The 6th Bomb Group

The members of crew #2412 were:

1/Lt Dragi C. Lazin (A/C)
F/O Thomas J. Head (Pilot)
S/Sgt William T. Corrigan (Engineer)
1/Lt George W. King (Navigator)
F/O Lawrence C. Byers (Bombardier)
2/Lt Donald A. Stuewe (Radarman)
S/Sgt Robert W. Weber (Radio)
S/Sgt Max R. Reed (CFC)
S/Sgt Robert W. Allen (L Gunner)
S/Sgt Fred L. Unclebach (R Gunner)
Sgt James F. De Bouno (T Gunner)

Postcard provided by Tyler Reid, from S/Sgt Fred R. Unclebaugh.

DFC Citation - Mission 47. Kobe Urban Area (June 5)

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 5 June 1945. These individuals were combat crew members of a B-29 aircraft based in the Marianas Islands, on a daylight, medium altitude, incendiary strike against vital industrial facilities in the city of Kobe, Japan. On the target approach, their formation met heavy, accurate, intense flak. They sustained hits in the tail assembly. Also encountered by the squadron, were twenty fighter attacks which were determined and aggressive. Nevertheless, this crew maintained close formation and pressed home the assault, contributing materially to the destruction of over four square miles, or over twenty-eight per cent of the built up portion of the city of Kobe. By their coordinated teamwork, skill, courage and devotion to duty, these crew members, veterans of more than twenty-three combat sorties, aided in inflicting severe damage on the enemy and reflected great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.

First Lieutenant DRAGI C. LAZIN as Airplane Commander
First Lieutenant GEORGE W. KING as Navigator
First Lieutenant WILLIAM E. REED as Flight Engineer
First Lieutenant DONALD A. STUEWE (then Second Lieutenant) as Radar Gunner
Flight Officer LAWRENCE C. BYERS as Bombardier
Technical Sergeant MAX R. REED (then Staff Sergeant) as Central Fire Controller
Staff Sergeant ROBERT W. WEBER (then Sergeant) as Radio Operator
Staff Sergeant FRED L. UNCLEBAUGH as Right Blister Gunner
Staff Sergeant ROBERT W. ALLEN as Left Blister Gunner
Staff Sergeant JAMES F. DEBOUNO as Tail Gunner

[Transcribed by David Wilson, son of Sgt Bernard E. Wilson (Gunner, "Anonymous IV")]

This crew primarily flew "Patty Sue".