500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) "Rough Raiders"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG)

Background
On September 3, 1942 constituted as the 499th Bombardment Squadron (Medium). On September 8, 1942 activated in the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) equipped with B-25 Mitchells at Columbia Army Airfield. On March 6, 1943 moves to Walterboro Army Airfield then departs overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Nicknamed "Rough Raiders".

Wartime History
On June 5, 1943 the entire 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches" arrives at Port Moresby in New Guinea.

On May 18, 1943 crashed B-25D "Dittum-Dattum" 41-30073  pilot McLean (survived).

On September 29, 1943 lost is B-25D "Axis Fate" 41-30053 pilot 1st Lt. Cecil O. Jones (KIA) on a training mission and crashed near SS Pruth (Moresby Wreck).

On October 16, 1943 lost is B-25D Mitchell 41-30561 pilot 2nd Lt. Donald L. Stookey ditched ditched three miles northeast of Cape Moem with the entire crew captured and became Prisoners Of War (POW) with three executed on Kairiru Island and two transported to Rabaul and executed during the Talili Bay Massacre (Tunnel Hill Massacre).

On October 18, 1943 the squadron conducts a low level strike against Rabaul . Lost is B-25D "Sorry Satchul" 41-30056 pilot 1st Lt. Harlan H. Peterson (MIA) and B-25D "SNAFU / MFUTU" 41-30054 pilot Captain Lyle E. Anacker (MIA) with two crew rescued. Afterwards, the 500th Bomb Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the mission.

B-25D "Lil De Icer" 41-33075  pilot Naigle ditched October 24, 1943

On November 2, 1943 the squadron took off on a bombing and strafing mission against Rabaul. Lost is B-25D "Miss Ellen" 41-30039 a borrowed plane piloted by 2nd Lt. Alfred R. Krasnickas (MIA).

On November 20, 1943 the squadron strikes Hansa Bay. Lost is B-25D 41-30522  pilot 1st Lt. Frank E. Gullette, Jr. ditched two miles off Meiwok (Mawok) near Uligan Harbor.

On December 26, 1943 lost is B-25D "Here's Howe" 41-30279  pilot 1st Lt William T. Kyser (MIA).

On January 25, 1944 lost is B-25D "Dittum Dattum (II) 41-30312  pilot 1st Lt. John P. McLean, Jr. (MIA).

On February 15, 1944 the squadron strikes Kavieng. Lost is B-25C "Stubborn Hellion" 42-32314  pilot Captain Michael F. Hochella ditched with crew rescued by PBY-5 Catalina 08491. Also B-25D 41-30531 pilot Captain William J. Cavoli ditched with crew rescued by PBY-5 "Arkansas Traveler" 08139 piloted by Lt. Nate Gordon. Also, B-25D "Jack Rabbit Express" 41-29992 pilot 1st Lt. Thane C. Hecox, Jr. (MIA).

On February 21, 1944 the squadron flew a strike against two Japanese light cruisers off the northwest of New Hanover. Shortly after take off, the objective was changed to a convoy in the same area. The formation included B-25s from 345th BG and 38th BG but due to bad weather caused the fighter escort to turn back. Only fifteen B-25s from 500th BS and 501st BS managed to reach the target. Damaged and returning ditched is B-25D 41-30061 pilot 1st Lt George I. Davis and his crew were rescued 19 hours later by HMAS Paluma.

B-25D "How's Your Ole' Tomato" 41-30664  pilot Finnegan crashed March 13, 1944

On April 16, 1944 the squadron strikes Hollandia. Lost is B-25D "Tinkie" 41-30315 pilot 1st Lt. James A. Waggle (MIA).

On June 11, 1944 lost is B-25D "Red Wrath / Pannell Job" 41-30024 pilot 1st Lt. Ray Pannell (KIA / MIA).

On August 15, 1944 ditched is B-25D "Quitch" 41-30518 pilot 1st Lt. John J. Nolan.

On September 2, 1944 thirteen B-25s from three squadrons on a strike mission against Langoan Airfield on Celebes (Sulawesi). When fighter escort did not rendezvous with the formation, they diverted to the secondary target of enemy installations along Lembeh Strait. Lost is B-25D "Mexican Spitfire" 41-30592 pilot 2nd Lt. Lloyd B. Bardwell, Jr. (MIA) and B-25D "Hell's Fire"" 41-30278 pilot 2nd Lt. Allen W. Lay (MIA). Damaged is B-25D "Avoca Avenger" 41-30161 and B-25D "The Wolf Pack" 41-30034 that returning both make an emergency landing at Middleburg Airfield.

On March 30, 1945 force landed is B-25D "Tondelayo / Chow Hound" 41-30669 pilot 1st Lt. Robert K. Cavins.

On May 17, 1945 lost is B-25J 44-30164 pilot 2nd Lt. J. T. Lackey.

Postwar
On December 19, 1945 inactivated. On March 22, 1954 redesignated 500th Bombardment Squadron (Tactical). On July 19, 1954 reactivated in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) equipped with the B-26 Invader at Langley Air Force Base. During 1955 converted to the B-57 Canberra. On October 8, 1957 to the 345th Bombardment Wing (345th BW). On June 25, 1959 inactivated.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation for October 18, 1943

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major Charles M. Hagest (November 11, 1942–March 28, 1944)
Major Keith Dougherty (March 29, 1944–August 28, 1944)
Major Max B. Mortensen (August 28, 1944–February 21, 1945)
Major Thomas R. Bazze (February 21, 1945–May 14, 1945)
Major Robert B. Canning (May 14, 1945–July 11, 1945) †
Major Robert F. Todd (July 12, 1945–August 20, 1945)

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 602-603 (500th BS) [PDF pages 614-615]
Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) definitive unit history of the 345th BG, 500th BS