In both the Pacific and European Air Wars, there was one particularly intense mission that survivors will never forget. In Europe, it was the attack on August 17, 1943, and in the Pacific, it was Mission 183 to Tokyo on the night of May 25-26, 1945. This mission was one of the most costly for the 20th Air Force, with 26 out of 489 planes lost and 100 others damaged by flak. The "City of Miami" (P-2), serving as a pathfinder, was severely damaged by flak and attacks while flying through Japanese searchlights and rockets. Despite losing two engines and being too damaged to return to base, we headed to Iwo Jima, our usual stop for damaged aircraft. Bad weather made landing difficult, and only one B-29, our P-2, managed to land. We were put up in tents by the Marines. That night, Japanese forces, still active on the island, attacked our camp. We grabbed our weapons and tried to help the Marines, who ended up handling the situation. Later, it was revealed that the Japanese had targeted us specifically, knowing we were part of the recent raid.
Standing (Left to Right)
1st Lt Bayard J. Squire, Navigator
2nd Lt Richard A. Harris, Flight Engineer
Major John Keene, Airplane Commander
2nd Lt Henry E. Pitts, Jr., Pilot
1st Lt Marvin Demanczuk, Radar Observer
2nd Lt Charles H. Gourley, Bombardier
Kneeling (Left to Right)
S/Sgt Eugene J. Bockman, Right Gunner
M/Sgt Gordon F. Swart, CFC Gunner
S/Sgt John M. Eckman, Tail Gunner
S/Sgt John H. Jones, Left Gunner
S/Sgt John A. DuPree, Radio Operator
Not Pictured: M/Sgt Joseph J. Pisar - Crew Chief
Top (Left to Right)
Keene, AC
Squire, Nav
Middle (Left to Right)
Gourlay, Bmdr
Demanzuk, Radar
Bottom (Left to Right)
Harris, FE
Pitts, Pilot
