The 376th Heavy Bombardment Group
To perpetuate the name, history, comradeship, memories and deeds of the living and the heroic dead of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group and its predecessor units.
The 376th Heavy Bombardment Group (HBG) began with an original cadre of 231 men and 23 B-24 Liberators. Crammed with all of the repair equipment their bomb bays could hold, they left the United States in 3 separate flights of 8, 8, and 7 planes. It was May of 1942, six months after Pearl Harbor.
Assigned the code name, HALPRO, the unit was originally destined to fly missions against the Japanese home islands. Fate would work against them - the Japanese pushed the Chinese bases out of bomber range, the Doolittle raiders completed their attack, and, more importantly, Rommel's Afrika Corps was seriously threatening Egypt and the Middle Eastern oilfields.
HALPRO was ordered to stay in North Africa. Their first mission was flown on June 12, 1942 against the Ploesti oilfields, a target destined to become a major target for the 15th Air Force.
They were joined in July by 10 B-17s, which were transferred from their bases in India. Together, they joined the fight against Rommel and the Afrika Corps.
In August, these two units were merged into the 1st Provisional Bombardment Group. In November, the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group was formed. By the end of the year, the B-17s were withdrawn for badly needed repairs. They never rejoined the Group.
Nicknamed the Liberandos, the Group continued to operate from bases in North Africa. As the Afrika Corps slowly withdrew to the west, their bases slowly moved west.
The Group continued to operate as a B-24 unit until it was re-deployed to the United States in April 1945. It operated as part of the 9th, 12th, and 15th Air Forces.
The Group was credited with flying 451 missions, was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations and earned 15 Campaign Awards. Aircrews destroyed 220 enemy aircraft in aerial combat at a cost of 1479 officers and enlisted men and 169 aircraft.
Have A Great Story About One of Our Veterans?
Write about him here!
Do you have a great story about him? Share it!
Other Stories about our Veterans
Click below to see other stories from other visitors to this page...
Kenneth Lord Stumpf 
This is more of a question. I am trying to find information about my wife's grandfather Kenneth Lord Stumpf. He was a gunner on aircraft #45 (B-24D) and …
Walter F. Winfield
Hello, Colleen.
Thank you so much for preserving the history of the 376th. This site helped helped me to connect with so many details from his service …
Louie Barineau
Our local museum in Havana, Florida is currently in the process of making a documentary film on the contributions to the WW II effort made by members of …
Dan Delaney
Bombardier 2nd Lt Dan Delaney's B24 mission log mostly from San Pancrazio, Italy
George A “Speedball” Uhrich
George A. Uhrich
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 1
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Division: Middle East Air Force …
George A “Speedball” Uhrich
George A “Speedball” Uhrich headstone
George A. 'Speedball' Uhrich
George Uhrich was my great uncle.
While I was growing up he rarely talked about his experience. One detail I recall however was how he was able to …
1st LT William Paul Elbel
I do not have a story other than he was killed on Dec 6, 1944 during a mission to Hungary. Bill was my uncle. Does anybody know anything about him?
Loius J. Durante 12164388 376 BG
B-24 crashed in Morocco on rocky terrain When both engines on one side failed pilot ordered crew to parachute. Durante disobeyed orders. Stayed with pilot …
Albin Wasikiewicz
Sgt. Motor pool. He was in Africa and Italy
Maj. James O. Umphries, Ret
My father was a B24 pilot a 2nd Lt. He used to like to say he completed 12 1/2 missions. He was reluctant to speak of his war experiences until much later …
1Lt. Robert P. "Bud" Hoeppner, 513th BS, 7/44 - 4/45, 51 MSN
My Uncle Bud...;flew West on 30 May 2019 at the age of 99.
He was a Bombadire with the 513th. I did not see his name on the 513th's roster but I have …
Mark Frieder Hill
My father, Mark F. Hill, was a B-24 navigator in the Army Air Corps 376 Heavy Bomber Group, 513 squadron. He enlisted January 23, 1941, at the age of …
John T. Palmer, Jr. 515th
Staff Sergeant John T. Palmer, Jr. Army Air Corps, 15th Air Force, 376th Heavy Bombardment Group, 515th Bomb Squadron, 13 October 1942 - 24 September 1945. …
Samuel F. Astorino
My uncle Sam was born in Spokane, WA on September 2, 1917. When he was 13 years old the family moved to Carnegie, PA. His mother died when he was very …
Lane Miller Crew, 376 Bomb Group, 513 Squadron
I am Arlyn Dain's daughter Lori. I have the photo posted on this groups site with all identified. I received it from Ed Zook prior to his passing.
