65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS) "The Lucky Dicers"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG)

Background
On November 20, 1940 constituted as the 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). Nicknamed "The Lucky Dicers". On January 15, 1941 activated in the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) at Langley Field, Virginia. On August 29, 1941 moves to Bangor, Maine equipped with B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and remains until February 17, 1942 then departs overseas for Australia.

Wartime History
On March 28, 1942 arrives Sydney. On June 23, 1942 moves to Williamston Airifled. On August 15, 1942 moves to Torrens Creek Airfield. On October 13, 1942 moves to Iron Range Airfield.

On November 7, 1942 moves to Mareeba Airfield.

On November 22, 1942 lost is B-17E 41-2536 pilot 2nd Lt John Frost II (MIA).

On December 2, 1942 lost is B-17E 41-9194  pilot 1st Lt Robert K. Freeman (KIA, crew survived) crashed near Moitaka between 5 Mile Drome and 7 Mile Drome.

On January 8, 1943 lost is B-17E 41-9234  pilot 1st Lt Raymond S. Dau force landed crew survived.

On January 17, 1943 lost is B-17E "Tugboat Annie" 41-2599  pilot 2nd Lt Harris N. Lien returning ditched north of Buna, crew rescued.

On January 20, 1943 moves to 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby in New Guinea.

On May 24, 1943 lost is B-17E "Tex / Gypsy Rose" 41-9193  pilot 1st Lt Raymond S. Dau ditched off Duvira Mission, crew rescued.

On June 13, 1943 lost is B-17F "Georgia Peach" 41-24454  pilot Woodard (KIA) shot down by J1N1 Irving night fighter pilot Shigetoshi Kudo with two crew Prisoners Of War (POWs).

On June 26, 1943 lost is B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 pilot Sarsfield on a night bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Over the target, shot down by J1N1 pilot Shigetoshi Kudo and crashed into the jungle in the Baining Mountains.

On August 3, 1943 lost is B-17E "Red Moose Express" 41-2634 pilot 1st Lt Walter K. Brenneman (MIA).

On September 2, 1943 lost is B-17E "Craps For The Japs" 41-2653  pilot LaPorte (MIA).

On September 15, 1943 lost is B-17F "Listen Here Tojo" 41-24552  pilot 1st Lt. Howard G. Eberly (MIA) crashed into a mountainside at an elevation of 8,300' in the Hidden Valley southwest of Wau.

On September 16, 1943 B-17F "Dinah Might ?" 41-24355 was damaged and written off.

During October 1943 the squadron converts to the B-24 Liberator.

On December 11, 1943 moves to Dobodura Airfield.

On March 1, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield in New Guinea.

On July 11, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield on Owi Island in New Guinea.

On November 23, 1944 moves to Tacloban Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines.

On March 16, 1945 moves to Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines.

On May 18, 1945 the squadron bombed Tainan Airfield on Formosa (Taiwan). Over the target, the formation was targeted by accurate anti-aircraft fire that scored a direct hit and exploded B-24J 44-42358 pilot 1st Lt. James J. Franklin. Damaged by the explosion was B-24J "Petty Gal" 44-40373 pilot Lt. Rudolph J. Cherkauer. Also damaged was B-24J "Smitty Jr." 42-109864 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles H. Wilt and managed to reach the sea and the crew bailed out.

On July 24, 1945 moves to Ie Shima Airfield off Okinawa.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 245-246 (65th Bombardment) [PDF pages 257-258]
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)