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39th Bomb Group (VH)

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Ralph Hayenga's letter home to his parents
5

The following letter was written by Ralph V. Hayenga, to his parents, Rev. and Mrs. L. F. Hayenga and later appeared in their local newspaper.

Rev. L. F. Hayenga then sent a copy of the newspaper article of his son's article to the William T. Davenport, Sr., his son William T, Jr. was right gunner on the crew.

The 1945 newspaper article has been transcribed for display here.

(then) 2nd Lt Ralph V. Hayenga
Radar Observer
The letter is courtesy of Robert Davenport, son

Ralph Hayenga on Plane Shot Down by Japs on Target

Writes Folks, Rev. and Mrs. L. F. Hayenga; Now in Hospital in Pacific

Rev. and Mrs. L. F. Hayenga received the following letter from their son, Ralph who is a radar navigator on a B-29. According to previous letters he has been in the raids over Tokyo, Yokohama and Kobe. This letter was received Monday, June 11.

June 3, 1945
Dear Folks:

I just found out today that you either have already or will in the near future, receive word from Uncle Sam that your son has been wounded in action etc. So to relieve your worries, I am writing this letter.

We were on a strike over Yokohama last Tuesday, May 29, when we were hit by flak directly over target. We lost two engines immediately and were unable to hold altitude. Knowing we had to set down in the water we took all the necessary steps and then waited it out. Our bomb bay doors had been shot open and on impact with the water our ship broke in two. I was very fortunate to be the only one to get out of the tail section we were immediately submerged. When I got free of the ship I was about 10 feet below water. Upon surfacing I discovered two very disappointing facts. First the lie raft was almost 100 yards from me, and secondly I had a broken shoulder which I received when we hit. Realizing I hadn’t made my bed for leaving home base the night before, I just had to get to the raft, disregarding the shoulder, I made the distance in recorded time. After helping another man aboard the two of us joined the others in their raft as ours was deflating fast.

By this time those of us who had survived were fairly safe as we were together and had something to hang on to. We (seven of us) spent the rest of the afternoon mending our wounds and getting over the excitement. That night was by far the worst night I’ve put in my life. The sea was extremely rough and we were constantly being capsized. To add to our misery it was cold and it rained all night. Somehow we managed to stay afloat but daylight brought only bigger waves and more rain. The visibility was zero and even if we heard a search plane we would have had no way to signal.

About noon it cleared up a little and we saw a plane in the distance. Using every means of signalling we could devise or muster, we were able to attract its attention. It was some 4½ hours later that a most beautiful sight appeared, a boat on the horizon. My first thought was at last I’d get my shoulder set. But when we were hauled aboard I found there was no doctor there.

The navy did a wonderful job and made us as comfortable as they could. They seemed happier to have saved us that we were to be saved, but I assure you, they could never have won the argument.

After a few days onboard, we docked on good old Terra firma and I got my shoulder put in a cast, which explains this illegible writing.

I am sorry to have to be so vague of details. It would make a much better story but you realize that Uncle Sam’s censors object.

It was quite an experience, one I will not soon forget, This morning to pass the time, I began reading a Popular Science Magazine here in the hospital. I was extremely interested in an article “Why the Japanese Ach Ach Cannot be Accurate” I was sorry I didn’t read the article last Monday night.

                                                                 Your son,
                                                                       Ralph



62nd Squadron Crew Index
Sources: Robert Davenport, son of William T. Davenport