an airdrome and aircraft facilities in Zwolfaxing Austria on July 16, 1944. They also flew some support missions participated in the invasion of Southern Franc in August 1944. They were striking submarine pen, marshalling yards, and gun positions in the assault area. They hit bridges, viaducts, ammunition dumps, railroads, and other targets to aid the advancement of the allied forces in Northern Italy. They moved to Trinidad and then on to Brazil in June of 1945 being assigned to Air Transport Command to assist in moving re-deployed personnel from Europe to the US. They became inactivated in Brazil on September 26, 1945.

  Brought to Kearns by Colonel Robert T. Crowder who is still living and Lt. Colonel Bertram C Harrison who was born in New York September 20, 1928 and passed away in Daytona Beach Florida January 7, 2001.

  The 461^st, came to Kearns from Gowen Field Idaho on September 11, 1943 they were activated on July 1,1943 in Wendover Utah. By the end of January or the first part of February 1944 the B-24 air echelon moved on to the Mediterranean Theater via the South Atlantic and stopping in North Africa before joining the ground echelon in Italy. Thus they began their combat duty with the 15^th Air Force in April of 1944. They engaged chiefly in bombardment of communications, industries and other strategic objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. They supported the 15^th Air Force by counter-air operations by bombing enemy airdromes and aircraft centers.

  While their stay in Kearns was short men were added to their units 764^th, 765^th, 766^th, 767^th. This units sojourn to Kearns lasted only nineteen days just enough time to stock up on men.

  The group received two Distinguished Unit Citations just three months apart. On April 13, 1944 the group battled its way through enemy defenses to attack an aircraft components plant in Budapest, Hungary. Participated in the effort against the enemy’s oil supply by flying missions to such oil centers as Brux, Blechhammer, Moosbierbaum, Vienna and Ploesti. They acquire their second Distinguished Unit Citation on July 15, 1944 for a mission against oil facilities at Ploesti when despite flak, cloud, smoke and fighter attacks, the group bombed its objectives. The 461^st also operated in support of ground forces and flew some interdictory missions. Hit artillery positions in support of the invasion of Southern France in August of 1944 and flew supply missions to France in September. They aided the allied offensive in Italy in April 19445 by attacking gun emplacements and troop concentrations. Dropped supplies to prisoner-of-war camps in Austria during May 1945. They returned to the United States in July 1945 and became inactivated on August 18, 1945.

  Colonel Frederic E. Glantzberg was already in Kearns when the 461^st arrived. At that the time he was the Colonel over the 467^th he turned his command over to Colonel Albert H. Showers and took over the command of the 461^st. Colonel Glantzberg was born December 10, 1903 in Maryland he passed away June 1970 in Kerrvill Texas. Lt. Colonel Willis G Carter passed away February 11, 1980 in Georgia he was born in 1909. Colonel Philip R Hawes is still living.

  The 465^th arrived in Kearns in September of 1943 being activated in Alamogordo Air Force Base in New Mexico on August 1, 1943. While they were at Kearns only a few day’s men were added to their other units 780^th, 781^st, 782^nd, 783^rd. They prepared for duty overseas with the B-24’s. Moved to the Mediterranean Theater the end of February first part of April 1944. They entered combat on May 5, 1944 and served primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until late in April 1945. Attacked marshalling yards, dock facilities oil refineries, oil storage plants, aircraft factories and other objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary and the Balkans.

  On July 8, 1944 they received the Distinguished Unit Citations. ON two different mission to the marshalling yards and an oil refinery at Vienna and then on August 3, 1944 on a mission to the steel plants at Friedrichshafen the group bombed its targets despite antiaircraft fire and fighter opposition. Other operations included bombing troop concentrations and bivouac areas in May 1944 to aid the Partisans in Yugoslavia. Attacking enemy troops and supplies lines to assist in the drive toward Rome from May – June in 1944. Striking bridges, rail lines, and gun emplacements prior to the invasion of Southern France in August 1944. They were bombing rail facilities and rolling stock in October of 1944 to aid support in the advance of Russian and Rumanian forces in the Balkans then hitting troops, gun positions, bridges and supply lines during April 1945 in support of allied forces in northern Italy. Moved to the Caribbean area in June of 1945 and was assigned to the Air Transport Command.

