98th Bombardment Squadron (98th BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG)
Background
On December 2, 1941 constituted as the 98th Bombardment Squadron (98th BS) in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On December 16, 1941 activated in the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Hickam Field on Oahu.
Wartime History
On July 21, 1942 the air echelon begins operating from Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield and Bomber 1.
On July 24, 1942 arrives Nadi Airfield on Viti Levu Island in Fiji.
On August 11, 1942 moves to Bomber 1.
On September 12, 1942 six B-17E Flying Fortresses (four from 98th BS plus two from 431s BS) took off on a bombing mission against a Japanese task force that was reported to include an aircraft carrier. In fact, no carrier was there. Returning in bad weather and low on fuel, three ditched (possibly after midnight in early morning hours of September 13, 1942). Ditched is B-17E 41-2404 pilot 1st Lt James P. Van Haur ditched out of fuel, two died in life raft on September 18, 1943 the rest were rescued seven days later.
During November 1942 begins operating from Guadalcanal.
On December 5, 1942 moves to
Bomber 1 on Espiritu Santo.
On April 8, 1943 moves to Mokuleia Field on Oahu.
On November 11, 1943 moves to
Funafuti Airfield. On November 13, 1943 first combat mission on their second tour of duty.
On January 20, 1944 moves to
Tarawa Airfield.
On April 3, 1944 moves to
Eniwetok Airfield.
On October 21, 1944 moves to Guam.
Postwar
On April 30, 1946 redesignated as 98th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy).
On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On October 20, 1948 inactivated. On December 1, 1948 redesignated 98th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) and reactivated in the 11th Bomb Group. On June 16, 1952 became part of the 11th Bomb Wing (11th BW). On December 10, 1957 assigned to the 4123rd Strategic Wing. On February 1, 1963 again inactivated and discontinued as a squadron.
References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 326 (98th Bombardment) [PDF pages 338]
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