50th Reconnaissance Squadron (50th RS)
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Bombardment Group / 11th Bombardment Group

Background
On August 6, 1917 organized as 50th Aero Squadron. On March 14, 1921 redesignated as 50th Squadron. On January 25, 1923 redesignated as 50th Observation Squadron. On July 2, 1926 became part of the U. S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On August 1, 1927 inactivated. On November 1, 1930 reactivated at Luke Field on Ford Island equipped with O-19Bs to perform aerial reconnaissance and patrols off Hawaii.

On January 25, 1938 redesignated 50th Reconnaissance Squadron (50th RS) and attached to the 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG). On October 9, 1939 moves to Hickam Field on Oahu. On December 6, 1939 redesignated 50th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium). On February 1, 1940 attached to the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy). On November 20, 1940 redesignated as 50th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy).

On February 25, 1941 crashed is B-18 Bolo 36-446 pilot Captain Boyd Hubbard, Jr. crashed on Hawaii and the crew was later rescued.

On June 20, 1941 became part of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF).

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu, the squadron begins flying search mission off Hawaii.

On December 27, 1941 the squadron flew a search mission off Hawaii. Returning in the evening, lost is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2402 pilot 1st Lt Earl J. Cooper (survived).

On February 25, 1942 assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy). On April 22, 1942 redesignated as 431st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy).

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 531 (50th Recon Squadron) [PDF pages 543]