Hi:
 
I am the historian for the 452d Air Mobility Wing, the successor to the WWII 452nd Bomb Group. We have found a plaque that looks pretty old, but could be a replica. We are thinking of restoring it and placing it in the wing trophy case, and I am looking for any information that might help answer the following questions (I would take a picture and attach it, but I am on duty this weekend and do not have my camera here - I will do it tonight):
 
1. Placque is 12-inch x 6-inch 1/8-inch thin piece of laminated paneling. Don't think the material existed in WWII period, but maybe. Top middle is 452nd metal placard that says "452nd Bomb Group (H)" "8th Air Force" with the USAAF symbol underneath. Small metal nametag-size pieces contain the information discussed below. Does anyone recognize this plaque or the metal pieces on it as something you saw during your service? Maybe on return to the U.S. after the war?
 
2. Plaque claims 250 combat missions for 452nd in ETO. Is this correct?
 
3. Plaque claims 7279 Sorties and 16466 tons of bombs dropped. Is that right?
 
4. Plaque claims 110 aircraft MIA. Is that right?
 
5. Plaque says "E/A Claims" (I assume that means enemy aircraft) 96-45-58. What do those numbers mean? Kills, wounded, and assists?
 
6. Finally, the plaque has one more "nametag" that says D U C Kaltenkirchen. Any idea what that means?
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,

Jim

James P. Stossel
Wing Historian, 452 AMW

Mobile: 760.216.4479
Wing Office (Drill Weekends Only): 951.655.5185

452 AMW/HO
452 Air Mobility Wing / Historian Office
2145 Graeber Street, Bldg 470, Ste 211
March ARB, CA 92518-1

I was able to answer almost all my own questions and found that all the information on the plaque is accurate. Now I am just trying to see if anyone recognizes this plaque and when/where it originated?
 
Thanks,

Jim

James P. Stossel
Wing Historian, 452 AMW

Mobile: 760.216.4479
Wing Office (Drill Weekends Only): 951.655.5185

452 AMW/HO
452 Air Mobility Wing / Historian Office
2145 Graeber Street, Bldg 470, Ste 211
March ARB, CA 92518-1

James ,
#s 2 , 3  , 4 , 5  are Correct
E/A Shot Down: 96 Destroyed , 45 Damaged , 58 Probably Destroyed
DUC - Distinguished Unit Citation for Kaltenkirchen Mission 4/7/45
Also , 2 Medal of Honor Recipients:
Lt. Donald J. Gott 11/9/44
2 Lt. William E. Metzger 11/9/44  
Mike

Mike:
 
Thanks for the help. One of the histories I scanned said kaltenkirchen was a Presidential Unit Citiation. Another said Distinguished Unit Citiation as you did. Wonder which is correct?
 
Jim

The Army citation was established as the Distinguished Unit Citation on 26 February 1942, and received its present name on 3 November 1966. All members of the unit may wear the decoration, whether or not they personally participated in the acts for which the unit was cited. Only those assigned to the unit at the time of the action cited may wear the decoration as a permanent award. For the Army and Air Force, the emblem itself is a solid blue ribbon enclosed in a gold frame. As with other citation decorations, the Army's is in a larger frame that is worn above the right pocket. The Citation is carried on the unit's regimental colours in the form of a blue streamer, four feet long and 2 3/4 inches wide.

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941 (the date of the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of American involvement in World War II). The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross or Navy Cross to an individual.

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

Jim -
WW II Combat Squadrons by Maurer Lists DUC -
From Official Military Records.
Jim - 452d Also won DUC in Korea and
ROK Presidential Unit Citation 1951
Mike
 
 

Thanks for all your help. I am originally from PA as I assume you are from your moniker. The info seems to date this plque at least before 1966!
 
Jim

Thanks for the help Mike. Your info and Dutchman's seem to date this plaque at least before 1966! Someone later than that would probably not have known to call it the DUC, unless they referenced an earlier history.
 
