Lakeland in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

320th Bombardment Group (M)

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 24, 2014

1. 320th Bombardment Group (M) Marker

Inscription. When Drane Field opened during World War II, the first combat-bound Air Force unit to train here was the 320th Bombardment Group (M), flying B-26 Marauder medium bombers. The Group arrived here August 7, 1942, after having been activated at MacDill Field, Tampa, on June 17, 1942, Commanding Officer was Lt. Col. John A. Hilger, who had just returned from the mission with the "Doolittle Raiders" bombing Tokyo. Squadrons assigned to the 320th were the 441st, 442nd, 443rd and 444th. First personnel left Drane on August 28, 1942. The Group compiled a heroic record overseas in the Mediterranean Theatre and earned the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation.

Erected 1980 by The City of Lakeland, Florida, in Cooperation with The 320th Bombardment Group (M) Reunion Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is August 7, 1942.

Location. 27° 59.681′ N, 82° 0.861′ W. Marker is in Lakeland, Florida, in Polk County. It can be reached from Don Emerson Drive 0.1 miles south of Drane Field Road (State Road 572) when traveling south.

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Marker is in front of the terminal at Lakeland Linder Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3900 Don Emerson Dr, Lakeland FL 33811, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 344th Bomb Group (M) AAF (here, next to this marker); Boeing 727 “Tampa Bay Pacemaker” (approx. 1.2 miles away); XFV-1 “The Salmon” (approx. 1.2 miles away); Grumman F-14-D “Tomcat” (approx. 1.2 miles away); Boeing 307 Stratoliner 1939 (approx. 1.2 miles away); PA-47 “Piper Jet” (approx. 1.2 miles away); MiG-21 MF 1970 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cirrus VK-30 (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all

320th Bombardment Group (M) Marker with terminal in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 24, 2014

2. 320th Bombardment Group (M) Marker with terminal in background

markers in Lakeland.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 744 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.