Crew 17, flying the B-29 *City of Spokane*, completed 24 missions with the 39th Bomb Group from Guam. Their first mission to Tokyo on April 13, 1945, involved intense fires from previous strikes but resulted in no damage. Subsequent missions brought challenges, including mechanical failures and flak damage. Notable events included their April 27 mission to Kushira, where they faced 25 enemy fighters and lost an engine, and their May 26 Tokyo raid, which resulted in significant damage, including the loss of two engines and the death of Navigator 2nd Lt. Walter Rossig, Jr. Crew 17's mission on June 5, 1945, earned them the Distinguished Flying Cross for their escort of a crippled B-29 back to Guam. They continued with a mix of challenging and easier missions, including a "Dumbo" mission without incident and raids on Ogaki, Mito, and Isesaki. On August 15, 1945, shortly after their raid on Isesaki, they learned the war was over, marking the end of their combat flights.
Standing (Left to Right)
Sgt Albert L. Kyler, Tail Gunner
1st Lt Arthur Anderson, Bombardier
1st Lt Donald A. Barton, Airplane Commander
1st Lt Gordon L. Peters, Radar Observer
1st Lt Philip N. Schild, Pilot
Unknown, Temp Navigator
Kneeling (Left to Right)
M/Sgt James E. Lewis, Jr., Flight Engineer
S/Sgt Jason L. Sox, Jr., Left Gunner
Sgt Joseph J. Dunne, Right Gunner
S/Sgt William H. Fleischman, Radio Operator
T/Sgt Sidney N. Bernstein, CFC Gunner
