31st Reconnaissance Squadron Wwii Merch

The squadron was first activated at March Field, California in 1951 as the 31st Army Reconnaissance Squadron, flying light observation planes. After the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron flew antisubmarine patrols over the Pacific coast in 1942. It was moved to the Southeastern United States in late 1942. The squadron was primarily used for observation during Army training maneuvers near Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Benning, Georgia. The unit deployed to the European Theater of Operations on 22 April 1945. It flew battlefield reconnaissance in the Low Countries and during the Allied invasion of Germany in the spring of 1945, supporting Ninth Army. The squadron returned to the United States in August 1945.

The squadron was first activated at March Field, California in 1951 as the 31st Army Reconnaissance Squadron, flying light observation planes. After the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron flew antisubmarine patrols over the Pacific coast in 1942. It was moved to the Southeastern United States in late 1942. The squadron was primarily used for observation during Army training maneuvers near Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Benning, Georgia. The unit deployed to the European Theater of Operations on 22 April 1945. It flew battlefield reconnaissance in the Low Countries and during the Allied invasion of Germany in the spring of 1945, supporting Ninth Army. The squadron returned to the United States in August 1945.

Activated in early 194 under Fourth Air Force; after a brief organizational period in Southern California where it was equipped with reconnaissance P-38 Lightnings (F-4) it deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SPA), being assigned to Fifth Air Force in Australia. Engaged in long-range tactical reconnaissance missions over New Guinea; later the Dutch East Indies and in late 1944, over the Philippines in support of Mac Arthur's Island-Hopping campaign (1942–1945).

The 17th Photo Recon Squadron departed overseas bound for the South Pacific. Assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 13th Air Force, 4th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (4th PRG). On January 16, 1942 transfered to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The squadron flew its first combat missions on February 5, 1943 and the next day was redesignated the 17th Photographic Squadron (Light) and began operating from Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal. In early 1943, the the squadron flew photographic missions over the Central Solomons, Northern Solomons and Bougainville, photographing Japanese airfields and bases.

The 17th Photo Recon Squadron departed overseas bound for the South Pacific. Assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 13th Air Force, 4th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (4th PRG). On January 16, 1942 transfered to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The squadron flew its first combat missions on February 5, 1943 and the next day was redesignated the 17th Photographic Squadron (Light) and began operating from Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal. In early 1943, the the squadron flew photographic missions over the Central Solomons, Northern Solomons and Bougainville, photographing Japanese airfields and bases.

The squadron flew air patrols over the English Channel and bombed bridges in the Tours area during the Invasion of France in June 1944. In July the squadron attacked gun emplacements during the Saint-Lô breakthrough. The unit patrolled the Arnhem sector to support the Airborne invasion of the Netherlands in September 1944, and later in December, transportation facilities during the Battle of the Bulge. During the Western Allied invasion of Germany, the squadron flew ground support missions by strafing trucks, locomotives, and oil depots near Wesel when the Allies crossed the Rhine in March 1945 and continued offensive operations until 21 April 1945.

Activated in early 194 under Fourth Air Force; after a brief organizational period in Southern California where it was equipped with reconnaissance P-38 Lightnings (F-4) it deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SPA), being assigned to Fifth Air Force in Australia. Engaged in long-range tactical reconnaissance missions over New Guinea; later the Dutch East Indies and in late 1944, over the Philippines in support of Mac Arthur's Island-Hopping campaign (1942–1945).

The squadron flew air patrols over the English Channel and bombed bridges in the Tours area during the Invasion of France in June 1944. In July the squadron attacked gun emplacements during the Saint-Lô breakthrough. The unit patrolled the Arnhem sector to support the Airborne invasion of the Netherlands in September 1944, and later in December, transportation facilities during the Battle of the Bulge. During the Western Allied invasion of Germany, the squadron flew ground support missions by strafing trucks, locomotives, and oil depots near Wesel when the Allies crossed the Rhine in March 1945 and continued offensive operations until 21 April 1945.

Activated in early 194 under Fourth Air Force; after a brief organizational period in Southern California where it was equipped with reconnaissance P-38 Lightnings (F-4) it deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SPA), being assigned to Fifth Air Force in Australia. Engaged in long-range tactical reconnaissance missions over New Guinea; later the Dutch East Indies and in late 1944, over the Philippines in support of Mac Arthur's Island-Hopping campaign (1942–1945).

The 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Army Air Corps unit. It was last assigned to the Army Service Forces, stationed at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts. It was inactivated on 4 October 1945. Engaged in tactical reconnaissance over the Normandy Beaches of France prior to the Allied invasion on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Afterwards engaged in highly dangerous unarmed reconnaissance of Northern France Included A-20 Havoc, B-25 Mitchell, DB/RDB-7 Havoc, Piper L-4, P-39 Airacobra, P-43 Lancer, and F-6B Mustang during period 1942-1944 P-38/F-5 Lightning, 1944-1945.

The 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Army Air Corps unit. It was last assigned to the Army Service Forces, stationed at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts. It was inactivated on 4 October 1945. Engaged in tactical reconnaissance over the Normandy Beaches of France prior to the Allied invasion on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Afterwards engaged in highly dangerous unarmed reconnaissance of Northern France Included A-20 Havoc, B-25 Mitchell, DB/RDB-7 Havoc, Piper L-4, P-39 Airacobra, P-43 Lancer, and F-6B Mustang during period 1942-1944 P-38/F-5 Lightning, 1944-1945.

The 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Army Air Corps unit. It was last assigned to the Army Service Forces, stationed at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts. It was inactivated on 4 October 1945. Engaged in tactical reconnaissance over the Normandy Beaches of France prior to the Allied invasion on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Afterwards engaged in highly dangerous unarmed reconnaissance of Northern France Included A-20 Havoc, B-25 Mitchell, DB/RDB-7 Havoc, Piper L-4, P-39 Airacobra, P-43 Lancer, and F-6B Mustang during period 1942-1944 P-38/F-5 Lightning, 1944-1945.