V Bomber Command

The V Bomber Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit. It was last assigned to Fifth Air Force, based at Irumagawa AB, Japan. It was inactivated on 31 May 1946.

This article is about the American Pacific Bomber Command during World War II. For the British Cold War bomber fleet, see V Bomber.

V Bomber Command
Active1941–1946
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeCommand of tactical aviation
EngagementsSouthwest Pacific Theater
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Brig. Gen. Kenneth Walker (KIA)
Brig. Gen. Howard K. Ramey (MIA)

During World War II the unit initially controlled Fifth Air Force bomber units in the Philippines. It was largely destroyed in the Battle of the Philippines, and withdrew to Australia at the end of December 1941, although elements of some units remained in the Philippines until April 1942. Re-equipped, the command provided command and control authority of Army Air Force bombardment organizations within the Fifth Air Force Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Afterward, served with the occupation force in Japan before being inactivated in 1946.

History

Participated in the defense of the Philippines in December 1941. Late in December the remaining bombers and some men were evacuated to Australia, and in January 1942 they were moved to Java to help delay the Japanese advance in the Netherlands Indies.

The command ceased to function in March 1942 (the AAF bombardment organizations in the Southwest Pacific being under the control of American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) and later Allied Air Forces). Headquarters was remanned in September 1942 and shortly afterward it assumed control of AAF bombardment groups in Australia and New Guinea.

The command served in combat with Fifth Air Force until the end of the war. Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker, who was killed during a mission over Rabaul on 5 January 1943, was awarded the Medal of Honor; he had repeatedly taken part in combat missions and had developed an effective technique for bombing when opposed by enemy interceptors and antiaircraft fire. After the war the command became part of the occupation force for Japan. Inactivated on 31 May 1946. Disbanded on 8 October 1948.[1]

Lineage
  • Constituted as the 5th Bomber Command on 28 October 1941[note 1]
Activated on 14 November 1941
  • Redesignated V Bomber Command c. 18 September 1942
Inactivated on 31 May 1946
Disbanded on 8 October 1948[2]

Assignments

Stations

Units
Wings

*Note; Does not include periods detached to combat wings

Squadrons

See also

References

Notes
Explanatory notes
  1. Maurer indicates that the unit was constituted as the "V" Bomber Command. However, the unit was constituted and activated with an arabic number in its name. The use of roman numerals to designate Army Air Forces combat commands did not begin until September 1942. "Air Force Historical Research Agency Organizational Reconds: Types of USAF Organizations". Air Force History Index. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
Citations
  1. Bell, p. 85
  2. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 442-443
  3. Robertson, Patsy (26 August 2009). "Factsheet Fifth Air Force (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  4. "Factsheet 314 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  5. Robertson, Patsy (26 June 2017). "Factsheet 3 Operations Group (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  6. Robertson, Patsy (27 June 2017). "Factsheet 19 Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  7. Robertson, Patsy (27 June 2017). "Factsheet 22 Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  8. Haulman, Daniel L. (23 July 2019). "Factsheet 27 Special Operations Group (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  9. Robertson, Patsy (19 April 2017). "Factsheet 35 Operations Group (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  10. Beiley, Carl E. (25 August 2017). "Factsheet 43 Air Mobility Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  11. Robertson, Patsy E. (7 July 2017). "Factsheet 49 Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  12. Robertson, Patsy (27 May 2010). "Factsheet 90 Operations Group (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  13. Bailey, Carl E. (27 December 2007). "Factsheet 312 Aeronautical Systems Group (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  14. Bailey, Carl E., Lineage & Honors History of the 494 Air Expeditionary Group (AMC), 28 April 2003, Air Force Historical Research Agancy
  15. Bailey, Carl E. (undated), Lineage and Honors History of the 2 Air Rescue Group, Air Force Historical Research Agency
  16. Musser, James M. (5 August 2019). "Factsheet 563 Rescue Group (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  17. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 48
  18. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 107
  19. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 131
  20. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 288
  21. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 357
  22. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 513
  23. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 650-651

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

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