To Kevin: Here Is A Compilation Of All Of The

To Kevin: Here is a compilation of all of the emails I received and links that I found regarding my search for information about my father, your Grandpa. I know I visited hundreds of sites and wish I had kept a log of each. Enjoy the story as it unfolds. I am so sorry that GeoCities has closed. I’ve gathered all that I have and am passing a copy to you for safekeeping. I’ll try to duplicate as much as I can remember about my tribute page and any other information I have in my head or in writing. Growing up I knew little about dad (grandpa) other than he served as a pilot in WWII, on a B-24 bomber, and that he flew in the Korean War, in a B-29, and died in a crash coming home from a mission. Other than that, I knew very little, other than a couple of medal in the attic, a ring in grandma’s drawer and his service cap. Grandma spoke of him, but without great detail. Also, back then, I didn’t know what to ask. I did see the teletype advising her of dad’s death and remember her saying that the chaplain who came to the house was a bit drunk. (Back then I couldn’t understand how a man of the cloth could have been drunk, but after all I have read I can now understand the painful position they must have be given to announce the deaths, accidents, missing in action or captured. Almost 40,000 died and 100,000 wounded. I’m sure the numbers were higher as many reports were, I am sure, lost or not written up correctly.) In WWII he was stationed in Torretta Field, Italy. From that station they would fly missions across Italy, Yugoslavia, Romania, Austria, France & Germany and bomb strategic sites as necessary. I’ve included a couple of flight plans from 1944 that mention his name and provide a map of the target. On the plans, top secret at the time, they outline the day and time of liftoff, the other planes involved and their call signs. Also shown are the check points and alternate routes and targets. I found these very interesting. I’ve gone to many, many sites, but have come up empty handed. I know he was with the 484 Bomb Group, but I don’t know the Squadron nor his plane number. A good site for the Group is 15thaf.org/49thBW/484thBG. I’ve attached a couple of aerial shots of the airfield where you can see how the planes were parked in little groups along the runways. Almost looks like a housing development. And that’s about as much as I know of his WWII experiences. I know his navigator was Ollie Glass who, with his family, became good friends of ours. Irene Glass, his wife lives in Florida and is in her 90’s. Grandma speaks of her from time to time. Ollie was instrumental in relocating our family to Levittown. We rented a home, as many GI families did, at the time, on 87 Sugarmaple Lane over by Division Avenue which is next to Bally’s. He then helped grandma find and purchase the Radial Lane home. I remember spending a lot of time at their home for gatherings. Wish I knew then what I know today and would have grilled him about dad. And then the Korean War broke out and dad was in the first wave of reservists to head over there. Just before the North Koreans stormed South Korea, dad had made some disparaging remarks to the upper officers regarding the conditions of the old B-29 which were taken from mothballs to be used in the war. They didn’t like his comments and took away his flying privileges. But, just as the war broke out, they restored his status and off he went. One of the attachments is a copy of the notice of restoration. The service was great. They would screw you if you spoke up and then couldn’t wait get you to the front when things went wrong.

As a kid I knew very little. On the 54th anniversary of his death I was surfing the net and to my surprise found an article regarding the crash and an actual picture of the crash site. (http://www.rb-29.net/HTML/29wfw.htm) And that started my quest. From there I found several sites mentioning the plane’s tail number 44-61813. That number was my primary search criteria. I searched and read, searched and read. Most were a duplication of the prior sites, but I pushed onward. And then I found the photographer who had actually been at the crash scene and took the only known photos. I zipped off an email to him and he was kind enough to email me back with what he knew and saw on that fateful day. I’m attaching the photos which he sent me and a copy of his email. I was able to hook grandma and him, Wayland Mayo, so they could speak on the phone. I’m sure it was tearful on both ends. Apparently dad was in a B-29 that had been converted from a bomber to a reconnaissance plane. They were shooting pics of a prior bombing over the Yalu River which borders China and North Korea. Up until this time the Russian and the Chinese had stayed out of the fight. Until the beginning of November 1950. The Russians had their fast MIG’s ready in the Chinese airfields, manned by the best pilots they had from WWII, who were also called Honchos. The MIGs attached the much slower B-29 and managed to disable two of he four engines on one side of the plane. During the attack, the tail gunner, Sgt. Harry Levine, was able to shoot down one of the attackers. He was credited with being the first enlisted man to shoot down a MIG from a B-29. Quite an accomplishment for his day as the lumbering B-29 was easily outmanned by the much faster and better maneuvering MIGs. By the way, a B-29 was never designed to fly with two engines out, especially two on one side of the aircraft. Nevertheless, they managed to cross North Korea and the Sea of Japan and returned to Johnson Air Base in Japan. On their last approach they crashed short of the runway. The plane split in two and the wing assembly crashed over the cockpit killing, I believe, five that were in the cockpit. The crew in the rear of the plane was able to walk away from the crash. Wayland’s email pretty much gives all of the detail. Here’s a new explanation that I just discovered: “On November 9, 1950, two Soviet MiG-15s of 72nd GvIAP intercepted the 31st SRS RB-29A #44-61813 “Over Exposed” over Sinuiju, where the Soviet flight leader Major Bordun riddled the recon plane with 37 mm shells. Sgt Harry J. LeVene, gunner, received credit for the first B-29 jet victory of the Korean War, destroying one of the attacking MiG-15s. The RB-29 #44-61813 almost reached Johnson AFB, crashing during the final approach. Five crewmembers died in the crash, three from the 31st SRS, Capt Robert A. Mitchell, Jr., MSgt Avery J. Green, and SSgt Orvis J. Gunhus, and two from other units, Capt Robert E. Laden, TDY from the 23rd Reconnaissance Squadron, and 1Lt James M. Schooley, from the 20th Weather Squadron.” Dad’s loss was very important in the war. The brass now realized how vulnerable the aircraft were without fighter support with the MIGs entering the war. From there I was able to start putting together the Tribute page. I had a couple of pictures of dad and part of his WWII crew which included Ollie Glass and dad’s 19 year old copilot. What I miss most are not my words or even the pictures. What I miss the most are the comments I received from various individuals who checked out the site and were nice

enough to leave thoughtful writings. There were soldiers who had served in Korea at the time and later on. A couple of grandma’s friends had sent their regards an old timer from the diner. And then there were the children of other members of the crew. Amazingly, two or three sons had contacted me and advised that their fathers had been on the plane, but had survived. One son who lost an uncle also sent me an email. I have their emails, but I miss their first contact. I was also contacted by the son of the pilot who flew the plane during WWII. Mostly, back then, it was in the Asian theater. Its name, which was shown on it’s nose art, was “Over Exposed”. But it was also used on the Pacific theater known as “Pacific Princess”. I hope I saved the pictures somewhere, but I know they are available on the net. In my search I was actually able to find the two Russian pilots names who were given the credit for the damage which led to the crash. The Russians actually released information.

