450TH BOMB GROUP (VH) SECOND AIR FORCE HISTORY

REDEPLOYMENT/TRAINING: 1 AUGUST TO 31 AUGUST 1945

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

The administrative framework has now been set up so that Group Headquarters assumes no squadron responsibilities. Those responsibilities which it was found permissible to delegate to the squadrons have been relegated thereto. In this respect, administration is similar to that of a base unit, with Group personnel acting purely in a supervisory capacity.

Squadrons are at present functional charts. The third of September has been set as completion date.

Volume of administrative activity since date of activation has been extremely large. Much of the volume has been due to voluminous correspondence in connection with the 450th Bomb Group (H), of which the 450th Bomb Group (VH) is a continuation following initial redeployment. Additional administrative activity has been caused by the acquisition and subsequent transfer of personnel having too high an Adjusted Service Rating.

On 13 August, the 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing relinquished control of assignment and transfer of personnel to this unit. Since that date, the unit has dealt directly with Second Air Force. 

PERSONNEL

At the start of the month, the Group had 90 officers, 1 warrant officer and 1109 enlisted men at the end of the month, the Group have 105 officers, 1 warrant officer and 999 enlisted men. Authorized strength of the Group is 461 officers, 1 warrant officer and 1618 enlisted men.

Pursuant to direction from Second Air Force 82 enlisted men were transferred to Harvard Army Air Field. Eight enlisted men, who signed required waivers, remained with Group.

At the close of the period the Group had a marked shortage of munitions handlers (MOS 901), light truck drivers (MOS 345), and airplane maintenance technicians (MOS 750). These were the same shortages that were noted during the period covered by the last writing.

The month opened with nearly all personnel filled with an eager expectation of soon being sent overseas. Despite the fact that Harvard Army Air Field was overcrowded, and in general compared unfavorably in many respects with the majority of other air fields (poor transportation to nearby towns heading the list) the greater majority of personnel were resigned to the aforementioned conditions in the realization that stay on the field would be of limited direction. Conditions were soon to present themselves that would quickly dispel such resignation.

On Friday, 10 August 1945, the first official indication that the Japanese would capitulate broke forth upon the world…and to the personnel of the 450th Bomb Group, it brought with it a feeling of fear…fear, anxiously felt, of an unlimited tour of duty as part of an occupational force. Many men in the Group have been in the service at least as long as most of the men now overseas. The majority of such men were often frozen in job or MPOS. Many who had requested combat assignments were told that their time would come, but that now they were necessary in their present station at their present duty. Now it would seem that these very same key, former base-unit personnel whom the 450th was so happy to obtain, would find themselves heavily penalized as a result of a matter over which they had absolutely no control. The men themselves felt this, and it resulted in a feeling of indifference, unrest, and dissatisfaction that grows steadily worse with the passage of time. Consensus of opinion on the matter of discharges based largely on overseas service is that such a basis is decidedly unfair. Many single men have adopted a feeling of resignation to the worst; the married men, with but few exceptions are exceedingly bitter, and strongly opposed to an extended tour of foreign occupational duty.

SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT

One of the major problems that presented itself during this period was to be found in the matter of packing for overseas. In that respect, a delay was encountered due to the failure to receive promptly 960 boxes ordered from Air Technical Command at Oklahoma City. Theses boxes were to have been shipped by Army truck on 18 August 1945. Inquiry revealed that the boxes in question were not hipped until 21 August and were sent by railroad fright rather than by the requested method. To date, these necessary packing boxes have not arrived.

In an attempt to overcome the shortage of packing boxes, shipping crates and waterproof bags were constructed by supply personnel. All such available equipment was utilized during the course of the month.

Forty boxes of morale equipment were packed and shipped on 21 August. These boxes contained electrical supplies, athletic equipment, and similar miscellaneous material. Sixty percent of Air Corps TAT equipment, fifty percent of Quartermaster equipment and 12 crates of Signal TAT equipment were received during the month.

Old TAT equipment brought back by the 450th Bomb Group (H) from the European Theatre of Operations continues to be received at this station. All old TAT weapons which had been received were turned in 29 August 1945. Sufficient Ordnance equipment to supply two squadrons was received during the period. This equipment included carbines, bayonet knives, and machine guns.

