483rd Bombardment Group

Constituted as 483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943 and activated on 20 Sep. Trained with B-17s. Moved to Italy, Mar-Apr 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF. Began operations in Apr 1944 and served in combat until late in Apr 1945, hitting such targets as factories, oil refineries, marshalling yards, storage areas, airdromes, bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Received a DUC for action on 18 Jul 1944 when, without fighter escort, the group engaged numerous enemy aircraft in the target area and also bombed the objective, an airdrome and installations at Memmingen.

Struck targets in southern France in preparation for the invasion in Aug 1944. Operated in support of ground force in northern Italy during the Allied offensive in Apr 1945. After V-E Day, transported personnel from Italy to North Africa for movement to the US. Inactivated in Italy on 25 Sep 1945.

Squadrons

815th: 1943-1945
816th: 1943-1945
817th: 1943-1945
840th (formerly 818th): 1943-1945

Stations

Ephrata AAB, Wash, 20 Sep 1943
MacDill Field, Fla, 7 Nov 1943-2 Mar 1944
Tortorella, Italy, 30 Mar 1944
Sterparone Airfield, Italy, 22 Apr 1944
Pisa, Italy 15 May-25 Sep 1945

Commanders

Col Paul L Barton, c. 26 Sep 1943
Col Joseph B Stanley, 8 May-c. Sep 1945

Campaigns

Air Combat, EAME Theater
Air Offensive, Europe
Rome-Arno
Normandy
Northern France
Southern France
North Apennines
Rhineland
Central Europe
Po Valley

Decorations

Distinguished Unit Citations:
Germany, 18 Jul 1944
Germany, 24 Mar 1945

Insigne. Shield: Azure (sky blue), a sphere encircled with an orbit all or, latitude and longitude lines azure (deep blue), over the sphere a hand proper supporting a parachute proper, an aircraft proper, and artillery proper; encircling the upper section of the sphere, three clouds proper and an increscent moon and four stars of the second color; on a chief of the third, thirteen stars argent, the chief fimbriated or. Motto: Effective Airlift Support. (Approved 2 Feb 1956.)

Missing Air Crew Reports

Missing Air Crew Reports also known as MACRs are reports of US aircraft that went down, via enemy action or mechanical issues, behind enemy lines. These reports detailed the aircraft and crew along with their disposition; there were statements and eyewitness reports if available describing what they saw. The majority of these reports were completed in the years following the conclusion of World War II. This was so that the survivors who had become prisoners of war could provide statements of the events of that day. These reports differ from accident reports in that those documented aircraft that crashed on take off or landing; these events happened on allied lines.

DONATE

Do you have WWII memorabilia that you are not sure what to do with it? The children don't want it? Then let us help you preserve this history by donating these items to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. We are accepting donations in the form of uniforms, medals, ribbons, patches, photos, memorabilia, papers, gear and equipment. We also accept monetary donations to support our operations and long term plans. This website is part of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, and as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, your qualifying donations are tax deductible.

Monetary Donation

Read about how we need your support and use donations

Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms and gear of the 15th Air Force in World War II as well as other units and commands. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material.