FW: Johnson AFB From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:18 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:04:08 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Johnson AFB To: [email protected] http://www.b-29s-over-korea.com/Photo_Gallery_I/slideshow.html

FW: B-29s in Korea From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:18 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: B-29s in Korea Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 16:02:28 -0700 Tom, I must've been still asleep. I have two of you in my address book. The other TM is [email protected]. I meant to ask, is (was) this you or are there two Tom Mitchell's sending me e-mail? I also screwed up Red Wings Over the Yalu, China, the Soviet Union, and the Air War in Korea by Xiaoming Zhang. Both books are extremely well researched. I wish I could say the same for some American authors. B-29 Superfortress Units of the Korean War is filled with errors but the pictures are worth the price of admission. Many errors were copied directly from official documents. I have the 307th's reports for the month of October, 1951 and in one place Kadena is referred to as a base in "Japan." The islands were part of the Japanese Empire but never referred to in that context. The problem arises when historians, including one of the most famous, write things like "B-29s attached to the 307th Bombardment Wing, based in Japan..." which gives the impression that they flew out of Yokota. Unfortunately, most histories were written by the lowest ranking guy in the unit (because nobody else wanted the job, as in "Befor I coodn't spel pilet, now I are one.") I shouldn't say so, but some of the crewmembers I presently correspond with don't spell much better. Mac

This is the email from the man who witnessed the crash and took the photos: FW: RB-29 813 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:18 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RB-29 813 Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 14:44:39 -0500 Hello Tom, In answer to your email perhaps I can shed some light on the tragic event as I was an eyewitness. Our squadron, the 91st SRS was originally stationed at Kadena AFB on Okinawa, and then moved for a short stay at Johnson AFB in Japan. Next move was our last to Yokota AFB. One day I was drinking a coke on the flight line after loading our guns for a mission the next day. Suddenly there was a lot of activity with trucks, jeeps, etc rushing down to the end of the runway. My pilot, Captain Torry, told me they had just received a radio message from 813 saying they had been jumped by Migs and received severe damage to two engines on one side, both now feathered. The possibility of flying across the ocean with two out on one side all the way back to base was of course very slim. I grabbed my camera and caught a ride in a passing jeep to the end of the runway. We waited for what seemed an eternity, and then suddenly there in the distance was 813 . She had made it back, a masterful flying job by the pilot. 813 began final approach and everything looked normal, except of course the damage to the two engines. As she approached the runway, lined up perfectly, the flaps were lowered. At that time the plane suddenly took a dive into the ground, just short of the runway. The front section dug into the ground turning upside down. The wing section flipped over and ended up upside down on top of the nose section. The aft section rode up on top of the wing section. The nose section of course received major damage. At that time the back door opened and first to jump to safety was my best friend S/sgt Warren. I shot a whole roll of film, however during the years it disintergrated. The only photos remaining are the ones on my website. The photo of 813 on the flight line was taken the day before. 813 was always parked right next to my plane, Tiger Lil. Our crews were very well acquainted with each other, I was an enlisted man and your father was an aircraft commander. However I do remember having short conversations with him on numerous occasions. I must say he must have been one heck of a pilot to nurse that plane all the way back home, only to end up a few feet short of the runway. As I remember the tail gunner shot down a Mig, this being the first time a prop bomber had downed a jet fighter. So that briefly is the story. It still lingers in my memory after all these years. A tragedy with little understanding as to "why". The Korean war was full of incidents which convince us that the war was a no win situation, and yet if necessary I would gladly do it all again. Thank you for your email, I wish you the very best. Take care, WAYLAND MAYO 5970 Purdy Ln. West Palm Beach FL 33415 561-968-6041

FW: Questions ? From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:17 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Questions ? Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 14:51:25 -0500 Hello Tom, You asked about the nose art on 813. I collect nose art books and am quite familiar with most of them, however I can't seem to remember any nose art on 813. Yes, I have seen photos of Our L'Lass but I just can't relate it to that plane. I will keep looking as I am not sure of my recollections. Yes I am familiar with acig.org. Nearly all Migs were flown be the best pilots Russia had. They were called "Honcho" pilots. All identification was removed before flight. The North Korean pilots were far infurior to the Russians. You might if you have time read my story on page one entitled "Ride along on a combat mission with the 91st SRS". The story is really typical of any combat mission flown by the 91st. It will give you an idea of exactly what your fathers' crew did on a mission. All missions were TOP SECRET. They involved flights over Manchuria, China, and Russia. Of course our government denied everything, as in the U2 incident.I have flown many times to Antung, a large Chinese airfield, over Manchuria, and Vladisvostok, Russia. Most all flights started at Pyongyang and went north through Mig Alley at Sinanju and Sinuiju, then photograph all the bridges on the Yalu. Our losses were unacceptable and finally all B-29 flights had to be discontinued.It did not seem possible to do this 50 times without getting shot down. If I find anything concerning the nose art I will let you know.It is becomming very difficult to get any first hand information now as we are all reaching the end of line. Take care, Wayland Mayo

FW: Photos frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@hotmai m: l.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:17 PM

> From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Photos > Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005 12:10:11 -0500 > > Hey Wayland: > > May I have your permission to use the photos you had taken of my father's B-29 #4461813 if I put together a web site in honor of him. I am thinking of creating a geocities site and would really like to post the photos as well as links to the stories that I have found. > > It has been a pleasure talking with you. And thank you very much for talking with my mom. I haven't seen her this excited in a very long time. > > Sincerely yours, > Tom Mitchell > > > > [email protected]

FW: pictures From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:16 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:56:16 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: pictures To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 1:57 PM Subject: pictures http://www.bob-west.com/MISC-PHOTOS34.html

FW: RB-29 #44-61813 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:15 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:03:09 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: RB-29 #44-61813 To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: Tom Mitchell Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 12:24 PM Subject: Re: RB-29 #44-61813 Tom, Been busy & gone, but wanted to get back before departing town (again). If you peruse my index, http://mywebpages.comcast.net/b29sinthekoreanwar/home.htm you should find more B-29 nose art scattered about. Mac E. J. McGill Tucson ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 2:58 PM Subject: RB-29 #44-61813 I found your site and I have to thank you for all of your work. My father Robert A. Mitchell was the pilot of RB-29 #44-61813. 54 years ago today he crashed. Amazing that anyone walked away from the wreck. Your site is the only one that I have found with the nose art. Thank you, Tom Mitchell

FW: B-29 Specs From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:15 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:05:06 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: B-29 Specs To: [email protected] http://mywebpages.comcast.net/b29sinthekoreanwar/b29facts.html

FW: lavene.pdf From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:14 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 15:55:57 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: lavene.pdf To: [email protected] http://afehri.maxwell.af.mil/info/pdf/lavene.pdf

