90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG)

Background
On August 20, 1917 organized as the 90th Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army at Kelly Field in Texas. On June 13, 1918 assigned to I Corps Observation Group. On July 1, 1938 assigned to IV Corps Observation Group. During October 1917 stationed at Garden City, NY. On September 21, 1918 assigned to III Corps Observation Group. During November 1918 stationed Colombey-les-Belles in France. On November 30, 1918 assigned to I Corps Observation Group. On April 19, 1918 at Amanty in France. On June 13, 1918 at Ourches, France. On September 20, 1918 stationed at Souilly in France. On October 29, 1918 stationed at Bethelainville in France. On December 2, 1918 stationed at Belrain, France.

On July 1, 1919 assigned to Army Surveillance Group (later 1st Army Surveillance Group, 3rd Attack Group, 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG). During June 1921 redesignated 90th Squadron. On January 25, 1923 redesignated 90th Attack Squadron. On July 2, 1926 became part of the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On September 15, 1939 redesignated 90th Bombardment Squadron (Light). On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

Wartime History
During early 1942 sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) arriving in Brisbane in Australia. On March 8, 1942 moves to Charters Towers Airfield. On April 8, 1942 three B-25C Mitchells from the squadron are selected to fly the Royce Mission and flown to Archerfield Airfield for installation of 12,000 gallon axillary fuel tanks in the bomb bay for the top secret mission to the Philippines.

On September 28, 1942 redesignated 90th Bombardment Squadron (Dive).

On January 28, 1943 moves to 3 Mile Drome (Kila Kila) near Port Moresby.

On March 3, 1943 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea eight B-25s from 90th Bombardment Squadron sink a destroyer and 2 transports.


On May 22, 1943 five B-25s attack Lae Airfield. Lost is B-25C 41-12491 pilot 1st Lt. Roy J. Moore (MIA) on a night reconnaissance mission against Japanese barge traffic off the north coast of New Guinea.

On May 21, 1943 moves to Horanda No. 4 (Dobodura 4).

On May 25, 1943 redesignated 90th Bombardment Squadron (Light).

On September 24, 1943 B-25s from the squadron escroted by y P-38 Lightnings from 433rd FS strike Finschafen. Over the target, intercepted by Japanese fighters and bombers.

On November 2, 1943 the squadron flew a low level bombing and strafing mission against Japanese ships in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul.

On January 30, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield.

Postwar
On October 1, 1949 inactivated. On June 7, 1951 redesignated as 90th Bombardment Squadron (Light, Night Intruder). On June 25, 1951 reactivated for service in the Korean War. On October 1, 1955 redesignated 90th Bombardment Squadron (Tactical).

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major John "Jock" P. Henebry (July 1943–November 1943)

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 304-305 (90th Bombardment) [PDF pages 316-317]
Harvest of the Grim Reapers The Illustrated History of the 3rd and 27th Bomb Groups During World War II Volume I: Prewar to December 1942 (2021) by Lawrence J. Hickey, Edward M. Rogers with Osamu Tagaya and Madison D. Jonas