4th Emergency Rescue Squadron (4th ERS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 20th Air Force (20th AF)

Background
The 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron (4th ERG) was activated in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Later, redesignated 4th Rescue Squadron (4th RS).

Wartime History
During 1945 assigned to the 20th AF (20th AF) operated from Iwo Jima performing air sea rescues with Higgins A-1 lifeboat to release for downed air crews off Japan. During March 1945, part of COM, FWD AREA, CENTPAC.

On July 25, 1945 lost is B-17H 43-38882 pilot 1st Lt. William C. Motsinger (KIA) on a night search mission for F4U Corsair 81319 that crashed near Arai and was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed at Yakute to the northwest of Arai.

On August 3, 1945 took off B-17H "Bulgin Bessie" 43-39265 piloted by Burton "Burt" E. Klatt to provide air sea rescue services off Japan. Over Sagami Bay they successfully released their Higgins A-1 lifeboat to 1st Lt. Mikes who bailed out of P-51D "Mrs. Beak" 44-72561 and was later rescued by USS Aspro (SS-309).

Postwar
Assigned to the 7th Air Force (7th AF). On October 5, 1945 the squadron was made available for release from operational control of Fleet Air Wing 18 (FAW-18).

On May 27, 1946 lost is B-17G 44-83783  pilot 2nd Lt. Paul A. Kauchack (MIA) on a search mission bound for Eniwetok, ran out of fuel and went missing.

References
NARA U.S. Navy COM, FWD AREA, CENTPAC War Diary March 1945 page 18
(Pag 18) "Army Units - 4th Emergency Rescue
NARA U.S. Navy COMFAIRWING 18 War Diary October 1945 page 4
(Page 4) "10-5-45 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron was made available for release, from operational control of FAW-18."
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) does not list Emergency Rescue Squadrons