13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG)

Background
On June 14, 1917 organized as the 13th Aero Squadron at Camp Kelly, Texas as part of the U.S. Army. During June 1918 assigned to the 2nd Pursuit Group until the end of the year. On March 29, 1919 demobilized at the conclusion of World War I (WWI). On March 14, 1921 redesignated the 13th Squadron. On January 25, 1923 redesignated 13th Attack Squadron. On June 27, 1924 inactivated.

On November 1, 1929 reactivated as part of the 3rd Attack Group in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On October 16, 1937 reconstituted at Barksdale Field, LA and consolidated with the 104th Aero Squadron. On September 15, 1939 redesignated 13th Bombardment Squadron (Light). On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On October 10, 1940 moves to Savannah, GA.

Wartime History
At the start of the Pacific War, prepared for deployment to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). On January 19, 1942 departs overseas bound for Australia. On February 25, 1942 arrives Brisbane.

On March 10, 1942 moves to Charters Towers Airfield with A-20 Havocs. On April 6, 1942 13th BS flew their first combat mission.

On May 8, 1942 took off B-25C Mitchell 41-12486 pilot Lt. Leland "Sonny" A. Walker on a solo reconnaissance mission over Lae and intercepted by A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) that disabled the left engine and damaged the hydraulic system and force landed on Fishermans Island (Daugo).

On September 28, 1942 redesignated 13th Bombardment Squadron (Dive).

On January 10, 1943 transfers to Port Moresby with B-25 Mitchells.

On March 3, 1943 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea six B-25s from 13th BS strike the Japanese convoy in the Huon Gulf.

On May 23, 1943 transfers to Dobodura.

On May 25, 1943 redesignated 13th Bombardment Squadron (Light).

During February 1944 transfers to Nadzab Airfield.

On May 21, 1944 the squadron moves to Hollandia Airfield with A-20 Havocs.

On November 20, 1944 moves to Dulag Airfield on Leyte.

On August 7, 1945 moves to Okinawa with A-26 Intruders.

Postwar
On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On June 25, 1951 redesignated 13th Bombardment Squadron (Light, Night Intruder). On October 1, 1955 redesignated 13th Bombardment Squadron (Tactical).

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 70-72 (13th Bombardment) [PDF pages 82-84]
Harvest of the Grim Reapers The Illustrated History of the 3rd and 27th Bomb Groups During World War II Volume I: Prewar to December 1942 (2021) by Lawrence J. Hickey, Edward M. Rogers with Osamu Tagaya and Madison D. Jonas