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HISTORY
OF THE
99TH RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON
By
Coy F. Cross II
9th Reconnaissance Wing History Office
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Table of Contents
The Great War .... 2
World War II .. 5
The Birth of the Air Force . 8
Strategic Reconnaissance, Again ... 9
Lineage . 12
Emblem ..... 13
99th Squadron Commanders . 14
Squadron Aircraft . 18
Decorations .. 21
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The Great War
Organized as the 99th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas on 21 August
1917, the 99th moved to Garden City, New Jersey in Early November and sailed for
France on 14 November. After training in the Sopwith and the Salmson, the
squadron began flying combat missions in June 1918. In July the 99ths 3rd Flight,
consisting of seven Salmsons, seven pilots, seven observers and their maintenance
crews moved from Luxouil-les-Bains, France to Dogneville. The flight, assigned
to the 33rd French Corps, flew reconnaissance missions and directed artillery fire in
support of U.S. Army, 5th Divisions offensive against German soldiers entrenched
at Frapelle.
From Dogneville, the 3rd Flight flew photographic missions more than 40
kilometers behind enemy lines. No other unit, in this sector, had ever
photographed deeper than ten kilometers before. When the 5th Division began its
attack on 17 August 1918, the 3rd kept two aircraft airborne throughout the day.
One observed enemy positions and directed artillery fire. The other maintained
contact with Allied infantry and advised headquarters of the line-of-advance.
Since the ground troops never displayed panels to show their position, pilots often
had to fly low enough to distinguish between friendly and enemy uniforms. This
exposed the aircraft and crew to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. Contact crews
often aided the ground offensive by attacking machine-gun sites and firing at
enemy troops. After the successful offensive, 3rd Flight crews photographed the
new front lines.
Observers developed an effective means of communicating their information
to the ground commanders. They first radioed the data to their ground station.
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Pilots then flew over the unit command post and observers dropped a written
message confirming the radio call. They next flew over corps headquarters and
dropped another note verifying their radio communication. Despite what seemed
to be an efficient method, aviators and artillery troops often had difficulty
communicating and seldom made an effective team.
The 99th also aided the 5th Corps during the St. Mihiel offensive from 12
through 16 September. The squadron had moved to Souilly on 7 September.
German soldiers were well entrenched and prepared for a prolonged defense of
their positions. Before the attack, crews flew photographic reconnaissance
missions taking oblique shots of enemy positions. As the ground offensive began
on 12 September, a heavy mist, low-hanging clouds and intermittent rain severely
hampered aerial observation. Nevertheless, 99th pilots flew visual observation and
artillery adjustment missions throughout the day.
Sever weather also affected aerial operations on 13 September, but skies
cleared the following day. So the 99th flew infantry contact, artillery adjustment,
photographic and visual reconnaissance missions. Flying eight kilometers deep
behind enemy lines, crews produced photographs that clearly defined enemy
positions. Some of Germanys best aviators operated in this area, but Allied crews
successfully defended themselves and completed their mission. On 15 September,
foul weather returned and limited flights to visual operations and artillery
adjustments.
On 20 September the 99th Aero Squadron moved to Foucaucourt and
prepared to help the 5 th Corps in the Argonne-Meuse offensive. Again, the German
soldiers opposed the attack from barbed-wire-protected trenches. Also, additional
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enemy pursuit, observation and bombardment forces meant most of the Kaisers
best aviation units defended the area.
When the ground attack began on 26 September, inclement weather
restricted flight operations. Rain, haze and fog usually obscured the ground from
then until 11 November. Since cloud cover severely limited photographic
reconnaissance, headquarters confined missions to a few, well-defined and
extremely important areas. Aircraft and pilots often stood ready to fly, waiting in
vain for any break in the clouds. When weather permitted, crews took oblique
photographs along enemy lines. If the need for information was great, pilots flew
even in heavy cloud cover hoping for a chance break to take that important picture.
