405th Bombardment Squadron (405th BS) "The Green Dragons"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG)

Background
On November 20, 1940 constituted as the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium). Activated January 15, 1941 at Langley Field attached then assigned to the 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG). On June 5, 1941 moves to Jackson Army Air Base then sent overseas to Australia.

Wartime History
On February 25, 1942 arrives Eagle Farm Field (Doomben) near Brisbane. On March 8, 1942 moves to Ballarat Field. On April 22, 1942 redesignated 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium). Nicknamed "The Green Dragons". On August 7, 1942 moves Breddan Field. On September 30, 1942 moves to Garbutt Field at Townsville. Some of the squadron's bombers begin operating from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby.

On October 5, 1942 at 7:00am B-25C "Tokyo Sleeper" 41-12905 piloted by Lt. Brandon and B-25D "Battlin' Biffy" 41-29701 piloted by 1st Lt. Terrence J. Carey from the 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS) took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) on a patrol to the north coast of New Guinea and was intercepted by A6M2 Zeros. B-25C "Tokyo Sleeper" 41-12905 dropped one bomb near the transport and claimed a near miss, but in fact no damage was sustained. Turning for a second bomb run, this B-25 was intercepted by a Zeros head on, and dove to 500' and fled towards the coast of New Guinea, with enemy fighters in pursuit across the Owen Stanley Range back to Port Moresby and landed safely at 9:30am. Meanwhile, at 9:10am six other B-25s from the 38th Bomb Group took off to attack the Japanese convoy.

On October 25, 1942 the squadron moves to 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby.

On November 29, 1942 lost is B-25D "Bird Dog" 41-29724  pilot Pavlich lost and out of fuel ditched north of Yule Island on the southern coast of New Guinea.

On December 5, 1942 six B-25s from the squadron plus three B-25s from the 71st BS took off on a bombing mission against Japanese troop concentrations at Buna. After a late take off, lost is B-25C "The Happy Legend" 41-12907  pilot 1st Lt. Wilson L. Pinkstaff (MIA) crashed in the Owen Stanley Range. During 1943, Australian Army personnel found the crash site near Myola and found the remains of two of the crew. Postwar, at least eight recovery missions were made to the crash site for the rest of the crew.

On August 5, 1943 lost is B-25D "Elusive Lizzie / Miss America" 41-30118  pilot Major Williston M. Cox ditched off Wongat Island, one missing five POWs. The intact bomber was found 1979.

On August 18, 1943 the 405th BS took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) led by Major Ralph Cheli on their first low level strafing mssion against Dagua Airfield west of Wewak. Lost is B-25D 41-30117  pilot Major Ralph Cheli ditched a mile offshore from Dagua Airfield three MIA: Yancey, Raney and Massie. Three survived and became Prisoners Of War (POWs): Cheli, Warren and Murphree. Warren and Murphree died in captivity. Major Ralph Cheli earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously for the mission and was taken to Rabaul and executed March 4, 1944 during the Talili Bay Massacre at Tanoura bordering Talili Bay. Damaged, B-25D 41-30529  pilot 1st Lt. John Donegan force landed at 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) with two wounded aboard.

On August 21, 1943 the squadron flew Mission 232H a low level strike against against Dagua Airfield west of Wewak. Returning, damaged B-25D 41-30166  pilot Captain Warren P. McCartney force landed at 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) hit a fuel drum, caught fire and burned with the crew injured.

On September 2, 1943 the squadron led by Captain Garrett Middlebrook flew a low level strike against Japanese shipping in Wewak Harbor off Wewak. Lost is B-25D 41-30255  pilot 1st Lt. Charles E. Barber (MIA) and B-25D 41-30319  pilot F/O John D. Blain (POW/MIA).

On September 17, 1943 lost is B-25D "The Little Gem" 41-30321 pilot Lt. R. J. Henderson (KIA).

On October 16, 1943 a total of 38 B-25s from squadron escorted by P-47D Thunderbolts from 348th Fighter Group (348th FG) fly a low level strike against Alexishafen. Over the target intercepted by Ki-43 Oscars from 13th Sentai. Lost is B-25D "Lucky Star" 41-30183  pilot 2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore (MIA) ditched southeast of Madang. After the ditching, at least one of the crew was observed then never seen again.

On October 18, 1943 the squadron flew Mission 290 a bombing mission against anti-aircraft positions near Tobera Airfield near Rabaul. Returning, crashed is B-25C "Daisy Mae" 42-32262  pilot F/O Delbert L. Campbell (survived, 1 missing).

On November 9, 1943 the entire 38th BG strike Alexishafen Airfield. The 405th Bombardment Squadron and 823rd Bombardment Squadron target Strip #1, while the 71st and 822nd targeted the Strip #2. The Group did not loose any planes on the mission, although one radio operator was shot through the heart and killed.

On February 29, 1944 crashed is B-25D "Bar Fly" 41-30593  pilot Captain Robert J. Henderson force landed at Dubodura.

On March 6, 1944 the squadron moves to Nadzab Airfield.

On April 16, 1944 the squadron took off from Nadzab Airfield on a bombing mission against Hollandia. Returning, the formation encountered a severe weather front of bad weather and B-25D 41-30337  landed at Saidor Airfield and collided with F-5A Lightning 42-67350 killing the pilot and the four crew aboard the bomber. Afterwards, the mission was dubbed "Black Sunday".

On September 5, 1944 the squadron moves to Biak.

On October 15, 1944 the squadron moves to Morotai.

On December 30, 1944 lost is B-25J 44-28820  pilot 2nd Lt. Howard J. Drumm (MIA).

On January 30, 1945 the squadron moves to Lingayen Airfield on Luzon in the Philippines.

On July 21, 1945 the squadron moves to Okinawa.

Postwar
On November 21, 1945 moves to Mushiroda Airfield (Itazuke) on Kyūshū in Japan. On May 6, 1946 redesignated 405th Bombardment Squadron (Light). On October 26, 1946 moves Itami Airfield north of Osaka on Honshū in Japan. On January 14, 1947 returns to Itazuke. On September 1, 1947 returns to Itami Airfield until April 1, 1949 when inactivated.

On January 1, 1953 reactivated at Laon Air Base in France operating the B-26 Invader. Redesignated October 1, 1955 405th Bombardment Squadron (Tactical) operating the B-57 Canberra. On December 8, 1957 becomes part of the 38th Bombardment Wing (38th BW). On June 17, 1958 moves to Hahn Air Base in Germany. On June 18, 1958 redesigned 405th Tactical Missile Squadron. 586th Tactical Missile Group operating the Matador missile. On September 25, 1962 becomes part of the 38th Tactical Missile Wing operating the Mace missile.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major Ralph Cheli (August 18, 1943) †

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation: New Britain December 24-26, 1943, New Guinea June 16-17, 1944, Leyte November 10, 1944
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award April 1, 1956–March 1, 1958, April 1, 1959–January 30, 1961
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards April 1, 1956–March 1, 1958, April 1, 1959–January 30, 1961

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) page 495-496 [PDF page 507-508]
Sun Setters of the Southwest Pacific Area (2011) 38th Bombardment Group definitive group history published by the 38th BG Association