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The 385th Bomb Group of the 8th AF in the E.T.O.


385th Bombardment Group (H)
"Van's Valiants"
Assigned Eighth AF: June 1943

Wing & Command Assignments

VIII BC, 4BW, 401 PCBW;     06.1943
VIII BC, 3BD,   4 CBW;   13.09.1943
3rd BD,  4 CBW:          08.01.1944
3rd AD,  4 CBW:          01.01.1945
3rd AD, 93 CBW:          17.02.1945


Bombardment Squadrons (H):
	548th      GX
	549th      XA
	550th      SG
	551st      HR

Combat Aircraft:
B-17 F (Block 45-DL, 30-VE, 85-BO)
B-17 G
Stations:

• Great Ashfield, Suffolk; 26.06.1943 to 04.08.1945

Group COs:

• Col. Elliott Vandevanter; 03.02.1943 to 23.08.1944
• Col. George Y. Jumper; 24.08.1944 to 28.05.1945
• Col. William H. Hanson; 02.06.1945 to 07.1945
• Lt.Col. H.T. Witherspoon; 05.1945 to 06.1945 temp. CO

Facts:

First Mission:    17.07.1943
Last Mission:     20.04.1945
Total Missions:   296
Bomb Tonnage:     18,494 tons
A/C MIA:          129
Other Losses:     40
Major Awards:     Two Distinguished Unit Citations:
                  17.08.1943 Regensburg,
                  12.05.1944 Zwickau.