Pursuit planes protected observation aircraft during these missions. The
large number of enemy pursuit aircraft operating in the area made an attack during
photographic flights almost a certainty. The pursuit protectors often flew about
500 meters above the observation aircraft. This gave them an advantage against
enemy attackers. Photographic aircraft also flew during large bombing and pursuit
operations to take advantage of the amassed firepower. The four black crosses on
the 9th Reconnaissance Wings emblem represent 1st and 99th Squadrons
participation at St. Mihiel, Argonne-Meuse, Champagne-Marne and Aisne-Marne.
The 99th Aero Squadron remained in France until 8 May 1919, then moved
to Mitchel Field, New York. The unit became the 99th Observation Squadron in
1923. During the 1920s the proficiency of squadron aircrews deteriorated until the
99th had no one proficient enough to participate in the 1929 bombing and gunnery
matches. The 99th Observation Squadron was attached to the 9 th Observation
Group on 9 November 1928 and assigned to the group on 15 February 1929. With
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the creation of the GHQ Air Force on 1 March 1935, the group became the 9 th
Bombardment Group and the 99th became a bombardment squadron.
With the new mission came new airplanes. The observation squadron had
flown British-made de Havilland DH-4s and Royal Aircraft Establishment SE-5s
(Scouting Experimental). Both were World War I-vintage aircraft. The new
bombardment squadron received American-made Martin B-10s in 1936 and
Douglas B-18s in 1938. Squadron members trained hard learning the tactics and
maneuvers of their new aircraft and new mission.
World War II
As hostilities increased in Europe and German U=boats threatened
worldwide shipping, the Army transferred the 9 th Group to the Panama Canal Zone
to protect U.S. interests. The group and the 99th, equipped with B-18s, were now
bombardment (medium) units. On 3 December 1941, the 99th moved to Zandery
Field, Surinam, on the northeast coast of South America, and began flying anti-
submarine patrols over the Caribbean Sea.
The squadron returned to the U.S. in October 1942. The 99th trained in B-
17s at Orlando, Floridas Army Air Force School of Applied Tactics. In March
1943, the squadron started training cadres of other bombardment units on
formation flying and high altitude precision bombing. After training other units for
a year, the 99th moved to Dalhart Army Air Field (AAF), Texas and then on to
McCook AAF, Nebraska in May 1944.
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At McCook, the squadron received B-29s and began training in earnest for
its own combat deployment. After six months in the new airplane, the 99th
transferred to North Field, Tinian, in the Marianas, just east of the Philippines.
Arriving at Tinian on 28 December 1944, the 99th Bombardment Squadron (Very
Heavy) did not have to wait long for action. On 27, 29 and 31 January 1945, the
squadron flew bombing raids against Japanese installations in the northern
Marianas. The 99th attacked a Japanese seaplane base on Moen, an island in the
Truks, on 9 February. Three days later the unit bombed heavy gun emplacements
on Iwo Jima, in preparation for the amphibious assault on that island.
On 14 February 1945 squadron B-29s, each carrying an experienced naval
officer as observer, searched for Japanese picket ships as the U.S. Navy planned an
aircraft carrier attack against Japans main islands. Five days later the 99ths Super
Fortresses struck Japan inflicting heavy damage on a well-defended aircraft factory
in Tokyo.
On 25 February the 99th joined an all-out Allied effort against Tokoys port
and industrial areas. For the remaining months of the war, squadron B-29s
repeatedly struck Japanese aircraft factories, chemical plants, naval bases and
airdromes. Stiff opposition from heavy anti-aircraft fire, flak boats and fighter
planes failed to deter 99th crews in their attempt to end the war. These raids
destroyed large portions of Nagoya, Osaka, Kobye, Tokyo and other cities.
During these months the 99th won tow Distinguished Unit Citations. The
first came of operations on 15-16 April 1945. Kawasaki, Japan furnished
components for Tokyo and Yokohamas heavy industry. The objective was to
destroy Kawasakis industrial area. Located between two heavily defended areas,
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the city itself was very well protected. To add to the missions difficulty, pilots
had to fly the 1,500 miles from Tinian to Japan at low-level, at night, over water.
Severe turbulence affected the mechanical navigation equipment, but the B-29s
stayed on course.
