424th Bombardment Squadron (424th BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG)

Background
On January 28, 1942 constituted as 35th Reconnaissance 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 February 13, 1943 six B-24s participated in the second wave of a bombing mission against Japanese shipping in the Shortland-Buin area. Lost over the target area is B-24D 41-23975  pilot 1st Lt. Russell W. Rowe (MIA), B-24D 41-23980  pilot 1st Lt. George K. Trager (MIA) and B-24D 41-23957  pilot Captain Harold G. McNeese (4 MIA, 5 survived).

On July 6, 1943 the squadron conducts a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield on Bougainville. Lost returning is B-24D 42-40230 pilot 1st Lt. Don F. Hathaway (MIA).

On July 7, 1943 lost is B-24D "Scrap Iron" 42-40384  pilot 1st Lt. Jack M. Cobb (survived) ditched and crew rescued.

On July 10, 1943 lost is B-24D "Alley Cat" 42-40646  pilot 2nd Lt Raymond W. Price (KIA) crashed Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal.

On July 25, 1943 lost is B-24D 42-40856 pilot 1st Lt. Orlin F. Wyse (MIA) on a mission against to New Georgia.

On November 10, 1944 the squadron moves to Pitu Airfield on Morotai.

On November 14, 1943 eighteen B-24s bomb Kahili Airfield on Bougainville. Lost is B-24J 42-73141 pilot 1st Lt. Clyde A. Friend (MIA).

On December 7, 1943 lost is B-24D "Mammy Yokum" 42-40221 pilot 2nd Lt. Norman R. Spearman (5 MIA, 9 survived).

On March 29, 1944 lost is B-24J 42-73466  pilot 1st Lt William E. Francis, Jr. (MIA).

On September 1, 1944 the squadron conducts a bombing mission against Koror in Palau. Over the target, lost is B-24J 42-73453 pilot 2nd Lt. Jack S. M. Arnett (POW/MIA) hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed approximately 1 1/4 miles south east of the southern tip of Babeldaub.

On April 2, 1945 crash landed is B-24J "Burma" 44-40601 crashed while landing at Rockhampton Airfield.

Postwar
On December 26, 1945 inactivated. On November 15, 1952 redesignated as 424th Bombardment Squadron (Light) in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On January 1, 1953 reactivated. On July 19, 1954 inactivated. On August 11, 1958 redesignated 424th Bombardment Squadron (Medium). On September 1, 1958 reactivated. On January 1, 1962 discontinued and inactivated.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Truk March 29, 1944, Borneo October 3, 1944
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 520-521 (424th Bombardment) [PDF pages 532-533]