…
Lt Col. Harry L. Hines USAF Retired
The story as told by my father was that the Lady Be Good (LBG) circled the base while on its last flight. The crew was sending radio messages requesting …
Major John J Strusowski
John Struswoski was my grandfather and unfortunately did not share much about his service with me. I am interested in learning more about his time and …
William Edward Bordine
My dad was in the 376 group during the war. He flew in 50 missions and was a tail gunner. I would like to find out which lanes he flew in and find pictures …
Julius P.Lewis ,the navigator of the Black Maria II
Dear Sirs, my name is Gerardo Ciccone, I am Italian and I am 55 years old. I'd like to briefly explane the reason of this mail.
When I was 9 years old, …
Leroy Walter Clark, Jr.
Leroy was from Preston, OK. He was very active in H.S. Played basketball, baseball, in class play. Graduated in May 1941. Enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corp …
Charles William Coomer
My Grandfather was a true "Real Mechanic" and part time gunner on a B-24 with the 376th bomb group. He was shot down on his 46th mission in WWII (he did …
Wm. P. (Willard) Manz
The air crews list has no known photos of the Sawyer crew. Although not the traditional, formal crew photo, I have some partial crew photos taken on leave …
Arthur Tinetti
I was a Navigator in the 376th bomb group from July 4th to December 3, 1944. about mid way through our crew were scheduled for a mission this date. As …
2nd Lt Phillip R. Scott (pilot)
Two engines on his plane damaged by flak on Jan. 1945 mission over Linz, Austria. Had to ditch in the Adriatic near Croatia...Plane broke in half and …
William L Welch
I was in the 514th from Nov 44 until they backin 45. Ifinished up in the 456th up north. Flew 28 missions. My picture is on the 376th site. Had lots of …
John Byron McRae
I do not have a story about John McRae because he was the father I never knew. I am looking for any and all information I can find about him. Somebody …
Henry M. Showalter
My grandfather was on a B-24 shot down over Italy . Thanks to this website I found which plane(42-40110 Pink Lady - shot down July 16), and crew (513th …
James Benshoff
I'm just submitting more pictures I have of Benshoff's crew.
Morris Albert Cannon
Morris A. (Moe) Cannon was my Father. I decided on this Fathers Day to look up more information on my Dad's war experience. He was part of the HALPRO …
Frank M. Wyckoff
I first met Mr. Wyckoff in the spring of 1967. He was working as an engineer for Boeing in Seattle.
He, his wife Charlotte, and children Frank Jr. …
Willis Fuller
Captain Willis Fuller flew his B-24 Liberator out of San Pancrazio, Italy. Nicknamed "Lil' Pud" for his little four year old daughter, the plane was brand …
John R. Woodruff
The following narrative and accompanying pictures are submitted by the Woodruff family.
From Staff Sergeant John R. Woodruff’s diary we read this account …
Arthur Russell Pyne T/SGT
Tail gunner with Frank Rimerman crew. Shot down over Rumania on a bombing mission over the Ploesti oil field. Bailed out and landed with Germans waiting …
Isaac L.Falkner
My father (Isaac Falkner) was the armorer/ball turret gunner on
Dwight Stauffer's crew in the 514th squadron. Evidently he would
develop a little tunnel …
Berwyn F. Nicholas
Berwyn F. Nicholas
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
515th Bomber Squadron, 376th Bomber Group, Heavy
This is my great grandfather. I never really …
Gerald Irion
My Uncle Gerald Irion from Unionville, MI almost never talked about his days in service to his children, but did frequently to his best friend, Joseph …
James R. Gill
My name is Diana Gill, the daughter in law of James R. Gill a navigator who was part of the 15th Air Force. 376th Heavy Bombardment Group. 515 Squadron …
S-SGT Weido Chipoletti 515th James P. Bishop Crew
S-SGT Weido Chipoletti 376th Heavy Bombardment Gp., 515th Squadron James P. Bishop Crew.
S-SGT Weido Chipoletti was the nose turret gunner with the …
Alfred W. Young, Jr. - Just Another Day at the Office
My father, Alfred W. Young, Jr., flew his 19th combat sortie as the radio operator/gunner with the Lt. Marv Ehrenberg crew. He made a record of …
SSGT JAMES WALTER WILEY
My Dad flew 50 missions over enemy territory during World War II. While flying over Pulaski, Rumania on April 4, 1944, he was wounded with shrapnel in …
James Walter Wiley
On one mission we took off at 2AM with Byfield Gordon as our pilot. We had been told this was a suicide mission and we may not return. The Germans were …
William R. Davis
Aircraft No. 83 Pleasure Bent
Update on James P. Bishop crew. B-24J #83 "Pleasure Bent" Shot up over Vienna and ditched in the Adriatic Sea 10/17/1944. …
Mark Mooty
Mark was my father-in-law. He was studying to be a doctor at the University of Florida when he dropped out to go into the Air Force to become a B-24 pilot. …
2nd LT. Roy Arthur Accola
Roy Arthur Accola was born 04-13-1919 and grew up on a farm East of Greeley Colorado.
