Background
On June 1, 1937 constituted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as the 82nd Observation Squadron at Moffett Field in California. On June 1, 1937 activated in the Ninth Corps Area with a flight at Brooks Field in Texas. On October 3, 1940 assigned to the Fourth Army. On September 1, 1940 assigned to the 4th Air Force (4th AF) at Hamilton Field. During January 1941 assigned to the III Army Corps. On September 3, 1941 assigned to the 69th Observation Group. On March 29, 1942 assigned to the 71st Observation Group. On April 9, 1941 moves to Salinas Army Airfield in California. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).
Wartime History
On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, the squadron begins flying anti-submarine patrols off the coast of California. On January 13, 1942 redesignated 82nd Observation Squadron (Medium). On August 16, 1942 ceases flying anti-submarine patrols.
On January 27, 1943 moves to Esler Field in Louisiana. On March 29, 1942 assigned to the 71st Observation Group. On July 4, 1942 redesignated 82nd Observation Squadron. On April 1, 1943 moves to Laurel Army Airfield in Miss. On April 3, 1943 redesignated 82md Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter). On September 24, 1943 departs overseas bound for the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Nicknamed "The Strafin' Saints".
During late 1943, sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) as the 82nd Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter).
On November 6, 1943 arrives
Milne Bay in New Guinea with P-39 Airacobras.
On November 22, 1943 moves to Dobodura.
On November 27, 1943 the squadron flies their first mission in New Guinea.
On December 1, 1943 the squadron sends a detachment to Finschafen Airfield.
On March 1, 1944 the squadron flies a strafing mission against Japanese barges in Prinz Heinrich Harbor north of Madang Harbor. Lost is P-39Q Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. Delta C. Graham, Jr. (MIA).
On March 6, 1944 lost is P-39Q 42-19939 pilot 1st Lt. Maryan J. Zaleski (KIA) buzzing the runway at Horanda Airfield (Dobodura 4).
On April 5, 1944 moves to Saidor Airfield. On April 19, 1944 the detachment at Finschafen Airfield joins the rest of the squadron at Saidor Airfield.
On April 9, 1944 five P-39 Airacobras fly an on an armed reconnaissance mission over the north coast of New Guinea. Lost is P-39Q 42-20355 pilot 1st Lt Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. (MIA).
On May 10, 1944 redesignated 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Also known as the 82nd Tac Recon Squadron or 82nd Tac Recon.
On May 21, 1944 Airacobras fly a mission to strafe anti-aircraft positions in the Hansa Bay area. Lost is P-39Q "Snooks" 42-20351 pilot 2nd Lt Harry F. Harrison, Jr. (MIA).
On June 3, 1944 the ground echelon began a movement to Biak. On June 12, 1944 the air echelon moves to Borokoe Airfield on Biak.
On June 20, 1944 moves to Owi Airfield on Owi Island.
On September 2, 1944 three P-39s led by P-40 Warhawk piloted by 1st Lt William A. Shomo armed reconnaissance mission over Etna Bay to Cape Awoers to strafe targets of opportunity on the southern coast of New Guinea. Lost is P-39Q 42-20353 pilot 2nd Lt. James O. Rice (MIA), P-39Q 42-20357 pilot 2nd Lt. Eugene M. S. Ronning (MIA) and P-39Q 44-3569 pilot 1st Lt. Carl T. Bailey (MIA).
On October 1, 1944 begins a movement to Morotai while the air echelon remains at Borokoe Airfield.
On December 4, 1944 lost is F-6D
Mustang 44-14??? pilot 1st Lt. Charles R. Garner (rescued)
On December 29, 1944 moves to San Jose Airfield on Mindoro with elements remaining on Morotai.
On December 31, 1944 the ground echelon begins moving to Lingayen Airfield on Luzon while the air echelon remains at San Jose Airfield.
On January 11, 1945 a pair of Mustangs F-6D "Flying Undertaker - Snooks the 5th" 44-14841 pilot Captain William A. Shomo and wingman F-6D Mustang 44-14873 pilot Lt. Paul Lipscomb took off from Hill Field (Hammer) on an armed photographic and strafing mission over Tuguegarao Airfield, Aparri Airfield, and Laoag Airfield. Over northern Luzon, the pair sighted a formation of enemy planes flying south at about 2,500' below them. Despite being obviously outnumbered, they immediately pulled an "Immelmann" turn and found themselves behind a force of eleven Ki-61 Tonys and one Ki-44 Tojo escorting a G4M Betty. Although the odds were 13 against 2, Major Shomo immediately ordered an attack. During this action, Shomo claimed 7 aerial victories his wingman Lipscomb claimed 3 more, while the 3 remaining enemy fighters fled into a cloud bank and escaped. For his actions, Shomo would earn the Medal of Honor.
On January 17, 1945 the squadron begins moving to Lingayen Airfield on Luzon with the air echelon all arriving three days later.
On March 5, 1945 the squadron flies a mission to bomb and strafe enemy supplies and fuel stored near Cattagoaman (Cattagoaman Nuevo). Lost is F-6D ""Flying Undertaker - Snooks the 5th" 44-14841 pilot 2nd Lt Robert S. Huffman near Tuguegarao.
On April 3, 1945
in a ceremony, Major William A. Shomo is bestowed with the Medal of Honor for his actions in air combat on January 11, 1945.
On July 28, 1945 moves to Ie Shima Airfield off Okinawa.
P-39Q "Brooklyn Bum 2nd" 42-19993 abandoned at Tadji, salvaged 1974 restored to flight 2004
Postwar
On October 20, 1945 attached to the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG). On February 1, 1945 assigned to 5th Bomber Command. On May 31, 1946 assigned to the 314th Composite Wing. On January 23, 1947 redesignated 82nd Reconnaissance Squadron (Photographic). On February 28, 1947 returned to the 71st Reconnaissance Group.
On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). During November 1947 attached to the 314th Composite Wing. On August 10, 1948 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Photographic). On April 1, 1949 inactivated. On November 4, 1954 redesignated 82nd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter). On January 24, 1955 activated in the 71st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. On July 1, 1957 inactivated.
Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major Donald M. Gordon
Major William A. Shomo (December 24, 1944–May 25, 1945)
Captain Harlan White
Awards
Distinguished Unit Citation Japan (July 31, 1945 and August 5, 1945)
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 287-288 (82d Tactical Recon) [PDF pages 299-300]
Rocky Boyer's War: An Unvarnished History of the Air Blitz that Won the War in the Southwest Pacific (2017) by Allen D. Boyer
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