The 6th Bomb Group

Crew #4010. 1/Lt Percy U. Tucker


Credits

Special Thanks to: Joe Majeski for the names of the crew members and to Terry Tucker Rhodes, daughter of 1/Lt Percy Tucker (Aircraft Commander) for the color pictures.

The Air Crew

The members of crew #4010 were:

1/Lt Percy U. Tucker (A/C)
1/Lt John T. Kearney (Pilot)
1/Lt Edwin J. Koniusky (Navigator)
F/O Joseph Krogman (Bombardier)
1/Lt Elmer G. Wale (Engineer)
S/Sgt John W. Pierce (Radio)
S/Sgt Joseph W. Ryan (Radarman)
T/Sgt Edward C. Roach (CFC)
Cpl John R. Dodd (R Gunner)
S/Sgt Robert K. Ryan (L Gunner)
S/Sgt Joseph J. Majeski (T Gunner)


Photo from Terry Tucker Rhodes, daughter of 1/Lt Percy Tucker, all rights reserved
Here is a picture of the crew in front of "Tojo's Nightmare".
In the front row, 1/Lt John T. Kearney (Pilot) is 2nd from the left and 1/Lt Percy Tucker (A/C) is 3rd from the left.

Read Majeski's Memoirs (at Sallyann's webpage) to learn more about this plane and the men who flew her.  Also, take a look at the color slides taken by 1/Lt Percy U. Tucker (A/C).

DFC Citation - Mission 28. Kanoya East Airfield, Kyushu (Apr 21)

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 21 April 1945. These individuals were combat crew members of a B-29 Aircraft based in the Marianas Islands on a bombing raid against an airfield on Kyushu, Japan. The Mission was designed to relieve the pressure of enemy air attacks against our Naval forces off Okinawa by knocking out the home airfields where the planes for such raids were staged. To accomplish this objective it was necessary that each plane fly exactly as briefed and maintain a close, well-controlled formation on the bomb run so that maximum damage would result. Arriving at the assembly point exactly on time, this crew flew their plane in close formation, releasing their bombs on the briefed portion of the target. Severe damage was inflicted to maintenance facilities as well as on planes and equipment in the area. On the approach to and over the target, heavy, intense and accurate flak was encountered. After leaving the target, two aggressive attacks by enemy fighters were repelled. Despite this heavy opposition, members of this crew performed their assigned duties with exceptional skill and contributed materially to the outstanding success of the mission. These individuals, who have completed over twenty-three combat sorties, distinguished themselves in the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.

First Lieutenant JOHN T. KEARNEY as Pilot
Flight Officer JOSEPH F. KROGMAN as Bombardier
First Lieutenant ELMER G. WALE (then Second Lieutenant) as Flight Engineer
Captain PERCY U. TUCKER (then First Lieutenant) as Airplane Commander
Staff Sergeant JOSEPH W. RYAN (then Sergeant) as Radar Gunner
Staff Sergeant JOHN W. PIERCE as Radio Operator
Technical Sergeant EDWARD C. ROACH (then Staff Sergeant) as Central Fire Control Gunner
Staff Sergeant ROBERT K. RYAN (then Sergeant) as Left Blister Gunner
Staff Sergeant JOSEPH MAJESKI JR (then Sergeant) as Tail Gunner

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

The Airplanes

This crew generally flew "Lady Annabelle".