Blythe Army Air Base was constructed during 1942 to train heavy bomber crews. In February 1943, 127 officers and men received orders to form four squadrons of the 390th Bombardment Group (H). The 390th's B-17s joined the 8th Air Force in England and completed 301 bombing missions over Europe from August 1943 to May 1945. The group received two presidential citations and six battle streamers for combat against Nazi targets. At peak strength, ground crews maintained 75 aircraft. The 390th's gunners downed 62 Nazi aircraft on one mission, more than any other group, fighter or bomber, and destroyed 377 enemy planes in air combat. One hundred fifty-nine 390th ten-man crews were missing in action, along with other fallen comrades; they flew, they fought, and they gave their lives.