VI BOMBER COMMAND
IN DEFENSE OF THE PANAMA CANAL
1941- 45
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VI BOMBER COMMAND IN DEFENSE OF THE PANAMA CANAL 1941- 45 |
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Unit Histories
40th Bombardment Group
395th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
Top 40th BGp 25th BS 44th BS 45th BS 395th BS Home
April 1941
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
(Medium) (later to become the 395th Bombardment Squadron) was activated April
1, 1941 as an independent Squadron attached to the 40th Bombardment Group,
with Station at Boriquen Field, Puerto Rico. The activation was accomplished under the authority
of General Orders Number 10, Headquarters Puerto Rican Department, San Juan,
Puerto Rico. The squadron was formed
as the result of a split-up of the 27th Reconnaissance Squadron, and all of
the 5th's original personnel came from the 27th.
Major Palmer was the first. Commanding Officer. The rest of the original commissioned personnel included 1st.Lts. Remington, Triffy, Hamilton, and Kittel; 2nd Lts. Eisenhart, McKenna, Pancake, Welsh, Coco, Pursley, Schramm, Squadronuyres, Thrift, and Vickery. The original enlisted men included two Master Sergeants, five Technical Sergeants, 15 Staff Sergeants, 11 Sergeants, four Corporals, and 97 Privates.
Twenty-five (25) enlisted men from Charleston, SC, joined the squadron on April 1, 1941. Sixteen (16) more men were assigned to the 5th Squadron from the OD&R Depot on September 8, 1941, followed by the assignment of 18 men from Fort Slocum on October 17, 1941. These transfers, plus a few individual transfers, brought the enlisted Strength to 180 men.
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
was attached to the 27th Reconnaissance. Squadron for flying, from the 5th's
activation on April 1, 1941, to September 1, 1941.
During that period, the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron crewed three B-18A's
of the 27th Reconnaissance Squadron. which were numbered R-2, R-3, and R-5. The 5th Squadron maintained and operated these planes, although
they were assigned on paper to the 27th.
Most of the 5th's activities during that time were credited to the
27th Reconnaissance Squadron.
Captain Mason became the Commander of the 5th Reconnaissance. Squadron. on April 26, 1941. He was promoted to Major on July 15, 1941, and assigned to the 40th Bombardment Group on December 2, 1941. Lt. Moore, also from the 27th Reconnaissance Squadron, assumed command of the 5th on December 16, 1941, following Major Mason's departure. Lt. Hamilton was the temporary commanding officer in the interval between December 2-16, 1941.
Lt. Norman joined the squadron
on September 7, 1941, as the Squadron Adjutant.
The Medical Department, comprised of four enlisted
men under the direction of Captain Cloven, was formed July 15, 1941
August 1941
The squadron Mess, in charge
of Lt. Scott, Mess Officer, assisted by S/Sgt. Thomas E. Redditt, Mess Sergeant,
originated August 3, 1941
September 1941
December 1941
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
had a picnic supper and farewell party for Major Mason on December 9, 1941.
The unit presented Major and Mrs. Mason with a movie projector as a
token of their esteem.
Everyone enjoyed holiday dinners
on Thanksgiving and Christmas, both officers and enlisted men attended.
Top 40th BGp 25th BS 44th BS 45th BS 395th BS Home
January 1942
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
was detached from the VI Bomber Command and attached to the 6th Interceptor
Command, pursuant to General Order Number 3, Headquarters Sixth Air Force,
January 15, 1942. General Order Number
31, Headquarters Sixth Air Force later revoked the latter order, June 23,
1942.
Sgt. Van Hoy, Pfc. Brannon,
Pfc. Cozby, and Pvt. Emmons left the squadron on January 15, 1942, to take
the Enlisted Pilots course at Kelly Field, Texas.
February 1942
Sgt.s. Dinger and Beebe, and
Pfc. Tomich were transferred to Maxwell
Field, Alabama, on February 17, 1942, to begin their training to become Enlisted
Pilots.