FW: Working on web site From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:14 PM

To:

[email protected]

> From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Working on web site > Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 14:00:44 -0500 > > Hello Tom, > > I just took a look at your website. It is very well thought out and to me > quite dramatic. I hope you can get the information you are looking for. I > may have asked this before, did you request and receive his records from the > AF ? I am looking into B-24 archives now but am short on info. Great start. > > Take care, > > Wayland Mayo > > > > ----- Original Message ----> From: "frogeye1959 ." > To: > Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 3:26 PM > Subject: Working on web site > > >> > > Hey Wayland: >> > > Thought I would write to let you know that I have begun my little tribute > > page for my father. Go to www.geocities.com/frogeye1959 for a look at the > > work in progress. I still have images to enter and more text to write and > > need to rearrange a few things. But I am sure you can get the jist of the > > message I'm trying to provide. >> > > I'll keep you informed as I plod along. >> > > Sincerely, > > Tom Mitchell

FW: Honoring ROBERT A MITCHELL From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:14 PM

To:

[email protected]

> Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 14:24:59 +0500 > From: [email protected] > Subject: Honoring ROBERT A MITCHELL > To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] > > > From Ted and Hal Barker at the Korean War Project: > > Thank you very much for visiting the Korean War Project. > > If you would like to reach others who knew > ROBERT A MITCHELL , > we suggest you visit the Korean War Project page of > his unit at: > > http://www.koreanwar.org/html/looking_for.html > > If you need help, please Email us immediately. We are > here to help you Remember. > > Hal and Ted Barker - Korean War Project > > -------------------------------------------------------> > Honoring ROBERT MITCHELL > > Key: 20611 > Casualty Date: 1950-11-09 00:00:00 >

FW: Okinawa records frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:14 PM

To:

frogeye1959@ hotmail.com

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Okinawa records Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:48:53 -0500 Hello Tom, I was looking through some old records and found this one, dated June 30, 1950, just five days after the war started.Since it is 55 years old it has deteriorated considerably. Look at order number 4. it says 1st Lt. Robert A. Mitchell. Is that your dad? The order came from the 31st SRS at Kadena AFB on Okinawa. This was before the 31st was redesignated the 91st and shipped to Japan. I am not having any luck finding much in the way of flight crew listings of the 484 BG. There is plenty of information concerning the activities but no actual crew listings. As I mentioned before there were more than 18,000 B-24s made with maybe two or three crews on each one. I have stacks of books on the Korean war, the last one I got was by Robert Dorr which lists all the units that were active in the war. There is much on the 91st, including my plane and comments. However they only list three RBs from the 91st. I did run across an organization for members of the 484th. Perhaps you should join this group and look for someone that has knowledge of crews that were there. Keep trying. Take care, Wayland Mayo

FW: The Earl E. Myers Story, Chapter 20 - The Korean War And The Move To Yokota frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:13 PM

To:

frogeye1959@h otmail.com

Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 09:44:16 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: The Earl E. Myers Story, Chapter 20 - The Korean War And The Move To Yokota To: [email protected]

The Earl E. Myers Story, Chapter 20 - The Korean War And The Move To Yokota.jpg

FW: Sgt Harry Lavene From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:12 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 15:03:32 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: Sgt Harry Lavene To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 2:18 PM Subject: Re: Sgt Harry Lavene In a message dated 2/23/2005 10:56:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: I saw your note at the Korean War Project regarding Harry Lavene and the MIG he shot down. Harry was the tail gunner of RB-29 #44-61813. My father Robert A Mitchell was the pilot of that plane. They crash landed on 11/9/50 at Johnson AFB, Japan after being attacked near the Yalu River. Harry was one of the survivors. Here is the link to the official transcript reflecting Harry's kill: http://afehri.maxwell.af.mil/info/pdf/lavene.pdf Sincerely yours, Tom Mitchell [email protected] OH!!! BTW. What was the name of that aircraft? During WW II, it was named "OVEREXPOSED" with the 55th Recon Sq. Also later in the war, the 91st came under the command of the 98th Bomb Wing. So we welcome everyone to join our association. See the membership page of my WEB. Herb

FW: 813 info frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:10 PM

To:

frogeye1959@h otmail.com

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 813 info Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 14:26:12 -0500 Hello Tom, Yes it's me again. I found this photo taken months before the war. That is 813 parked behind my plane, Tiger Lil. You can zoom in and read 813 on the rudder. 813 just had the circle X painted. Notice my plane has no designation on the rudder, it was painted the next day. Also note there is no nose art on the left side of 813. The photo of Our L'Lass belongs to AC # 951. It is wrongly reported on another B-29 website.As mentioned previously the two planes were always parked next to each other. This photo really good only for conversation. I am sending two more photos of the crash, neither really good enough for publication but I thought you might want to see them. Keep up the good work. Take care, Wayland Mayo

FW: Emailing: 4752 frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@hotmai m: l.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:09 PM

To:

frogeye1959@hotmail .com

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 16:30:42 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Emailing: 4752 To: [email protected]

FW: 91SRS (31SRS) RB-29 Story From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:08 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 91SRS (31SRS) RB-29 Story Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 15:26:26 -0500 Tom, I am the Secretary of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association (91SRWA). Formed about 10 years ago, we have 185 dues paying members and have contact information on about 250 others. About 20% of the membership is ex-91SRS. Below you will find an exchange of e-mail between myself and Wayland Mayo; I also got your name from a letter sent to me by Harry Mason. Eureka (a light just came on in my head) You are Eileen's son. We have given her a Life Associate Membership in our organization. I got your e-mail address from a note sent to you by Wayland Mayo. I believe Harry Mason may also have talked to you about our organization. Did he send me your snail mail address? If so, I would have mailed you our latest newsletter - the Recon Recorder. If not, send me the address and I'll mail it next week. It includes several pages of chit-chat, our financial figures, stories, reunion information, and rosters with names you may recognize. I do know that Harry is working on an application for you. 23-27 August of this year we will be having a reunion at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. You might be interested in attending. Question? Don't hesitate to respond. Jim Bard PS: I started this note in response to the following from Wayland. Do you mind if I print the story in our newsletter? If that is okay, can you forward it to me via e-mail? Hope to hear from you soon. ----- Original Message ----From: Wayland Mayo To: Jim Bard Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 2:51 PM Subject: Re: 91SRS RB-29 Story Hello Jim, Thanks for the information concerning the exact cause of death of 2Lt Angulo during the Tiger Lil

shootdown. As to my email to Tom Mitchell: He has started his own website as a tribute to his father, Capt. Robert Mitchell. He has published my email as well as eight photos, some of the accident. I do not know who actually has ownership of his email, however I would feel better if Tom gave permission rather than myself. I somehow feel he has "priority" over it. May I suggest you contact Tom and if he says O.K. then everyone will be happy. Take care, Wayland Mayo

