On July 5, 1944, the 319th Bombardment Group along with the squadron commanding officers and the guidon bearers (pictured) stood at attention in a newly bulldozed dirt field in Decimomannu, Sardinia (Italy) before the Commander of the 12th Army Air Force, Major General John K. Cannon, to receive two Distinguished Unit Citations. The citations were awarded for successful rail yard raids in Rome and Florence during “Operation Strangle” in an attempt to disrupt German supply lines. The B-26 Marauder bombings were performed under heavy enemy fire and hazardous weather conditions while remaining highly accurate. For a brief history of the 319th Bomb Group in World War II: http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives/collections/finding-aids/b26/bombgroup-detail.dot?id=1396330
This photograph is one of thousands from the newly completed collection housed in the B-26 Marauder Archives at The University of Akron, Archival Services. The 319th Bombardment Group was the only United States Army Air Force bomb group to fly in all three World War II theaters: the Mediterranean, European, and Pacific. The records of those who flew in the war along with those of the 319th Bombardment Group Reunion Association that was formed in 1974 can be found in the finding aid here:
http://ead.ohiolink.edu/xtf-ead/view?docId=ead/OhAkUAS0062.xml;query=;brand=default
Other B-26 Marauder Archives Available On-line:
http://ead.ohiolink.edu/xtf-ead/search?keyword=B-26+Marauder+Archives
For more information contact Archival Services: archives@uakron.edu