March 1942
April 1942
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
was one year old on April 1, 1942, and its personnel were given the day off,
and participated in a field meet with the personnel of other Squadrons of
the 40th Bomb. Group, who were also celebrating the end of their first year
of activation. After the field meet, the 5th's officers joined
the enlisted men in a Squadron dinner celebrating the occasion.
Thirty-two (32) new enlisted
men, all unqualified privates, arrived at the squadron from the casual detachment,
Borinquen Field, PR, on April 5, 1942.
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
(Medium) was redesignated the 395th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on April
22, 1942.
May 1942
The 395th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) was assigned to the 40th Group, pursuant to General Orders No. 18,
Headquarters Sixth Air Force, May 11, 1942, with Station at Borinquen, Puerto
Rico.
Capts. Hamilton and Kite, and
1st.Lt Vickery were transferred on May 26, 1942, to Hq. Squadron, 40th Bombardment
Group. 1st.Lts. Schramm, Miller, and Jones were transferred to other squadrons
in the Group.
June 1942
The 40th Bombardment Group,
comprised of the Hq. & Hq. Squadron, 29th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment
Squadron, 45th Bombardment Squadron, 395th Bombardment Squadron, and the 485th
Ordnance Company Aviation (Bomb), departed from San Juan, PR, on June 7, in
two transports, the "Florida" and the "Evangeline."
The trip lasted 10 days and included stops in Trinidad, (Port of Spain)
and Aruba, NWI, with the 40th Group arriving in Panama on June 16. The 395th
Bombardment Squadron disembarked at Balboa on the Pacific side of the Canal,
and left directly for their new permanent Station at Rio Hato Air Base, R.
de P., in accordance with instructions contained in General Orders No. 27,
Headquarters, Sixth Air Force, June 20, 1942.
The 395th arrived by motor convoy at Rio Hato from Albrook Field on
June 15, and had an assigned strength of 237 officers and enlisted men.
July 1942
The 395th Bombardment Squadron
was released from assignment to the 40th Bombardment Squadron on July 10,
1942, and attached to the 6th Bomb, Group for operations, training and administration.
Lt. Dulion was released from
the 29th Bombardment Squadron, and assigned to the 395th Bombardment Squadron
First Sergeant Coutts rejoined
the organization after being released from the Station hospital at Borinquen
Field.
Lts. Coco and Smith were promoted
to the rank of Captain on July 27, 1942.
September 1942
The 395th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy) was released from assignment with the 40th Bombardment Group, and
assigned to the 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with temporary Station at Rio
Hato, pursuant to General Order 7, VI Bomber Command, September 21, 1942.
The 395th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) was redesignated the 395th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), pursuant to the last. named General Order.
The 395th, deployed at Rio
Hato, had an assigned strength of 405 officers and enlisted men, and four
4-engine and four other aircraft. The
395th remained at Rio Hato for approximately 11 months, during which time
its activities centered on the VI Bomber Command's Operational Training Replacement
Unit (OTRU). Its flying was done chiefly
in support of the OTRU, and included beside routine local instructional flights,
CR-55 country flights to almost all bases between Talara, Peru, and Guatemala
City, Guatemala. The 365th's tactical
flying was limited because the squadron had been designated as a reserve striking
force, but did include some patrol work, search missions, CPX problems, and
ferry flights.
Capt. Martin was assigned to
the 395th as Director of Training OTRU on September 16, 1942, relieving Capt.
Boyd.
October 1942
Major W. E. Creer assumed command
of the 395th Bomb. Squadron on October 5, 1942.
Capt. Pancake was relieved, and assigned to Hq. 6th Bombardment Group
November 1942
Major Rankin assumed command
of the 395th Bombardment Squadron on November 5, 1942, and Maj. Creer was
transferred to the Sixth Air Force.
Capt. Martin was promoted to
Major on November 21, 1942.
December 1942
During the past six months,
the 395th had three men leave for Officers Candidate School (OCS).
