BRIEF HISTORY OF 385TH BOMB GROUP
Forty-six years ago in July 17, 1943, the 385th flew its first mission, an unsuccessful one to Amsterdam. The following 4 were equally unsuccessful but after a successful fifth mission, we optimistically looked forward to being “home by Christmas”. Almost two years later, we made it.
Forming at Geiger Field in Spokane in Februaray 1943, we trained there for 2 months, then spread out to Great Falls, Lewistown, Cutbank, and Glasgow Montana, after which we went to England in June of 1943. 296 missions and 8265 sorties later, after dropping18,494 tons of bombs and 184.9 tons of food on the continent of Europe, the 385th had completed its assigned task and was in the process of redeployment to the Far East when “The Bomb” ended the war against Japan.
Over 1950 men completed combat tours, while over 1400 were lost in combat and crashes. 129 B-17’s were lost in combat while another 40 were lost in various crashes. One aircraft was lost for every 64 combat sorties flown. Records show 287 enemy aircraft destroyed, with another 80 probables and 90 enemy aircraft damaged.
Our Commanding Officers were Col. Elliott Vandevanter from February 1943 to August 1944, Col. George Y. Jumper from August 1944 to May 1945, Lt. Col. H.T. Witherspoon in May and June 1945, and Col. William H. Hanson in June and July of 1945.
The unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for engagements August 17,1943 (Regensburg) and May 12, 1944 (Zwickau).
Our Reunion Group, was organized in the mid-1950’s. At the Fifth Reunion in Atlanta, it was decided to hold Reunions every 2 years. Subsequent Reunions were held in Las Vegas in 1977, Kansas City in 1979, Fort Walton Beach in 1981, Colorado Springs in 1983, Los Angeles in 1985, Dayton in 1987, Fargo in 1989, and Tulsa in 1991. The Spokane Reunion in 1993 commemorated the 50th year of our founding at Geiger Field in 1943 . Several smaller Reunions visited Great Ashfield also, and “Mini-Reunions” are held around the country at various times. Reunions in England were held in 1988 and again in 1992.
We are registered as the 385th Bombardment Group Memorial Association (BGMA), under a constitution and By Laws adopted on February 11,1976, last amended in October 2006 and we were granted status as a Non -Profit Organization by the IRS in 1976, Dues and contributions are tax-deductible.