BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE 507th FIGHTER GROUP

The 507th Fighter Group was organized in Bruning, Nebraska, in 1944. On December 12, 1944, the 507th was shipped to Dalhart AAF, Dalhart, Texas. There they received intensive training in preparation for assignment to the Pacific Theatre. For four months they received combat training for long-range escort, strafing, and dive-bombing. The 507th Fighter group had three casualties during training: Second Lt. Glenn W. Dexler, Second Lt. Alden L. Kaylor, and Flight Officer Jack F. Anderson. Following months of delays, the 507th arrived on Ie Shima on June 28,1945 from Saipan/Tinian. The 507th flew from Tinian to Saipan on June 27th so as to have a long runway for the fuel load needed to get to Ie Shima.

The 507th Fighter Group had ninety-five P-47s and 150 pilots. Between flying their first combat mission on July 1st and war's end on August 15th, the pilots logged over 8700 combat hours. They destroyed thirty-eight aircraft in the air, fired over 600,000 rounds of 50-caliber ammunition, dropped more than 480,000 pounds of CP bombs, 70,000 gallons of napalm firebombs and consumed a million gallons of gasoline.

During these forty-six days of combat, the 507th flew forty-six missions: 1492 sorties, 367 bomber escorts, 178 photo escorts, and 115 dumbo escorts. The group also flew 351 dive bombing sorties, 254 napalm firebomb sorties and 135 fighter sweeps. Pilots averaged 55.8 combat hours and 9 1/2 completed sorties.

The names of those in the 507th Fighter Group who made the ultimate sacrifice are: First Lt. George W. Bradley, Second Lt. Willis E. Bean, Capt. Lanham C. Connally, First Lt. Walter R. Frederick, Second Lt. Earl G. Graham, Flight Officer Paul Lynn, Flight Officer Joseph B. Lawhon, Flight Officer Neal T. McGinnis, First Lt. Frank W. Mrneck, and First Lt. John R. Ranger.

The 507th Fighter Group was awarded the Asiatic - Pacific ribbon with three battle stars -China Offensive, Ryukus Campaign and the Air Offensive Japan Campaign. The 507th also received the Presidential Unit Citation. Many of their pilots received the Air Medal.

In 1993 the 507th Group was deactivated.

Last updated March 4, 2003
For Further Information Contact: Bill Reynolds kb4ar@earthlink.net

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• REMINISCENCES OF A WORLD WAR II NAVIGATOR

• TWO MEMORIES OF EVENTS IN THE PACIFIC NEAR THE END OF WWII

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