Background
On May 26, 1917 organized as 1st Reserve Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army at Mineola in NY.
World War I
During World War I, sent overseas to France to assemble, service and repair aircraft. During September 1917 became part of the Third Aviation Instruction Center On September 21, 1917 at Issoudun. On October 1, 1917 redesignated as 26th Aero Squadron. On April 13, 1919 moves Clisson. On May 1, 1919 moves to St. Sebastien then returns to the United States. On May 27, 1919 at Mitchel Field in New York. r. On June 7, 1919 demobilized.
On August 30, 1921 reconstituted and consolidated with 26th Squadron in the 3rd Attack Group attached to the 18th Pursuit Group. On September 15, 1921 organized at Kelly Field in Texas operating the DH-4. On January 25, 1923 redesignated 26th Attack Squadron. On June 27, 1924 inactivated. The squadron emblem was a shield parted per bend blue and orange with a clenched fist at the center.
On September 1, 1930 reactivated operating the A-3 as part of the 5th Composite Group (later 5th Bombardment Group) attached to the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field on Oahu in Hawaii. During 1936 converts to the A-12. On December 6, 1939 redesignated 26th Bombardment Squadron (Medium). On February 1, 1940 converts to the B-18 Bolo and assigned to 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG) at Hickam Field.
On December 11, 1940 redesignated 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). During 1941 converts to the B-17 Flying Fortress.
Wartime History
On December 20, 1941 returns to Wheeler Field and conducts search missions off Hawaii. On July 19, 1942 depart bound for South Pacific (SoPAC). On July 25, 1942 arrives Bauer Field on Efaté. On August 1, 1942 a forward echelon from the squadron begins operating from Bomber 1 on Espiritu Santo. The squadron was tasked by Admiral John S. McCain with a maximum effort bombing campaign for a week before the U.S. invasion of Tulagi and Guadalcanal.
On August 4, 1942 the squadron flew a bombing mission against Tulagi. Lost is B-17E 41-9218 pilot 1st Lt. Rush E. McDonald (MIA) shot down or collided with an A6M2-N Rufe from Yokohama Kōkūtai.
On September 1, 1942 begins operating from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal with the rest of the squadron remains on Efaté.
On October 23, 1942on an anti-submarine patrol mission B-17E "Miss Fit" 41-2433 over the Solomon Sea engaged in air-to-air combat with H6K4 Mavis observer Shimoyamada and engaged in air-to-air combat. After a battle that lasted forty-four minutes, Spitzer and Mitchell were wounded and the Mavis was shot down and crashed into the sea. Afterward, this B-17 returned to Espiritu Santo.
On November 18, 1942 a formation of ten B-17s bomb Japanese shipping off southern Bougainville. ditched is B-17F 41-24531 pilot Colonel LaVerne "Blondie" G. Saunders ditched off Baga Island (Mbava) near Vella Lavella.
On December 22, 1942 returns to
Bomber 1 on Espiritu Santo.
On January 5, 1943 five B-17s from 26th BS escorted by P-38 Lightnings took off on a mission to bomb a Japanese cruiser off near Buin on southern Bougainville.
On January 27, 1943 lost is B-17E 41-2403 pilot Woodruff. Aboard was a total of fourteen crew and passengers including Major General Nathan F. Twining and ditched south of Guadalcanal in the open sea with everyone aboard surviving unhurt.
On April 8, 1943 moves to Bellows Field on Oahu. On May 11, 1943 moves to Wheeler Field and begins transitioning to the B-24 Liberator.
On April 23, 1943 damaged is B-17F "Aztec's Curse" 41-24457 ground looped due to brake failure piloted by Captain Leon Rockwell and sustained damage and was written off.
On May 11, 1943 returns to Wheeler Field.
On November 11, 1943 moves to Motulalo Airfield (Nukufetau). The next day, the air echelon moves to Canton Airfield and two days later fly their first mission. On December 31, 1943 returns to Motulalo Airfield (Nukufetau).
On January 25, 1944 moves to Tarawa Airfield.
On
April 4, 1944 the squadron flew a night bombing mission against Truk. Lost is B-24J 42-100216 pilot Opperman (MIA) and B-24J 42-100394 pilot Captain Allan R. Taflinger (MIA).
On April 14, 1944
moves to Kwajalein Airfield.
On October 21, 1944 moves to Guam.
On February 8, 1945 the squadron flew a bombing mission against radar and radio installations and anti-aircraft defenses on Iwo Jima. Lost is B-24L 44-41470 pilot 1st Lt. Herman L. E. Bierwirth (MIA).
On February 10, 1945 the squadron flew a bombing mission against Okimura on Haha Jima (Mother Island). Lost is B-24L "Royal Flush" 44-41465 pilot 1st Lt Edwin E. Brashear (MIA).
On July 2, 1945 moves to Okinawa.
During December 1945 moves to Manila.
Postwar
On April 30, 1946 redesignated 26th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) and was non-operational. On May 15, 1946 moves to Guam. On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On October 20, 1948 inactivated. On December 1, 1948 redesignated and reactivated as 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) in the 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG) at Carswell AFB in Texas. During 1949 begins operating the B-36. On June 16, 1952 assigned to the 11th Bombardment Wing (11th BW) later redesignated 11th Strategic Aerospace Wing. On December 13, 1957 moves to Altus AFB. During 1958 begins operating the B-52.
Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation South Pacific July 31, 1942–November 1942
Presidential Unit Citation 1942
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award August 6, 1954–July 15, 1957 and October 27, 1958–September 16, 1960
Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major Allan J. Sewart (November 18, 1942) †
References
Grey Geese Calling A History of the 11th Bombardment Group Heavy (H) in the Pacific, 1940-1945 (1981) details the 26th BS
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 133-134 (26th Bombardment) [PDF pages 145-146]
