These eleven men, ranging on age from late teens to mid-twenties, had now joined together as Crew 5. For the next several months, each other would closely share each day of their lives.

While at Salina, Kansas City, was a popular town for airmen. From the very beginning, crews flocked to "K.C." in search of a good time. Some came by bus and train while others hitch hiked. It offered things a soldier was looking for - women and fun. Popular too, were the "booze" runs. Liquor could be procured there to take back to "dry" Kansas, a misnomer if ever there was one. In reality it was probably one of the wettest states. Bootleggers thrived there and were always easy to find. For a price! Any bellhop or cab driver could quickly make the connection for you. They could also arrange for a girl to share your bottle with. These same illegal services were also available at the various "hang-outs" and dance spots like the "Blue Pacific", for instance. There, "set-ups" (ice and mixer), could be had on the inside, while the main ingredient was available outside. Inflated prices prevailed. Twenty-five dollars for a fifth was not an unusual price to pay these vendors in Salina. Apparently, a bottle of booze was a more precious commodity than a girl for the evening, The latter could be had for much less.

For this reason, we'd always make it a point to stock up before returning to Kansas where we could bootleg the stuff for a substantial profit. There were always customers waiting back at Smoky Hill.

L to R: Al Baldi, Pilot; Bud Folker, Bombardier; Edward Edmundson, Nav.; Herm Marthaler, Radar

Stories of the "Blue Pacific" shall forever linger in the minds of the airmen stationed at Salina. A favorite of Crew 5 involved Bob Sands. He and Bob Laird were enjoying a few V.O.s in the company of two attractive girls they had met there. Everything was going quite well as Laird left the table momentarily to replenish their ice supply. Upon returning, he found the girls extremely upset and hysterically shouting, "They're beating up Bob outside!" Laird, apprehensively, hurried into the darkened yard and immediately came upon two inebriated figures flailing away at each other. The scene resembled an Abott and Costello movie, as neither seemed able to hit the other. With the help of crewmates, the situation was quelled and Sands was led inside. The reason for the altercation was never known.

Obviously, Bob didn't remember either, as later in the evening he and his adversary were seen buying drinks for each other.

In the middle of January 1945, the 39th crews were sent to Batista Field, Cuba for training in over-water flight, Our crew was part of the B-29 contingent involved in "Gypsy Task Force," as the operation was designate. Accompanying us was Lt. Col. James H. Thompson, Group Operations Officer.