The squadron arrived at its combat station, Isely Field, Saipan in September 1944.[1] The squadron's first missions were flown against targets on Iwo Jima and Truk Island. On 24 November 1944, the squadron participated in the first raid on Japan by bombers based in the Mariana Islands. The squadron initially engaged in high altitude daylight attacks against industrial targets in Japan. It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for an attack on an aircraft manufacturing plant in Nagoya on 13 December 1944.[2]
In March 1945, the Twentieth Air Force changed tactics and the squadron began flying low level night attacks with incendiaries against area targets. The 875th received a second DUC for its actions during a low level raid on urban industries near Kobe and Osaka in June 1945. Squadron operations also included attacks on airfields in Okinawa during the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945. After V-J Day, the squadron remained on Saipan until November and reassembled at March Field, California the following month. It became one of the first bombardment units in Strategic Air Command in March 1946, but was inactivated at MacDill Field, Florida on 4 August and its personnel and equipment were transferred to the 372d Bombardment Squadron, which was simultaneously activated.[1][2][3]
^Approved 9 November 1944. Description: On an orange disc, border black, a stylized figure of Vulcan in light purple and black, standing over green globe marked with yellow lines of longitude and latitude in base, and holding in the left hand twelve red, jagged lightning flashes arranged seven to dexter, five to sinister, striking a blow with a large light purple and black sledge held aloft in the right hand.
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