Jim

This is my mother and father on the day they were married in November of 1944. My father is gone now. I went to Zazzle.com and had a sheet of REAL US POSTAGE STAMPS MADE WITH THEIR PHOTO.
 
I tried the other more famous company and they could not make up there mind if there were copyright issues.
 
Being Federally licensed I wrote my state senator and his staff told me to use Zazzle.com. They used Zazzle.com all the time themselves. By the time the other company said NO I had my sheet of US POSTAGE STAMPS  in my hands from Zazzle.com 
 
(I surprised Mom on their anniversary date, she was very happy with them and that I remembered.)

[image]local://upfiles/14753/7C53BF9684AB4FD1A0BD711F475BFD84.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

From the "Missing Planes of the 452 bomb Group"  The Groups was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for mission to Kaltenkirchen. 

Howard Keller (LTC, USA, Ret)

This is a copy of the statement from George Marshall awarding the Presidential Unit Citation to the 42 Sq. of the 11 BG H for their action from July 1942 until November 1942. 

I have another paper where an officers describes what Sgt.s are to wear what medals and my father was the only Sgt in that group able to wear the Presidential Unit Citation. 

This paper includes Sgt.s not serving at Midway and the Solomon Islands during 1942.

[image]local://upfiles/14753/0327D1DFDD1840BC979D28035DB7D276.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

The 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy) was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for Mission # 239.  The wording of the DUC as published: 
 
The 452d Bombardment Group is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy by accurately bombing the tactically important airfield at Kaltenkirchen, Germany, on 7 April 1945.  A sucessful attack on this installation would ground a sizeable force of the enemy’s jet-propelled fighters and reduce the effectiveness of his aerial efforts to harass Allied ground forces at a crucial time.  Although under considerable pressure after having seviced 23 combat missions during the preceding 30-day period, the ground crews worked diligently and enthusiastically all night to insure mechanical perfection of their aircraft and the success of this tactically important mission.  On the morning of the attack, thirty-eight B-17a type aircraft carring niney-five and one / half tons of general purpose bombs took off on this mission, involving a round trip of one thousand and one miles and of approximately seven and three / quarters hours duration.  Enroute to the target, harassing antiaircraft fire was encountered at Louenburg, Germany.  At 1242 hours in teh Steinhuder Lake area, the Group was subjected to sharp enemy fighter attackes.  Approximately 40 to 50 mixed ME-109s, FW-190s and ME-262s, taking full advantage of cloud cover, contrails, and sun position, initiated a series of continuous, aggressive, and fanatical attacks upon the bombers.  Desperation on the part of the enemy was evidenced by the closeness and utter abandon with which they pressed their attacks through a vertiable wall of steel poured forth from the bomber formation.  Enemy tactics were thrown to the wind and attacks were made from all clock positions.  Two B-17s were rammed by FW-190s.  This all-out effort to annihilate the Group lasted 40 minutes and continued even while the Group was on the bombing run.  Three fortresses were lost and thirteen suffered battle damage before the Group reached the target.  A fouth B-17 went down after the targe as a result of damage inflicted during the attack.  During the fierce aerial battle, the gallant crews maintained perfect formation under superior leadership and valiantly repulsed the aggressors, inflicting severe losses.  The gunners of the Group accounded for 13 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 probably destoryed, and 6 damaaged.  Without once wavering from its primary duty to destroy an enemy objective, the Group made a highly successful bombing run over a five / tenths undercast.  Thirty-five aircraft unleashed unleashed eighty-eight tons of bombs on the assigned target with devassting results.  The officers and enlisted men of the 452nd Bombardment Group (H) displayed extraordinary heroism, vigorous determination, and unwavering devotion to duty above and beyond that of all other units participating in the same operation.  There noteworthy accomplishments constitute an invaluable contribution to the war effort of the United States and reflect the higst credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.  (General Orders 1173, headquarters 3rd Air Division, 27 June 1945)
 
By order of the Secretary of War:
 
Offical:
 
EDWARD F. WISELL       Dwight E. Eisenhower Major General               Chief of Staff
The Adjutant General

Howard Keller (LTC, USA, Ret)