Butaritari Atoll Airport was built in Kiribati during World War II by the United States after seizing the island from the Japanese.

Construction lasted approximately one month, from November 20 to mid-December, of 1943.

The airfield was the base of operations for the United States Army Air Forces Seventh Air Force 41st Bombardment Group which flew four squadrons of B-25 Mitchell medium bombers.

In addition to the 41st, the 43d Fighter Squadron (15th Fighter Group) flew P-39 Airacobras and the 531st Bomb Squadron (380th Bombardment Group) flew A-24 Dauntless light attack aircraft from the airfield in late 1943 and early 1944.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency