Boyd Thompson's
 32nd Bomb Squadron, 1942 -1945, Web-Site

 32nd Bomb Squadron, WWII

 Unit Awards and Citations

American War Memorial, Gibraltar

History Learning Site - Operation Torch

History.net - Operation Torch

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32ND BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON
301ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) AAF
APO 520 , US ARMY

 TO : Whom it may concern

 The 32nd Bomb Squadron, 301st Bombardment Group (H) was awarded the following awards for participating in campaigns during the Second World War. All personnel who were listed on the Squadron roster at the times of these campaigns are eligible to receive these Awards and Decorations:

EAME Campaign Ribbon		WD Circular Number 1, 1943
Tunisian Battle Star		Letter NATOUSA dated 23 Dec 1943
Sicilian Battle Star		Letter NATOUSA dated 23 Dec 1943
Presidential Unit Citation Badge		WD GO number 66 dated 15 Aug 1944
1st Oak Leaf cluster to Unit Citation Badge		WD GO number 66 dated 15 Aug 1944
Naples Foggia Battle Star		Letter NATOUSA dated 15 Oct 1944
Rome Arno Battle Star		Letter NATOUSA dated 15 Oct 1944
Southern France Battle Star		Letter NATOUSA dated 18 Oct 1944
Air Offensive over Europe Battle Star		Letter ETOUSA dated 14 Feb 1944
Air Combat Balkans Battle Star		Letter MTOUSA dated 19 April 1945
Northern France Battle Star		Letter ETOUSA dated 21 April 1945
Germany Battle Star		Letter ETOUSA dated 14 April 1945
North Appennines Battle Star		Letter MTOUSA dated 9 May 1945
Po Valley Battle Star		Letter MTOUSA dated 9 May, 1945

 

FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER:

 

s/ IRVING GREENBERG 1st Lt., Air Corps Adjutant

CITATION OF UNITS--Under the provisions of Circular 333, War Department, 1943 and Circular 26, North African Theater of operations, 6, March 1944, the following units are cited for outstanding performances of duty in armed conflict with the enemy: 32 Bomb Squadron, 301st Bombardment Group (H)

 For outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict with the enemy. During the nine months preceding the daring and highly successful attack by this unit on an enemy convoy carrying important supplies for the Axis defenses of Tunisia, the ground and air crews of this unit had become so proficient that when word was received that an earlier attack on an enemy convoy making for Bizerte harbor had failed, this unit serviced planes, loaded bombs, and was airborne and on course two hours after orders were received on 6 April, 1943. All personnel participating fully realized the hazards of this mission since the order called for a mean attack altitude of ten thousand, five hundred feet through a known veritable curtain of anti-aircraft fire from the heavy ground defense, the siebel Ferries rimming the harbor, the convoy itself and the naval escort. They also realized a heavy aerial battle would necessarily follow their low-level invasion of the Bizerte area. Undaunted, they proceeded to the target, driving through the wall of fire thrown up by the enemy ground defense and nearby vessels. The principal merchant vessel of the convoy was blown from the water when direct hits exploded the cargo of munitions. Another merchant vessel of the convoy and a naval escort vessel were seriously damaged by near misses. Despite the intense anti-aircraft fire and numbers of enemy fighters attacking the formation, all crews participating completed a mission that resulted in maximum damage to the enemy. In a running air battle, made more difficult because some of the planes had been damaged by the tremendous force of the explosion of the munitions ship, the group destroyed 8, probably destroyed 3 and damaged 3 enemy fighters. Although riddled by flak and 20 millimeter cannon shells, all aircraft returned safely to base with only 9 members of the entire crew wounded. Because of the high orders of professional skill and devotion to duty of the ground crews, together with the aggressive courage and daring of the air crew, it was possible for this group to strike a decisive and crippling blow at a critical point in the battle for Tunisia, hastening the destruction and defeat of the entire enemy force, thereby reflecting great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

 32ND BOMB SQUADRON of the 301st Bomb Group (H)---For outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict with the enemy on 25 February 1944, thirty-one B-17 type aircraft of this group took off to participate the bombardment of heavily defended enemy aircraft factories and production centers at Regensburg, Germany in one of the first coordinated attacks by Air Forces operating out of different theaters against a target deep in the industrial heart of Germany. Ten aircraft of this group were forced to turn back shortly after take-off, seriously decreasing the fire power and formation strength while enroute to the target. After their rendezvous with other Wing units and without the support of friendly fighter escort, where it was attacked by more than 100 enemy fighters. These were constantly replaced by fresh enemy planes until, when the group reached the target, the total strength of the attackers was estimated at over 200 hostile fighters. Throughout the intense and vicious air battle that took place enroute to the target, the 301st Bomb Group lost 11 aircraft. Five were from the 32nd Bomb Squadron. However, with grim determination and spirit, a highly successful bombing run was made through heavy and intense barrages of enemy anti-aircraft fire, causing grave damage to be inflicted on this vital enemy manufacturing center and aiding materially in its almost complete destruction. Leaving the target area, the formation was again subjected to the fury of vicious enemy fighter attack. Gallantly fighting their way through almost incredible odds, the gunners of this group were credited with the destruction of 31 enemy planes, probably 6 and damage to another three. Of the crews that returned, seven members were wounded, three killed and of the total participants 110 failed to return. By the professional skill and loyalty of the ground crews, together with the conspicuous gallantry, aggressive courage, combat efficiency and devotion to duty of the air crews, the 301st has distinguished itself, thereby reflecting great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.