319th Bombardment Squadron (H) | 90th Bombardment Group (H) | 5th AAF CBI | theater-made patches

1,132 · August 6, 2017

319th Bombardment Squadron (H) | 90th Bombardment Group (H) | 5th AAF CBI

LINEAGE. Constituted 319th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 15 Apr 1942. Inactivated
on 27 Jan 1946.

ASSIGNMENTS. 90th Bombardment Group, 15 Apr 1942-27 Jan 1946.

STATIONS. Key Field, Miss, 15 Apr 1942; Barksdale Field, La, 17 May 1942; Greenville AAB, SC, 21 Jun 1942; Ypsilanti, Mich, 9-23 Aug 1942; Kahuku Field, TH, 12 Sep 1942; Iron Range, Australia, c. 4 Nov 1942; Darwin, Australia, 2 Feb 1943; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 8 Jul 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, Dec 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, c. 22 Feb 1944; Biak, c. 10 Aug 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, 29 Jan 1945; Ie Shima, 12 Aug 1945; Ft William McKinley, Luzon, 23 Nov 1945-27 Jan 1946.

AIRCRAFT. B-24, 1942-1945.

OPERATIONS. Combat in Southwest and Western Pacific, 13 Nov 1942-24 Jul 1945.

CAMPAIGNS. Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Papua; Guadalcanal; New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; China Offensive.

DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, [13 Nov] 1942-23 Jan 194.3; New Guinea, 13 and 15 Sep 1943. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

The Bomb Group's Jolly Roger skull and crossed bombs logo, used for each squadron distinguished by its assigned squadron color, reportedly was designed by the 90th Bomb Group's commander, Col. Arthur Rogers. The Group was known as the Jolly Rogers. The color blue designated the 319th.

Theater-made. Australian embroidery on wool.

Theater-made. Australia. Multi-piece cloth and embroidery on wool.

The squadron acquired its distinctive name, ASTERPERIOUS, the origin of which is much debated. One account states the word is translated as "a superior attitude in an inferior environment". The cartoon native character which accompanied the name was drawn by Lieutenant Ken Strong, who was an artist at the Walt Disney Studios. It's described as: "a native with a grass skirt next to a bomb; the native has a bone in one ear, a large ring in the other, large red lips, and dark brown skin, and he’s wearing white gloves".

Theater-made. Hand-painted on canvas. Walt Disney Studios.

Theater made. Australia. Hand-painted on leather. Walt Disney Studios.

Theater-made. Australian embroidery on wool. Walt Disney Studios.

Theater-made. Australian embroidery on wool. Walt Disney Studios.

A grouping I acquired several years ago included a vet's hand-made metal box. Some collectors call this sort of collectible "trench art".

Theater made. Hand-engraved and painted on metal.

Asterperious Special

The B-24 named Asterperious Special actually had two lives. After serving the 319th Bombardment Squadron faithfully from approximately August 1943, she was subsequently transferred to the 528th Bombardment Squadron of the 380th Bombardment Group and renamed Little Eve. She was written off with this unit on 20th April 1944 in a landing accident.