The 497th Bomb Group

    The 497th Bomb Group, Very Heavy (VH), was activated at El Paso Army Airfield, El Paso, Texas, on 20 November 1943. It was relocated Clovis Army Airfield, New Mexico, on 5 December 1943, where personnel buildup and training began.

    The group transferred to Pratt Army Airfield, Pratt, Kansas, in April 1944. Intensive air crew and ground personnel training continued for the long-range mission operations of the new B-29 superfortress. In October 1944, the 497th BG were among the first B-29s deployed to Isley field, Saipan and assigned to the 20th Air Force.

    Major Robert Morgan, fames pilot of the B-17 Memphis Belle, became squadron leader for the 869th Squadron, flying his B-29, Dauntless Dotty. On November 24,1944, Morgan & Wing Commander Brigadier General Emmett O’Donnell Jr., led 111 B-29s on the first mission to Bomb Tokyo since the April 1942 Dolittle raid.

    The 497th Bomb Group flew 85 combat missions from Isley Field, Saipan, which included strategic bombing sorties and wide scale incendiary attacks.

    The group was awarded their first distinguished unit citation for their mission to Musashi-Nakajima aircraft factory, Tokyo, on 27 January, 1945. Their second citation was for strategic attacks on Matsuyama, Ichinomiya and Toyama from 26 July to 2 August, 1945.

    The 497th Bomb Group returned to the United States in November 1945 and was deactivated on 31 March 1946.

Commanders: LtCol. John Veerling - 10 Dec 1943; Col. Karl Treusdell Jr. - 6 Mar 1944; Col. Stuart Wright - 26 Apr 1944; Col. Arnold Johnson - 26 Feb 1945