West Columbia in Lexington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
345th Bombardment Group
The 345th Bombardment Group of the 5th Air Force, the "Air Apaches," served in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. Four squadrons (the 498th, 499th, 500th, and 501st) trained here at Columbia Army Air Base November 1942-April 1943, with bombing runs over Lake Murray, aerial gunnery practice at Myrtle Beach, and maneuvers at Aiken before transferring to Walterboro.
Erected 2012 by Sponsored by the 345th Bomb Group Association. (Marker Number 32 39.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1943.
Location. 33° 56.85′ N, 81° 7.669′ W. Marker is in West Columbia, South Carolina, in Lexington County. Marker is on Airport Boulevard south of Air Commerce Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3250 Airport Blvd, West Columbia SC 29170, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bombardment Groups (a few steps from this marker); 319th Bombardment Group (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbia Army Air Base / The Doolittle Raiders (within shouting distance of this marker); Springdale (approx. 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Columbia.
Also see . . .
1. 345th Bombardment Wing. (Submitted on January 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. 345th Bomb Group. (Submitted on January 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 68 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.