----- Original Message ----From: Jim Bard To: 91SRW/Wayland Mayo Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 1:24 AM Subject: 91SRS RB-29 Story Wayland, Harry Mason sent me a copy of an e-mail you sent to Tom (Mitchell?). ([email protected]) Subject: RB-29 813, Nov 25, 04 Two favors: 1. Give me permission to print the story in our 91SRWA newsletter. 2. Send it to me by e-mail so that I don't have to retype it. Can do? I also took a look at your website (just a glance) and the Tiger Lil story. Maybe I can shed some light. 2Lt. Sigfredo Angulo bailed out, hit the side of the cliff, and then fell into the water and drowned. The 91st SRS was reactivated in 1948 and assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Ft. Dix (later McGuire AFB). After outfitting, the squadron was "detached" and sent to FEAF for operational control. (SAC did not officially have an overseas reconnaissance mission.) The wing was responsible for logistical support in the form of airplanes and equipment, but had no operational responsibilities. Although it remained assigned to the 91st Wing, it never returned; it was deactivated upon return to the ZI at a base in Washington (state). Few people were aware of the SAC connection. Jim Bard [email protected]

FW: Johnson AFB From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:07 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Johnson AFB Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 15:39:50 -0500 Tom, I am not a historian or geographer but one thing caught my eye. Okinawa and the rest of the Ryukyu Islands were taken from the Japanese in 1945 and returned to Japan in 1972. In the intervening years they were administered by the U.S. I don't know what their legal status was, but during the 50s and 60s we never used "Okinawa, Japan" when referring to Johnson, only Okinawa. I don't know if this means anything or not. Jim Bard [email protected]

FW: You have received photos from Adobe Photoshop Album frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:07 PM

To:

frogeye1959@h otmail.com

Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 13:24:45 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: You have received photos from Adobe Photoshop Album To: [email protected]

Dad, Jack LaForrest, his 19 year old co-pilot & Ollie Glass, radio/gunner going to Italy

1944 from Mitchel Field here on Long Island.

FW: Johnson AFB From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:06 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Johnson AFB Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 14:09:54 -0500 Tom, To tell the truth, I'm now confused. I always pictured Johnson on Okinawa along with Kadena. But now I see the 91SRS overseas locations are listed as: Kadena AB, Okinawa Johnson AB, Japan Yokota AB, Japan So, I must now assume that Johnson was on the big island. I can't find anything more definitive. Jim

FW: Johnson AB Japan From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:06 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Johnson AB Japan Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 01:27:58 -0500 Here is the answer...... http://users.ev1.net/~vmitchel/JAB.htm

FW: June 6 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:05 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 12:30:04 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: June 6 To: [email protected] http://www.461st.org/Missions/June1944.htm

FW: B-24 Liberator frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:05 PM

To:

frogeye1959@h otmail.com

> Subject: RE: B-24 Liberator > Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 09:34:55 -0500 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > CC: [email protected] > > Hi, Tom...thanks so much for your note and for the great photo of your > Dad and the mission records. (Our computer died and I was finally able > to get into my AOL account last night, so just got your note.) I was > talking with my Dad last night and told him about our correspondence and > am going to send him the documents. He was excited. > > Just looked at your site for a few minutes and it looks really > interesting. Will spend some time with it this weekend. I have attached > another story I had published, about my Dad surviving the war--thought > you might enjoy reading it. > > At work and must run. It would be fun to meet at some point--two coots > with stories to trade. Thanks again--I'm enjoying our correspondence, > and our personal, family connections to such important history. Take > care...Pat > > > > -----Original Message----> From: frogeye1959 . [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2005 3:31 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: B-24 Liberator > > > Dear Patrick: > > Thank you for writing back, regardless of the time frame. Your parents

> are > much more important than this old coot. Besides I have a mom who I must > > watch like a hawk also. > > I am sending you three pages in PDF format as that seemed to be the best > for > viewing them. Keep in mind that these have been copied many many times > and > the quality diminished by the time they were given to me. I hope you > and > your family enjoy the information. > > In tribute to dad, I have begun construction of a tribute web page. > Please > feel free to visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I am having a blast > building it. I was just notified the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing > > that they are going to publish it in an upcoming newsletter. > > See you at the next air show. I'll be the one with the wide eyed, child > > like look, wishing he could step back in time and fly one of those > babies. > > Sincerely yours, > > Tom Mitchell > > ps: That's dad in 1944 on the left, his co pilot Jack LaForrest(19 yrs > old) > and Ollie Glass radio/gunner on the left. They were at Mitchel Field > getting ready to be shipped overseas during WWII. > > > > [email protected]

FW: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:43:35 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: Tom Mitchell Cc: Nolan F Strange ; Jess Richey Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 2:53 PM Subject: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number Tom, Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that appear on my web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers because of the fact that nose art was at the discretion of each crew and not a function of tail number. In other words, if an aircraft was removed from service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the replacement aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months, usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose art with their version. You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed" could have been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing is for 44-61813, so we can be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It also appears in the crash photos, even though we cannot see the nose art. I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no number that matches that on any of the listings I've received from others. This presents a second anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door numbers match tail numbers, the aircraft serial numbers were, in fact, sometimes not the same as the tail numbers. According to information I have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on the tail that did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we had a different call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how many we had by asking Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only one confused. I've linked your web site on my Index (home) page. Stay in touch, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected]

Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:25 PM Subject: #44-61813 EJ: Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and "Overexposed". If you look at each photo, they had been painted on the same plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951 not #813. Wouldn't this indicate that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote of "Over Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to you later. And here I thought I found the right nose art. If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a tribute page to my dad. Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am getting there bit by bit. And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine for you. Take care, Tom

FW: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:04:38 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: Tom Mitchell Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 1:56 PM Subject: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number Tom, I couldn't read the orders clearly, but probably close enough to get the drift. It isn't in the orders (that I can see), but your dad's concerns about the B-29s is one that all crewmembers who had some knowledge of the aircraft expressed. In order to get the B-29 into the air over Japan as soon as possible, Boeing accepted an engine that was decidedly inferior to the one envisioned & planned for production. Instead of the P&W R-4360 (installed later on the B-50), Boeing hung four Wright R-3350s on the B-29. In addition to having 5,200 less horsepower, the Wright was extremely temperamental and, frankly, dangerous. It only made matters worse when maintenance was poor. The brass, of course, knew little or nothing about the airplane (much less the engines) and acted accordingly. Perhaps I've mentioned that our assigned B-29 was rat-infested? Regards, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:38 AM Subject: Re: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number Mac: Thank you for the info. You are certainly a warehouse of useful information. I can see how things don't always appear as they seem. And of course, parts may have been taken from one plane that was out of service and used on another without changing a number. I am attaching a document for you to read. Apparently, dad was a little outspoken about the condition of the planes and told some brass to fly them themselves. For that he was suspended from flying. This form releases him back into service. Note the release date is 6/25/50. The day after the invasion. So in essence, they were saying "You are a bad boy, unless we reallly need you." And note that Wayland Mayo's name is shown in the third paragraph. He provided me with the document. Thanks again and keep up your excellent work. Tom