No defective equipment was notice on inspection during packing. Supply procedure remained unchanged during the month.

Inadequacy of storeroom space was partially solved by the erection of seven large tents under which supplies were placed. On 30 August, the supply section took over building #626. A former mailroom…but nonetheless, storage facilities as of the end of August continue to be inadequate.

During the clothing processing, the supply section was unable to completely outfit any one man, there being a critical shortage of ponchos, duffel bags, raincoats, and other items. Kansas City Depot was advised of such shortages.

As of 31 August, there remains a great many shortages of critical items. Equipment, however, continues to pour in and the situation is clearing rapidly. Forms 413 are being kept posted to date showing running account of shortage and receipts of T/O & E. 

SPECIAL PROJECTS

A special Medical and Administrative processing project was started 16 August and completed 23 August. This processing was ordered by the Group Commander in view of the probability of early overseas movement.

Ninety-nine percent of enlisted men were administratively processed over the eight day period. A processing line was set up in building 1100, with the following steps.

            1. Group medical officers administered needed immunization inoculations.

            2. Needed dog tags were made by base personnel.

            3. Forms 41 (designation of beneficiary), 43 (emergency addressee), 971 (V-Mail change of address), and 28 (Soldier's Pay Data Book) were checked by Group personnel.

            4. Form 24 was thoroughly checked by Group personnel as to name, rank, serial number, tome lost, furloughs, court partials, Foreign Service, awards and decorations. Class E, F and B allotments, insurance and remarks pertaining to pay status.

            5. Form 20 (Adjusted Service Rating) also was checked by Group personnel.

            6. Form 28-A (Physical Training) was filled out by Group personnel and inserted in 201 file.

            7. Forms 28 (Soldier's Pay Data Book), 41 (Designation of Beneficiary), 43 (Emergency Addressee) and 971 (V-Mail change of address) was checked by base personnel.

            8. Personal Affairs statement was checked by base civilian personnel.

            9. Base personnel saw that persons being processed signed statement that all records check were in 201 file.

            10. In final processing check, each form filled out was checked off against check sheet. The processee then surrendered his 201 file to Group personnel.

All ground officers were processed on 23 August. Particular emphasis was placed on checking MOS, Officers Efficiency Rating From, and Adjusted Service Rating Form.

Rated personnel were processed by base personnel in building 301 on 31 August. Full field equipment was drawn by all Group officers from base quartermaster on 31 August.

Clothing processing started 20 August and continued for balance of month as clothing became available.

Certain difficulties were encountered in administrative and medical processing. There was a shortage of standard War Department AGO forms such as Allotment Forms and Soldier's Pay Data Books., Group Medical Officers exhausted the field's supply of smallpox vaccine. Sufficient vaccine to complete processing was obtained from Hastings Naval Ordnance Depot. Needed forms were flown by air from nearby air fields.

On 10 August, POM inspectors visited the organization.

On 20 August, IG inspectors made an inspection. 

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance has been set up according to Second Air Force Regulations 65-16, which requires men to be assigned in three sections and maintenance control, according to their MOS.

Three B-29's have been assigned by Harvard Army Air Field to the 450th Bomb Group for men to carry on flight line maintenance. All required maintenance and inspections of these planes are being performed by en of the 450th.

In addition to working upon the three assigned planes, men are receiving on-the-job training by working in hangars and on flight line with base personnel.

Men have been assigned to corresponding base sections and work under supervision of base officers who are responsible for training of such personnel.

Section B has assumed charge of one inspection hangar; base personnel operate the second inspection hangar.

Enlisted men who had no B-29 training were sent to a base technical school for training specified by Second Air Force.

COL. ELLSWORTH R. JACOBY

Commanding Officer of the 450th Bomb Group (VH) is Col. Ellsworth R. Jacoby who led the Group while it was in ETO from 17 November 1944 and guided it through the redeployment phase.

