R E S T R I C T E D

HEADQUARTERS

FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE

APO        520

C-UPD-bmr

7 June 1944

GENERAL ORDERS )

NUMBER          896 )

Citation of Units .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    I

SECTION I -- CITATION OF UNITS

          Under the provisions of Circular No. 333, War Department 1943, and Circular No. 26, Headquarters North African Theatre of Operations, 6 March 1944, the following units are cited for outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict with the enemy:

99TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H).     For outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict with the enemy on 5 July 1943.  When it was necessary to neutralize Sicilian based fighters immediately prior to the invasion, the 99th Bombardment Group was called on to furnish twenty-four (24) B-17 type aircraft to attack with fragmentation bombs and destroy enemy fighters and installations on the south half of the main airfield at Gerbini. As twenty-seven (27) B-17s of the 99th Bombardment Group neared the target, they were attacked by an estimated one hundred (100) enemy aircraft consisting of ME-109s, FW-190s, and Macchi 202s, which made persistent aggressive and determined attacks from all angles, singly and in groups, in a furious attempt to break up the bomber formation. Returning the fire with devastating effect, the 99th Bombardment Group successfully penetrated the enemy defenses and dropped three-thousand, two-hundred and forty (3,240) fragmentation bombs, covering the assigned target so completely that twenty (20) out of twenty-eight (28) enemy fighters on the ground were destroyed and many installations including hangers, fuel supplies, and ammunition dumps were severely damaged. During the battle with enemy fighters in the air which continued before, during, and after the bombing run, the Fortresses of the 99th Bombardment Group took a terrific toll of the enemy planes. Official approved claims consisted of thirty-eight (38) fighters destroyed, eleven (11) probably destroyed and one (1) damaged against the loss of three (3) bombers. The destruction of seventy (70) enemy fighters by this group in a single mission was a serious blow to the defenses of Sicily, and played a major part in setting the stage for the invasion five (5) days later. By the courage, heroism, and determination of the aircrews, together with the professional skill and devotion to duty of the ground personnel, the officers and men of the 99th Bombardment Group have reflected great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.  

By command of Major General TWINNING:

 R.K. TAYLOR,  Colonel, GSC,  Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL:

                       /s/  J.  M.  Ivins

                       /t/  J.  M.  IVINS,  Colonel, AGD,  Adjutant General

                                                                                            A TRUE COPY:    /s/  N.  M.  Scarborough

R E S T R I C T E D

HEADQUARTERS

FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE

APO        520

C-UPD-bmr

22 October 1944

GENERAL ORDERS )

NUMBER         4095 )

Citation of Unit .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    I

SECTION I -- CITATION OF UNIT

          Under the provisions of Circular No. 333, War Department 1943, and Circular No. 89, Headquarters NATOUSA, 10 July 1944, the following unit is cited for outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict with the enemy:

          99TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP.  For outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict with the enemy. On 22 April 1944, the Group was notified to prepare maximum aircraft for a bombing mission against the Weiner-Neustadt Aircraft Factory in Austria. The primary objective of the mission was to destroy the Fluggen Fabrick Work I portion of the plant and a successful completion of the mission would seriously cripple the Axis aircraft production which was needed vitally to supplement the dwindling strength of the enemy air force. Prior to the attack, the ground crews worked tirelessly and with grim determination to have their aircraft at the peak of mechanical perfection to insure the successful completion of this important operation. On April 23, 1944, Thirty-six (36) B-17 type aircraft, heavily loaded with maximum bomb tonnage, took off, and, assuming the lead of their Wing formation, set course for the objective. Approaching the target, the Group was attacked by approximately twenty-five (25) highly aggressive single and twin engine enemy fighters, which, firing rockets, cannon, and machine guns, made desperate efforts to break up and destroy the bomber formation. Despite this heavy opposition, together with intense, accurate, and heavy anti-aircraft fire from approximately one hundred (100) guns encountered over the target, displaying outstanding courage and determination, the gallant crews battled their way through the enemy fire, bringing their damaged aircraft over the target for a highly successful bombing run. Despite the overwhelming odds against them, they maintained a compact formation dropping their bombs in a well concentrated pattern in the immediate target area, scoring numerous direct hits, and destroying many buildings. Five (5) enemy fighters were destroyed and three (3) damaged on the ground. Although thirty-one (31) of the Group's bombers were riddled with flak and bullet holes, all ships returned safely to base. Through their bombing accuracy the enemy was delt an irreparable blow, further crippling his single engine fighter production at a most critical period. By the conspicuous gallantry, determination, and airmanship of the combat crews, together with the superior technical skill and devotion to duty of the ground personnel, the 99th Bombardment Group has upheld the highest traditions of Military Service, thereby reflecting great credit upon itself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

