42nd Bombardment Squadron (42nd BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG)

Background
On June 13, 1917 organized as the 42nd Aero Squadron. On October 1, 1918 redesignated Squadron I at Wright Field. On February 21, 1919 demobilized. On June 10, 1922, reconstituted and consolidated as 42nd Squadron in the 10th School Group. On July 5, 1922 organized. On January 25, 1923 redesignated 42nd School Squadron.

On July 2, 1926 became part of the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On March 1, 1935 redesignated 42nd Bombardment Squadron. On July 16, 1931 assigned to Air Corps Advanced Flying School. On March 1, 1935 assigned to 3rd Wing attached to Air Corps Advanced Flying School. On September 1, 1936 inactivated.

On December 22, 1939 reconstituted as the 42nd Bombardment Squadron (Medium) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On February 1, 1940 reactivated in the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Hickam Field on Oahu. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

Wartime History
On April 5, 1942 lost is B-17E 41-2443 pilot 1st Lt. Ward Cox, Jr. on a night patrol looking for a Japanese submarine that was reportedly refueling flying boats that dropped bombs on Mt. Tantalus on March 3, 1942. Returning from the mission with bombs aboard, this B-17 crashed into the cliffs of Mount Keahiakahoe near the Nu'uanu Pali on Oahu.

On September 8, 1942 lost is B-17E "Stingaree" 41-9071 pilot Captain Robert H. Richards (MIA) on a patrol over the Solomon Sea. In fact, this B-17 intercepted a Japanese H6K Mavis flying boat at approximately 1,000' but was hit by defensive gunfire and exploded and crashed on Rendova Island. On the ground, this air combat was observed by coastwatcher Sgt Harry Wickham who reported the B-17 crash to coastwatcher Donald Kennedy at Segi on New Georgia.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On November 6, 1944 "Project Mike" commences to block the Nanpo Shoto region with aerial mines. B-24s from 42d Bombardment Squadron took off from Guam via Isely Field on Saipan, where the mines are loaded and fuel tanks topped off then fly to Chichi Jima and lay 10 mines.

On November 9, 1944 "Project Mike" continues as B-24s from 42d Bombardment Squadron lay 10 mines in Futami Ko, Chichi Jima.

On November 12, 19444 "Project Mike" continues as B-24s from 42d Bombardment Squadron, finding cloudy weather at the primary objective Chichi Jima, fly to the alternate, Haha Jima and lay 15 mines.

On November 14, 19444 "Project Mike" continues as B-24s from 42d Bombardment Squadron lay 6 mines in effective locations off Ani Jima and Haha Jima.

On November 17, 1944 "Project Mike" continues as B-24s from 42d Bombardment Squadron lay 8 mines in effective locations in Futami Ko, Chichi Jima.

Postwar
On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On December 1, 1948 assigned to the 11th Bombardment Wing (11th BW).

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 193-194 (42nd Bombardment) [PDF pages 205-206]