West Columbia in Lexington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bombardment Groups

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 2008

1. Bombardment Groups Marker

Inscription.
In 1942 the 310th, 321st, 340th groups trained here at Columbia Army Air Base for World War II. All participated in 9 campaigns and each received 2 Distinguished Unit Citations.

Erected 1992 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by 577th Bomb Wing Association. (Marker Number 32-21.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 33° 56.856′ N, 81° 7.676′ W. Marker is in West Columbia, South Carolina, in Lexington County. It is on Airport Boulevard south of Air Commerce Road, on the right when traveling south. Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Columbia SC 29170, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Greater Columbia Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 319th Bombardment Group (a few steps from this marker); 345th Bombardment Group (a few steps from this marker); Columbia Army Air Base / The Doolittle Raiders (within shouting distance of this marker); Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School (approx. one mile away); Springdale (approx.

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1.3 miles away); Camp Moore (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Sycamore Tree (approx. 2.9 miles away); Congaree Fort (approx. 3 miles away); The Cherokee Path (approx. 3.3 miles away); Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church / Temperance Hall (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Columbia.

Also see . . .
1. 310th Space Wing (Constituted as the 310th Bombardment Group). The 310th Space Wing (310 SW) is a Reserve space wing of the United States Air Force. (Submitted on August 16, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. 321st Air Expeditionary Wing (Constituted as the 321th Bombardment Group). The 321st Air Expeditionary Wing (321 AEW) is a provisional United States Air Force Air Combat Command unit. (Submitted on August 16, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

3. 340th Flying Training Group (Constituted as the 340th Bombardment Group). Activated on July 1, 1997, the 340th Flying Training Group at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, administers and executes the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Associate Instructor Pilot Program

Bombardment Groups Marker at Columbia Metropolitan Airport image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

2. Bombardment Groups Marker at Columbia Metropolitan Airport

and provides Active Guard Reserve and Traditional Reserve IPs to augment the cadre of active duty pilots conducting pilot training. (Submitted on August 16, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Distinguished Unit Citation
The Distinguished Unit Citation was established as a result of Executive Order No. 9075, dated 26 February 1942. The Executive Order directed the Secretary of War to issue citations in the name of the President of the United States to Army units for outstanding performance of duty after 7 December 1941. The design submitted by the Office of the Quartermaster General was approved by the G1 on 30 May 1942.
The Distinguished Unit Citation was re-designated the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) per DF, DCSPER, date 3 November 1966.

— Submitted September 2, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Bombardment Groups Marker - Far Left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, August 9, 2009

3. Bombardment Groups Marker - Far Left

310th Space Wing Emblem image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikipedia

4. 310th Space Wing Emblem

321st Air Expeditionary Wing Emblem image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikipedia

5. 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Emblem

340th Flying Training Group Emblem image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikipedia

6. 340th Flying Training Group Emblem

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,278 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on August 16, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 23, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.