(Motto) "WE WIN OR WE DIE"

344th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 344th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 31 Aug 1942. Activated on 8 Sep 1942. Equipped with B-26's and served as a replacement training unit. Moved to England, Jan-Feb 1944. Began operations with Ninth AF in Mar, attacking airfields, missile sites, marshalling yards, submarine shelters, coastal defenses, and other targets in France, Belgium, and Holland. Beginning in May, helped prepare for the Normandy invasion by striking vital bridges in France. On D-Day 1944 attacked coastal batteries at Cherbourg; during the remainder of Jun, supported the drive that resulted in the seizure of the Cotentin Peninsula. Bombed defended positions to assist British forces in the area of Caen. Received a DUC for three-day action against the enemy, 24-26 Jul 1944, when the group struck troop concentrations, supply dumps, a bridge, and a railroad viaduct to assist advancing ground forces at St Lo. Knocked out bridges to hinder the enemy's withdrawal through the Falaise gap, and bombed vessels and strong points at Brest, Aug-Sep 1944. Attacked bridges, rail lines, fortified areas, supply dumps and ordnance depots in Germany, Oct-Nov 1944. Supported Allied forces during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, and continued to strike such targets as supply points, communications centers, bridges, marshalling yards, roads, and oil storage tanks until Apr 1945. Made training flights and participated in air demonstrations after the war. Moved to Germany in Sep 1945 and, as part of United States Air Forces in Europe, served with the army of occupation. Began training A-26 but continued to use B-26 aircraft. Redesignated 344th Bombardment Group (Light) in Dec 1945. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US on 15 Feb 1946. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946.

Redesignated 126th Bombardment Group (Light). Allotted to ANG (Ill) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 29 Jun 1947. Redesignated 126th Composite Group in Nov 1950, and 126th Bombardment Group (Light) in Feb 1951. Ordered to active service on 1 Apr 1951 and assigned to Tactical Air Command. Moved to France, Nov-Dec 1951, and assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Used B-26's for training and maneuvers. Relieved from active duty and transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the control of ANG (Ill), on 1 Jan 1953. Redesignated 126th Fighter-Bomber Group.

Squadrons

108th: 1951-1953.
115th: 1951.
168th: 1951-1953.
180th: 1951-1953.
494th: 1942-1946.
495th: 1942-1946.
496th: 1942-1946.
497th: 1942-1945.

Stations

MacDill Field, Fla, 8 Sep 1942
Drane Field, Fla, 28 Dec 1942
Hunter Field, Ga, 19 Dec 1943- 26 Jan 1944
Stansted, England, 9 Feb 1944
Cormeilles-en-Vexin, France, 30 Sep 1944
Florennes/Juzaine, Belgium, 5 Apr 1945
Schleissheim, Germany, c. 15 Sep 1945- 15 Feb 1946
Bolling Field, DC, 15 Feb-31 Mar 1946
O'Hare Intl Aprt, Ill, 1 Apr 1951
Langley AFB, Va, 25 Jul-19 Nov 1951
Bordeaux AB, France, 7 Dec 1951
Laon AB, France, c. 25 May 1952-1 Jan 1953

Commanders

Lt Col Jacob J Brogger, 10 Oct 1942
Col Guy L McNeil, 2 Nov 1942
Col John A Hilger, 7 Nov 1942
Lt Col Vernon L Stintzi, 20 Jul1943
Maj Robert W Witty, c. 6 Aug 1943
Col Reginald F C Vance, 19 Sep 1943
Col Robert W Witty, 7 Nov 1944
Lt Col Lucius D Clay Jr, 18 Aug 1945-15 Feb 1946
Col Russell B Daniels, 1 Apr 1951
Lt Col Carl R Norton, 25 Jun 1951
Lt Col Max H Mortensen, 21 Jul 1952
Col Glen W Clark, 5 Aug 1952
Lt Col Max H Mortensen, 18 Nov 1952-c. 1 Jan 1953

Campaigns

American Theater
Air Offensive, Europe
Normandy
Northern France
Rhineland
Ardennes-Alsace
Central Europe

Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: France, 24-26 Jul 1944.

Insigne: Shield: Azure, a bend nebule or, between four spears, points to base, two and two of the last, inflamed proper. Motto: WE WIN OR DIE. (Approved 9 Jan 1943.)

James G Ovens