From New Guinea to Japan — The Long Road of the 22nd.
The 22nd Bombardment Group flew the entire length of the Pacific War. Activated in February 1940 and initially flying B-26 Marauders, the group moved to the Southwest Pacific early in 1942 and became a cornerstone of General George Kenney’s Fifth Air Force. From antisubmarine patrols off the California coast to bombing runs over New Guinea, New Britain, Borneo, the Philippines, Formosa, and ultimately Japan itself, the 22nd BG was in the fight from the first months of the war to V-J Day.
The 408th Bombardment Squadron was one of the group’s four organic squadrons, flying B-24 Liberators after the group’s redesignation as a Heavy Bombardment Group in February 1944. This mug carries that legacy — the insignia of a unit that earned a Distinguished Unit Citation and never stopped pushing the Allied offensive forward across the Pacific.
Product Details
- Design: AAC 22nd BG — 408th Bomb Squadron — B-24 — 5th AF graphic
- Sizes available: 11oz ($17.95) & 15oz ($24.95)
- Finish: Glossy black ceramic — bold, durable, dishwasher-safe
- Print: Wrap-around graphic, fade-resistant
- Vendor: Printify — print-on-demand fulfilled
Who It’s For
Descendants and family members of 22nd Bombardment Group and 408th Bomb Squadron veterans, Fifth Air Force historians, B-24 Liberator and B-26 Marauder enthusiasts, Pacific Theater WWII collectors, and anyone honoring the Army Air Corps’ role in the island-hopping campaign. A meaningful tribute for reunions, memorial events, and military heritage collections.
About the Unit
The 22nd Bombardment Group was constituted on 22 December 1939 and activated on 1 February 1940. It flew antisubmarine patrols off the West Coast in December 1941–January 1942 before deploying to the Southwest Pacific as part of the Fifth Air Force. The group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its attack on Japanese entrenchments on 5 November 1943 that were blocking the advance of Australian ground forces. Redesignated as a Heavy Bombardment Group in February 1944, it transitioned to B-24 Liberators and struck Japanese airfields, shipping, and oil installations across Borneo, Ceram, Halmahera, the Philippines, Formosa, and China. The group moved to Okinawa in August 1945 and flew armed reconnaissance missions over southern Japan before the war’s end, remaining in theater as part of Far East Air Forces.
Care Instructions
- Dishwasher safe · Microwave safe
- Hand washing recommended to preserve print longevity
- Do not use abrasive scrubbers on printed surface