20th Aero Squadron

The 20th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.

This article is about the 20th Aero Squadron organized on 20 June 1917. For the 20th Aero Squadron organized on 13 June 1917, see 25th Space Range Squadron.

20th Aero Squadron
20th Aero Squadron Lieutenant Leslie P. Koepfgen with his crew. From the left: Howard W. Wolf, Marion Lappin, Koepfgen, James W. Mone and Earl G. Crain with Koepfgen's Airco DH.4. Koepfgen served four months as flight commander of the 20th Aero Squadron. He was cited for bravery in action by General John J. Pershing.
Active26 June 1917 – Present
Country United States
Branch  United States Army Air Service
TypeSquadron
RoleDay Bombardment
Part ofAmerican Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Engagements
World War I
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Lt. Cecil G. Sellers
Insignia
20th Aero Squadron Emblem
Aircraft flown
BomberDayton-Wright DH-4, 1918–1919
TrainerCurtiss JN-4, 1917
Standard J-1, 1917
Service record
Operations

1st Day Bombardment Group
Western Front, France: 5 September-11 November 1918

  • Sorties: 507
  • Combat missions: 33
  • Enemy combats: 11
  • Killed: 2
  • Wounded: 1
  • Missing: 10
  • Aircraft lost: 14
Victories
  • Enemy Aircraft shot down: 11
  • Enemy Balloons shot down: 0
  • Total Enemy Aircraft Destroyed: 11

The squadron was assigned as a Day Bombardment Squadron, performing long-range bombing attacks on roads and railroads; destruction of materiel and massed troop formations behind enemy lines. It also performed strategic reconnaissance over enemy-controlled territory, and tactical bombing attacks on enemy forces in support of Army offensive operations. After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron returned to the United States in June 1919 and became part of the permanent United States Army Air Service in 1921, being re-designated as the 20th Squadron.

The current United States Air Force unit which holds its lineage and history is the 20th Bomb Squadron, assigned to the 2d Operations Group, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

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