371st Bombardment Squadron (371st BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG)

Background
On January 28, 1942 constituted as the 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On April 15, 1942 activated in the 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG) "Long Rangers". On April 22, 1942 redesignated as 424th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy).

Wartime History
On December 21, 1942 the air echelon arrives Midway Airfield.

On December 22, 1942 the squadron took off from Midway Airfield on a night bombing mission against Wake Island returning the next day without loss. In total, this mission spanned over 4,300 nautical miles and reported in the press as a "Christmas Eve" raid.

B-24D "Flying Gator" 41-23898  destroyed March 23, 1943

B-24J "Miss Jones" 44-40611  pilot Rice crashed July 5, 1944

B-24D "Lakanooki" 42-40857  pilot Kizer MIA July 15, 1944 6 MIA, 5 rescued

B-24D "Frenisi" 42-40323  condemned on October 31, 1944, scrapped

On November 8, 1944 the squadron flies a bombing mission against Alicante Airfield on Negros. Lost is B-24L 44-41421  pilot 1st Lt. Walter A. Scalese (MIA) and B-24J 44-41264  pilot 1st Lt. Kenneth C. Sanderson (crew rescued).

Postwar
On January 18, 1946 inactivated. On July 15, 1946 redesignated 371st Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy). On August 4, 1946 activated. On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On May 28, 1948 redesignated 371st Bombardment Squadron (Medium).

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Borneo October 3, 1944, Korea July 11-27, 1953
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 459-460 (371st Bombardment) [PDF pages 471-472]