By command of Major General TWINNING:

 R.K. TAYLOR,  Colonel, GSC,  Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL:

                       /s/  J.  M.  Ivins

                       /t/  J.  M.  IVINS,  Colonel, AGD,  Adjutant General

                                                                                            A TRUE COPY:    /s/  N.  M.  Scarborough

R E S T R I C T E D

FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE

Office of the Commanding General

A.P.O.  520

A:NFT:erb

201.22

SUBJECT:     Commendation

TO           :     Commanding Officer, 99th Bombardment Group

          On April 23 the 99th Bombardment Group of the Fifteenth Air Force in its attack on Works No. 1 of the Wiener-Neustadt ME-109 Complex carried out a most highly successful bombing operation resulting in great destruction to this, the number one priority target.

          For the high order of leadership exhibited by the Group Commander, Colonel Ford Lauer, and for the excellence of the bombing and formation flying, as evidenced by the accurate and concentrated bombing pattern in the target, the 99th Bombardment Group is highly commended on this outstanding performance.

/s/ N.  F.  Twinning

/t/ N.  F.  Twinning

Major General, USA Commanding

R E S T R I C T E D

HEADQUARTERS

NINETY NINTH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) ARMY AIR FORCES

Office of the Group Commander

APO 520,

9 April 1944

330.13

COMMENDATION

TO:     All Concerned.

          1.     The following message received from Fifth Wing (US) is quoted below for your information:

                  "Received from Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force:  'It is with justifiable pride that I pass to all echelons of the Strategic Air Force the well deserved praise of Generals Arnold, Spaatz, Eaker, and Wilson.

                  General Arnold:  'Excellent results attained on the Budapest and Steyr raids. To all units of Strategic Air Force please convey my commendation.'

                  General Spaatz:   'Most significant have been the operations of the Strategic Air Force so far this month. To general Arnold's commendation I add mine. Have bet with friends that Fifteenth will drop higher tonnage of bombs than Eighth for month of April.'

                  General Eaker:   'Attacks on Ploesti Marshalling Yards one of best efforts of Fifteenth Air Force. I doubt if any Air Force has ever made a better attack against a similar target (all attacks have been successful). To your combat leaders and Groups my personal congratulations for the great work they have accomplished this month. As to bet, I will as usual do my best to save your money.'

                  General Wilson:   'To Strategic Air Force on the splendid, repeat splendid bombing of Budapest my congratulations.'

                  It is my personal desire that every individual in the Strategic Air Force have the opportunity to hear and see these words of praise. My money is on the home team too."       LAWRENCE

                  By order of Lieutenant Colonel LAUER:

/s/ JOHN A. SAROSY,

Captain, Air Corps,

Adjutant

1

R  E  S  T  R  I  C  T  E  D

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH WING (US)

APO                                         520

A:CWL/wwb

13 May 1944

SUBJECT:     Commendation.

TO           :     Commanding Officer,   2nd Bomb Group, APO 520, U.S. Army.

                     Commanding Officer,  97th Bomb Group, APO 520, U.S. Army.

                     Commanding Officer,  99th Bomb Group, APO 520, U.S. Army.

