435th Bombardment Squadron
The 435th Bombardment Squadron, also known as the "Kangaroo" Squadron, is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was formed in Australia in March 1942 as the 40th Reconnaissance Squadron and participated in combat in the Southwest Pacific Theater until November, when it was withdrawn from combat and returned to the United States, where it acted as a Replacement Training Unit until October 1943, when its personnel and equipment were withdrawn.
| 435th Bombardment Squadron | |
|---|---|
B-29 Superfortress as flown by the squadron | |
| Active | 1942–1944; 1944; 1944–1946 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Heavy bomber |
| Nickname(s) | Kangaroo Squadron |
| Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater Pacific Ocean Theater |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| 435th Bombardment Squadron emblem | |
The squadron was activated in April 1944 as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit, but was inactivated six weeks later, when B-29 groups reorganized from four to three squadrons. It activated again later that summer, and trained with B-29s until une 1945, when it deployed to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, just before V-J Day. It remained on Okinawa until it was inactivated on 28 May 1946.