The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 553d Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed to European Theater of Operations, where it participated in the campaign against Germany. It earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its missions flown in preparation for the invasion of France. It returned to the United States following V-E Day and was inactivated.
386th Bomb Group B-26s returning from a combat mission
Upon arrival in England, the squadron was stationed at RAF Snetterton Heath. However, Eighth Air Force had decided to transfer its B-26 units from VIII Bomber Command to VIII Air Support Command and move them to stations closer to the European continent, so a week after its arrival, the squadron moved to RAF Boxted.[5] This move also put the squadron's base in an area where it was planned to locate a future tactical air force.[6] The squadron's entry into combat was delayed by the fact that its training in the United States had concentrated on low level attacks, while Eighth Air Force had determined to use the Marauders in medium level attacks to avoid light flak. This required additional training. Although some diversionary missions were flown, the squadron did not fly its first combat mission, an attack on Woensdrecht Airfield, until 30 July.[7]
During its first month of combat the squadron concentrated on attacks on enemy air bases, although it also attacked gun positions and marshalling yards. In an effort to improve accuracy, the squadron participated in the 386th Group's first use of "drop on leader" tactics and revised formations in the European Theater on 2 September.[8] The following month, the squadron flew its last mission with Eighth Air Force on 8 October when it attacked an airfield near Lille.[3][9]
Shortly after its transfer to Ninth Air Force, the squadron began participating in an extensive campaign against V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket sites in Operation Crossbow. During Big Week, the squadron attacked airfields in Belgium and the Netherlands to weaken enemy air defenses against the heavy bombers striking the German aircraft industry in Operation Pointblank.[10] In preparation for Operation Overlord, the invasion of the continent, it attacked airfields, marshalling yards and gun positions. In late May, just before the landings, it concentrated on bombing bridges across the Seine to interfere with possible enemy reinforcement of the landing areas. On D-Day it hit coastal defenses, and during the fighting in Normandy, struck fuel and supply depots, lines of communication and enemy positions.[3]
The squadron provided air support for Allied forces attacking Caen and on 25 July supported Operation Cobra, the breakout at Saint Lo. For its efforts against enemy opposition since entering combat the previous summer, the squadron was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. During August, the squadron supported ground forces closing the Falaise gap to prevent surrounded German forces from escaping. September saw the squadron conducting attacks in the area of Brest.[3]
Squadron A-26 Invader at Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield[a]
In October, the squadron moved to Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield, an advanced landing ground in France to be closer to allied forces advancing through northern Europe. From its location on the continent, it attacked Metz, targets in the Netherlands, and depots and defended areas in Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, it concentrated on attacks on bridges.[3]
Shortly after the fighting in the Ardennes, the squadron was withdrawn from combat to convert from the Marauder to the Douglas A-26 Invader. It flew missions with its new plane from Sint-Truiden Airfield, Belgium through May 1945.[3] The squadron's last mission was on 3 May, an attack on the Stod Ammunition Plant in Czechoslovakia.[11] After V-E Day the squadron remained in Belgium until July, when it returned to the United States, inactivating at Westover Field, Massachusetts on 7 November 1945.[2][3]
Tactical fighter operations
The squadron was redesignated the 553d Fighter-Bomber Squadron and activated at Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Indiana in April 1956, as Tactical Air Command (TAC) expanded its fighter complement there from one to two groups.[2][12] The squadron initially equipped with the North American F-86 Sabre. Although the 386th Group began to receive North American F-100 Super Sabres in 1957, apparently, the squadron did not receive any of the new fighters[13] before the Air Force decided to use Bunker Hill as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) medium bomber base. The squadron began to phase down its activities in May 1957 and was inactivated in July 1957 along with its parent 386th Group in preparation for the transfer of the base from TAC to SAC.[2][3][12][14]
Lineage
Constituted 553d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 25 November 1942
Activated on 1 December 1942
Redesignated 553d Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 9 October 1944
Redesignated 553d Bombardment Squadron, Light on 23 June 1945
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
Redesignated 553d Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 31 October 1955
^Aircraft is Douglas A-26C-2-DL Invader, serial 41-39199.Baugher, Joe (1 April 2023). "1941 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 25 April 2023. Taken on 2 December 1944.
Freeman, Roger A. (1970). The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force). London, England, UK: Macdonald and Company. ISBN978-0-87938-638-2.
Rust, Kenn C. (1967). The 9th Air Force in World War II. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, Inc. LCCN67-16454.
Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol. III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN978-0-7643-2938-8.
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