Lineage. Constituted as 321 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 15 Apr 1942. Redesignated as 321 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, on 6 Mar 1944. Inactivated on 27 Jan 1946. Redesignated as 321 Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, on 11 Jun 1947. Activated on 1 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 6 Sep 1948. Redesignated as 321 Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 20 Dec 1950. Activated on 2 Jan 1951. Redesignated as 321 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium, on 16 Jun 1952. Discontinued on 20 Jun 1960. Redesignated as 321 Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Minuteman) on 16 Sep 1963. Organized on 9 Apr 1964. Redesignated as 321 Missile Squadron on 1 Sep 1991.
Assignments. 90 Bombardment Group, 15 Apr 1942–27 Jan 1946. 90 Bombardment Group, 1 Jul 1947–6 Sep 1948. 90 Bombardment Group, 2 Jan 1951 (attached to 90 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 16 Feb 1951–15 Jun 1952); 90 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 16 Jun 1952–20 Jun 1960. Strategic Air Command, 16 Sep 1963; 90 Strategic Missile Wing, 9 Apr 1964; 90 Operations Group, 1 Sep 1991–.
Stations. Key Field, MS, 15 Apr 1942; Barksdale Field, LA, 17 May 1942; Greenville AAB, SC, 21 Jun 1942; Ypsilanti, MI, 9–23 Aug 1942; Wheeler Field, TH, 12 Sep 1942; Iron Range, Australia, c. 4 Nov 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 10 Feb 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, Dec 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, c. 23 Feb 1944; Biak, 12 Aug 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, 26 Jan 1945; Ie Shima, 15 Aug 1945; Ft William McKinley, Luzon, 23 Nov 1945–27 Jan 1946. Andrews Field (later, AFB), MD, 1 Jul 1947–6 Sep 1948. Fairchild AFB, WA, 2 Jan 1951; Forbes AFB, KS, 14 Mar 1951–20 Jun 1960. F. E. Warren AFB, WY, 9 Apr 1964–.
Service Streamers. Global War on Terrorism – Service (GWOT-S).
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Papua; Guadalcanal; New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; China Offensive.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, [22 Nov] 1942–23 Jan 1943; New Guinea, 13 and 15 Sep 1943. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1968–30 Jun 1969; 1 Jul 1973–30 Jun 1975; 1 Jul 1977–30 Jun 1979; 1 Jul 1982–30 Jun 1984; 1 Jul 1987–30 Jun 1989; 1 Aug 1991–31 Jul 1993; 1 Oct 1994-30 Sep 1995; 1 Sep 1996-31 Aug 1998; 1 Oct 1999-30 Sep 2000; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2001; 1 Oct 2003-30 Sep 2005; 1 Oct 2005-30 Sep 2007; 1 Oct 2007-30 Sep 2008; [1 Dec 2009]-31 May 2010; 1 Jan 2011-31 Dec 2012; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2013; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2016. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII).
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 11 Aug 2022.
Supersedes statement prepared on 17 Jun 2015.
Emblem. Approved on 4 Nov 1965; latest rendering, 5 Sep 2019.
Prepared by Melissa Lahue.
Reviewed by Margaret Ream.