7 Replies Latest reply on Jun 28, 2019 5:48 PM by Elliot Schneider

Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII

Jim Lefemine Jun 13, 2019 10:38 AM

I found a letter my father wrote to the Army in 1945 requesting the status of an award for the Silver Star his commanding office told him he was recommended for on November 5, 1943 for action on October 12, 1943. His records from St. Louis, MO did not include that medal. In follow up requests, I was told that there were no records indicating that my father was awarded that medal.

However, I established communication with the son of one of my father's crew members and he sent me a newspaper article from 1944 in which his father was interviewed. In the interview, this crew member stated that because of the crew's actions on October 12, 1943 the entire crew were awarded the Silver Star. I've spent 100's of dollars with researchers looking through pilots logs, after action reports but have not found any information as to the crew and my father being awarded the Silver Star for action on October 12, 1943. The last researcher I contracted with could get me the medals that each crew member had been awarded but without details as to when or under what circumstance the award was given. Knowing that many of the crew served the entire war in the Group and saw extensive action and at least one crew member also went to Europe and served with the 8th Air Force there and saw action.

Just knowing which medal each received would not answer the mystery I am trying to solve. Are there General Orders for the 90th Bombardment Group, 5th Army Air Force for medals awarded for the period 1943 and possibly 1944?

Re: Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII

Brendan Grahn Jun 13, 2019 11:30 AM (in response to Jim Lefemine)

On 12 October it (90th Bombardment Group) took part in the Fifth Air Force's largest attack to date, an attack on the harbour at Rabaul. The group claimed to have sunk a destroyer and damaged two tenders and two large merchant ships. Japanese fighters attacked the formation and two B-24s were lost.
http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/90th_Bombardment_Group.html

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): Allied aircraft begin a major air offensive against Rabaul, with the aim of isolating and neutralizing it. Almost 350 B-24's, B-25's, P-38's, and RAAF airplanes pound the town, harbor, and airfields in the area, including the first parafag bomb attack on Vunakanau Airfield. The Allies calim 50+ Japanese aircraft destroyed and three ships are sunk and several damaged plus several small harbor craft are sunk. Lost are B-25D 41-30239 (MIA, BR), B-24D 42-40675 (crew rescued) and Beufighter A19-97 (MIA / BR). Also, B-25's fly small strikes against targets on Timor and other areas of the Netherlands East Indies.
https://www.pacificwrecks.com/date/1943/10-43.html
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Re: Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII

Elliot Schneider Jun 13, 2019 2:56 PM (in response to Jim Lefemine)

Jim,

Do you have any additional information name date of birth and place of birth and year of your relatives I can check secondary resources.

Thanks,

Elliot Schneider
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Re: Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII

Becca Simons Jun 18, 2019 3:00 PM (in response to Jim Lefemine)

Dear Mr. Lefemine,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the Air Force History Index and located 23 records of the 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy) for 1943-1945. The records include special orders and general orders.

To view these records after you have clicked on the link provided, please click on the specific PDF icon. In the PDF listing, the IRISREF is the microfilm reel number and note the FRAME and FRAMELST numbers for the location on the reel. If the reel number begins with A, B or C, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov for access to them.

If the reel number begins with D - Z, the microfilm is still security classified and RDT2 will not be able to make the reel available to you. The original paper copy from which the film was created is still in the custody of the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) and has been declassified as will be any general orders or unit histories of the units not included on the microfilm. For access to these records, please contact AFHRA, 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 36112-6424. The web site is https://www.afhra.af.mil/.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
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- Re: Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII
  
  Jim Lefemine Jun 28, 2019 11:49 AM (in response to Becca Simons)
  
  Thank you. Upon review it doesn't appear that any of these records contain the records of personnel awards, medals and or citations. However to be sure I did shoot them an email requesting specific info on any Silver Star awards related to October 12th 1943. I'm awaiting a response.
  
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  - Re: Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII
    
    Elliot Schneider Jun 28, 2019 5:48 PM (in response to Jim Lefemine)
    
    Jim,
    
    Not all is lost. You need to request the information for the highest Command which in this case would be HQ 5th AAF. I would re do the search on AFHRA site but looking for General Orders for the HQ 5th AFF for 1943.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Elliot Schneider
    
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  - Re: Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII
    
    Elliot Schneider Jul 1, 2019 9:50 AM (in response to Jim Lefemine)
    
    Jim,
    
    Please request the information on your father Daniel J. Lefemine using the information below. You will need full name, middle, last name, DOB, and service number. Send in an email to the following stl.archives@nara.gov
    
    Record Group 64:
    Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789 - ca. 2007
    
    Series:
    Award Cards, 1942 - 1963
    
    NAID #4530002
    
    P.S. side note I did search alternate website and he was awarded the Distinguished flying cross
    
    Thanks,
    
    Elliot Schneider
    
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Re: Where are the General Orders for 90th Bombardment Group, WWII

Elliot Schneider Jun 29, 2019 11:47 AM (in response to Jim Lefemine)

Hello Jim,

The 90th Bomb Group was nicknamed the "The Jolly Rogers" which consisted of the following units making up the 90th Bomb Group.

- 319th Bomb Squadron "Asterperious"
- 320th Bomb Squadron "Moby Dick"
- 321st Bomb Squadron "Bombs Away"
- 400th Bomb Squadron "Black Pirate"

Thanks,

Elliot Schneider
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