The Crew was assembled in Pyote Texas and was sent to Lincoln Nebraska. The Crew brought new B29 from Kearny AFB Nebraska to Honolulu, then to Kwajalein (2200 miles west of Hawaii), then to Guam in the Mariana Islands. Before leaving the states, while in Sacramento California, the Crew was given many medical shots to prepare for the war, and everyone in the Crew became sick from the shots. The Air Force said: "no problem, you will take off at midnight for Hawaii".

When the Crew neared Hawaii, the Hawaiian radio was out, but the Crew somehow received permission to land. This was still a sick and sleepy crew from all the shots and lack of sleep. Near Kwajalein, the Japanese held some islands nearby which all looked alike from the air. It was dark and a storm was kicking up high waves and the Crew flew low overhead to hunt for the correct Island. Navigator Stone brought the Crew to the correct spot to land. A large piece of coral rock was picked-up between the duel wheels and it knocked a hole in the wing. Our Crew had to stay several days in Kwajalein for repairs to be made. The next flight was to Guam where the Crew encountered Flack flashing above the nearby Island of Rota, which was occupied by the Japanese, but used by B29s for target practice. The Crew also saw flack flashing above another island, but some said it was another Japanese Island. Navigator Stone said "no, it was Guam". He was correct as usual; it was Guam with gunnery practice!!

Once on Guam, a veteran crew took over the new plane, and our crew was issued an old plane (which had to be flown at an exact speed, or its fuel efficiency was terrible). Had to land in IWO JIMA several times, for refueling, especially early on. 17 missions, 15 at night. See the attached mission schedule and photograph compliments of the Radar Navigator Carl LeVan. When our Crew arrived in Guam, the bombing of Japan had been going on for 3-4 months (Spring 1945). History books say that the early bombing (before our crew arrived) had been high altitude bombing, which resulted in few American losses, but were hit or miss, not very effective in hitting targets. Then General Curtis LeMay took over the command of that Air Force, and he decided to hit the targets much more effectively by flying much lower, thus bombing much more accurately. However, this meant far more danger for crews and many more downed aircraft. Our Crew was fortunate to survive.!!!

The nickname of our plane "Southern Comfort", named by our pilot (a Texan). No one was particularly into drinking, but the plane was named anyway. I guess all planes needed a nickname, and several members of our Crew were from the south.

Iwo Jima, first time was shortly after marines had taken over the Island (the sara batchi) And our crew had to wait on the plane for several hours while the Japanese were still shooting at us. Plane was on the runway at a 45-degree angle (on the incline) (difficult to sleep).