9th Bombardment Squadron (9th BS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG)

Background
On June 17, 1917 organized as the 9th Aero Squadron in the U.S. Army at Camp Kelly in Texas. On July 8, 1917 moves to Selfridge Field in Michigan. On October 28, 1917 moves to Garden City, New York until late November when the squadron deploys overseas during World War I.

World War I
On December 8, 1917 moves to Winchester in the United Kingdom. On December 28, 1917 moves to Grantham. On August 23, 1918 moves to Colombey-les-Belle in France. On August 28, 1918 moves to Amanty, France. During September 1918 assigned to First Army Observation Group. On September 21, 1918 moves to Vavincourt, France. On November 21, 1918 moves to Preutin, France. On December 5, 1918 moves to Trier, Germany. On May 18, 1919 moves to Colombey-les-Belles, France. On May 25, 1919 moves to Marseille, France until early June then returns to the United States.

Interwar Period
On June 23, 1919 arrives Mitchel Field, NY. During July 1919 assigned to the Western Department. On July 29, 1919 moves to Park Field, TN. On July 22, 1919 moves March Field. On August 2, 1919 moves Rockwell Field with a flight operating from Calexico. On November 15, 1919 returns to March Field. On December 11, 1919 returns Rockwell Field. On April 27, 1920 moves to Mather Field with detachments operating at several other locations in California. On August 20, 1920 assigned to the Ninth Corps Area. On March 14, 1921 redesignated 9th Squadron. On June 29, 1922 inactivated.

On January 25, 1923 redesignated 9th Observation Squadron. On March 24, 1923 redesignated 9th Bombardment Squadron. On July 2, 1926 became part of the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On April 1, 1931 activated as part of the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG) at March Field. On December 5, 1934 moves Hamilton Field. On December 6, 1939 redesignated 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). On September 7, 1940 moves Fort Douglas Airfield. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

Wartime History
On December 22, 1941 the ground echelon of the squadron arrives Brisbane and became part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF). Meanwhile, the air echelon is enroute from the United States bound for the Netherlands East Indies (NEI).

On January 13, 1942 the air echelon arrives at Singosari Airfield (Malang) on Java.

On January 19, 1942 the air echelon moves to Yogyakarta Airfield on Java.

On January 29, 1942 three B-17s from the 7th BG took off from Singosari Airfield (Malang) on Java on a bombing mission against Balikpapan on Borneo. Lost is B-17E 41-2476 pilot 1st Lt. Walter W. Sparks, Jr. (MIA).

On February 4, 1942 the air echelon in Brisbane begins a movement bound for Karachi. On February 5, 1942 becomes part of the 5th Air Force (5th AF).

On February 8, 1942 the squadron took off from Singosari Airfield (Malang) on a bombing mission against Kendari II Airfield on Celebes (Sulawesi). Lost is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2456 pilot Captain John L. Dufrane (MIA) and B-17E 41-2492 (MIA).

On February 20, 1942 damaged is B-17E 41-2500 at Bandoeng Airfield on Java.

On March 1, 1942 at the conclusion of the Java campaign, the remaining air echelon at Yogyakarta Airfield begins a movement bound for Karachi.

On April 2, 1942 the squadron took off from Asansol Airfield on bombing mission against warehouses and docks at Rangoon in Burma. Crashed on take off was B-17E Flying Fortress pilot Captain Elmer L. Parsel (KIA).

On April 27, 1942 moves to Allahabad Airfield (Baumrauli) in India and becomes part of the 10th Air Force (10th AF).

On June 28, 1942 attached to the U.S. Army Middle East Air Force. On June 29, 1942 departs India for Palestine in the Middle East.

On October 5, 1942 returns to Karachi Airfield from Lydda, Palestine.

On November 14, 1942 moves to Gaya Airfield.

Postwar
On January 6, 1946 inactivated. On October 1, 1946 redesignated and activated as 9th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) in the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG). On September 18, 1947 becmae part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On July 20, 1948 redesignated 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy).

Awards
Distinguished Unit Citations Netherlands East Indies (January 14, 1942–March 1, 1942) and Thailand (March 19, 1945)
Philippine Presidentail Unit Citation

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 50-51 (9th Bombardment) [PDF pages 62-63]