The 99th was part of the last element over the target. By then Japanese
defenders were fully alerted and knew the direction of attack and the bombers
approximate altitude. Closely coordinated searchlights and anti-aircraft guns
subjected squadron aircraft to intense fire before they reached the target, over the
target, and after their breakaway. Accurate fire from flak boats added to the
danger. Also, approximately 56 Japanese fighters inflicted heavy damage. In all,
of the 33 bombers the 9th Bombardment Group launched on the mission, Japanese
defenders destroyed four and heavily damaged six others.
The squadron won the second award in mine-laying operations a month
later. Allied planners hoped that mining the seas around Japan would isolate the
island nation and deprive her of vital resources from conquered territories in China,
Manchuria and Korea. Mining could also interrupt sea traffic on the Inland Seas
and block important ports. The Shimonoseki Straits, which controlled access to
the Inland Seas, and the waters around Honshu and Kyushus harbors were the
target areas.
The 99th flew sorties on alternate nights between 13 and 28 May 1945.
Flying at 5,500 feet, in inclement weather, against targets defended by heavy anti-
aircraft fire and fighters made accurate mine-laying difficult. Despite adverse
weather, heavy flak, and suicide attacks by Japanese fighter pilots, the squadron
helped mine the Shimonoseki Straits while other units mined the harbors. Crews
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devised new techniques and often improvised to overcome the obstacles. This
operation crippled Japans efforts to ship food, raw materials, war supplies, troops,
and combat equipment to and from the homeland.
Between January and August 1945, 99th squadron B-29s repeatedly attacked
Japan. Bombing missions stopped after Japan surrendered, but the squadron
remained at Tinian and flew people and supplies around the Pacific Theater. The
99th moved to Guam on 17 Mar 1946 and inactivated there on 20 October 1948.
The Birth of the Air Force
Following World War II, the National Security Act of 1947 created the Air
Force as a sister service to the Army and Navy. The Air Force established the 9th
Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Fairfield-Suisun (later Travis) AFB, California
on 25 April 1949 and activated it on 1 May as a Strategic Air Command (SAC)
unit. The Air Force also activated and redesignated the 9th Group to the 9th
Strategic Reconnaissance Group, which included the 1st, 5th and 99th Strategic
Reconnaissance Squadrons. The squadrons flew RB-29s and a few RB-36s. Their
mission was to conduct visual, photographic, electronic, and weather
reconnaissance operations. Squadron reconnaissance operations were short-lived,
however.
On 1 April 1950, the Air Force redesignated the wing as the 9th
Bombardment Wing and the 99th as the 99th Bombardment Squadron. In February
1951, the Air Force realigned its flying operations and placed the flying squadrons
directly under the wing. The 9th Bombardment Group immediately went into
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records status and then inactivated on 16 June 1952. On 4 January 1955, the Air
Force bestowed the 9th Groups lineage and honors on the 9th Bombardment Wing.
The 99th continued to fly B-29s at Fairfield-Suisun AFB until 1 May 1953,
when SAC assumed jurisdiction over Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. The command
transferred the wing and its squadrons to Mountain Home. The wind immediately
began preparing for the arrival of its new aircraft, the B-47 Stratojet. By June
1955, the 99th Bombardment Squadron had replaced its B-29s with new B-47s. To
prove its mission-readiness, the squadron joined in a 60-day mobility test and
deployed to England.
In November 1955 the 99th and other wing squadrons demonstrated the
Stragetic Air Commands ability to strike anywhere in the world. Refueling in-air,
squadron B-47s flew the 8,300 miles from Mountain Home AFB to New Zealand
non-stop. This was the longest deployment for any SAC unit or aircraft until that
time. The 99th Bombardment Squadron was an important part of SACs alert force
to deter aggression during the Cold War.
The 99th flew nuclear deterrent missions for ten years. In November 1965,
SAC agreed to transfer Mountain Home AFB to the Tactical Air Command. The
99ths B-47s transferred to other units and by 1 February 1966 all squadron aircraft
were gone. But the squadron was not destined to disappear.
Strategic Reconnaissance
As the squadron phased-out Mountain Home AFB, plans were already afoot
for a rebirth and a new mission. In January 1966 the first SR-71 had landed at
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Beale AFB, California. This new aircraft gave SAC a reconnaissance capability
that far exceeded any then available in terms of speed, altitude, and coverage. The
SR-71 flew at more than three times the speed of sound (Mach 3+) at altitudes
above 80,000 feet. It carried the most advanced observation equipment in the
world.