                     Commanding Officer, 301st Bomb Group, APO 520, U.S. Army.

                     Commanding Officer, 463rd Bomb Group, APO 520, U.S. Army.

                     Commanding Officer, 483rd Bomb Group, APO 520, U.S. Army.

          1.  During the present shortage of combat aircraft it has been imperative that maintenance be pushed to the utmost in order that the full force of this Wing could be thrown against the enemy.

          2.  The performance of the officers and men in your maintenance sections has been outstanding. Especially noticeable has been the speed of bringing battle damaged aircraft back to an operational status.

          3.  I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent results your men have attained. By their untiring efforts and their devotion to duty, they are contributing greatly to our ever increasing air offensive.

/s/ C. W. Lawrence,

Colonel, Air Corps,

Commanding

-  1  -

R  E  S  T  R  I  C  T  E  D

U.S. RESTRICTED

(Equals British RESTRICTED)

HEADQUARTERS

XII AIR FORCE TRAINING & REPLACEMENT COMMAND

APO 762, U.S. Army

SO 25                                                                                                                                                        7 Feb 1944

          1.  M/Sgt CARROL W MATTSON 17012676 Hq XII AF Tng & Repl Comd is placed on TD for a pd not to exceed three (3) days at 19th Repl Bn and WP thereto on 8 Feb 1944 via mil ap or rail RUAT to Cryptographic Security Officer. CTRS

          2.  1st Lt RICHARD W BALLINGER 0854393 AC Hq XII AF Tng & Repl Comd is placed on TD for a period not to exceed four (4) days at AAFSC/MTO and NATOUSA and WP thereto o/a 8 Feb 1944 via mil ap and/or rail RUAT to CG's on A-4 activities. CTRS

          3.  So much of par 1 SO 22 this Hq cs, as regards placing Pfc WILLIAM G STALKER 32250503 on DS with Special MP Bn is rescinded.

          4.  Ltr O this Hq 5 Feb 1944 relieving Lt Col FORD J LAUER 017048 AC from asgmt and duty this Hq and assigning O to Hq Fifteenth AF for duty with 5th Wing are confirmed. (Auth: Radio J 1906 Hq Twelfth AF)

          5.  Capt ALLEN P ROSE 01000281 AGD this Hq is detailed Post Exchange-Liaison Officer in addition to his other duties.

               By command of Brig Gen GRAVELY

                                                                                                         CHARLES A PIDDOCK, Col AC, Actg C of S

OFFICIAL:

                      HERBERT A LINDLE, Lt Col AGD, Adjutant General

DISTRIBUTION:

                                "B" plus,   3-Ea O,   2-Ea EM,   2-CG Fifteenth AF,   2-CG 5th Bomb Wing

U.S. RESTRICTED

(Equals British RESTRICTED)

C O N F I D E N T A L

FJL/mcs

HEADQUARTERS

NINETY NINTH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) ARMY AIR FORCES

Office of the Group Commander

APO 520,

14 June 1944

330.13

SUBJECT:     Commendation.

TO           :     Commanding Officers, All Units This Command, Post.

          1.     The following teletypes received from Headquarters Fifth Wing (US) are quoted below for your information:

FROM FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE QUOTE PARAPHRASE FOLLOWING OF MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM COMMANDING GENERAL, EASTERN COMMAND:  THIS COMMAND WISHES TO COMMEND THE COMBAT CREWS OF THE FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE TASK FORCE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY PERFORMED THEIR TASKS AND CONDUCTED THEMSELVES. THE DEPORTMENT, DISCIPLINE, AND APPEARANCE OF BOTH AIR AND GROUND PERSONNEL CREATED A MARKED IMPRESSION UPON OUR ALLIES. IT IS EVIDENT WHY THIS UNIT WAS SELECTED TO PERFORM THE CRITICAL FIRST MISSION OF THIS PROJECT UNQUOTE. BY THE EXCELLENT MANNER IN WHICH THIS MISSION WAS CARRIED OUT, EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL OF THE TASK FORCE HAS PERFORMED AN OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY. IT IS DESIRED THAT THIS COMMUNICATION BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL UNITS PARTICIPATING PD UNQUOTE