He joined the Army 01-11, 1942.
He later applied for admission …
SSGT. Billy Mullins
Joined Army Air Corps within 1 week of Pearl Harbor 1941 from Dallas, Texas and Training in: San Angelo, Texas: Muroc, California: Sebring, Florida.
…
Eddie Huddleston
Eddie Huddleston was the tailgunner on my father's plane, the Wild Wolf. My father was Capt. Charles Hobbs of Hennessey, Oklahoma. I've been able to look …
Lt. Kenneth W. Butler 
Kenneth Butler was my father's cousin. He enlisted after Pearl Harbor. My understanding was originally he was a B-17 co-pilot before being promoted to …
James Bishop Crew
James P. Bishop Crew
Mission History 36 verified missions July 1944 - March 1945
A combination of Ed Clendenin's Book 376th Heavy Bomb Group Mission …
William Frierson Edmunds
Served in the 515th Squadron. Married Margaret Brading and had one son, William Frierson Edmunds, Jr.. Went to law school after the War and served as …
Joseph Taddonio Jr.
gunner of 515th squadron in No. Africa. much more info could be obtained from Grandson Steve Taddonio Jr. steve.taddonio@ comcast.net My father could've …
SSG Bernard P. Boecker
513rd Bomber Squadron, 376th Bomber Group, Heavy
Died, May 29, 1944. Purple Heart, Air Medal
Never knew my Uncle but have visited him in the Ardennes. …
Lt Col. Robert A Laurence Not rated yet
My dad flew 50 missions with the 515th. I have a pic with him alongside Badger Beauty #94. I have his diaries and uniforms, commendations and mission …
Charles "Chuck" N. Foster Not rated yet
My grandpa, Chuck Foster, enlisted in May 1942. I know he did Basic Flight at Garden City KS and Advanced Flight at Pampa TX. He also trained at Gowen …
William Frierson Edmunds Not rated yet
I posted some information about my father and sent two pictures, one of him and one he had of a fellow 376th member whose name is unknown to me. The picture …
Dale click crew Not rated yet
Letter and picture from Mitchell Leichhardt 515 376 base San pancrazio Italy
Vincent Ganga Not rated yet
Passed in 2018. Not a day went by where he would not speak of his experience in 376 BG. He was very proud!
Billy lawson Not rated yet
Billy was a gunner and a radio operator he was on B24 that left from Italy station in sanpangarzio flew to linz Australia with happens to be the home …
Billy lawson Not rated yet
Billy was a gunner and a radio operator he was on B24 that left from Italy station in sanpangarzio flew to linz Australia with happens to be the home …
Rudolph Streitenberger Not rated yet
Outside his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1945
pictures 376th Heavy Bombardment Group Liberandos Not rated yet
Found some pictures on eBay that might be of intrest
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/ebay-airwar-ww2-the-pilots.54010/page-94#post-1845048
…
James W.Walker Not rated yet
His story is known.
I want to know what happened to his F4 Fanthom that I seen in his backyard?
Alexander G. Rodriguez Not rated yet
513th Bomb Squadron photo.
George Ostling Not rated yet
Sending you a picture of the complete Fenton Butler crew posing in front of plane 13. My wife's father was George Ostling, turret gunner. The back of …
Dan Delaney Not rated yet
Dan Delaney Big Spring TX Bombedier School 6/24/1943 Class 43-9
Dan Delaney Not rated yet
Bombardier on 37 missions (51 sorties) mostly from San Pancrazio, Italy
Earl M. Kesler Not rated yet
Dear Sirs,
Thank you very much for the story of Earl M Kessler.
This is because it refutes the accusation made by the communist authorities against …
Frank E. Richards Not rated yet
Frank E Richards (94 years) Smith River California 1943-1945 Ball Gunner 514th Bomb Squadron, (450th & 98 BG flew with them often) 376th - B-24 - 47th …
JACK LEE KIRBY Not rated yet
JACK KIRBY SERVED HIS COUNTRY FROM APRIL 1944 UNTIL OCT 1945.
Walter Anderson Not rated yet
My mother was married to Walter Anderson who died in Sicily on Nov. 21, 1943. This was before I was born. Walter was co-pilot on a plane flown by Thomas …
Stanley Wojis Not rated yet
First lieutenant Stanley K. Wojis- ( O-794086) Navigator of Satan's Kid's -514th Squadron - 376th Bomb Group - DFC with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with …
2nd LT Rubert Cornay aka: Cornay Crew Not rated yet
As Rubert Cornay's son I would like to have your records show that there were a total of 11 brave men on that plane on Nov 1 1944.