The 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW) activated at Beale AFB
on 1 January 1965 as the SR-71s parent unit. In October 1965 Fifteenth Air Force
suggested the Air Force redesignated the 9th Bombardment Wing as the 9th
Strategic Reconnaissance Wing to continue the wings proud history. The Air
Force agreed and on 25 June 1966 the wing became the 9th Strategic
Reconnaissance Wing and the 99th a strategic reconnaissance squadron. The 9th
SRW replaced the 4200th SRW at Beale AFB.
The 99th helped move the SR-71 to mission-ready status. By March 1967
the aircraft was ready. The SR-71 quickly deployed to Okinawa and began flying
operational missions over Southeast Asia. Squadron pilots and reconnaissance
systems operator gathered photographic and electronic data for U.S. commanders
in Viet Nam from 1967 until 1 April 1971 when the 99th inactivated.
On 1 November 1972 the 99th activated as a 100th Strategic Reconnaissance
Wing unit at U-Tapao AB, Thailand. The squadron flew U-2s, DC-130s and CH-
3s on classified missions over Southeast Asia until 30 June 1976. When the U-2
joined the SR-71 under the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, the
99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron returned home.
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The U-2, although slower than the SR-71, cost much less to operate and
provided more on-station time. As intelligence collection increased throughout
the 1980s, 99th U-2 pilots manned detachments at sites around the world. With the
SR-71s retirement in 1990, the U-2 assumed responsibility for all of Americas
manned high-altitude reconnaissance.
During Operation Desert Shield, 99th Squadron pilots immediately moved to
Saudi Arabia and flew their first missions of 19 August 1990, just 17 days after
Iraq invaded Kuwait. Throughout Desert Shield/Storm, squadron pilots provided
vital reconnaissance that kept coalition commanders informed on the positions and
movement of Iraqi troops. This information made air attacks more effective and
helped reduce casualties in the ground war.
Today, 99th Reconnaissance Squadron pilots, male and female, spend nearly
half their time on temporary assignment around the world. They daily fly
operational missions from Cyprus, France, Saudi Arabia and Korea. Pilots of the
99th are Americas Eyes and Ears Around the World.
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Lineage
ORGANIZED: 99th Aero Squadron 21 Aug 1917
REDESIGNATED: 99th Squadron 14 Mar 1921
REDESIGNATED: 99th Observation Squadron 25 Jan 1923
INACTIVATED: 31 Jul 1927
ACTIVATED: 9 Nov 1928
REDESIGNATED: 99th Bombardment Squadron 1 Mar 1935
REDESIGNATED: 99th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) 6 Dec 1939
REDESIGNATED: 99th
Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) 20 Nov 1940REDESIGNATED: 99th Bombardment Sqd (Very Heavy)
28 Mar 1944
INACTIVATED: 20 Oct 1948
ACTIVATED & REDESIGNATED:
99th Strategic Reconnaissance Sqd (Photographic) 1 May 1949
REDESIGNATED: 99th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) 1 Apr 1950
REDESIGNATED: 99th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) 2 Oct 1950
REDESIGNATED: 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Sqd 25 Jun 1966
INACTIVATED: 1 Apr 1971
ACTIVATED: 1 Nov 1972
REDESIGNATED: 99th Reconnaissance Squadron 1 Sep 1991
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Emblem
EMBLEM: Red and Blue Buffalo, approved 4 March 1924 from World War Iemblem.
