873rd Tactical Missile Squadron information

873rd Tactical Missile Squadron
TM-76 Mace of the 873rd Tactical Missile Squadron
Active	1943–1946; 1961–1965
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Cruise missile
Engagements	Pacific Theater
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
873rd Tactical Missile Squadron emblem[a][1]
Patch with 873rd Bombardment Squadron emblem[2]

The 873rd Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 498th Tactical Missile Group at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. The squadron was first activated in 1943 for service during World War II as the 873rd Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States with Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers, the squadron moved to the Mariana Islands, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Japan, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations before the end of hostilities in August 1945. The squadron returned to the United States in December 1945 and was inactivated in March 1946, and its personnel and equipment transferred to another organization.

The 873rd was activated again at Kadena in 1961, and became the first Air Force unit to operate the TM-76B Mace cruise missile before inactivating in 1965.

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