FW: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 15:16:25 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813 To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: Tom Mitchell Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 2:23 PM Subject: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813 Tom, I read the "Biography" section of the web site & learned that the young man's grandfather was discharged a couple of years before the Korean War started. This means that there was another version of "Over Exposed," that may or may not have been 44-61813. I seem to recall picking up refurbished B-29s at Grand Central here in Tucson that had the nose art removed but still showed traces of the original dimly outlined. At any rate, B-29s came out of mothballs & retrofit without nose art, or the black underbelly (which explains why you can see faint traces of black underbelly paint on early KW B-29s that were later repainted with black bottoms.) I was able to read the orders so you needn't resend them. Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 11:36 AM Subject: 44-61813 Mac: Here's that link to "Over Exposed" (two words): http://members.fortunecity.com/poppop10/noseart.html The plot thickens..... Tom

FW: acid link From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:01:03 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: acid link To: [email protected] http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_315.shtml

FW: Accident Report From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:03 PM

To:

[email protected]

> Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:47:40 -0500 > From: [email protected] > Subject: Fw: Accident Report > To: [email protected] > > > ----- Original Message ----> From: "Craig A Fuller" > To: > Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 8:35 PM > Subject: Re: Accident Report > > > > Tom, >> > > My apologies for not responding sooner. I am just now getting caught up > > on e-mails after moving home and home office.I could not find an accident > > report on the crash, perhaps it was considered a combat loss, even though > > it made it (almost) back to base. > > http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/pmkor/korwald_info_1126.htm > > From: > > http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/pmkor/korwald.htm > > Sincerely, >> > > Craig Fuller > > AAIR Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research > > Falcon Field Station Box 22049 > > Mesa, AZ 85277-2049 > > (480)-218-8198 > > [email protected] http://www.AviationArchaeology.com

FW: B-29 #461813 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:02 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:52:28 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: B-29 #461813 To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: Charles Stone To: Tom Mitchell Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 8:36 AM Subject: Re: B-29 #461813 Dear Tom, It warms my heart to hear from you. It is for people just like you that I have created this web site. Regarding the MiG, I do recall having that brought to my attention. Please greet your Mom for me and peace be with you, today and every day. Chuck Stone ----------------------On Nov 9, 2004, at 2:59 PM, Tom Mitchell wrote: I read the article "William F. (Bill) Welch — 31st and 91st SRS Recollections" today with great interest. You see the pilot of RB-29 #461813 was my father Robert A. Mitchell. 54 years ago today. It was a Thursday. I find it truly amazing that the plane could make it to Johnson AFB with only two starboard engines. How anyone lived the crash I don't know. Did you know that the MIG shot down was the first MIG downed by a B-29? But, thank you for allowing me to read the article. I will make sure I show it to my mom. Sincerely, Tom Mitchell

FW: Sgt Harry Lavene From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:02 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:53:43 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: Fw: Sgt Harry Lavene To: [email protected] ----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 10:24 PM Subject: Re: Sgt Harry Lavene In a message dated 2/23/2005 3:04:03 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Hey Herb: You have helped to solve my nose art delema for #44-61813. From what I have found, the plane was "Pacific Princess" with the 444th BG in WWII. Then must have been switched to "Overexposed" as you stated. Then it must have been repainted to "Our L' lass". Both photos of Overexposed and Our L' lass reflect the number 1951 on the front wheel flap. So, Our L'lass was probably dad's plane or possibly just befor he took over. Unfortunately, my mom have no recollections of nose art information. Of the many books I have on B-29s, I find errors in all of them. One source I have is that there were no causalities in the crash of 44-61813. Gary Valiant's book "Vintage Nose Art" has a PIC of B-29 "OVEREXPOSED", however without any other identification such as unit of assignment or serial number. I have other evidence this particular B-29 was S/N 44-61999 and was salvaged in Germany in 1950. I have reason to believe "OVEREXPOSED" and Our L' Lass were NOT the same, as I list Our L' Lass as S/N 4461915. Another reference I have is that 44-61813 was Pacific Princess. I know that there were sometimes more than one B-29 with the same name. I also have evidence that the same aircraft at times had different names. Herb

Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that appear on my web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers because of the fact that nose art was at the discretion of each crew and not a function of tail number. In other words, if an aircraft was removed from service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the replacement aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months, usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose art with their version. You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed" could have been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing is for 44-61813, so we can be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It also appears in the crash photos, even though we cannot see the nose art.

I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no number that matches that on any of the listings I've received from others. This presents a second anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door numbers match tail numbers, the aircraft serial numbers were, in fact, sometimes not the same as the tail numbers. According to information I have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on the tail that did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we had a different call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how many we had by asking Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only one confused. I've linked your web site on my Index (home) page. Stay in touch, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:25 PM Subject: #44-61813 EJ: Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and "Overexposed". If you look at each photo, they had been painted on the same plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951 not #813. Wouldn't this indicate that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote of "Over Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to you later. And here I thought I found the right nose art. If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a tribute page to my dad. Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am getting there bit by bit. And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine for you. Take care, Tom

--Forwarded Message Attachment-Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:56:28 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number To: [email protected] Tom, I couldn't read the orders clearly, but probably close enough to get the drift. It isn't in the orders (that I can see), but your dad's concerns about the B-29s is one that all crewmembers who had some knowledge of the aircraft expressed. In order to get the B-29 into the air over Japan as soon as possible, Boeing accepted an engine that was decidedly inferior to the one envisioned & planned for production. Instead of the P&W R-4360 (installed later on the B-50), Boeing hung four Wright R-3350s on the B-29. In addition to having 5,200 less horsepower, the Wright was extremely temperamental and, frankly, dangerous. It only made matters worse when maintenance was poor. The brass, of course, knew little or nothing about the airplane (much less the engines) and acted accordingly. Perhaps I've mentioned that our assigned B-29 was rat-infested?