  Their other campaigns as Air Offensive heavy bombardment group took them to Europe, Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, North Apennines, Rhineland, Central Europe and Po Valley. It was Colonel Elmer Rogers’s Jr. responsibility to bring the men safely to Kearns turning his command of the group over to Colonel Charles A Clark Jr. Colonel Elmer Rogers passed away while in combat.

  The 466^th Heavy Bombardment group was activated on August 1, 1943 inn Alamogordo Air Base in New Mexico, they came to Kearns on August 31, 1943 was one of the few units coming to Kearns that formed most of their units in Kearns. The 784^th, 785^th, 786^th, 787^th, they stayed at Kearns for almost three full months where most of the men had taken extra-specialized training. They left to go back to Alamogordo Air Base November 24, 1943.

  Prepared for duty overseas with the B-24 Liberator they moved into England in February and March 1944 and was assigned to the Eighth Air Force. Entering combat on March 22, 1944 and participated in a daylight raid on Berlin. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization attacking such targets as the marshalling yards at Liege, and airfield at St Trond, a repair and assembly plant at Reims, and an airdrome at Chartres, factories at Brunswick. Also had sights on the oil refineries at Bohlen, aircraft plants at Kempten, mineral works at Hamburg, marshalling yards at Seabrucken, a synthetic oil plant at Misburg, a fuel depot at Dulmen and aeroengine works at Eisenach. Other operation included attacking pillboxes along the coast of Normandy on D-Day and afterward striking interdictory targets behind the beachhead; bombing enemy positions at St. Lo during the Allied breakthrough in July of 1944. Hauling oil and gasoline to Allied forces advancing across France in September hitting German communications and transportation during the battle of the Bulge in December1944- January 1945; and bombing the airfield at Nordhorn in support of the airborne assault across the Rhine on March 254, 1945. Flew the last combat mission on April 25, 1945 striking a transformer station at Traunstein.

  As an Air Offensive group their campaigns took them to Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes-Alsace. It was the duty of Major Walter A Smith to bring the men to Kearns and later turning over the command of this group to Colonel Walter G. Bryte. Walter G. Bryte was born November 3, 1901 he passed away January 24, 1972 living at that time in the, District Of Columbia.

  The 467 heavy bombardment group came to Kearns October 10,1943 lead by Captain Garnet B Palmer and Colonel Frederic E Glantzberg. Their whole purpose in stopping off at Kearns was to re-group and organize. At which time they began to form their wing units 788^th, 789^th, 790^th, 791^st, they were fully formed and functional when they left Kearns and went back to Wendover.

  This group was activated on August 1, 1943 preparing for combat with the B-24’s. As an air offensive group they were sent on to England in February and March 1944 assigned to the Eighth Air Force. They began operations on April 10, 1844 with an attack on an airfield at Bourges. Served chiefly as a strategic bombardment organization attacking the harbor at Kiel, chemical plants at Bonn, textile factories at Stuttgart, power plants at Hamm, steel works at Osnabruck, the aircraft industry at Brunswick and other objectives. In addition to strategic operation, they engaged occasionally in support and interdirctory missions. Bombed shore installations and bridges near Cherbourg on D-Day. Struck enemy troop and supply concentrations near Montreuil and assist the allied drive across France. Hauled gasoline to France for mechanized forces. Attacked German communication and fortifications during the Battle of the Bulge, and hit enemy transportation to assist the allied assault across the Rhine. Flew their last combat mission on April 25, 1945, they returned home in June 1945.

  Captain Garnet B Palmer, today he has been living in Va. in a nursing home. Colonel Frederic E Glantzberg came to Kearns a few days ahead of the 467^th while he was at Kearns he received orders that he was being transferred to 461^st who was arriving just days before. At that time command was then turned over to Colonel Albert J Showers.

  Colonel Albert J. Showers was a West Point graduate, was the first officer assigned to the 467th Group. As a Lt. Col., he received his orders on August 28th, 1943, before the Group was activated, and at that time was the Air Executive. Col. Shower was Group C.O. from activation, commanded the Group throughout operations in England, and returned to the U.S. with the 467th remaining commanding officer. The only Group C.O. in the 8th Air Force to command the same Group to the end of hostilities. He passed away October 15, 2001 he was 91 years old.