- Our Community
- Community Overview City History Community Demographics Chamber of Commerce Events and Activities City Calendar City Parks On-Line Store Cemeteries Local Weather Photo Gallery
- Library School District Public Safety Emergency Management Police Fire ADA Compliance Americans with Disabilities Wall of Honor Wall of Honor
- Grove Regional Airport Grand Lake Association INTEGRIS Grove Hospital Har-Ber Village Lendonwood Garden Playmakers Theatre Cayuga Mission
- Doing Business
- Welcome Visitors
- Grand Lake Association Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Grove Regional Airport Playmakers Theatre
- Cayuga Mission Grand Lake Queen Har-Ber Village Lendonwood Garden Starbirds National Rod Custom Car Hall of Fame Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA)
- On-line Store Photo Gallery Events Where to Eat Where to Stay Where to Park in Downtown Grove Wolf Creek Park & Boating Facility
- Inside City Hall
- Contact City Hall Staff Directory Submit a Complaint or Comment City Code Comprehensive Plan Jobs - Equal Opportunity Employer Non-Discrimination Download Employment Application Submit Employment Application
- Agendas and Minutes City Council Boards and Committees Convention and Tourism Bureau Economic Development Authority Municipal Airport Authority Municipal Service Authority Planning and Zoning Board Zoning Board of Adjustments ADA Compliance Americans with Disabilities
- Departments Administration Airport Buildings and Grounds Community Development Economic Development Finance Fire Emergency Management Municipal Court Police Public Works Utility Services
- Helpful Resources
- Alerts and Notifications Email Subscriptions Events and Meetings Agendas and Minutes City Calendar In the News City News
- Contact the City Staff Directory Submit a Request or Concern Code Red Code Red Login Documents and Forms Documents and Reports Forms, Permits and Applications Maps
- Social Media City of Grove on Facebook Wolf Creek Park on Facebook Grove Animal Control on Facebook Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Used Numbers Helpful Links
United States Air Force 44th Bomb Group (Flying 8 Balls)
U. S. AIR FORCE 44TH BOMB GROUP (FLYING 8 BALLS) - During World War II the 44th Bombardment Group was the first VIII Bomber Command B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment group stationed in England. It was initially stationed at RAF Cheddington on September 11, 1942, and moved to RAF Shipdham in October. The 44th operated from England for a longer period than any other B-24 group; sustained the highest Aircraft MIA loss of all Eighth Air Force B-24 groups; claimed more enemy fighters than any other Eighth Air Force B-24 group, and was the first group in the VIII Bomber Command to be awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for actions on May 14, 1943 for an extremely hazardous mission against naval installations at Kiel, Germany. The 44th Bomb Group flew its last combat mission on April 25, 1945. During the course of hostilities, the 44th flew a total of 343 missions and its gunners were credited with 330 enemy fighters shot down and its own losses. highest of any B-24 group in the Eighth, were 153.
Colonel Leon W. Johnson, while commander of the 44th Bombardment Group, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Polesti Raid on August 1, 1943. In the postwar era, the 44th Bombardment Group was one of the original ten USAAF bombardment groups assigned to Strategic Air Command on March 21, 1946.
