The 499th Bomb Group

    The 499th Bomb Group, Very Heavy (VH), was activated at Davis-Monthan Army Airfield, Tucson, Arizona, on 20 November 1943, where personnel buildup and training began.

    The group relocated to Smokey hill army airfield, Salina KS, on 13 April, 1933. Intensive crew training at Smokey Hill airfield was directed with specific tasks tailored to the newly assigned B-29 superfortress.

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

    During the Mitsubishi plant attack in Nagoya on 23 January, the group suffered a major counterattack, engaging more than 500 fighter attacks over the target. The group was awarded their first distinguished unit citation for this mission. On 27 January, 1945, over a target west of Tokyo, the group lost one B-29 and another B-29 crash landed at Saipan. Enemy flack and fighters destroyed the B-29. All but the tail gunner, who was dead, bailed out of the plane and upon capture, became prisoners of war until the war ended. The group completed a series of attacks against enemy airfields on Kyushu to aid the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945 and received another distinguished unit citation for this action.

    The 499th Bomb Group flew 79 combat missions from Isley field, Saipan.

    The bomb group was awarded its first distinguished unit citation for a mission to the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya, on 23, January, 1945. Their second distinguished unit citation was awarded for missions to Tomitaka Airfield, Kyushu and additional missions to Tomitaka and Miyazaki airfields from 22 to 28 April, 1945.

    In November 1945, the group returned to the United States and was assigned to March field, California. The group was deactivated on 16 February, 1946.

Commanders: Col. Sam Harris - 4 Apr 1944; Col. Morris Lee - 17 March 1945; Col. Walter Chambers - 13 Aug 1945