490th Bombardment Squadron (490th BS) "Burma Bridge Busters"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 341st Bombardment Group (341st BG)

Background
On August 14, 1942 constituted as the 490th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On September 15, 1942 activated in the 341st Bombardment Group (341st BG) in the 10th Air Force (10th AF) at Karachi Airfield in Pakistan operating the B-25. During early 1944 nicknamed "Burma Bridge Busters" for bombing bridges.

Wartime History
On January 5, 1943 moves to Ondal Airfield in India.

On May 20, 1943 a detachment begins operating from Chakulia Airfield and five days later returns to Ondal Airfield.

On May 25, 1943 moves to Kurmitola Airfield in India (Bangladesh).

On August 26, 1944 moves to Dergaon Airfield in India.

On October 20, 1944 moves to Moran Airfield in India.

On November 29, 1944 moves to Warazup Airfield in Burma.

On February 22, 1944 lost is B-25G Mitchell 42-64779 pilot Captain Harry S. Sutphen (MIA) on a low level bombing mission hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed southwest of Monywa.

On March 17, 1944 lost is B-25H Mitchell 43-4229 pilot 1st Lt. Arthur C. Sanders, Jr. (MIA) on a low level mission over Shweli Bridge in Burma.

On April 13, 1945 moves to Hanchung Airfield in China until the end of the Pacific War.

On April 16, 1945 a detachment operates from Hsian Airfield in China until August 4, 1945 then returns to Hanchung Airfield.

Postwar
On November 2, 1945 inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

On March 17, 1947 redesignated 490th Bombardment Squadron (Light). On April 4, 1947 activated in the reserves as part of the 341st Bombardment Group (341st BG) at Dow Field in Maine. On June 27, 1949 inactivated.

On June 7, 1955 redesignated 490th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On September 1, 1955 activated in the 341st Bombardment Wing (341st BW) at Abilene AFB operating the B-47. On June 25, 1961 discontinued and inactivated.

On December 18, 1961 redesignated 490th Strategic Missile Squadron and activated in Strategic Air Command (SAC). On May 1, 1962 organized in the 341st Strategic Missle Wing at Malmstrom AFB.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation: Central Burma (October 1, 1943–December 1944)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (October 22, 1962–December 31, 1963)

References
One member of the squadron was Arnold Spielberg, father of Hollywood director Steven Spielberg
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 589-590 (490th Bombardment) [PDF pages 601-602]
Burma Bridge Busters via Wayback Machine May 18, 2010
Associated Press (AP) "Computer pioneer Arnold Spielberg, Steven’s dad, dies at 103" August 26, 2020