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HEADQUARTERS
MEDITERRANEAN ALLIED AIR FORCES
Public Relations Section

SPECIAL HANDOUT.                                                                                                                       20^th May, 1944.

P-47 GROUP CITED                                       The 325^th Fighter Group, a veteran 15^th AAF P-47
TWICE BY PRESIDENT                                       Thunderbolt unit, which entered action in North Africa
                                                                               over a year ago, flying Warhawks, was awarded two
presidential citations in a ceremony at its base Friday.

    The citations were presented in the course of a formal review by Maj. Gen Nathan F. Twining, commanding General of the 15^th.

    First cited was a mission flown over Sardinia by Warhawks. A formation of 20 Warhawks attacked 40 enemy planes, destroying 21 of them and damaging others, with the loss of only one Warhawk. The action was led by Maj. William R. Redd [Reed], Marion, Iowa, and Maj. Robert W. Myers, East Williston, L.I., N.Y.

    "In order to achieve lasting and vital air supremacy over Sardinia," the citation said, "on July 30, 1943, through ingenious planning, thorough preparation and daring execution, this organization forced the enemy into the air by an extraordinary application of diversionary tactics."

    The second citation was in recognition of the feat of destroying 37 enemy planes over northeastern Italy January 30, 1944. This is the greatest aerial victory scored by a single fighter group during the Italian campaign. The sweep was led by Lt. Col. Robert L. Baseler, 28 Clearway St., Boston, Mass., group commander at the time of both cited incidents.

    The mass victory was scored when the group, then flying Thunderbolts, attacked 50 enemy planes alerted to mee [meet] approaching 15^th AAF heavy bombers. Only two Thunderbolts were lost. The bombers destroyed many more planes on the ground without fighter opposition.

    The group has flown 220 fighter sweep, strafing, bombing, and medium and heavy bomber escort missions since entering combat April 17, 1943. Pilots changed from Warhawks to Thunderbolts last fall. The Group has shot down 281 enemy planes and has produced 10 aces. Maj. Herschel J. Green, Mayfield, Ky., leading ace of this theatre with 13 victories, is a squadron commander in the Group.

    The Group commander at the time it entered action was Col. Gordon H. Austin, Washington, D.C. He was succeeded by Col. Baseler. Present commander is Lt. Col. Chester L. Sluder, 1131 West French Pl., San Antonio, Tex. During Friday’s ceremony Col. Sluder was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Twelve other DFC’s were also presented.

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