| 873d Tactical Missile Squadron | |
|---|---|
Emblem of the World War II 874th Bombardment Squadron |
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| Active | 1943-1946; 1961-1969 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Bombardment/Tactical Missile |
The 873d Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 498th Tactical Missile Group stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.
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Established in 1943 as one of the initial B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy bombardment squadrons. Trained in Kansas with early model B-29s, with frequent delays in training due to modifications of the aircraft correcting production deficiencies.
Deployed to Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO), being assigned to XXI Bomber Command in the Northern Mariana Islands; assigned to Isley Field, Saipan. Flew very long range strategic bombardment missions over the Japanese Home Islands, attacking military, industrial and transportation targets. Switched to night incendiary raids attacking major Japanese cities in the spring of 1945, causing massive destruction of urbanized areas. Awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for combat over Japan, 13 December 1944 and 1–7 June 1945. Continued strategic bombing raids and incendiary attacks until Japanese Capitulation in August 1945.
Reassigned to the United States as part of Continental Air Forces (later Strategic Air Command). Assigned first to March Field, California, then reassigned to MacDill Field, Florida. Inactivated in early 1946 due to budget restrictions and lack of manpower due to demobilization. Remaining equipment and personnel consolidated into other SAC units.
Reactivated in 1961 as a MGM-13 Mace Surface to Surface Missile squadron in Okinawa. Inactivated with the phaseout of the weapon in 1969.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.