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99th Squadron Commanders
1st Lt W T White 21 Aug 1917
Capt William E Goodman Jr 29 Sep 1917
1st Lt Andrew B Shiland 23 Feb 1918
Maj Arthur R Christie 30 Mar 1918
1st Lt James E Meredith 6 Aug 1918
Capt Lyle S Powell 9 Nov 1918
1st Lt Leo D Quackenbush 28 Feb 1919
1st
Lt Edward Jenkins 9 Jun 1919Capt Horace N Heison 6 Oct 1920
2d Lt Ray A Dunn 17 Nov 1920
2d Lt Paul C Wilkins 30 Dec 1920
1st Lt Ray A Dunn 30 Mar 1921
1st Lt Earl J Carpenter 22 Aug 1921
1st Lt Howard K Ramey 7 Nov 1921
Lt Courtney Whitney 12 Dec 1921
Maj George E Lovell 15 Aug 1922
Capt Clearton H Reynolds 16 Apr 1923
Maj Millard F Harmon 30 Jun-18 Jul 1925
Unknown 19 Jul 1925-22 Jun 1927
None (not manned) 23 Jun-31 Jul 1927
Unknown 9 Nov 1928-Sep 1929
1st Lt Frederick W Evans Sep 1929-Aug 1933
Unknown Aug 1933-1935
Capt Leo F Post ca 1 Mar 1935
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Maj Samuel M Cornell 2 Jul 1936
Capt Fay R Upthegrove 30 Aug-21 Oct 1940
Unknown 25 Oct 1939-22 Apr 1940
Capt Fay R Upthegrove 23 Apr-21 Oct 1940
Unknown 22 Oct 1940-1941
Maj Gerald E Williams (by 21 Oct) 1941
Maj Walter W Gross 4 Jan 1942
Lt Col Eugene C Rice 14 Apr 1942
Capt Richard H Gunckel 18 Apr 1942
1st Lt John W Stock 20 Apr 1942
Capt Richard H Gunckel 29 Apr 1942
Lt Col Randolph L Wood 5 May 1942
Maj Harry L Caswell 15 Aug 1942
Maj Harry C Morrison 9 Sep-31 Oct 1942
None (not manned) 31 Oct 1942-20 Jan 1943
Unknown 20 Jan-7 Feb 1943
1st Lt Erwin W Huber 8 Feb 1943
Maj James I Hopkins Jr 17 Jun 1943
Maj James T McKee 18 Jun 1943-18 Jan 1944
Unknown 19-20 Jan 1944
Lt Col John W Chiles 21 Jan 1944
Maj James I Hopkins Jr 28 Feb 1944
Maj Harold M Brecht ca Apr 1944
Maj Folmer J Sogaard 9 Jun 1944
Maj William L Hall 8 Jul 1944
Maj Lewis J Wright 8 Mar-Aug 1945
Unknown, ca Sep 1945-Aug 1946
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None (not manned) Aug-26 Sep 1946
Capt Robert T Henning 27 Sep 1946
Maj Kenneth E Hill 23 Nov 1946
Capt Joseph B Webb 17 Mar-25 Apr 1947
None (not manned) 26 Apr 1947-20 Oct 1948
Capt Carl F Hynek 1 May 1949
Capt Henry L Choate May 1949
Maj James M Smith ca 1 Jun 1949
Lt Col Francis E Tiller 5 Sept 1949
Maj Mason A Dula 30 Jun 1950
Lt Col Rufus H Holloway ca 7 Jul 1950
Maj Frank M Wyman 7 Aug 1950
Lt Col Rufus H Holloway 20 Sep 1950
Capt Roger H Smith 9 Apr 1951
Lt Col Rufus H Holloway ca 19 Jun 1951
Lt Col Mason A Dula 27 Aug 1951
Lt Col Eldridge G Shelton 14 Jun 1952
Lt Col Mason A Dula ca 22 Sep 1958
Lt Col John P Wolfe Feb 1953
Maj Robert L Rund 1 Mar 1956
Lt Col Glenn F Stephens ca 30 Jun 1957
Lt Col Earl A Lilley Apr 1958
Lt Col Glenn F Stephens Oct 1958
Lt Col Sherwin G Desens 1 Oct 1961
Lt Col Maurice E Saunders 15 Dec 1961
Lt Col John W Grow Jr, ca Aug 1964-25 Jun 1966
None (not manned) 25 Jun-Sep 1966
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Lt Col John B Boynton ca Sep 1966
Lt Col Robert G Sowers ca Jun 1967
Lt Col John C Kennon 25 Mar 1968
Lt Col Harlon A Hain 5 Dec 1969-1 Apr 1971
Col Jack E Gatewood 1 Nov 1972
Col Buddy L Brown 18 Dec 1972
Col Russell S Morton 12 Dec 1973