Col. Jacoby was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Infantry upon being graduated from US Military Academy 12 June 1939. He transferred to the Air Corps 22 June 1940. Before the outbreak of war, he served as instructor and flight commander at Randolph Field. From 1 November 1941 to 15 March 1943, Col. Jacoby saw duty at Army Flying School at Enid, Oklahoma as Commandant of Cadets, Operations Officer, Squadron Commander and Director of Flying. From 17 May 1943 to 12 November 1943, he was stationed at Will Rogers Field and served as instructor, Executive Officer and Air Inspector in Bomb Groups. Laving Oklahoma City, he served at Muskogee, Oklahoma and Columbia, South Carolina before going overseas in May 1944.

On 14 June 1944, Col. Jacoby joined the 450th Group becoming Commanding Officer of 723rd Squadron. He continued in those duties until 25 September 1944, when he became Deputy Group Commander. On 17 November 1944, he became Group Commander.

Starting out as a 2nd Lt. 12 June 1939, the Colonel was promoted to 1st Lt., 9 September 1940, to Cpt., 1 February 1942, to Major, 17 July 1942, to Lt. Col., 26 July 1944, and reached his present rank 23 February 1945 while heading the 450th in combat. While serving overseas he was awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Col. Jacoby was born 19 October 1914 in Missouri. He attended Wentworth Military Academy 1931-33, University of Missouri 1933-35, obtaining his BS degree I Chemical Engineering, and US Military Academy 1935-39.

LT. COL. WILLIAM A. MCWHORTER

Deputy Commanding Officer of the 450th Bomb Group (VH) is Lt. Col. William A. McWhorter who held the position while the Group was in ETO. Before becoming Deputy Commander 21 November 1944, Col. McWhorter had served as Commanding Officer and Operations Officer of the 722nd Bomb Squadron (H).  Prior to going overseas in early 1944, he had seen duty as pilot instructor and Director of Flying a t Kelly and Maxwell Fields, and later had served as Operations Officer of 609th and 610th Squadrons at Alamogordo and Charleston.

Col. McWhorter was born 11 June 1916 I Dewey, Oklahoma. From 1933 to 1938 he attended Oklahoma A & M and Oklahoma State Teachers College, majoring in engineering and mathematics. Upon completion of flying training, he was commissioned at 2nd Lt. 30 August 1940, was promoted 1st Lt. 1 February 1942, Capt. 8 July 1942, Major 2 July 1943, an reached his present rank 23  August 1944. While serving overseas he was awarded the Silver Star, DFC wit Cluster, Air Medal and Purple Heart.

MAJOR JOHN H. WELLS

Executive Officer of the 450th Bomb Group (VH) is Major John H. Wells, JR. who, from 1 November 1944 served the unit overseas as Group Adjutant. Major Wells is one of the oldest members of the Group in points of service with it, joining the 720th Bomb Squadron in Alamogordo as Adjutant 1 June 1943. He became Executive Officer of the Squadron on 30 August 1944.

Major Wells entered the army 4 June 1941 and was commissioned 16 April 1943 upon completion of OCS. He was promoted to 1st Lt. 9 December 1943, to Captain 7 July 1944, and reached his present rank 17 March 1945. While serving in the ETO, Major Wells was awarded the Bronze Star.

Before entering the army, Major Wells attended the University of Washington and later became manager of the California Curtain Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles. He was born 16 February 1915 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

CAPT. CARTER W. RIEFNER

Adjutant of the 450th Bomb Group (VH) is Capt. Carter W. Riefner who joined the Group upon its redeployment at Harvard Army Air Field. Capt. Riefner assumed his present position after serving three months in the Personnel Processing Section of Second Air Force Headquarters, and serving as Personnel Assignment Officer in Second Air Force Headquarters four months.

Prior to threat assignment, he had seen service as assistant adjutant and adjutant on Harding Field.

Capt. Riefner was born 15 September 1915 in Baltimore, MD. He attended Baltimore City College and Western Maryland College, majoring in Mathematics and History, and obtaining AB and AM degrees. Taking ROTC in college, he was commissioned upon being graduated. He was called to active duty as 2nd Lt. on 7 October 1942. On 3 February 1943, he was promoted to 1st Lt. and on 7 October 1943, to Captain. For three years before entering the army, Captain Reifner was a teacher in Baltimore Schools.

NOTE: 450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (VH) WAS DEACTIVATED ON OCTOBER 15, 1945