Regards, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:38 AM Subject: Re: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number Mac: Thank you for the info. You are certainly a warehouse of useful information. I can see how things don't always appear as they seem. And of course, parts may have been taken from one plane that was out of service and used on another without changing a number. I am attaching a document for you to read. Apparently, dad was a little outspoken about the condition of the planes and told some brass to fly them themselves. For that he was suspended from flying. This form releases him back into service. Note the release date is 6/25/50. The day after the invasion. So in essence, they were saying "You are a bad boy, unless we reallly need you." And note that Wayland Mayo's name is shown in the third paragraph. He provided me with the document. Thanks again and keep up your excellent work. Tom

----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: Tom Mitchell Cc: Nolan F Strange ; Jess Richey Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 2:53 PM Subject: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number Tom, Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that appear on my web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers because of the fact that nose art was at the discretion of each crew and not a function of tail number. In other words, if an aircraft was removed from service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the replacement aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months, usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose art with their version. You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed" could have been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing is for 44-61813, so we can be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It also appears in the crash photos, even though we cannot see the nose art. I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no number that matches that on any of the listings I've received from others. This presents a second anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door numbers match tail numbers, the aircraft serial numbers were, in fact, sometimes not the same as the tail numbers. According to information I have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on the tail that did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we had a different call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how many we had by asking Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only one confused.

I've linked your web site on my Index (home) page. Stay in touch, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:25 PM Subject: #44-61813 EJ: Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and "Overexposed". If you look at each photo, they had been painted on the same plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951 not #813. Wouldn't this indicate that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote of "Over Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to you later. And here I thought I found the right nose art. If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a tribute page to my dad. Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am getting there bit by bit. And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine for you. Take care, Tom

--Forwarded Message Attachment-Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 12:23:47 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813 To: [email protected] Tom, I read the "Biography" section of the web site & learned that the young man's grandfather was discharged a couple of years before the Korean War started. This means that there was another version of "Over Exposed," that may or may not have been 44-61813. I seem to recall picking up refurbished B-29s at Grand Central here in Tucson that had the nose art removed but still showed traces of the original dimly outlined. At any rate, B-29s came out of mothballs & retrofit without nose art, or the black underbelly (which explains why you can see faint traces of black underbelly paint on early KW B-29s that were later repainted with black bottoms.) I was able to read the orders so you needn't resend them. Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 11:36 AM Subject: 44-61813 Mac: Here's that link to "Over Exposed" (two words): http://members.fortunecity.com/poppop10/noseart.html

The plot thickens..... Tom

Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. --Forwarded Message Attachment-Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 10:24:02 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: Re: RB-29 #44-61813 To: [email protected] Tom, Been busy & gone, but wanted to get back before departing town (again). If you peruse my index, http://mywebpages.comcast.net/b29sinthekoreanwar/home.htm you should find more B-29 nose art scattered about. Mac E. J. McGill Tucson ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 2:58 PM Subject: RB-29 #44-61813 I found your site and I have to thank you for all of your work. My father Robert A. Mitchell was the pilot of RB-29 #44-61813. 54 years ago today he crashed. Amazing that anyone walked away from the wreck. Your site is the only one that I have found with the nose art. Thank you, Tom Mitchell

--Forwarded Message Attachment-Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 12:53:01 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number To: [email protected] CC: [email protected]; [email protected] Tom, Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that appear on my web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers because of the fact that nose art was at the discretion of each crew and not a function of tail number. In other words, if an aircraft was removed from service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the replacement aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months, usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose art with their version. You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed" could have been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing is for 44-61813, so we can

be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It also appears in the crash photos, even though we cannot see the nose art. I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no number that matches that on any of the listings I've received from others. This presents a second anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door numbers match tail numbers, the aircraft serial numbers were, in fact, sometimes not the same as the tail numbers. According to information I have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on the tail that did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we had a different call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how many we had by asking Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only one confused. I've linked your web site on my Index (home) page. Stay in touch, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:25 PM Subject: #44-61813 EJ: Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and "Overexposed". If you look at each photo, they had been painted on the same plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951 not #813. Wouldn't this indicate that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote of "Over Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to you later. And here I thought I found the right nose art. If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a tribute page to my dad. Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am getting there bit by bit. And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine for you. Take care, Tom

--Forwarded Message Attachment-Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:56:28 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number To: [email protected] Tom, I couldn't read the orders clearly, but probably close enough to get the drift. It isn't in the orders (that I can see), but your dad's concerns about the B-29s is one that all crewmembers who had some knowledge of the aircraft expressed. In order to get the B-29 into the air over Japan as soon as possible, Boeing accepted an engine that was decidedly inferior to the one envisioned & planned for production. Instead of the P&W R-4360 (installed later on the B-50), Boeing hung four Wright R-3350s on the B-29. In addition to having 5,200 less horsepower, the Wright was extremely temperamental and, frankly, dangerous. It only made matters worse when maintenance was poor. The brass, of course, knew little or nothing about the airplane (much less the engines) and acted

accordingly. Perhaps I've mentioned that our assigned B-29 was rat-infested? Regards, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:38 AM Subject: Re: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number Mac: Thank you for the info. You are certainly a warehouse of useful information. I can see how things don't always appear as they seem. And of course, parts may have been taken from one plane that was out of service and used on another without changing a number. I am attaching a document for you to read. Apparently, dad was a little outspoken about the condition of the planes and told some brass to fly them themselves. For that he was suspended from flying. This form releases him back into service. Note the release date is 6/25/50. The day after the invasion. So in essence, they were saying "You are a bad boy, unless we reallly need you." And note that Wayland Mayo's name is shown in the third paragraph. He provided me with the document. Thanks again and keep up your excellent work. Tom

----- Original Message ----From: [email protected] To: Tom Mitchell Cc: Nolan F Strange ; Jess Richey Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 2:53 PM Subject: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number Tom, Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that appear on my web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers because of the fact that nose art was at the discretion of each crew and not a function of tail number. In other words, if an aircraft was removed from service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the replacement aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months, usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose art with their version. You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed" could have been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing is for 44-61813, so we can be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It also appears in the crash photos, even though we cannot see the nose art. I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no number that matches that on any of the listings I've received from others. This presents a second anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door numbers match tail numbers, the aircraft serial numbers were, in fact, sometimes not the same as the tail numbers. According to information I have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on the tail that did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we had a different call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how

many we had by asking Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only one confused. I've linked your web site on my Index (home) page. Stay in touch, Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:25 PM Subject: #44-61813 EJ: Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and "Overexposed". If you look at each photo, they had been painted on the same plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951 not #813. Wouldn't this indicate that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote of "Over Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to you later. And here I thought I found the right nose art. If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a tribute page to my dad. Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am getting there bit by bit. And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine for you. Take care, Tom

--Forwarded Message Attachment-Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 12:23:47 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813 To: [email protected] Tom, I read the "Biography" section of the web site & learned that the young man's grandfather was discharged a couple of years before the Korean War started. This means that there was another version of "Over Exposed," that may or may not have been 44-61813. I seem to recall picking up refurbished B-29s at Grand Central here in Tucson that had the nose art removed but still showed traces of the original dimly outlined. At any rate, B-29s came out of mothballs & retrofit without nose art, or the black underbelly (which explains why you can see faint traces of black underbelly paint on early KW B-29s that were later repainted with black bottoms.) I was able to read the orders so you needn't resend them. Mac ----- Original Message ----From: Tom Mitchell To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 11:36 AM Subject: 44-61813 Mac:

Here's that link to "Over Exposed" (two words): http://members.fortunecity.com/poppop10/noseart.html The plot thickens..... Tom

FW: 110950 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:00 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2005 13:09:13 -0400 From: [email protected] Subject: 110950 To: [email protected] 501109 USAF RB-29 1 x MiG-15 1 x B-29 crashed on landing from damage received 1. 28 IAD V-VS MiG-15 1 x F-80 2. USAF F-80 1 x MiG-15 (Grachev/139 IAP) 3. Podgornyi/67 IAP V-VS MiG-15 1 x B-29 4. Bordun/72 GIAP V-VS MiG-15 1 x B-29 Note: this was information released from the Russian files after they unclassified their information Major Bordun was given the credit for the damage to Dad’s plane.

