373th Bombardment Squadron (373th BS) "Flying Tigers"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 308th Bombardment Group (308th BG)

Background
On January 28, 1942 constituted as the 373th Bombardment Squadron (373th BS) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Nicknamed "Flying Tigers". On April 15, 1942 activated in the 308th Bombardment Group (308th BG) at Gowen Field, Idaho operating the B-18 Bolo and later converts to the B-24 Liberator. On June 20, 1942 moves to Davis-Monthan Field. On June 23, 1942 moves to Alamogordo in New Mexico. On August 28, 1942 returns to Davis-Monthan Field. On October 1, 1942 moves to Wendover Field. On November 30, 1942 moves to Pueblo Army Air Base. On January 2, 1943 begins a movement overseas to China assigned to the 14th Air Force (14th AF).

Wartime History
On March 20, 1942 moves to Yangkai Airfield in China.

On July 29, 1943 lost is B-24D "Flamingo" 42-40848 pilot Captain William Chenowith damaged over Hong Kong with the crew bailing out and bomber force landing near Yangkai with three killed.

On September 15, 1943 seven B-24s from the squadron took off from Yangkai Airfield on a bombing mission against against a cement plant north of Hai Phong (Haiphong) near Hanoi in French Indochina (Vietnam). During the take offs, two B-24s became stuck in the mud and were unable to get airborne leaving only five to participate. Over the target the formation bombed from an altitude of 12,000' and was intercepted by 50+ enemy fighters. Lost is B-24D "Temptation" 41-24129 pilot 1st Lt. William A. Rutledge (MIA), B-24D "Mohawk" 41-24129 pilot 2nd Lt. Earl B. Johnson (5 POW, 1 MIA, 4 KIA) and B-24D "Daisy Mae" 41-24218 pilot Captain Leroy D. Cunningham (MIA).

On November 27, 1943 lost is B-24J "Maxwell House III" 42-73245  pilot Meredith crew (POW/MIA) on a bombing mission Insein north of Rangoon in Burma.

On April 18, 1944 lost is B-24D "Sweepy-Time Gal" 42-40622 pilot 2nd Lt. Glenn A. McConnell (MIA) sea search anti-shipping sea sweep off Hong Kong and shot down by Zeros.

On September 14, 1944 moves to Luliang Airfield in China.

On July 21, 1945 assigned to the 494th Bombardment Group (494th BG) in the 7th Air Force (7th AF) and the same day moves to Yontan Airfield on Okinawa until the end of the Pacific Wrar

Postwar
On October 11, 1945 assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG). On December 19, 1945 departs back to the United States. On January 4, 1946 arrives Vancouver, Washington State. On January 7, 1945 inactivated.

On September 16, 1947 redesignated 373d Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather). On October 15, 1947 assigned to 8th Weather Group (later 2108th Air Weather Group) at Kindley Field on Bermuda operating the B-17 and B-29. On October 16, 1947 acivated in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On February 21, 1951 inactivated.

On October 10, 1951 reactivated and redesignated 373d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) in the 308th Bombardment Group (308th BG), attached to 21st Air Division at Forbes AFB in Kansas. On June 16, 1952 assigned to the 308th Bombardment Wing (308th BW). On April 17, 1952 moves to Hunter AFB in Georgia. During 1954 begins operating the B-47 Stratojet. On July 15, 1959 moves to Plattsburgh AFB in New York. On April 1, 1962 moves to Little Rock AFB in Arkansas. On June 25, 1961 discontinued and inactivated. On November 29, 1961 redesignated 373d Strategic Missile Squadron in Strategic Air Command (SAC). On April 1, 1962 organized in the 308th Strategic Missle Wing operating the Titan Missle.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 461-462 (373d Bombardment) [PDF pages 473-474]