I. UNIT CITATION. 1. Under the provisions of War Department Circular No. 333, dated 22 December 1943, the 7th Bombardment Group (H), ***Air Force, is hereby cited for outstanding performance of duty in action on 19 March 1945. Upon the denial of Rangoon, Burma as a major port of entry for Japanese supplies due to constant bombardment, harbor-mining and sea sweeps by bombardment units in the India-Burma Theater, the enemy was forced to utilization of Bangkok, Thailand as the main receiving point for supplies, equipment and personnel. Two methods ware available to him for transportation to Bangkok; one by sea through that port and the other overland by railroad and road running down the Kra Isthmus through Jumbhorn, Thailand and extending to receiving ports along the Gulf of Siam and to the large enemy base at Singapore. Previous mining of Bangkok harbor had effectively denied the use of the first method. Only the overland route remained available. To interdict, destroy and disrupt this most vital line of supply, the 7th Bombardment Group (H) undertook on 19 March 1945 the longest known attack mission by formations of heavy bombers in World War II. Thirty seven (37) heavy bombardment aircraft of this group, all squadrons participating, carried out a 2,700 mile round trip to strike the enemy's rail and road bridges ranging from Bandon to Jumbhorn, Thailand. All personnel of this group extended maximum effort in the planning and preparation of this mission. Meticulous calculations were made as to fuel and bomb loads. Maintenance crews spent inordinately long hours preparing the aircraft to operate to peak efficiency. Taking off from bases in India, aircraft of this group were airborne for approximately eighteen (18) hours, the flight being made almost entirely over water with the major portion of it over hostile waters. Outstanding bombing results were accomplished, one road and four rail bridges being either destroyed or severely damaged. The attack on the Ban Tak Kan bridge, of heavy steel and concrete construction, lifted the bridge eight feet in the air and threw it six feet out of line, destroying the railroad trackage and severely weakening the structure. All strikes were made without benefit of fighter escort and in the face of enemy automatic weapons and machine gun fire. In order to achieve maximum results, several bombing runs were made on each bridge although heavy anti-aircraft fire was being encountered. Only one aircraft was lost, that due to shortage of fuel, its air crew successfully parachuting to safety. On this occasion, all personnel of the 7th Bombardment Group (H) displayed exceptional determination, aggressiveness, courage and flying skill, attaining results so outstanding as to seriously curtail the enemy's line of supply in Southeast Asia and to aid greatly the conduct of the Allied war effort in Burma. This group's superior performance of duty in action against an armed enemy is worthy of the highest traditions of the military service and reflects credit in the highest degree upon the Armed Forces of the United States.

           By command of Major General DAVIDSON:
                                                        AUBRY L MOORE
OFFICIAL:                                               Brig Gen, GSC,
                                                        Chief of Staff.
/s/ John J Powers
/t/ JOHN J POWERS
Capt, A.G.D.,               A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
Ass't Adj. Gen.
                                                        CHARLES H MORROW
                                                        1st Lt., AUS