390th Bomb Group (H): Activated at Blythe Army Air Base

Activated at Blythe Army Air Base. Blythe Army Air Base was constructed during 1942 to train heavy bomber crews.

127 officers and men recevied orders in February 1943, to form 4 squadrons of the 390th Bombardment Group (H).

The 390th B-17s joined the 8th Air Force in England and completed 301 bombing missions over Europe--August 1943 to May 1945.

The 390th Group received 2 presidential citations and 6 battle streamers for combat against Nazi targets.

Ground crews maintained 75 aircraft at peak strength. 390th gunners downed 62 Nazi aircraft on one mission, more than any other group, fighter or bomber, and destroyed 377 enemy planes in air combat.

Dedicated May 2, 1993 in Memoriam to 159 390th 10 man crews MIA, and other fallen comrades. They flew, they fought, they gave their lives. A man can do no more for his country.. . This historical marker was erected in 1993 by 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus and Riverside County Board of Supervisors. It is in Blythe in Riverside County California