88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG)

Background
On August 18, 1917 organized as 88th Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army. During May 1918 assigned to I Corps Observation Group. During August 1918 assigned to III Corps Observation Group, attached to V Corps Observation Group until November 1918.

During September 1919 assigned to 2nd Wing. In October 1919 attached to 1st Army Observation Group. On March 24, 1920 assigned to 1st Army Observation Group. On February 10, 1921 assigned to Air Service Field Officers School attached to 1st Provisional Air Brigade. On March 14, 1921 redesignated 88th Squadron. On October 15, 1921 assigned to V Corps. On January 25, 1923 redesignated 88th Observation Squadron.

On July 2, 1926 becane part of the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On May 1927 assigned to Air Corps Training Center. On June 1, 1928 assigned to the Eighth Corps Area attached to Field Artillery School. On August 1, 1927 inactivated. On June 1, 1928 reactivated. On June 30, 1931 assigned to 12 Observation Group. On March 1, 1935 redesignated 88th Observation Squadron (Long Range, Amphibian) assigned to the 1st Wing.

On September 1, 1936 redesignated 88th Reconnaissance Squadron attached to the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG). On December 6, 1939 redesignated 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range). On November 20, 1940 redesignated 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) at Fort Douglas Airfield.

On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). During late November 1941, tasked to supply eight B-17s plus eight B-17s from 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (38th RS) to be flown across the Pacific via Hawaii bound for the Philippines.

On December 6, 1941 B-17s from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (38th RS) 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 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS) formation includes: B-17E 41-2429 pilot Major Richard H. Carmichael (Crew No. 1), B-17E 41-2430 pilot 1st Lt Harold N. Chaffin (Crew No. 2), B-17E pilot 1st Lt Richard F. Ezzard (Crew No. 3) aborted in flight, B-17E pilot 1st Lt Frank W. Potter (Crew No. 4) aborted before take off, B-17E 41-2432 pilot 1st Lt Robert E. Thacker (Crew No. 5), B-17E 41-2416 pilot 1st Lt Frank P. Bostrom (Crew No. 6), B-17E 41-2433 pilot 1st Lt Harry N. Brandon (Crew No. 7) and B-17E 41-2434 pilot 1st Lt David G. Rawls (Crew No. 8).

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. Five of six B-17s from the 88th Reconnaissance Squadron managed to land safely.

Afterwards, these B-17s and air crews were assigned to other units and began flying patrols off Hawaii. On December 10, 1941 the air echelon was attached to the 31st Bombardment Squadron (31st BS). On February 8, 1942 attached to the U.S. Navy (USN) until March 14, 1942. On February 25, 1942 assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG). On April 22, 1942 redesignated 436th Bombardment Squadron (436th BS).

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, 76
7 December 1941 The Air Force Story Appendix D - B-17s Arriving During the Attack pages 157-158
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 538-539 (88th Reconnaissance Squadron) [PDF pages 550-551]