374th Bombardment Squadron (374th BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 308th Bombardment Group (308th BG)

Background
On January 28, 1942 constituted as the 374th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). 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 18, 1942 moves to Davis-Montham Field, Arizona. On July 24, 1942 moves to Alamogordo, New Mexico. On August 28, 1942 moves to Davis-Montham Field, Arizona. On October 1, 1942 moves to Wendover Field, Utah. On November 30, 1942 moves to Pueblo Army Air Field, Colorado. On January 2, 1943 deploys overseas to China.

Wartime History
On March 20, 1943 arrives Chengkung Airfield in China.

On May 31, 1943 nine B-24s from 374th BS and 375th BS bomb Kingmen Airfield escorted by nine P-40s led by Lt. Col John Alison including two Americans and seven Chinese pilots on a mission to bomb Kingmen Airfield. The formation are diverted to bomb Ichang Airfield when engaged by twenty Japanese fighters. The bombers and fighters claim five shot down with one Chinese P-40 is lost.

On November 14, 1943 the squadron flew a mine laying bombing mission against Kowloon Docks near Hong Kong and drop mines in Victoria Harbor. During the mission, B-24D "The Goon" 41-24183 experienced engine problems with seven bailing out with three of the crew land the next morning.

On January 12, 1945 lost is B-24J "Shootin' Star" 42-73249 pilot 1st Lt. Robert E. Churgin on a long range reconnaissance mission over the South China Sea and the coast of Indochina and was accidentally shot down by F4U Corsairs from Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124).

On February 18, 1945 moves to Kwanghan Airfield (A-3) in China.

On June 27, 1945 moves to Rupsi Airfield in India. On October 14, 1945 deploys back to the United States. On January 5, 1946 arrives Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. On January 6, 1946 inactivated.

Postwar
On September 16, 1947 redesignated 374th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Heavy) in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) operating the B-29 Superfortress and later the RB-29, WB-29 and C-47. On October 15, 1947 assigned to the 308th Reconnaissance Group (308th RG) at Fairfield-Suisun Airfield. Between November 22, 1948–July 6, 1949 one flight operates from Lincolnshire in England. On October 28, 1948 moves to McClellan AFB. Between May 8, 1950 to December 4, 1950 one flight operates from Dhahran Airfield in Saudi Arabia.

Between July 3, 1950 to September 28, 1950 another flight operates from Eielson AFB. On October 10, 1951 moves to Forbes AFB in Kansas. On December 19, 1950 assigned to Air Weather Service. On February 21, 1951 inactivated. On October 4, 1951 redesignated 374th Bombardment Squadron (Medium). On October 10, 1951 activated in the 308th Bombardment Group (308th BG), attached to the 21st Air Division. On April 17, 1952 moves to Hunter AFB in Georgia. On June 16, 1952 assigned to the 308th Bombardment Wing (308th BW) operating the B-47 Stratojet. On July 15, 1959 moves to Plattsburg AFB in New York. On June 25, 1961 discontinued and inactivated.

On January 24, 1962 redesignated and activated in Strategic Air Command (SAC) as 374th Strategic Missile Squadron at Little Rock AFB in Arkansas. On September 1, 1962 assigned to the 308th Strategic Missile Wing for training with Titan missiles.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation (China: August 21, 1943, East and South China Sea, Straits of Formosa, Gulf of Tonkin May 24, 1944–April 28, 1945) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (November 1, 1956–April 1, 1957)

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 462-463 (374th Bombardment) [PDF pages 474-475]