414th Bombardment Squadron
(Need Patch)
Constituted 24th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 3 Feb 1942. Redesignated 414th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1942. Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945.
Assignments. 97th Bombardment Group, 3 Feb 1942-29 Oct 1945.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 3 Feb 1942; Sarasota, Fla, 29 Mar-16 May 1942; Grafton Underwood, England, 11 Jun 1942, Polebrook, England, 8 Sep 1943; Algeria, c. 19 Nov 1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, c. 22 Nov 1942; Biskra, Algeria, 24 Dec 1942; Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria, 13 Feb 1943; Pont-du-Fahs, Tunisia, c. 3 Aug 1943; Depienne, Tunisia, c. 25 Aug 1943; Cerignola, Italy, 11 Dec 1943; Amendola, Italy, 17 Jan 1944; Marcianise, Italy, c. Oct-29 Oct 1945.
Aircraft. B-17, 1942-1945.
Operations. Antisubmarine, Mar-Apr 1942; combat in ETO and MTO, 17 Aug 1942-26 Apr 1945.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Egypt-Libya; Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio, Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Steyr, Austria, 24 Feb 1944; Ploesti, Rumania, 18 Aug 1944.
Emblem. Over and through a light pastel blue disc, a small caricatured, brown puppy with a look of supplication on face, seated on the damaged, olive drab-camouflaged tail section of a B-27, proper, and clasping forepaws in prayer, all in front of a large white cloud formation, and emitting white speed lines to rear. (Approved 24 Jun 1944.)