The 498th Bomb Group

    The 498th Bomb Group, Very Heavy (VH), was activated at Biggs Army Airfield, El Paso, Texas, on 20 November, 1943. In early January 1944, the group relocated to Clovis Army Airfield, New Mexico, where personnel buildup and training began.

    In April 1944, the 498th bomb group relocated to Great Bend Army Airfield, Great Bend, Kansas. Intensive crew training at Great Bend Army Airfield was directed with specific tasks tailored to the newly assigned B-29 superfortress.

    Due to a shortage of B-29s, the group was equipped with B-17 flying fortresses already at Great Bend, which were previously used for 58th Bomb Wing training. B-20 nines were assigned as they became available from Boeing.

    In October 1944, they deployed to Isley Field, Sipan and were assigned to 20th Air Force. Combat missions began with strategic bombing raids and incendiary attacks continuing until the Japanese surrender.

    On 3 December, the group struck the Nakajima aircraft plant at Musashino, Tokyo. 3 B-29s were lost that day. T-SQ 10 lost two engines on the same side following intense fighter attacks, then headed toward home 1300 miles away, but was never heard from again.

    The 498th Bomb Group flew 85 combat missions from Isley Field, Saipan.

    The group was awarded its first distinguished unit citation for a mission to the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya on 13 December, 1944. Its second distinguished unit citation was for missions over Osaka and Kobe the first week of June 1945.

    The group returned to the United States and was assigned to March field, California in December, 1945. They were transferred to Macdill Field, Florida in January, 1946 and then deactivated on 4 August, 1946.

Commanders: Col. Wiley Ganey - 14 March, 1944; Col. Donald Saunders - 10 August, 1945