389th Strategic Missile Wing
Encyclopedia
The 389th Strategic Missile Wing is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force
. Its last assignment was with the 13th Strategic Missile Division, being stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base
, Wyoming
. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965
During World War II
, its predecessor unit, the 398th Bombardment Group was a VIII Bomber Command
B-24 Liberator
unit in England
. Assigned to RAF Hethel
in early 1943, the group was one of three Eighth Air Force
B-24 groups that took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the Ploesti Mission of 1 August 1943 (AAFRH-3).
For his actions during the Ploesti operation, Second Lieutenant
Lloyd Herbert Hughes
was awarded the Medal of Honor
.
Constituted as 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on December 19, 1942 and activated on December 24. Prepared for duty overseas with B-24's. Moved to RAF Hethel
England, June–July 1943, and assigned to Eighth Air Force
. The 389th was assigned to the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a "Circle-C".
Upon its arrival at Hethel, almost immediately a detachment was sent to Libya
, where it began operations on July 9, 1943. The detachment flew missions to Crete
, Sicily
, Italy
, Austria
, and Romania
. The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the detachment's participation in the famed low-level attack against oil refineries at Ploesti
on August 1, 1943.
For his action during the same operation, Second Lieutenant
Lloyd Herbert Hughes
was awarded the Medal of Honor
. Refusing to turn back although gasoline was streaming from his flak-damaged plane, Lt Hughes flew at low altitude over the blazing target area and bombed the objective. The plane crashed before Hughes could make the forced landing that he attempted after the bomb run.
The detachment returned to England in August and the group flew several missions against airfields in France
and Holland.
The unit deployed again temporarily to Tunisia
during September and October 1943 with the group supporting Allied operations at Salerno and hit targets in Corsica, Italy, and Austria.
Resumed operations from England in October 1943 the group concentrated primarily on strategic objectives in France
, the Low Countries
, and Germany
. Targets included shipbuilding yards at Vegesack, industrial areas of Berlin
, oil facilities at Merseburg
, factories at Münster
, railroad yards at Sangerhausen
, and V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais. The group participated in the intensive air campaign against the German aircraft industry during Big Week
, February 20–25, 1944. Also flew support and interdictory missions on several occasions, bombing gun batteries and airfields in support of the Normandy invasion
in June 1944, striking enemy positions to aid the breakthrough at St Lo in July 1944, hitting storage depots and communications centers during the Battle of the Bulge
(December 1944 – January 1945), and dropping food, ammunition, gasoline, and other supplies to troops participating in the airborne assault across the Rhine
in March 1945.
The 389th Bomb Group flew its last combat mission late in April 1945. It returned to Charleston AAF South Carolina
on May 30, 1945 and was deactivated on September 13, 1945.
established the unit as the 398th Strategic Missile Wing in 1961. The Wing received the honors, lineage and heritage of its like-numbered World War II predecessor group. It conducted strategic missile training operations as directed by SAC. The Wing was placed in readiness during the Cuban Missile Crisis
in November 1962. In May 1964, as the Atlas D missiles were being phased out, the 389th Strategic Missile Wing received SAC’s last operational readiness inspection for this system. In September 1965, SAC deactivated the 389th SMW, completing the phaseout of the Atlas E at Warren.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Its last assignment was with the 13th Strategic Missile Division, being stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base
Francis E. Warren Air Force Base
Francis E. Warren Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately west of Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is one of three strategic missile bases in the United States. It is named in honor of Francis E. Warren....
, Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, its predecessor unit, the 398th Bombardment Group was a VIII Bomber Command
VIII Bomber Command
The VIII Bomber Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit that is better known as the later appellation Eighth Air Force, as was popularized in post-World War II filmsand is frequently called the First Eighth Air Force by its veterans and successors in the services.The command was...
B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
unit in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Assigned to RAF Hethel
RAF Hethel
RAF Hethel is a former World War II airfield used by the US during the Second World War in Norfolk, England situated located 7 miles south west of Norwich.-USAAF use:...
in early 1943, the group was one of three Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
B-24 groups that took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the Ploesti Mission of 1 August 1943 (AAFRH-3).
For his actions during the Ploesti operation, Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
Lloyd Herbert Hughes
Lloyd Herbert Hughes
Lloyd Herbert "Pete" Hughes, Jr., , a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Forces who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Operation Tidal Wave during World War II.-Early life and family:...
was awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
World War II
RAF Hethel
RAF Hethel is a former World War II airfield used by the US during the Second World War in Norfolk, England situated located 7 miles south west of Norwich.-USAAF use:...
England, June–July 1943, and assigned to Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
. The 389th was assigned to the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a "Circle-C".
Upon its arrival at Hethel, almost immediately a detachment was sent to Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, where it began operations on July 9, 1943. The detachment flew missions to Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the detachment's participation in the famed low-level attack against oil refineries at Ploesti
Tidal Wave (1943)
Operation Tidal Wave was an air attack by bombers of the United States Army Air Forces on nine oil refineries around Ploiești, Romania on 1 August 1943, during World War II. It was a strategic bombing mission and part of the "oil campaign" to deny petroleum-based fuel to the Axis...
on August 1, 1943.
