The squadron moved to MacDill Field, Florida, where it received its initial cadre in September andcompleted Phase I training with Martin B-26 Marauders.

At Baer, it received new B-26Cs, then proceeded to the United Kingdom via the south Atlantic ferry route by June.

[2][8] The squadron began operations with Eighth Air Force in July 1943 as part of the first raid on the European continent by B-26s.

It attacked airports, industrial factories, marshalling yards and military targets in France and the Low Countries.

[6] In preparation for Operation Overlord, the Invasion of Normandy, the 455th attacked coastal defenses and other targets in northwestern France.

[6] In late August 1944, the squadron left England for Lessay Airfield, an advanced landing ground in France.

The squadron was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for striking transportation hubs used by the Wehrmacht to bring reinforcements to the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge.

It returned to the United States in November and was inactivated at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts, the port of embarkation, a day later.

In their place the 455th and 451st Flying Training Squadrons were activated at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

[2] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency