38th Reconnaissance Squadron (38th RS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG)

Background
On June 12, 1917 organized as the 38th Aero Squadron at Camp Kelly, Texas. On August 25, 1917 moves to Chanute Field, Illinois. On July 13, 1918 redesignated Squadron A. On December 1, 1918 demobilized at the conclusion of World War I. During 1933 reconstituted and consolidated with the 38th Pursuit Squadron (38th PS) in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On August 1, 1933 activated at Selfridge Field, Michigan. On March 1, 1935 redesignated 38th Observation Squadron (Long Range, Light Bombardment) and inactivated.

On September 1, 1936 reactivated and redesignated as 38th Reconnaissance Squadron at March Field as part of the 1st Wing, attached to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG). On December 6, 1939 redesignated 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range). On November 20, 1940 redesigned 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy). On June 5, 1941 moves to Albuquerque Field in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On September 19, 1941 assigned to IV Bomber Command (IV Bomber Command) but remained attached to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG). During late November 1941, tasked to supply eight B-17s plus eight B-17s from 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS) to be flown across the Pacific via Hawaii bound for the Philippines.

On December 6, 1941 B-17s from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron and 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS) took off from Hamilton Field on an ferry flight bound for Hickam Field on Oahu. Two B-17s were unable to take off. The B-17s had their .50 caliber machine guns installed but carried no ammunition. The 38th RS formation includes: B-17E 41-2413 pilot Maj Truman H. Landon (Crew No. 1), B-17E 41-2408 pilot 1st Lt Karl T. Barthelmess (Crew No. 2), B-17C 40-2074 pilot Capt Raymond T. Swenson (Crew No. 3), B-17C "Skipper" 40-2049 pilot 1st Lt Robert H. Richards (Crew No. 4), B-17C 40-2054 pilot 1st Lt Earl J. Cooper (Crew No. 5) and B-17C 40-2063 pilot 1st Lt Bruce G. Allen (Crew No. 6). Meanwhile, the ground echelon aboard ship departs San Francisco.

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 in the morning incoming Japanese aircraft detected on radar were dismissed as the expected flight of B-17s and arrived during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. While landing, B-17C 40-2074 was destroyed and B-17C "Skipper" 40-2049 force landed at Bellows Field and was written off. Afterwards, the B-17s and air crews were assigned to other units.

On December 9, 1941 the ground echelon aboard ship returns to San Francisco. On December 17, 1941 moves to Bakersfield, CA. On March 13, 1942 moves to Gowen Field, Idaho.

On December 16, 1941 attached to Sierra Bombardment Group. On January 17, 1942 attached to the 4th Air Force (4th AF). On January 26, 1942 attached to IV Bomber Command. On February 25, 1942 assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG). On March 13, 1942 attached to the 303rd Bombardment Group (303rd BG) for training and becomes part of the unit by the end of the month.

On April 22, 1942 redesignated 427th Bombardment Squadron (427th BS). During late May 1942 the air echelon operates from Muroc Field in California. On June 14, 1942 moves to Alamogordo, New Mexico. On June 18, 1942 moves to Biggs Field, Texas until late August 1942 when departs for the United Kingdom.

On September 12, 1942 moves to Molesworth Field, United Kingdom. On May 31, 1945 assigned to the 303rd Bombardment Wing (303rd BW) and moves to Casblanca, French Morocco until July 1945.

Postwar
On September 18, 1947 becomes part of the U. S. Air Force (USAF). On December 1, 1958 assigned to the 303rd Bombardment Wing (303rd BW) at Davis-Montham AFB in Arizona.

References
7 December 1941 The Air Force Story Chapter IV 7 December 1941: A Day That Will Live in Infamy pages 72-73, 74 (photos), 75
7 December 1941 The Air Force Story Appendix D - B-17s Arriving During the Attack pages 158-159
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 523-524 (427th Bombardment - 38th Reconnaissance) [PDF pages 535-536]