25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (25th PRS)
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group

Wartime History
The 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (25th PRS) was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG). Also known as the 25th Photo Recon Squadron or 25th Photo Recon. Initially equipped with the F-5 Lightning, the photographic reconnaissance version of the P-38G Lightning and P-38L Lightning, with cameras installed in the nose compartment instead of armament. During late 1943 and early 1944 also equipped with some P-39Q Airacobras. The 25th Photo Recon Squadron was sent overseas to the South-West Pacific Area (SWPA).

On December 27, 1943 lost is P-39Q 42-19943 pilot Lt. Richard "Dick" Shipway (survived) ran out of fuel over northern Queensland and bailed out and was later rescued.

On December 5, 1943 lost is F-4 Lightning 41-2122 pilot F/O Roy L. Kross on a local orientation flight with the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS) and while flying low over the sea, this Lightning apparently lost control and attempted to ditch off Hood Point but crashed sliding into Hula and was burned and severely injured. Although rescued, he died the next day in the 171st Station Hospital at Port Moresby.

On January 12, 1944 lost is P-39Q 42-19949 pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas "Tommy" H. Roberts (MIA) on a local flight, reportedly over the Shaggy Ridge area and went missing.

On January 17, 1944 crashed is F-5A 42-12984 pilot Lt. Tommie G. Martin (survived) bailed out over Horn Island.

On March 3, 1944 lost is F-5B 42-67363 pilot 2nd Lt. Edwin A. Christian (MIA) on a photographic reconnaissance mission over Tadji and went missing.

On March 5, 1944 lost is F-5B 42-67360 pilot Captain Joe Y. Copenhaver (MIA) on a visual reconnaissance over the Tadji area. During 1962 the crash site was located by a patrol officer (kiap) with a team from the U.S. Army but no remains were found at the site and he remains listed as Missing In Action.

On May 29, 1945 lost is F-5E 44-24953 pilot F/O Charles E. Shannon, Jr. (MIA) a photo reconnaissance mission over Indo China (Vietnam) and went missing. Last contact was ninety miles south of Palawan with 15 minutes of fuel remaining.