Cpl. Cecil left for the Signal School, Cpl. Davenport for Armament,
and S/Sgt. Kakalejcik to the Engineers. The
organization also sent S/Sgt. Koons; Sgt. Wheeler; Cpls. Green, Archer, and
Nester; and Pvt. Martin to the United States to start careers as Aviation
Cadets.
Some of the "oldest."
men in the 395th were lost. under the five (5) percent replacement plan.
These included TSgt.s. Beale, Lake, Burkett, DeBoer, and Spahn; and
S/Sgt.s. Soucek, Dooman, and Franchella
Capts. Corey, Boyd, Beere,
and Martin; and 1st.Lts Jones and Baker were assigned to the Squadron.
2nd Lts. Campbell, Carroll,
and McNab were assigned to the unit from Hq. Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group,
when the latter organization was inactivated.
The 395th Squadron also absorbed many enlisted men from the same organization.
Capt. Hunt and 1st.Lts McKee
and Sack were transferred to the 395th from Hq. 6th Bomb. Group, and assigned
duties with the OTRU.
Capt. Jenney joined the squadron
as Ordnance Officer.
Lt. Scott, the Mess and Supply
Officer, was transferred to the 3rd Bombardment Squadron
2nd Lts. Van Horn and Mitsakos
joined the 395th Bombardment Squadron, and were assigned duties as Communications
and Transportation Officer, respectively.
At the end of the year, the
395th's strength was 34 officers and two Warrant Officers assigned; 21 officers
attached; and 430 enlisted men assigned, and 11 attached.
Top 40th BGp 25th BS 44th BS 45th BS 395th BS Home
January 1943
Captain Reiber joined the squadron
on January 2, 1943, and was assigned duties in OTRU.
Capt. Smith left the 395th on the same date, and was assigned to the
397th Bombardment Squadron
March 1943
Capt. Hall was assigned to
the organization in March 1943, and placed in charge of the Aviation Cadets
taking Navigation training in the OTRU.
April 1943
The 395th Bombardment Squadron
had its first. fatal accident on April 9, 1943, when Capt. Brundage, MSgt.
Womble, TSgts. Boyer and Walling, Sgt. Smith, and Cpl. Cannon were lost. in
a crash at sea.
The squadron celebrated its
second year of activation on April 11, 1943, with a beach party.
Almost all the officers and enlisted men were present, and the athletic
contests and beer drinking well benefited the occasion.
The 395th's Air Echelon left
Rio Hato for David, R. de P., the organization's new Station, on April 27,
1943. The Air Echelon was followed
by the rest of the squadron who made the trip by truck on April 29, 1943.
The stay at David was spent in training.
Classes were held for the flying personnel, and fieldwork for the ground
personnel.
May 1943
The 395th Bombardment Squadron
was released from assignment to the 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy), and assigned
to the 40th Bombardment Group (Heavy), under the authority of General Orders
No. 31, Headquarters, Sixth Air Force, May 12, 1943.
The 395th remained in David
for only a month, then moved to Howard Field on May 27, 1943, in preparation
for return to the United States.
2nd Lts. McDavitt and Mandaleria
joined the squadron as Intelligence Officers.
W/O Officer Bristol was transferred
to the 74th Bombardment Squadron
1st.Lts. Starley and LaBaree
joined the 395th Squadron, and were assigned to the OTRU as Intelligence Officers.
1st.Lt Sowers; and 2nd Lts.
Wisener, Lynch, Stone, Sallade, White, Hanlon, and Miller were assigned to
the squadron as Bombardiers.
June 1943
The total strength of the 395th
Squadron on June 2 was 40 officers and 350 enlisted men.
On June 15, 1943, the 395th
Bomb, Squadron. entrucked at Fort Kobbe, CZ, and embarked on the USAT "George
Washington" for the United States. The
3,285 miles traveled at sea were uneventful, and on June 25, 1943, the squadron
disembarked at San Francisco, California, and took up temporary Station at
Fort McDowell, California. The 365th
remained at Fort McDowell until June 28, 1943, when it entrained for Pratt,
Kansas, arriving there on July 1, 1943.