The group moved to the New Hebrides on 22 July 1942 and temporarily becoming part of Thirteenth Air Force by year-end 1942. They bombed airfields, supply dumps, ships, docks, troop positions, and other objectives in the South Pacific from July to November 1942, and received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for those operations. From September, 1942, the 72nd squadron and other resources from the 5th Bombardment Group were attached to the 11th under the 11th command of Col. Saunders. Continued operations during the Battle(Campaign) for Guadalcanal and the Northern Solomons Islands attacking Japanese airfields, installations, and shipping until late March 1943. The group returned to Hawaii on 8 April 1943 and was reassigned to Seventh Air Force. Following this, the group received the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber, which it flew until the end of the war. While in Hawaii, the group refitted and trained with the B-24, even flying combat missions against Wake Island and other central Pacific bases held by the Japanese. It deployed to Ellice Island on 9 November 1943 and resumed combat with the 26th, 42nd, 98th and 431st squadrons participating in the Allied offensive through the Gilbert, Marshall and Marianas Islands, while operating from Funafuti, Tarawa, and Kwajalein. Moved to Guam on 25 October 1944 and attacked shipping and airfields in the Volcano and Bonin Islands.
The group moved to the New Hebrides on 22 July 1942 and temporarily becoming part of Thirteenth Air Force by year-end 1942. They bombed airfields, supply dumps, ships, docks, troop positions, and other objectives in the South Pacific from July to November 1942, and received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for those operations. From September, 1942, the 72nd squadron and other resources from the 5th Bombardment Group were attached to the 11th under the 11th command of Col. Saunders. Continued operations during the Battle(Campaign) for Guadalcanal and the Northern Solomons Islands attacking Japanese airfields, installations, and shipping until late March 1943. The group returned to Hawaii on 8 April 1943 and was reassigned to Seventh Air Force. Following this, the group received the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber, which it flew until the end of the war. While in Hawaii, the group refitted and trained with the B-24, even flying combat missions against Wake Island and other central Pacific bases held by the Japanese. It deployed to Ellice Island on 9 November 1943 and resumed combat with the 26th, 42nd, 98th and 431st squadrons participating in the Allied offensive through the Gilbert, Marshall and Marianas Islands, while operating from Funafuti, Tarawa, and Kwajalein. Moved to Guam on 25 October 1944 and attacked shipping and airfields in the Volcano and Bonin Islands.
Inscription
2LT, 431 AAF BOMB SQ, 11 BOMB GP WORLD WAR II
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