Photographic Squadron Three (VD-3)
U.S. Navy (USN)

Background
On February 15, 1943 Photographic Squadron Three (VD-3) was commissioned in the U.S. Navy (USN) in Fleet Air Wing Fourteen (FAW-14) at NAS San Diego under Commanding Officer (C.O.) Commander William T. Easton. On March 9, 1943 placed under the command of Lt. Commander Robert J. Stroh.

On June 15, 1943 the squadron begins a movement to NAS Barber's Point on Oahu under Fleet Air Wing Two (FAW-2) and is assembled by the end of the month.

On September 20, 1943 the squadron moves to Canton Airfield with the movement complete by October 7, 1943.

On December 26, 1943 the squadron begins operating from Apemama Airfield (Apamama) and established a established a temporary advanced base with auxiliary photographic laboratory used until April 4, 1944.

On January 5, 1944 at 2:00am PB4Y-1P 31987 pilot Commander Robert J. Stroh and PB4Y-1 32019 pilot Lt. Larren M. Allen took from Apemama Airfield (Apamama) on a low level oblique photographic reconnaissance mission over Kwajalein Atoll. Flying at an altitude of 200', the pair photographed a section of the seaward beach on the northern side of the atoll from Roi to the west Departing the target area, the pair were intercepted by twelve Japanese fighters, Shot down is PB4Y-1 32019 pilot Lt. Larren M. Allen approximately 5:15am and crashed into the sea about 15 miles south of Kwajalein Atoll. When this bomber failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

During February 1944, some of the squadron's photographers flew nine missions as photographers aboard PB4Y-1 Liberators of Bombing Squadron 108 (VB-108) and Bombing Squadron 109 (VB-109) when special photograph was required.

On February 13, 1944 squadron member PHOM1c Robert D. De Rosa was a photographer aboard PB4Y-1 Liberator 32117 pilot Lt(jg) Herron on a mission over Wotje and went Missing In Action (MIA).

On April 1, 1944 the squadron moves to Eniwetok Airfield.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Commander William T. Easton (February 15, 1943–March 8, 1943)
Lt. Commander Robert J. Stroh (March 9, 1943–

References
NARA VD-3 War History
NARA VD-3 War Diary January 1944
NARA VD-3 War Diary February 1944