The 2nd Emergency
Rescue Squadron was reorganized, effective 5 February 1945, without change in station or
assignment. The authority for this reorganization is to be found in the 1st Ind.
Headquarters USAFFE 22 January 1945 on War Department Letter, AG 322 (21 Dec 44)
OB-AFB-GM, 2 January 1945, Subj. Reorganization of certain Emergency Rescue Squadrons and
Letter, Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, 28 January 1945, Subj. Reorganization of the
2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron. The Squadron was reorganized in accordance with revised
TO/E
1-987, dated 28 November 1944, plus an added "A" Flight less
"D" Flight as authorized by Section IV,
GENERAL ORDER #127, Headquarters, 13th Air Force dated 5 February 1945. Copies of the above
mentioned commo & correspondence are not available for transmittal with this history.
The new TO & E authorized a
total of 93 Officers and 328 enlisted men. This added strength in personnel was to be
supplied by the Thirteenth Air Force. A total of 8 B-17 aircraft, 12 OA-10A aircraft, 4
helicopters and 4 L-5 aircraft complete with floats were authorized. New Emergency rescue
methods had been established and the additional aircraft was for this purpose.
The Squadron detachment at Middleburg was relieved
and returned to duty at Morotai as of the 13 February 45. This movement was not completed
by the end of the month because of a lack of transportation. Twenty (20) member of
the squadron were left there to watch the supplies.
On the 26 February, four (4) planes, type OA-10A, complete with air and ground crews were
placed on D.S. with the Far East Air Forces. Two (2) of these ships were sent to Leyte and
the other two (2) were sent to Luzon.
Various members of the Squadron received awards during the month and copies of the orders
are attached to this history as supporting documents.
A total of
75 missions totaling
981
flying hours were flown during the month and
15 rescues were effected. The rescues are as follows:
03 February -
Picked up P-40 pilot in Wasile Bay under fire from shore batteries.
15 February - Picked up P-38 pilot at NW corner of
Talaud Island.
22 February - Picked up five members of bomb crew
near Tahoelandang Is.
23 February - Picked up two men in open sea rescue.
27 February - Picked up five members of B-25 crew.
28 February - Picked up 2 fighter pilots in Mindanao Area. |
Supervised by Captain Kenneth O. Eddins
Prepared by S/Sgt Louis Pavich
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This report was copied
verbatim from the "Official" Squadron History that was obtained via
microfilm from Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. The text that is in
parenthesis ( ), I added to clarify the information. It is not Official.
1
From Squadron Orders
obtained from Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2
APO numbers from "Numbered Army & Air Force Post Office Locations" - 7th
Edition - by Russ Carter
3
From Individual Aircraft Record Cards - Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
DEC'43 - APR 15, '44 | APR 16, '44 - JUN'44 | JUL'44 | AUG'44 | SEP'44 | OCT'44 |
NOV'44 | DEC'44
JAN'45 |
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