FW: airborne frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@hot m: mail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 1:00 PM

To:

frogeye1959@hot mail.com

Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:27:38 -0400 From: [email protected] Subject: airborne To: [email protected]

B-24 Italy

FW: aerial%20-%20large frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:59 PM

To:

frogeye1959@ hotmail.com

Flight planes for a bombing run in Italy.

FW: Torretta Field frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:59 PM

To:

frogeye1959@h otmail.com

FW: F-13 OVER EXPOSED From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:58 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: F-13 OVER EXPOSED Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 11:04:36 -0500 .ExternalClass p.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass li.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass div.ecxMsoNormal {margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';} .ExternalClass a:link, .ExternalClass span.ecxMsoHyperlink {color:blue;textdecoration:underline;} .ExternalClass a:visited, .ExternalClass span.ecxMsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;} .ExternalClass span.ecxEmailStyle17 {font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in;} .ExternalClass div.ecxSection1 {page:Section1;}

Robert Mitchell My father Capt Klondys R Bailey piloted “Over Exposed” from the Kandena Airstrip on Okinawa. He was assigned to the 1st PRS/ 3rd PRS (VLR) (5/19/1944 thru 1/16/1946). I have his leather jacket patch, his Smokey Hill Army Air Field crew button No.769,some misc photos, a copy of Super-Fort with Over exposed photo, including nose art and aircraft Serial # (11/24/1945). I have done some research into F-13’s, and my biggest and most rewarding find was a copy of the volume 26 number 2 summer 1981 AAHS JOURNAL. This is a research project 7807 by David Morris entitled EYE IN THE SKY….The Boeing F-13. My fathers Nose art is normally listed as “unknown” and the photos I find of it are cuts from his F-13-A-50BN ser # 44-61813 but I am having little luck getting

that changed. After the war was over, he was re-assigned to the “Crossroads Project atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. The only records I have of that is letters he sent to mom, but young boy I seem to remember a nylon flight jacket with the 20th AF and the 9th RS. Shini provided me with your name and e-mail. If you don’t mind I would be indebted to share information with you as I have spent the last 6-7 years trying to piece my fathers military history. By the way mom told me that dad had painted her name on the back of the pilots seat. Thanks in advance, Jay M Bailey

FW: photo frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@hotm m: ail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:58 PM

To:

frogeye1959@hotma il.com

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: photo Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 14:04:33 -0500 Robert, Thanks for sharing. I hope you find the attachment interesting. I am having scanner problems, but I will send you some more photo’s at a latter date……..Jay Bailey

> From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: photo > Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 19:27:35 -0500 > > Tom, > Here are a few photo's you might find interesting.....Jay > > -----Original Message----> From: frogeye1959 . [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 10:03 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: photo > > Jim: > > What a great photo to have. Isn't it amazing how young the crew was and yet > > to have accomplished so much. > > Be well, > Tom > > > > [email protected] > > > > > > >From: "Jay Bailey" <[email protected]> > >To: > >Subject: photo > >Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 14:04:33 -0500 >> > >Robert, >> > >Thanks for sharing. I hope you find the attachment interesting. I am having > >scanner problems, but I will send you some more photo's at a latter > >date....Jay Bailey > Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.12/461 - Release Date: 10/2/2006

FW: ArmyAirForces frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:57 PM

To:

frogeye1959@h otmail.com

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:30:01 -0500 From: [email protected] Subject: ArmyAirForces To: [email protected]

FW: other B-29/F-13 overexposed nose art From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:57 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: other B-29/F-13 overexposed nose art Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 07:57:38 -0500 Things in history can seem confusing….Jay

FW: RB29 crash From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:56 PM

To:

[email protected]

Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 12:56:46 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: Re: RB29 crash To: [email protected] Hi Tom, Thanks for the reply and the information. I've been looking for information from time to time for the past 6 years. I ran across a couple of pictures of the wreck and eyewitness account on rb-29.net about 5 yrs ago. I saved the page to my laptop and called my dad, telling him what I found. He was very surprised. Up to that point my dad spoke very little of his time during the war. I knew he was involved with a plane crash, but no details. When I showed him the article and pictures I could tell he became choked up, and after a few minutes I saw a tear roll down his face. He didn't talk for several minutes. A few things that might interest you - My dad said that Harry Lavene had gone AWOL (jumped the fence to go into town) a few days before the final flight and got caught. He lost his stripes, being busted down to private. When he shot down the Mig the base CO realized that it wouldn't look good to the press, so Harry got his stripes back. My dad told him he couldn't have worked it out better. My dad said that Harry was not in the front of the plane, but was strapped in the back with him. A couple of years ago I ran across a guy who was researching b29 v.s. Mig skirmishes. I wrote to him and the result was finding out it was a russian pilot that strafed the plane. This guy was able to go to Moscow and go through the 50 yr old mission records. Ironically there were two russian officers that claimed the shoot. If you would like I can send you copies of the translated records. It must have been a witness, because the russians did not record that they lost any planes that day, and we know that the Mig was shot down. I just exchanged emails with Wayland Mayo last week. He said his records did not show my dads name on the crew list, but he pointed out that they were incomplete. When I ran across your website I decided to try getting a complete crew list. I wonder if the air force/dod still has records from that time? I have a question of curiosity. Is the name frogeye1959 reltated to an Austin Healy Sprite? Regards, Jeff Tom Mitchell wrote: Jeff: It was certainly a pleasure seeing your email. It really took me for a shock as I do not get

many hits on the website let alone a reply. Unfortunatley, all of the info on the site is basically what I have. Mom's memory is not up to par and she doesn't remember any other names. I'm sorry your dad doesn't want to get involved, but I can certainly understand his reasons. They all went thru terrible times and sometimes it is best to forget. Doesn't really matter, he's still a hero in my book. There are a couple of names which I can forward to you: Jay Baily ([email protected]). His dad was the pilot of #813 during WWII. We've had some good exchanges over the past year. Jim Bard ([email protected]). Jim is the secretary of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Assoc (91SRWA). That was the eventual group that #813 belonged to. They have a nice newsletter that is published during the year. Wayland Mayo, don't have a current email, lives in Florida. He was the photo/gunner on 'Tiger Lil', which was always parked next to #813. Tiger Lil was the plane MacArthur used for his flight over Korea. If you haven't already visited, koreanwar.org is a great place to look around. Might get some info there. A better email for me is is you would like to write. Again, thank you so much for thinking of me. I have found that there are so many sons and daughters who would like more info about their dad's service time. Most of the info is there somewhere, we just have to search, search, search... Love to your dad, Tom Mitchell

