Formed in Pyote, Texas, the crew faced typical challenges on their practice missions from Guam to Rota, including engine and bomb-bay door issues. Their 6th mission to Yokohama was a day raid with heavy flak. A large hole in the plane caused them to lose formation control. Despite efforts by A/C Killpack and Pilot Neden to head home, they were attacked by 12 Japanese fighters. A Superfortress came to their aid, but they had to bail out 50 miles at sea. Tail gunner Myron Williams, seriously wounded, was lost when his chute failed. CFC gunner Joseph "Pete" Miller, left gunner George Tilghman, and flight engineer Fred Dunn survived the bailout. Dunn’s parachute and life raft were damaged, leaving him half-submerged until rescued by the USS Dragonet. Miller and Tilghman endured 30 hours in rough weather before being spotted by a Dumbo aircraft. They later learned a Japanese boat between them had been sunk, but whether other crew members were aboard remains unknown. Only Dunn, Tilghman, and Miller returned from the mission. After five days of patrol and an eight-day trip back to Guam, Miller faced a close call with a torpedo but survived. Returning to the 60th Squadron, Miller found his clothes missing but continued flying three more missions. Tilghman completed another sixteen sorties with a new crew, and Dunn, after a series of challenging experiences, was in California for lead crew school when the war ended. In mid-September, Miller accepted a stateside role as a scanner on a baggage B-29 and left immediately.
Standing (Left to Right)
Capt Harris E. Collins, Bombardier
2nd Lt Austin L. Wible, Radar Observer
Capt John C. Wilkie, Navigator
2nd Lt Joseph B. Neden, Pilot
Capt Reece N. Killpack, Airplane Commander
Kneeling (L to Right)
Sgt Joseph P. Miller, CFC Gunner
Sgt Eugene C. Reck, Radio Operator
S/Sgt Fred N. Dunn, Flight Engineer
Sgt Myron D. Williams, Tail Gunner
S/Sgt George C. Tilghman, Left Gunner
Sgt William T. Findley, Right Gunner
