This was a daylight precision mission involving 12 planes from the 6th Bomb Group:
Three precision attacks with high explosive GP bombs were made in April. * * *
Another, against the Hitachi aircraft engine plant at Tokyo on the 24th * * * [was] carried out with only twelve * * * aircraft * * *.
[Pirate's Log, p. 38]
According to the DFC Citation for Crew #2413 "Jake's Jernt":
For extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight 24 April 1945. These individuals were combat crew members of
a B-29 airplane based in the Marianas Islands, leading a formation in a
daylight medium altitude strike against a high priority target, the
Hitachi aircraft engine works, near Tachikawa, Japan. Taking their heavily
loaded bomber off smoothly at night, this crew effected assembly at the
designated point. On the approach to the target, intense flak was
encountered, so deadly that all planes in the formation suffered hits.
Twenty-seven aggressive and determined attacks by enemy aircraft were
encountered. Their plane had more than forty holes shot in it's engine
nacelles, wings, and fuselage, and all aileron controls were jammed.
Despite this battle damage, the crew maintained close formation, pressed
home the attack, and assisted in destroying a considerable part of the
factory. Reconnaissance photographs showed more than fifty percent of the
roof burned out. The flight back to base in the crippled plane was
skillfully and successfully accomplished by alternately cutting the power
in the several engines. By their coolness and determination in the face of
great danger, their individual skill, and their efficiency and teamwork,
these veterans of more than twenty-three missions against Japan, reflected
great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.
Captain JACOB R. SCHAD as Airplane Commander
First Lieutenant CLARENCE E. REIN as Navigator
First Lieutenant MARSHALL E. SEDDON as Bombardier
First Lieutenant CHARLES A. SCHLOSSER as Flight Engineer
Staff Sergeant WILLIAM G. BUCKLEY as Radar Gunner
Staff Sergeant JACK W. HIGHFILL as Radio Operator
Staff Sergeant WILBUR D. KITTINGER as Central Fire Control Gunner
Staff Sergeant THOMAS J. FISHER as Right Gunner
Staff Sergeant WEBSTER SINGER JR, as Left Gunner
Sergeant RICHARD G. LUCAS as Tail Gunner
[Transcribed by David Wilson, son of Sgt Bernard E. Wilson (Gunner, "Anonymous IV")]
According to the DFC Citation for Crew #3905 "Look
Homeward Angel":
For extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight 24 April 1945. These individuals were combat crew members of
a B-29 based in the Marianas Islands attacking an enemy installation, the
Hitachi aircraft company, located near Tachikawa, Japan. Taking off in
darkness, this crew flew on the briefed course and effected assembly at
the designated time and place off the coast of Japan. Upon making landfall
at Numazu, heavy, intense and accurate flak opposition was encountered.
The lead aircraft was severely damaged, necessitating its withdrawal from
the formation. The plane flown by this crew was likewise damaged, as were
all other aircraft in the formation. In addition, they underwent
twenty-seven aggressive attacks by fighters. Despite this determined
opposition and a cover of haze over the target, they pressed home their
attack, making a well-controlled bomb run and dropping their projectiles
accurately on the target. They played a large part in the destruction of
this aircraft factory, as proved by photographs which show fifty-four
percent of the total roof area destroyed. By their coolness and courage in
the face of great danger, their determination to accomplish their mission
successfully despite all opposition, and their high degree of individual
skill, these veterans of repeated assaults against the Japanese homeland
reflect great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.
First Lieutenant JOHN D. RALPH as Airplane Commander
Second Lieutenant JOHN J. ULLMAN as Navigator
First Lieutenant LESTER SCHWARTZ as Bombardier
First Lieutenant VICTOR A. STEINMETZ as Flight Engineer
Technical Sergeant PAUL F. SAVAGE (then Staff Sergeant) as Central Fire
Control Gunner
Staff Sergeant RAYMOND J. RADOMSKI as Radar Operator
Staff Sergeant WILLIAM T. HAMER as Radio Operator
Staff Sergeant JERRY S. BENESH (then Sergeant) as Right Blister Gunner
Staff Sergeant WILLIAM S. SANTAVICCA (then Sergeant) as Left Blister
Gunner
Staff Sergeant RICHARD M. SIDDERS (then Sergeant) as Tail Gunner
[Transcribed by David Wilson, son of Sgt Bernard E. Wilson (Gunner, "Anonymous IV")]
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