LAWRENCE

FROM FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE QUOTE THE FOLLOWING IS A PARAPHRASE OF A MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM COMMANDING GENERAL ARMY AIR FORCES MEDITERRANEAN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS QUOTE FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE TASK FORCE CARRIED OUT THE FIRST SHUTTLE MISSION TO RUSSIA AND RETURN WITH OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. I WAS PARTICULARLY HAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR PERSONNEL WHILE ON RUSSIAN BASES WHERE THEIR CONDUCT WAS A MODEL IN ALL RESPECTS. IT DID MUCH TO PROMOTE FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN AND AMERICAN PEOPLES AND HELPED TO IMPRESS THE RUSSIAN OFFICIALS WITH THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR HEAVY BOMBER AND LONG RANGE FIGHTER UNITS. I PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE EXECUTION OF TWO MISSIONS PD THE FORMATIONS FLOWN, THE ACCURACY OF THE BOMBING, AND THE GROUND AND AIR DISCIPLINE GAVE AMPLE DEMONSTRATION OF THE FACT THAT THE PARTICIPATING UNITS CONSTITUTED VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS OF GREAT EFFICIENCY. CONVEY PLEASE TO THE TASK FORCE COMMANDER, THE GROUP LEADERS AND ALL AIR AND GROUND PERSONNEL MY COMMENDATION FOR THEIR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AND THE PERSONAL PLEASURE I EXPERIENCED IN OBSERVING THEIR OUTSTANDING EXECUTION OF DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENTS UNQUOTE. (PARAGRAPH) I WISH TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE TASK FORCE FOR THEIR SPLENDID ACCOMPLISHMENT. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE TO ALL PARTICIPATING PERSONNEL PD UNQUOTE

LAWRENCE

          2.     I desire to express to all my sincere appreciation and commendation for a job well done. Request the above messages be brought to the attention of all participating personnel.

/s/ FORD J. LAUER,

Colonel, A. C.,

Commanding

C O N F I D E N T I A L

U S   R E S T R I C T E D

(Equals British RESTRICTED)

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH WING   (US)

APO                                                    520

(G-hbi)

14 February 1944

SPECIAL ORDERS  )

NUMBER            33 )

          1.  Lt Col FORD J LAUER O-17048, AC, having been asgd to this command per par 7, SO #43, Hq, 15th AF, dd 12 Feb 1944, is further asgd to the 99th Bomb Group (H). Perm change of station. No travel involved.

          2.  S/Sgt Howard W. Slider, 14026238, 1st Fighter Group, is placed on DS with 6649th Navigational Aids Sq (Prov) for a period not to exceed 30 days, WP, MEMT, to join RUAT to CO for duty. Upon completion of DS he will return to his proper orgn. TDN. 1-5600 P432-02 A0425-24.   (Auth:   VOCG, 15th A.F.)

          3.  Cpl Horace W. Studdard, 37104 183,  having been asgd to this command per Par 33, SO #32, Hq, 22nd Repl Bn Pers Repl Center No. 7-C, dd 11 Feb 1944, is further asgd in grade to 97th Bomb Group (H). Permanent change of station. No travel involved.

          4.  The following named AC Officers, having been asgd to this Command per Par 6, SO #40, Hq 15th AF, dd 9 Feb 1944, are further asgd to orgns as indicated. Permanent change of station. No travel involved.

Asgd to 97th Bomb Group (H)

Capt ROBERT M. ANSTINE,  O-660229                                       1st Lt TILLMAN A. KINGSBURY,  O-725745

Capt JACK W. HOWARD,      O-725730                                        1st Lt MELVIN S. WEIL JR.,           O-659425

2nd Lt JAMES H. PARR,  O-667099

          5.