321st Bombardment Squadron (321st BS) "Bombs Away"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG)

Background
On January 28, 1942 constituted as the 321st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). On April 15, 1942 activated in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as part of the 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG) at Key Field in Mississippi. Nicknamed "Bombs Away". During World War II, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF) in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
On November 4, 1942 moves to Iron Range Airfield in Queensland.

On January 6, 1943 lost is B-24D "Cowtown's Revenge" 41-23750 pilot 1st Lt. Walter E. Higgins ditched off Litisa island with the crew rescued and one missing. Lost is B-24D 41-23773  pilot 1st Lt. George M. Rose (MIA) on a search mission and was shot down by Zeros.

On February 7, 1943 lost is B-24D "Yanks From Hell" 41-23755  pilot 1st Lt James J. Crawford (KIA) crashed northwest of Port Moresby.

On February 10, 1943 moves to 5 Mile Drme (Ward) near Port Moresby.

On February 19, 1943 lost is B-24D-CO "Lady Luck" 41-11901  pilot 2nd Lt Howard F. Carlson (MIA) over the Cape Ward Hunt area.

On August 8, 1943 lost is B-24D "Big Emma" 41-23751 pilot 2nd Lt. John T. Moller crashed near Galley Reach (Fairfax Station).

In the middle of August 1943, Sgt Leonard Baer painted a large skull and cross bombs in white atop a black rectangle on the tail of B-24D "Connell's Special" 41-23765. Immediately, this distinctive insignia was adopted as the group motif and painted on the tail of each bomber.

On December 3, 1942 lost is B-24D "Little Eva" 41-23762 pilot 1st Lt. Norman R. Crosson crashed with the crew rescued and others died in the outback.

On January 20, 1943 lost is B-24D 41-24101  pilot 1st Lt. James A. McMurria ditched off Wewak with 2 missing, 8 prisoners.

On April 30, 1943 lost is B-24D 42-40352  pilot 1st Lt Jindrich "Henry" L. Chovanec crashed in the Highlands.

On September 9, 1943 lost is B-24D "Joltin' Janie" 42-40065  pilot 2nd Lt. Ralph Poulsen ditched Bootless Bay with one killed and the rest rescued.

On November 6, 1943 lost is B-24D "Miss Deed" 42-72814  pilot 1st Lt John Thomas O'Brien (MIA).

On December 1, 1943 lost is B-24D "Ten Knights in a Bar Room" 42-72806  pilot 1st Lt Oliver Sheehan (MIA). The same day the squadron moves to Dobodura.

On February 23, 1944 moves to Nadzab Airfield.

On February 29, 1944 lost is B-24D 42-72899  pilot 1st Lt. Owen L. Buford on a night bombing mission against Hollandia.

On April 10, 1944 lost is B-24D "Hot Garters" 42-41188  pilot 1st Lt. Bryant E. Poulsen (POW/MIA) hit by anti-aircraft fire over Hansa Bay.

On August 12, 1944 moves to Biak.

On January 26, 1945 moves to San Jose Airfield on Mindoro.

On August 15, 1945 moves to Ie Shima Airfield until the end of the Pacific War.

Postwar
On January 27, 1946 inactivated. On June 11, 1947 redesignated 321 Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy). On July 1, 1947 activated. On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On September 6, 1948 inactivated. On December 20, 1950 321st Bombardment Squadron (Medium). On June 1, 1951 became a operational training squadron. On June 1, 1951 became a replacement training squadron. On January 2, 1951 activated. On June 16, 1952 redesignated 321st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium). On November 10, 1952 conducts training for SHOrt RAnge Navigation (SHORAN). On January 1, 1959 conducts RB-47 crew training. On June 20, 1960 discontinued.

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Papua November 22, 1942–January 23, 1943, New Guinea September 13 & 15, 1943
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 394 (321st Bombardment) [PDF pages 406]
The Jolly Rogers History of the 90th Bomb Group During World War II (1981) by John S. Alcorn unit history of the 90th Bomb Group
Legacy of the 90th Bombardment Group "The Jolly Rogers" (1994) by Wiley O. Woods, Jr unit history of the 90th Bomb Group