For his action during the same operation, Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
Lloyd Herbert Hughes
Lloyd Herbert Hughes
Lloyd Herbert "Pete" Hughes, Jr., , a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Forces who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Operation Tidal Wave during World War II.-Early life and family:...
was awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. Refusing to turn back although gasoline was streaming from his flak-damaged plane, Lt Hughes flew at low altitude over the blazing target area and bombed the objective. The plane crashed before Hughes could make the forced landing that he attempted after the bomb run.
The detachment returned to England in August and the group flew several missions against airfields in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Holland.
The unit deployed again temporarily to Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
during September and October 1943 with the group supporting Allied operations at Salerno and hit targets in Corsica, Italy, and Austria.
Resumed operations from England in October 1943 the group concentrated primarily on strategic objectives in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the Low Countries
Low Countries
The Low Countries are the historical lands around the low-lying delta of the Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers, including the modern countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany....
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Targets included shipbuilding yards at Vegesack, industrial areas of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, oil facilities at Merseburg
Merseburg
Merseburg is a town in the south of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt on the river Saale, approx. 14 km south of Halle . It is the capital of the Saalekreis district. It had a diocese founded by Archbishop Adalbert of Magdeburg....
, factories at Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
, railroad yards at Sangerhausen
Sangerhausen
Sangerhausen is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, capital of the district of Mansfeld-Südharz, without being part of it.It is situated southeast of the Harz, approx. 35 km east of Nordhausen, and 50 km west of Halle...
, and V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais. The group participated in the intensive air campaign against the German aircraft industry during Big Week
Big Week
Between February 20–25, 1944, as part of the European strategic bombing campaign, the United States Strategic Air Forces launched Operation Argument, a series of missions against the Third Reich that became known as Big Week. The planners intended to lure the Luftwaffe into a decisive battle by...
, February 20–25, 1944. Also flew support and interdictory missions on several occasions, bombing gun batteries and airfields in support of the Normandy invasion
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
in June 1944, striking enemy positions to aid the breakthrough at St Lo in July 1944, hitting storage depots and communications centers during the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
(December 1944 – January 1945), and dropping food, ammunition, gasoline, and other supplies to troops participating in the airborne assault across the Rhine
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
in March 1945.
The 389th Bomb Group flew its last combat mission late in April 1945. It returned to Charleston AAF South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
on May 30, 1945 and was deactivated on September 13, 1945.
Cold War
During the Cold War, the Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
established the unit as the 398th Strategic Missile Wing in 1961. The Wing received the honors, lineage and heritage of its like-numbered World War II predecessor group. It conducted strategic missile training operations as directed by SAC. The Wing was placed in readiness during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
in November 1962. In May 1964, as the Atlas D missiles were being phased out, the 389th Strategic Missile Wing received SAC’s last operational readiness inspection for this system. In September 1965, SAC deactivated the 389th SMW, completing the phaseout of the Atlas E at Warren.
Lineage
- Constituted as 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 December 1942
- Activated on 24 December 1942
- Inactivated on 13 September 1945
- Established as 389th Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM-Atlas) and activated on 26 April 1961
- Discontinued and inactivated on 25 March 1965
Assignments
- IV Bomber CommandIV Bomber CommandThe IV Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fourth Air Force, based at San Francisco, California. It was inactivated on 31 March 1944.-Lineage:...
, 24 December 1942-8 June 1943 - 2d Bombardment Wing, 11 June 1943
- Attached to: 201st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing, 11 June-13 September 1943
- 2d Combat Bombardment Wing, 8 January 1944-30 May 1945
- Army Service Forces, 12 June-13 September 1945
- Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, 26 April 1961 - 13th Air (later Strategic Missile) Division, 1 July 1961-25 March 1965
Components
- 564th Bombardment (later Strategic Missile) Squadron (YO), 24 Dec 1942-13 Sep 1945; 1 Jul 1961-25 March 1965; 1 Jul 1961-1 Sep 1964
- 565th Bombardment (later Strategic Missile) Squadron565th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 565th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 389th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-World War II:...
(EE), 24 Dec 1942-13 Sep 1945; 1 Jul 1961-25 March 1965 - 566th Bombardment (later Strategic Missile) Squadron566th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 566th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 389th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-World War II:...
(RR), 24 Dec 1942-13 Sep 1945; 1 Jul 1961-25 March 1965 - 567th Bombardment Squadron567th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 567th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 92d Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 25 June 1965.-World War II:...
(HP), 24 Dec 1942-13 Sep 1945; 1 Jul 1961-25 March 1965
Stations
- Davis-Monthan Field, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, December 24, 1942 - Biggs Field, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, February 1, 1943 - Lowry Field, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, April 19 – June 8, 1943 - RAF HethelRAF HethelRAF Hethel is a former World War II airfield used by the US during the Second World War in Norfolk, England situated located 7 miles south west of Norwich.-USAAF use:...
(USAAF Station 114), EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, June 11, 1943 – May 30, 1945 - Charleston AAF, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, June 12 – September 13, 1945 - Francis E. Warren AFB, WyomingWyomingWyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
, 1 July 1961-25 March 1965
Aircraft and missiles
- Consolidated B-24 Liberator
- General Dynamics SM-65 Atlas Missile