Crew 9: 1st Replacement

After completing B-29 crew training in Clovis, New Mexico, the crew traveled to Herrington, Kansas, where they were assigned a new B-29 and began their overseas journey. Their first stops were Mather Field, Sacramento, and Hickam Field, Hawaii, before arriving at Kwajalein. There, Lt. James W. Welch Jr. informed them that their destination was North Field, Guam, where they joined the 314th Bomb Wing. The crew learned of Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945, just hours before arriving at Guam. Upon arrival, they were introduced to a new B-29, P9, of the 60th Bomb Squadron and met their ground crew. The crew soon learned they were replacements for a crew that had failed to return. They became familiar with their aircraft during maintenance and "slow time" for new engines, essential for long missions. Capt. Welch, with combat experience in B-24s, and 1st Lt. Richard Larson, a B-17 pilot, led the crew. Key members, including the navigator and bombardier, were experienced instructors. During training, the crew witnessed a crash involving Crew P6, resulting in injuries and a death. Their own crew flew every scheduled mission from June 1, 1945, to September 2, 1945, except for one aborted due to a mechanical issue. The crew was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a day raid on Kobe and earned the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. They completed over 500 hours of flying and participated in "Operation Sunset Project No. 2," transporting military personnel. Capt. Welch's attempt to fly the "City of Youngstown" to Youngstown, Ohio for a Victory Bond Rally was denied due to runway length requirements.

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