303rd Bombardment Group (H)

Awarded on: June 17th, 1944
Action:
Citation:
"The 1st Bombardment Division (H), is cited for extraordinary heroism,
determination, and esprit de corps in action against the enemy on 11 January, 1944. On this occasion the 1st Bombardment Division led the entire Eighth Air Force penetration into central Germany to attack vital aircraft factories. After assembly was accomplished and the formation was proceeding toward Germany, adverse weather conditions were encountered which prevented effective fighter cover from reaching the 1st Bombardment Division. Taking full advantage of the relative vulnerability of the lead division, the enemy concentrated powerful forces against it.
The scale of the enemy attack is graphically indicated by the fact that 400 encounters with enemy aircraft were recorded by units of the 1st Bombardment Division. The gunners met these continuous attacks with accurate fire, and the division continued toward the targets as briefed where bombs were dropped with excellent results.
On the return trip the enemy continued to concentrate his efforts on the 1st Bombardment Division. Figures of enemy aircraft claimed by our gunners indicate that the heroism of this division inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in the air as well as on the ground. Two hundred and ten enemy aircraft, the largest number ever claimed by any division of the Eighth Air Force for any one mission confirmed as destroyed, 43 probably destroyed and 84 damaged.
The division lost 42 heavy bombers and many of those which returned were heavily damaged. Four hundred and thirty officers and enlisted men failed to return, 2 were killed, and 32 were wounded. The extraordinary heroism and tenacious fighting spirit demonstrated by the 1st Bombardment Division accomplishing its assigned task under exceptionally difficult conditions reflect highest credit on this organization, the Army Air Forces, and the Armed Forces of the Unit."
Details:
Awarded to the 1st Bombardment Division and all Bomb Groups under its command among whcih was the 303rd.

Details:
Ribon received for "Central Pacific, 7th december 1942 to 6th December 1943.

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Ribbon received for "Antisubmarine", American Theater: 7 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.

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Seven ribons received for: "Air Offensive", Europe: 4th July 1942 to 5th June 1944 (303rd, 358th, 359th, 360th, 427th), "Normandy": 6th June to 24 July 1944 (303rd, 358th, 359th, 360th, 427th), "Northern France": 25th July to 14th September 1944 (303rd, 358th, 359th, 360th, 427th), "Rhineland": 15th September 1944 to 21st March 1945 (303rd, 358th, 359th, 360th, 427th), "Ardennes-Alsace": 10th December 1944 to 25th January 1945 (303rd, 358th, 359th, 360th, 427th), "Central Europe": 22nd March to 11th May 1945 (358th, 359th, 360th, 427th) and "Air Combat EAME Theater": 7th December 1941 to 11th May 1945.