The 359th Fighter Group was a United States Army Air Force fighter unit that was active during World War II. Following organization and training in the United States, the group deployed to the European Theater of Operations, operating from RAF East Wretham. The fighter group flew 346 combat missions over continental Europe and claimed 373 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and strafing attacks; probable destruction of 23; and damage to 185. It was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions. The group flew its last mission on 20 April 1945, then returned to the United States for inactivation. The group was redesignated the 123d Fighter Group and allotted to the National Guard in 1946. It was again activated in the fall of 1947 in the Kentucky Air National Guard. In the fall of 1950, the group was called to active duty and moved to Godman Air Force Base, Kentucky, where it became part of the 123d Fighter-Bomber Wing under the wing-base organization system. It returned to England in December 1951 and, as the 123d Fighter-Bomber Group, served until July 1952, when it transferred its mission, personnel and equipment to an active duty group, then moved without personnel or equipment back to the Kentucky Air National Guard, activating the same day. It served as a fighter unit in the 1950s, then became a tactical reconnaissance group, being called to active duty twice. It was inactivated in 1974, when the Air National Guard eliminated flying groups located on the same station as their parent wings, and its flying squadron was assigned directly to the 123d Wing. With the implementation of the Objective Wing organization in 1990s, the group was activated under its current name, the 123d Operations Group. History World War II Organization and training The group was activated in January 1943 at Westover Field, Massachusetts, with the 368th, 369th and 370th Fighter Squadrons assigned, although it apparently did not begin to receive personnel until March. After training with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts at Grenier Field, New Hampshire and Republic Field, New York, returning to Westover in August 1943. The group's personnel proceeded to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on 2 October, where most of the group embarked on the on 8 October, although the 369th Squadron sailed on the and SS Sloterdyjk, arriving at Liverpool and Clyde on 19 October. Combat in Europe The 359th entered combat in mid-December 1943 after five