Col Roger L Cooper 2 Dec 1974
Lt Col David C Young 3 Oct 1975-Apr 1976
None (not manned) Apr-30 Jun 1976
LT Col George V. Freese 1 Jul 1976
Lt Col Jerry L. Sinclair 30 Sep 1977
Lt Col William F. Horton Jr 21 Dec 1978
Lt Col James E Wrenn 22 Aug 1980
Lt Col Wilbur F. Furr Jr 2 Jul 1982
Lt Col Kenneth L. Stanford 21 Nov 1984
Lt Col Larry W. Driskill 4 Aug 1986
Lt Col Mark W. Fischer 19 Jul 1988
Lt Col Richard H. Bishop 18 May 1990
Lt Col Stephen M. Peterson 21 Jun 1991
Maj Kenneth R. Flye 4 May 1992
Lt Col Bruce W. Carmichael 30 Jul 1992
Lt Col Edward A. Walby 9 May 1994
Lt Col John J. Jacobson 23 Aug 1996
Lt Col Paul W. Nelson 3 Jun 1998
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Squadron Aircraft
Sopwith Camel I 1917
Salmson 2 1918 1919
DH-4 1919 1927
SE-5 1919 1927
0-1, 0-2, 0-11, 0-25, 0-31 1928 1936
0-38, 0-39, 0-40, 0-43 1928 1936
Y-1-0-35, Y-1-0-40 1928 1936
B-10, OA-4 1936 1938B-18, OA-8, P-12 1938 1942
P-40 1941 1942
B-25, B-26 1943
B-17, B-29 1943 1945
RB-17 1943 1944
RB-29 1949 1950
B-47 1954 1966
SR-71 1966 1971
DC-130 1972 1975
CH-3 1972 1975
Drones 1972 1975
U-2R 1972 1977
TR-1 1981 1991
U-2S 1994
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Stations
Kelley Field, Texas 1917
Garden City, New York 1917
France:
Haussimont 1918
Amanty 1918
Luxeuil-Les-Bains 1918
Souilly 1918
Foucaucort 1918Parois 1918
Belrain 1918
Chaumont-Les-Belles 1918
Chaumont 1918
Colombey-Les-Belles 1918
Sadirac 1919
Mitchell Field, New York 1919
Hazlehurst, New York 1919
Camp Alfred Vail, New Jersey 1919
Bolling Field, D.C. 1919
Mitchell Field, New York 1928
Rio Hato, Panama 1940
Piarco Field, Trinidad 1941
Zanderij Field, Surinam 1942
Orlando Air Base, Florida 1942
Montbrook Army Airfield, Florida 1943
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Kissimmee Army Airfield, Florida 1943
Brooksville Army Airfield, Florida 1944
Orlando Air Base, Florida 1944
Dalhart Army Airfield, Texas 1944
McCook Army Airfield, Kansas 1944
North Field, Tinian 1944
Clark Field, Luzon 1946
Harmon Field, Guam 1947
Fairfield-Suisun AFB (Travis), CA 1949
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho 1953
Beale AFB, California 1966
U-Tapao RTNAF, Thailand 1972
Beale AFB, California 1976
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Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation:
Kawasaki, Japan --15 April 16 April 1945Shimonoseki Straits, Japan -- 13 May 28 May 1945
Presidential Unit Citation:
31 March 1968 31 December 1968
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award:
1 January 1957 31 January 1968
1 July 1967 30 June 1968
1 July 1970 1 April 19711 November 1972 30 June 1973 (with valor)
1 November 1972 28 January 1973 (with valor)
1 July 1975 30 June 1976
1 July 1976 30 June 1977
1 July 1981 30 June 1982
1 July 1983 30 June 1984
1 July 1985 30 June 1986
1 July 1986 30 June 1987
1 July 1989 30 June 1990
1 July 1993 30 June 19941 July 1994 30 June 1995
Campaign Streamers:
WWI:
St. Mihiel
Meuse-Argonne
Alsace
Lorraine
WWII:Antisubmarine
Eastern Mandates
Western Pacific
Air Offensive Japan
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