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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Blythe in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal) |
390th Bomb Group (H)
Activated at Blythe Army Air Base
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By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011 | |
| | | 1. 390th Bomb Group (H) Marker | | |
Inscription. Blythe Army Air Base was constructed during 1942 to train heavy bomber crews.
127 officers and men recevied orders in February 1943, to form 4 squadrons of the 390th Bombardment Group (H).
The 390th B-17s joined the 8th Air Force in England and completed 301 bombing missions over Europe--August 1943 to May 1945.
The 390th Group received 2 presidential citations & 6 battle streamers for combat against Nazi targets.
Ground crews maintained 75 aircraft at peak strength. 390th gunners downed 62 Nazi aircraft on one mission, more than any other group, fighter or bomber, & destroyed 377 enemy planes in air combat.
Dedicated May 2, 1993 in Memoriam to 159 390th 10 man crews MIA, & other fallen comrades.
They flew, they fought, they gave their lives. A man can do no more for his country.
Erected 1993 by 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus & Riverside County Board of Supervisors. (Marker Number 69.)
Marker series. This marker is included in the E Clampus Vitus marker series.
Location. 33° 36.823′ N, 114° 42.721′ W. Marker is in Blythe, California, in Riverside County. Marker can be reached from | | | | 
By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011 | |
| | | 2. 390th Bomb Group (H) Marker | | |
Hobsonway Road, on the left when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is located in front of the administration building at the Blythe Airfield. Marker is in this post office area: Blythe CA 92225, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Desert Strike (approx. 8.6 miles away); Wiley Well (approx. 10.8 miles away); Ehrenberg Cemetery (approx. 10.8 miles away in Arizona); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 10.9 miles away in Arizona); Taylor's Ferry (approx. 13.4 miles away); Blythe Intake (approx. 13.9 miles away); Palo Verde Irrigation District Diversion Dam (approx. 14.1 miles away); Giant Desert Figures (approx. 16.7 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Blythe.
Regarding 390th Bomb Group (H). This memorial to the many fallen members of the 390th Bomb Group (H) was dedicated during the Association's 50th anniversary. B-178 aircraft, in addition to being very successful at the primary mission of bombing, also became famous for their high number of enemy fighter kills. The Chairman of the 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association was Earl F. Schmidt, Ex-Sublime Noble Grand Humbug of E Clampus Vitus 1979-1980 and also Death Valley '49er President in 1990. SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway| | | | 
By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011 | |
| | | 3. 390th Bomb Group (H) Marker | | |
Also see . . . 390th Memorial Museum. The 390th Memorial Museum in Tucson, Arizona is a tribute to the airmen of the 390th Bombardment Group who served in World War II. The museum houses the courageous stories of the men who flew the B-17 bombers over Europe. (Submitted on December 20, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California.)
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By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011 | |
| | | 4. Blythe Airport | | |
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By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011 | |
| | | 5. Blythe Airport | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. This page has been viewed 311 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 25, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
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