5th Bombardment Group (5th BG) "Bomber Barons"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)

Background
Established as the 5th Composite Group (5th CG) and later redesignated 5th Bombardment Reconnaissance Group (5th BRG) then designated 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG). Nicknamed "Bomber Barons" and operated the B-24 Liberator in the South Pacific (SOPAC) comprised of Headquarters Squadron (HQ), 23rd Bombardment Squadron (23rd BS), 31st Bombardment Squadron (31st BS), 72nd Bombardment Squadron (72nd BS) and 394th Bombardment Squadron (394th BS). Nicknamed "Bomber Barons" the motif was a skull with wings with "Kiai O Kalewa" (Hawaiian for "Guardians of the Upper Realm").

Wartime History
The 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG) nicknamed "Bomber Barons" operated in the South Pacific (SOPAC) during World War II. At the start of the Pacific War, assigned to the 7th Air Force (7th AF). In 1943, assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF). On June 15, 1944 became part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF) until the end of World War II.

Headquarters Squadron (HQ)
During 1941, the 31st BS was part of the 7th Air Force and based at Hickam Field. During 1942 assigned to Mokuleia Field. On December 1, 1942 transfers to Bomber 1 on Espiritu Santo. On December 30, 1943 lost is B-24D "Pretty Prairie Special" 41-24186 piloted by Lt. Colonel Marion D. Unruh. Nine of the crew are captured and become Prisoners Of War (POW). Only Unruh survived captivity until the Pacific War.

50th Reconnaissance Squadron (50th RS)
On January 25, 1938 attached to 5th Bombardment Group. On February 1, 1940 attached to 11th Bombardment Group.

23rd Bombardment Squadron (23rd BS)
The 23rd Bombardment Squadron (23rd BS) served in the South Pacific.

31st Bombardment Squadron (31st BS)
The 31st Bombardment Squadron (31st BS) in the South Pacific.

72nd Bombardment Squadron (72nd BS)
The 72nd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) in the South Pacific.

394th Bombardment Squadron (394th BS)
The 394th Bombardment Squadron (394th BS) served in the South Pacific.

Commanding Officers (C. O.)
Lt. Col. Edwin B. Bobzien (April 1941–January 1942)
Col. A. W. Meehan (January 1942–October 1942)
Lt. Colonel B. E. Allen (November 1942–August 1943)
Lt. Colonel Marion D. Unruh (August 10, 1943–December 30, 1943)
Lt. Col J. C. Reddoch, Jr. (December 30, 1943–August 1944)
Col. T. C. Musgrave (August 1944–February 1945)
Lt. Col. A. W. James (February 1945–March 1945)
Lt. Col. I. J. Haviland (March 1945–July 1945)
Lt. Col. A. W. James (July 1945–January 1947)

References
Pacific Wrecks - 5th Bombardment Group "Bomber Barons" Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Pacific Wrecks - 5th Bombardment Group "Bomber Barons" Consolidated B-24 Liberators
5thBomber Barons.info
History of the Fifth Bombardment Group: The Story of 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) (1946)
40th Anniversary Headquarters 5th Bombardment Wing (H) (SAC) Kiai O Kalewa Travis Air Force Base, February 13-14, 1959
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 531-532 (431st Bombardment) [PDF pages 543-544]
The Bomber Barons: The History of the 5th Bomb Group in the Pacific during World War II (1982) by Frederick A. Johnsen
Captain James Donald Robertson His Life and Times From Judith Gap, Montana To World War II In The South Pacific (1995)
Bomber Barons 5th Bomb Group Heavy (2000)
Scootin' Thunder (2006) by Beth Houser
Courage Before Every Danger - Honor Honor Before All Men The History of the 31st Bombardment Squadron (H) in World War II In Their Own Words (2010) by Joanne Pfannenstiel Emerick
Thanks to Richard O'Brien, 5th Bombardment Group Association and Joanne Emerick, 31st Bombardment Squadron Association for additional information