485th Bombardment Squadron
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (December 2012) |
| 485th Bombardment Squadron | |
|---|---|
 501st Bombardment Group B-29 taking off from Northwest Field, Guam in 1945 | |
| Active | 1917–1919; 1925–1942; 1944; 1944–1946 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Type | Heavy bomber |
| Engagements | World War I Pacific Theater[1] |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 485th Bombardment Squadron emblem[a] |  |
The 485th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 501st Bombardment Group at Northwest Field, Guam, where it was inactivated on 10 June 1946.
The squadron's first predecessor was organized as the 73rd Aero Squadron. After training in the United States, it moved to France in the spring of 1918. Along with other construction squadrons, it was renumbered as the 485th Aero Squadron in February 1918. It remained in France following the Armistice until returning to the United States in May 1919 for demobilization.
The squadron's second predecessor was formed in the Organized Reserves in 1925 as the 485th Bombardment Squadron. These two units were consolidated in 1936. Along with all other Organized Reserve units, the squadron was disbanded in May 1942.
The third squadron, and the second to be named the 485th Bombardment Squadron, was organized in March 1944 as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit, but was soon inactivated as the Army Air Forces reorganized its very heavy bomber units. It was activated again in June. After training in the United States, it deployed to Guam, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Japan. It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its combat operations. Following V-J Day, the squadron remained in the Pacific until inactivating in 1946.
History
World War I
The first predecessor of the squadron was organized in August 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas as the 73rd Aero Squadron (Construction). It trained at Kelly for the remainder of the year before moving to Camp Morrison, Virginia to prepare for shipment overseas, although it was not until March 1918 before the squadron finally shipped out. While at Camp Morrison, the squadron was renumbered as the 485th Aero Squadron (Construction).[b][1]
The squadron arrived at Romorantin, France, where it remained until moving to Chatenay-sur-Seine in September 1918, although it maintained a detachment at Saint-Nazaire until April. From mid May to mid June, it operated from Gievres, and established a detachment at Chatenay-sur-Seine in early September before the squadron moved there.[1]
After the Armistice, the squadron moved to Bordeaux in 1919 and remained there until returning to Mitchel Field, New York, where it was demobilized in May 1919.[1]
Organized Reserves
Reactivated as part of the Army reserve forces in 1924, assigned to Wright or Patterson Field at Dayton Ohio. Although designated as a bombardment squadron, it is unclear if the unit had any aircraft assigned to it. Disbanded in 1942.
World War II
Reconstituted in 1944 as a B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy bombardment squadron; assigned to Second Air Force for training. Initially assigned to 505th Bombardment Group, however shortages in aircraft and equipment led to personnel being consolidated into other group squadrons; inactivated. Reactivated about a month later; assigned to 501st Bombardment Group and equipped with B-29B limited production aircraft.
After completion of training deployed to Central Pacific Area (CPA), assigned to XXI Bomber Command, Northwest Field (Guam) for operational missions. B-29Bs were standard production aircraft stripped of most defensive guns to increase speed and bomb load, The tail gun was aimed and fired automatically by the new AN/APG-15B radar fire control system that detected the approaching enemy plane and made all the necessary calculations.
Mission of the squadron was the strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands. Dntered combat on 16 June 1945 with a bombing raid against an airfield on Moen. Flew first mission against the Japanese home islands on 26 June 1945 and afterwards operated principally against the enemy's petroleum industry. Flew primarily low-level, fast attacks at night using a mixture of high-explosive and incendiary bombs to attack targets.
Flew last combat mission on 15 August 1945, later flew in "Show of Force" mission on 2 September 1945 over Tokyo Bay during formal Japanese Surrender. Inactivated on Guam 15 April 1946, personnel returned to the United States and aircraft sent to storage in Southwest United States.
Operations and decorations
- Combat Operations: Constructed and maintained facilities (in Zone of Advance after Sep 1918), Mar-c. Dec 1918. Combat in Western Pacific, 23 Jun-14 Aug 1945.
- Campaigns: Air Offensive; Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
- Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation, Japan 6–13 Jul 1945
Lineage
- Organized as 73d Aero Squadron on 14 August 1917
- Redesignated 485th Aero Squadron on 1 February 1918
- Demobilized on 20 May 1919
- Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 485th Bombardment Squadron which was constituted and allotted to the reserve on 31 March 1924
- Activated, date unknown (personnel assigned, Sep 1925)
- Disbanded on 31 May 1942
- Reconstituted and consolidated (21 April 1944) with 485th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) which was constituted on 28 February 1944
- Activated on 11 March 1944.
- Inactivated on 10 May 1944
- Activated on 1 June 1944
- Inactivated on 10 June 1946
Assignments
- Unknown, 14 August 1917 – Mar 1918
- Air Service Production Center No. 2, Mar 1918
- Air Service Spares Depot, Sep 1918 – Jan 1919
- Unknown, Jan-20 May 1919
- Fifth Corps Area, 1925(?)-31 May 1942
- 505th Bombardment Group, 11 Mar-10 May 1944
- 501st Bombardment Group, 1 Jun 1944 – 10 Jun 1946
Stations
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Aircraft
- Unknown (if any) prior to 1944
- B-29 Superfortress, 1944–1946
References
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- ^ Approved 26 June 1945. Description: On a grayed dark blue green disc, flecked with gray clouds in base and three, yellow, five-point stars at chief, sinister fess, and base points, within a black border, a caricatured vari-colored bird in reverse flight wearing a radio headset and peering into a radar 'scope while adjusting dials on set with right foot, and holding a red, blue and yellow aerial bomb in the claws of the left foot, all emitting speed lines toward dexter.
- ^ The Air Service formed a second 73rd Aero Squadron (Service) the same month. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 268-269.
- Citations
Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Clay, Steven E. (2011). US Army Order of Battle 1919-1941 (PDF). Vol. 3 The Services: Air Service, Engineers, and Special Troops 1919-1941. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-98419-014-0. LCCN 2010022326. OCLC 637712205. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Maurer, Maurer (1978). The US Air Service in World War I (PDF). Vol. 1, The Final Report and a Tactical History. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force. ISBN 978-1477602-74-4. Retrieved 17 December 2016.