403rd Bombardment Squadron (403rd BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG)

Background
On April 22, 1942 the 13th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) at Laverton Airfield was redesignated as the 403rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) as part of the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) in the 5th Air Force (5th AF) of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Also listed as 403d Bombardment Squadron (403d BS).

Wartime History
On August 27, 1942 moves to Torrents Creek Airfield. On October 17, 1942 moves to Iron Range Airfield and begins flying combat missions.

On November 16, 1942 at Iron Range Airfield is parked B-17F 41-24522 was destroyed on the ground.

On November 23, 1942 moves to Turnbull Airfield near Milne Bay in New Guinea.

On November 29, 1942 lost is B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24546 pilot 2nd Lt John E. Titus (MIA).

On December 1, 1942 lost is B-17F "Omar Khayyam / The Plastered Bastard" 41-24534  pilot Captain Willis E. Jacobs (MIA) with sole survivor Cpl Joseph E. Hartman.

On December 14, 1942 lost is B-17F "The Stingaree No. 2" 41-24550  pilot 1st Lt. Ealon S. Hocutt ditched into Bootless Bay.

On January 5, 1943 the 403rd BS B-17F 41-24538 pilot Captain Jean A. Jack, B-17F "The Reckless Mountain Boys" 41-24518 pilot Adams and B-17E 41-2639 pilot Captain Ealon Hocutt armed with 100 pound general purpose bombs took off on a bombing mission against Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. Inbound, B-17F "The Reckless Mountain Boys" 41-24518 aborted the mission due to engine problems. Damaged was B-17E 41-2639 landed at Pongani Airfield. Damaged by A6M Zeros, B-17F 41-24538 ditched off Urasi Island, crew rescued.

On January 17, 1943 at Turnbull Field (No. 3 Strip) destroyed by a Japanese air raid are parked B-17F 41-24540 and B-17F "Fire Ball Mail" 41-24551.

On January 21, 1943 moves to Mareeba Airfield in Queensland in Australia.

During March 1943 participates in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

On June 30, 1943 lost is B-17F "Pluto" 41-24543  pilot 1st Lt Harold S. Barnett (MIA) on a night bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Over the target, this B-17 was spotted and intercepted by J1N1 Irving piloted by Shigetoshi Kudo, who opened fire with his oblique 20mm cannons and observed this bomber crashing into the mountains southeast of Cape Lambert. This was the final B-17 shoot down by Shigetoshi Kudo, whose interceptions had accounted for five other bombers between May 1943 until June 30, 1943.

During the middle of 1943, transitioned to the B-24 Liberator. On May 11, 1943 moves to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby in New Guinea.

On December 13, 1943 moves to Dobodura.

On March 12, 1944 moves to Nadzab.

On July 28, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield.

On November 19, 1944 moves to Tacloban Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines.

On March 15, 1945 moves to Clark Field on Luzon.

On July 22, 1945 moves to Ie Shima Airfield off Okinawa in Japan until the official surrender of Japan. On October 10, 1945 moves to Fort William McKinley near Manila. On April 29, 1946 inactivated as a squadron.

Postwar
On December 1, 1958 reactivated in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in the 43rd Bombardment Wing (43rd BW) equipped with the B-47 Stratojet. On March 15, 1960 again disbanded and becomes part of the Department of the Air Force. On April 12, 1960 becomes part of Strategic Air Command (SAC). On May 15, 1960 reorganized at Carswell AFB, Texas in the 43rd Bombardment Wing (43rd BW) equipped with the B-58 Hustler. On January 1, 1961 discontinued as inactive.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Papua October 1942–January 23, 1943, Bismarck Sea March 2-4, 1943
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 493 (403d Bombardment) [PDF pages 505]
Ken's Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume I: Prewar to October 1943 The B-17 Era (2016, 2019)
Ken’s Men Against The Empire - The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II - Volume II: October 1943 to 1945 B-24 Era (2019)