V Bomber Command

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title: "V Bomber Command" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["intermediate-bomber-commands-of-the-united-states-army-air-forces", "military-units-and-formations-disestablished-in-1948", "military-units-and-formations-established-in-1941"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_Bomber_Command" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox military unit"]

FieldValue
unit_nameV Bomber Command
dates1941–1946
country
branch
typeCommand of tactical aviation
battlesSouthwest Pacific Theater
notable_commandersBrig. Gen. Kenneth Walker (KIA)
Brig. Gen. Howard K. Ramey (MIA)
decorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
::

::callout[type=note] the American Pacific Bomber Command during World War II ::

|unit_name=V Bomber Command |image= |caption= |dates=1941–1946 |country= |allegiance= |branch= |type=Command of tactical aviation |role= |size= |command_structure= |current_commander= |garrison= |nickname= |motto= |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles=Southwest Pacific Theater |notable_commanders= Brig. Gen. Kenneth Walker (KIA) Brig. Gen. Howard K. Ramey (MIA) |anniversaries= |decorations=Distinguished Unit Citation Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |battle_honours=

The V Bomber Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit. It was last assigned to Fifth Air Force, based at Irumagawa AB, Japan. It was inactivated on 31 May 1946.

During World War II the unit initially controlled Fifth Air Force bomber units in the Philippines. It was largely destroyed in the Battle of the Philippines, and withdrew to Australia at the end of December 1941, although elements of some units remained in the Philippines until April 1942. Re-equipped, the command provided command and control authority of Army Air Force bombardment organizations within the Fifth Air Force Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Afterward, served with the occupation force in Japan before being inactivated in 1946.

History

Participated in the defense of the Philippines in December 1941. Late in December the remaining bombers and some men were evacuated to Australia, and in January 1942 they were moved to Java to help delay the Japanese advance in the Netherlands Indies.

The command ceased to function in March 1942 (the AAF bombardment organizations in the Southwest Pacific being under the control of American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) and later Allied Air Forces). Headquarters was remanned in September 1942 and shortly afterward it assumed control of AAF bombardment groups in Australia and New Guinea.

The command served in combat with Fifth Air Force until the end of the war. Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker, who was killed during a mission over Rabaul on 5 January 1943, was awarded the Medal of Honor; he had repeatedly taken part in combat missions and had developed an effective technique for bombing when opposed by enemy interceptors and antiaircraft fire. After the war the command became part of the occupation force for Japan. Inactivated on 31 May 1946. Disbanded on 8 October 1948.

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 5th Bomber Command on 28 October 1941Maurer indicates that the unit was constituted as the "V" Bomber Command. However, the unit was constituted and activated with an arabic number in its name. The use of roman numerals to designate Army Air Forces combat commands did not begin until September 1942. : Activated on 14 November 1941
  • Redesignated V Bomber Command c. 18 September 1942 : Inactivated on 31 May 1946 : Disbanded on 8 October 1948

Assignments

Stations

Units

; Wings

; Groups

; Squadrons

References

Notes

; Explanatory notes

; Citations

Bibliography

References

  1. Bell, p. 85
  2. Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 442-443
  3. (August 26, 2009). "Factsheet Fifth Air Force (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  4. (12 October 2007). "Factsheet 314 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  5. (June 26, 2017). "Factsheet 3 Operations Group (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  6. (June 27, 2017). "Factsheet 19 Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  7. (June 27, 2017). "Factsheet 22 Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  8. (July 23, 2019). "Factsheet 27 Special Operations Group (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  9. (April 19, 2017). "Factsheet 35 Operations Group (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  10. (August 25, 2017). "Factsheet 43 Air Mobility Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  11. (July 7, 2017). "Factsheet 49 Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  12. (May 27, 2010). "Factsheet 90 Operations Group (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  13. (December 27, 2007). "Factsheet 312 Aeronautical Systems Group (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  14. Bailey, Carl E., Lineage & Honors History of the 494 Air Expeditionary Group (AMC), 28 April 2003, Air Force Historical Research Agancy
  15. Bailey, Carl E. (undated), Lineage and Honors History of the 2 Air Rescue Group, Air Force Historical Research Agency
  16. (August 5, 2019). "Factsheet 563 Rescue Group (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  17. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 48
  18. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 107
  19. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 131
  20. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 288
  21. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 357
  22. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 513
  23. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 650-651

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intermediate-bomber-commands-of-the-united-states-army-air-forcesmilitary-units-and-formations-disestablished-in-1948military-units-and-formations-established-in-1941