The squadron was first activated in May 1943 as the 725th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. The squadron earned three Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions during the war. Following V-E Day, the 725th returned to the United States and was inactivated. It was activated again as a missile unit in 1961, when it assumed the assets of another squadron.
The squadron arrived at Gioia del Colle Airfield, Italy at the beginning of January 1944, although the air echelon remained at Telergma Airfield, Algeria until 20 January to conduct additional training.[6] The squadron functioned primarily as a strategic bombing unit, attacking targets like oil refineries, marshalling yards, aircraft factories and airfields in Italy, Germany, France, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Greece and Albania. It earned a Distinguished Unit Citation during Big Week for an attack on a Messerschmitt aircraft factory at Regensburg, Germany on 25 February 1944. It added oak leaf clusters to this award for an attack on oil refineries and marshalling yards at Ploesti, Romania on 5 April 1944 and on Markersdorf-Haindorf Airfield near Vienna, Austria on 23 August 1944. On each of these missions the squadron was opposed by large numbers of enemy interceptor aircraft and heavy flak, but fought its way through to inflict serious damage on the targets and destroy many enemy aircraft.[3]
When returning from the Regensburg attack, runway conditions at Gioia del Colle were so poor that the aircraft of the 451st Group were unable to land there. Instead, the group's squadrons spread out among a number of bases in Italy. These poor conditions continued and on 8 March the squadron moved to Manduria Airfield, Italy. The 451st Group's 727th Bombardment Squadron was also relocated there[2][7]
On 6 April, the 725th moved to Castelluccio Airfield, where it joined the remainder of the group. From its new base, the squadron also flew air support and interdiction missions. It helped prepare the way for Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France in August 1944. The following month its bombers transported supplies to forces operating in Italy, It also supported Operation Grapeshot the final advance of Allied armies in northern Italy.[3] The squadron's last mission was flown on 26 April 1945 against marshalling yards at Sachsenburg, Austria.[8]
The squadron left Italy in June 1945, with the air echelon ferrying their planes, while most of the ground echelon sailed on the USS General M. C. Meigs to Newport News, Virginia.[9] The squadron assembled later in the month at Dow Field, Maine, where it was inactivated on 26 September 1945.[2] Personnel that were not discharged from the service on return to the United States were transferred to Air Transport Command units at Dow.[9]
the squadron was deployed in a "3x3" configuration, which meant its nine missiles were divided into three sites. Each had three intercontinental ballistic missiles.[13] The squadron missile sites were:
On 19 November 1964, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara announced the phase-out of the remaining first-generation SM-65 Atlas and Titan I missiles by the end of June 1965.[14] Consequently, the Titan Is of the 725th were removed from alert status and the squadron shipped the Air Force's last strategic Titan I missile out on 15 April.[15] The Air Force subsequently inactivated the squadron on 25 June.[16]
Lineage
Constituted as the 725th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 6 April 1943
Activated on 1 May 1943
Redesignated 725th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 10 May 1943
Inactivated on 26 September 1945
Redesignated 725th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Titan) and activated on 26 April 1961 (not organized)
^Aircraft is Ford Motors built Consolidated B-24H-30-FO Liberator, serial 42-95379, Extra Joker. This aircraft is pictured just moments before it burst into flames and went out of control. All ten crew members were killed in action. It was attacked by Focke-Wulf Fw 190s over Turnitz, Austria on 23 August 1944. One can see the fire that had just started on the left wing behind the No. 1 engine. Baugher, Joe (2 June 2023). "1942 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 6 June 2023. Missing Air Crew Report 7956.
Watkins, Robert A. (2009). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Vol. IV, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN978-0-7643-3401-6.
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