The Cornay crew was …
Richard E. Mutschler (corrections) Not rated yet
Hello,
My name is David A. Mutschler.
My grandfather was Richard E. Mutschler. I have noticed a few errors on the following page:
https://www.armyaircorps-376bg.com/ho …
Henry M Showalter Not rated yet
Front and back of German POW ID
Henry M Showalter Not rated yet
Front and back of German POW ID
Henry M Showalter Not rated yet
Henry M Showalter at the North Africa base, with a photo his sweetheart, my grandmother.
Vernon L moore fate? Not rated yet
see possible explantion of his disappearance...
{Reference only}
http://www.fubarlegion.org/reviews/articles/ladybegood/ladybegood.html
James O. Britt Not rated yet
Thank you for the postings on my father as a B-24 pilot. As you have noted, he died in 1993, having been hit by a car while walking. I will have to look …
Morris Albert Cannon Not rated yet
Morris A. (Moe) Cannon was my Father. I decided on this Fathers Day to look up more information on my Dad's war experience. He was part of the HALPRO …
William Frierson Edmunds Not rated yet
Served in the 515th Squadron. Married Margaret Brading and had one son, William Frierson Edmunds, Jr.. Went to law school after the War and served as …
Chappuis Louis C. 916988-514th Squadron and Sgt.Mendozzi Ralph.G Grroup S4 Not rated yet
My Father was a young italian boy during 1943-1944 stay in sanpancrazio airfield and was an accordeon-player for all the soldiers but he remembered only …
Ralph H Andrews Not rated yet
I don't have a story, but I have a picture of him that I would love to share. I hadn't seen the picture of him with his crew, thank you!
T/Sgt Fred Russek Not rated yet
I was looking through your Oral History page and I found a name on there that is in a piece of History that was given to me by the widow of the 376th. …
Wayne Sandberg Not rated yet
Flew a b-24 for the 514 Sandberg Crew. Please add his picture.
Mark Mooty Not rated yet
I previously sent a story about Mark, but I wanted
to send this photo of him standing by "Jap Trap" so
that it may be included with his crew.
Donald …
If you want to join our subscriber list, please fill in the form below
512th Squadron Patch
513th Squadron Patch
514th Squadron Patch
515th Squadron Patch
58th Service Squadron Patch
- history of the 376th heavy bombardment group
- This is a brief history of the 376th HBG.
- Veterans
- This page lists the names and duties of the veterans of the 376th HBG
- Air Crews of the 376th HBG
- Pictures of the air crews are shown on this page.
- Ground Personnel
- Ground Personnel of the 376th HBG.
- B-24 Liberator
- The history and images of the various B-24 Liberators that served with the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group.
- Missions Flown by the 376th HBG
- Missions flown by the 376th HBG are listed on this page.
- Oral Histories of the 376th HBG
- Oral Histories of the 376th HBG were taken at the 2007 annual reunion.
- In Memoriam
- In Memoriam
- POW, Internees, Evadees
- These men were either captured or escaped capture.
- Photo Gallery
- This page will direct you to various collections of photographs.
- Combat Camera unit
- These are the men in the Combat Camera unit.
- Search Our Site
- Search our site
- Reunions of the 376th HBG Veterans Association
- Reunions of the 376th HBG Veterans Association
- Join the 376th HBG Veterans Association
- Welcome to the 376th HBG Veterans Association.
- Contact us
- This page lists the contact information for the 376th HBG Veterans Association.
- For Sale
- These items deal with various aspects of the 376th HBG.
- European Research Contacts
- This page presents European Research Contacts.
- War Time Entertainment
- War Time Entertainment took many forms.
- Reference Material of the 376 Bombardment Group
- Reference Material of the 376 Bombardment Group
- Liberandos News Record
- Liberandos News Record
- Awards and Citations
- Awards and Citations presented to our veterans.
- Training Groups, 376 HBG
- Training Groups that provided crews to the 376 HBG
- Links to other web sites
- Links to other web sites
- B-24 related You Tube videos
- B-24 related You Tube videos
- Yugoslavia Today
- Yugoslavia Today
The website 376bg.org is NOT our site nor is it our endowment fund.
At the 2017 reunion, the board approved the donation of our archives to the Briscoe Center for American History, located on the University of Texas - Austin campus.
Also, the board approved a $5,000 donation to add to Ed Clendenin's $20,000 donation in the memory of his father. Together, these funds begin an endowment for the preservation of the 376 archives.
Donate directly to the 376 Endowment
To read about other endowment donation options, click here.
Reunion
NOTE change in month !!!
DATES: Sep 18-21, 2025
CITY:Rapid City, SD
HOTEL:
Click here to read about the reunion details.
