Blythe in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
390th Bomb Group (H)
Activated at Blythe Army Air Base
Photographed By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011
1. 390th Bomb Group (H) Marker
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 73.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1943.
Location. 33° 36.823′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured 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); Camp Gaston (approx. 12˝ miles away); Taylor's Ferry (approx. 12˝ miles away); Blythe Intake (approx. 13.9 miles away); Palo Verde Irrigation District Diversion Dam (approx. 14.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map 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
Photographed By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011
2. 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 Elk Grove, California.)
Photographed By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011
3. 390th Bomb Group (H) Marker
Photographed By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011
4. Blythe Airport
Photographed By Michael Kindig, January 13, 2011
5. Blythe Airport
Photographed By Michael Kindig, May 2, 1993
6. Event Patch
ECV - 1069
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,328 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 25, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 6. submitted on August 8, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
