387th Bombardment Squadron (387th BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG)

Background
Established as the 386th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) in the United States then sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
On November 30, 1943 arrives Port Moresby in New Guinea. The squadron used the playing card suit diamond as their motif on the rear fuselage.

On April 5, 1944 lost is A-20G 43-9469  pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas E. Freeman on a strike mission against Hollandia.

On April 16, 1944 the squadron took off on a low level strike against Hollandia. Returning, the formation encountered a severe weather front of cloud and storms. Force landed is A-20G "Benny's Baby" 42-86772  pilot 2nd Lt. Glen D. Benskin. Ditched is A-20G "The Texan" 43-9098  pilot Captain Frank P. Smart (MIA). Afterwards, the mission was dubbed "Black Sunday" and was the largest operational loss suffered by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) during World War II.

On June 10, 1944 lost s A-20G 43-9475  pilot Robert L. Boydstun crash landed at Gusap Airfield.

On July 22, 1944 the squadron flew a low level strike against Kokas. Lost is A-20G "Bevo" 43-9432 pilot 1st Lt. James L. Knarr (MIA).

On August 11, 1944 the squadron flew a strike mission against Utarom. Lost is A-20G "Short Stuff" 43-9106 pilot Captain Jack W. Klein (rescued).

On June 3, 1945 lost is A-20G "King High Flush" 43-21935 destroyed while parked at Floridablanca Airfield.

On January 9, 1945 ditched is A-20G "Bug Eyes" 43-22161 pilot 1st Lt. Albert H. Franz.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages XXX [PDF pages XXX]
The Roarin' 20's A History of the 312th Bombardment Group (1994) details 312th Bomb Group history
312th Bombardment Group (312th BG) DVD (2000)
Rampage of the Roarin' 20's (2009) details 312th Bomb Group history detailing the entire unit history, veterans and aircraft