23rd Bombardment Squadron (23rd BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG)

Background
On June 16, 1917 organized as 18th Aero Squadron. On June 22, 1917 redesignated 23rd Aero Squadron. On March 22, 1919 deactivated. During 1924 reconstituted and consolidated with the 23rd Squadron created August 30, 1921. On January 25, 1923 redesignated the 23rd Bombardment Squadron. On December 6, 1939 redesigned the 23rd Bombardment Squadron (Medium). On November 20, 1940 redesignated 23rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy).

Wartime History
At the start of the Pacific War based at Hickam Field with B-17 Flying Fortress and began flying patrol missions off Hawaii. On March 24, 1942 moves to Mokuleia Field and continued flying patrols. On December 1, 1942 transfers to Bomber 1 on Espiritu Santo. On March 31, 1943 begins operating from Guadalcanal.

On July 19, 1943 around midnight nine B-17s took off on a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield (Buin) on Bougainville. Lost B-17E "Tokyo Taxi" 41-9153  pilot 1st Lt. Rex A. Eckles (MIA) shot down by J1N1 Irving night fighter.

On July 26, 1943 the squadron take off on a night bombing mission against Kahili Airfield (Buin) on Bougainville. On July 27, 1943 over the target intercepted by J1N1 Irving night fighter CPO Hayashi with WO Ichikawa. B-17E "De-Icer" 41-9128  pilot 1st Lt. Karl G. Stubblefield (MIA) and B-17E "Jap-Happy" 41-2520 pilot Major Berton H. Burns (damaged).

On August 24, 1943 returns to Bomber 1 for rest and recuperation (R&R) and transitions to the B-24 Liberator. On October 21, 1943 returns to Guadalcanal and resumes bombing missions. On December 7, 1943 returns to Bomber 1.

On January 3, 1944 transfers to Munda Airfield on New Georgia. On April 16, 1944 transfers to Momote Airfield on Los Negros. On August 20, 1944 moves to Wakde Airfield. On September 30, 1944 moves to Noemfoor Island then to Pitu Airfield on Morotai Island.

On November 1, 1944 lost B-24D "Lil Jo Toddy" 42-110137  pilot Roth (3 MIA).

On November 16, 1944 six B-24s took off from Pitu Airfield (Pitoe) on Morotai on a bombing mission against Japanese warships inside Brunei Bay off northwest Borneo. Lost is B-24J Liberator 44-41387 pilot Major James A. Saalfield (MIA) and B-24J Liberator 44-40962  pilot 1st Lt. Wyatt A. Norris (MIA).

On February 20, 1945 transfers to Guiuan Airfield on Samar.

On March 12, 1945 lost B-24L "Maiden Montana" 44-41549  pilot 1st Lt. Wallace R. Montgomery (MIA) and B-24L Liberator 44-49840  pilot 1st Lt. William L. Rau, Jr. (MIA).

Postwar
On April 30, 1946 redesigned the 23rd Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy). On March 10, 1947 inactivated. On September 16, 1947 redesignated 23rd Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Photographic). On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On October 20, 1947 reactivated. On June 16, 1949 redesignated 23rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Photographic). On November 14, 1950 redesignated as 23rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy). On October 1, 1955 redesignated as 23rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy).

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 121-122 (23rd Bombardment) [PDF pages 133-134]