This hand-painted sign commemorates the combat record of the 500th Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) — the celebrated 'Air Apaches' — displayed at their forward air base on Ie Shima in 1945. The insignia depicts the squadron's fierce horse emblem, while the text below traces the unit's campaign trail from New Guinea through the Philippines to the China coast. Rows of painted flag and ship icons served as a running tally of enemy aircraft and vessels claimed destroyed, a common morale display at Pacific island air bases during the closing months of the war. Project: 218232