----- Original Message ----From: Jeff Parker To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 5:35 PM Subject: RB29 crash Dear Tom, I came across your web site recently & signed your guest book. My dad, Bill Parker, was the photo/gunner on the final flight of your dads plane, #813. He's still with us, but says he doesn't want to get involved. His memory of some details has faded over time, but he does have some stories to tell. I'm trying to come up with a crew list for the flight, but have hit some road blocks. Do you have any information in this area? During previous research I was able to learn the possible identity of the MIG pilot that strafed the plane. Like yourself I have great respect for my dad and his service to our country, and I appreciate your web site. Sincerely, Jeff Parker

FW: Oh Boy! From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:56 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oh Boy! Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:20:09 -0500 Hi Tom, I happened across your tribute to your father this Friday before I left to visit with my fathers Photo navigator and Radar Navigator in Providence Rhode Island. I saw something that knocked my socks off!!!!! (44- 61813). That is the A/C # of the F-13 that my father and his crew was assigned to and flew from Kansas to Okinawa. He was the AC and then was assigned the Operations Officer at Kadena Air Field. (See attachment orders) Bob, my fathers Photo Navigator gave me the Boeing factory tag from 44-61813! (See 2nd attachment). My Father also gave the ultimate sacrifice, as he died as a result of overexposure to radiation in 1948! E-mail me a time when it would be convenient to call you and your phone number…..Jay Bailey Res # (936) 441-8334 Mobile # (936) 537-1886

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; '[email protected]'; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; '[email protected]'; [email protected] Subject: my visit Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:19:24 -0500 Hi Photo recon contacts,

I visited with my fathers Photo Navigator Leonard “Bob” Plotkin and Radar Navigator Joseph “Joe” Loughnane in Providence Rhode Island 3 weeks ago….WOW!!! We visited from 11:00 am till 9:00pm. MAN, the stories they told (they hadn’t seen each other for around 40 years). They had copies of orders, photos, maps, and even the Boeing factory plaque off the F-13, 44-61813 they crewed! I learned so much! So I want to share some of it…Enjoy With the help of many of you guys, Bob Mann, Glen Carmine, and Shane Anderson I am getting enough info to start a web page on the 1st PRS…….thanks for all your input and keep making suggestions…. By the way, the last attachment is what we look like now!...... Jay Bailey, proud son of Captain Klondys R Bailey

Bob, Joe & Jay

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 44-61813 Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:46:06 -0500 .ExternalClass p.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass li.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass div.ecxMsoNormal {margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';} .ExternalClass a:link, .ExternalClass span.ecxMsoHyperlink {color:blue;textdecoration:underline;} .ExternalClass a:visited, .ExternalClass span.ecxMsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;} .ExternalClass span.ecxEmailStyle17 {font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in;} .ExternalClass div.ecxSection1 {page:Section1;} Hi Tom, Thanks for the “rock”. I’ll forward it to my group of contacts. I just came across….

A Tribute in Honor of: Robert A. Mitchell, Jr. 2/22/20 - 11/9/50 And noticed that you were his son! (frogeye1959) A great Tribute!!! Then it clicked…..your father and my father both were A/C’s of 44-61813. Dad and his crew were assigned to 813 at Smokey Hill and flew it to Okinawa to join the 1st PRS at Kadena field. After dad was discharged and came home, he passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer resulting from an overexposure to atomic radiation. In 1995 I started researching his military history so I could make scrapbook or wall hanging for my two sons , that never got to meet their grandfather……any way, this August I located my fathers Photo Navigator and Radar Navigator and went to visit them…..what a blast ….the stories they told were priceless. I am well on my way to meeting my goal, and now I am going to do a web page on the 1st PRS and Capt K R Bailey. Bob even kept the Boeing Plaque when he was discharged! Keep in touch…….Jay

FW: WWll gun camera link From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:54 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: WWll gun camera link Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:04:01 -0500 .ExternalClass p.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass li.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass div.ecxMsoNormal {margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';} .ExternalClass a:link, .ExternalClass span.ecxMsoHyperlink {color:blue;textdecoration:underline;} .ExternalClass a:visited, .ExternalClass span.ecxMsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;} .ExternalClass span.ecxEmailStyle17 {font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in;} .ExternalClass div.ecxSection1 {page:Section1;} I don’t search youtube, but one of my pilot friends sent me this link…..man it must or been tough!!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=tn6I1S8tH5w

FW: prayer frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@ m: hotmail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:54 PM

To:

frogeye1959@ hotmail.com

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] CC: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: prayer Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:01:13 -0600 Any of you know the story of this prayer?......Jay

FW: B29 44-61813 frogeye1959 . Fro (frogeye1959@hot m: mail.com) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:53 PM

To:

frogeye1959@hotm ail.com

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: B29 44-61813 Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:06:58 -0500 Dear Mr. Mitchell, I received your letter today and I would like to thank you for your response. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father and my thanks for the sacrifice he made for his country. I have just began to research the death of my uncle Avery Green who I think was the flight engineer on your father's plane. He was killed before I was born but my mother spoke of him often. She wrote a poem about his final mission which I will send to you very soon. I just wanted to get a response back to you quickly. I am attaching a photo of my uncle. Again thank you for you reply and I hope we can both share what we know. Sincerely, Paul Garland

FW: B29 44-61813 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:52 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: B29 44-61813 Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:45:49 -0500 Tom My uncle died the same day as your father. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: B29 44-61813 Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:55:05 -0500 .ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass EC_body.hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Paul: Thank you so much for your fast reply. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw you make an entry onto my tribute page. With the help of the internet, of course, I have searched and searched and searched to my heart's content for information. Besides what is written on the website, I found the son of another crew member(still living) and the son of the pilot who flew the plane in WWII. I have to get all my junk together and get you copies with names. The latest piece of information I found was a copy of the FEAF report on the accident. I'm still trying to decipher that report. I'll get myself to work very soon and will pass on every piece of info I have to you. A good website to poke around is www.koreanwar.org. I'm sorry to hear that your uncle died. Was it on the 11/50 crash or in another accident? Another hero given up to God! Thanks again for writing. I will keep you abreast of any information I can find and forward. Sincerely yours, Tom [email protected]

FW: B29 44-61813 From: frogeye1959 . ([email protected]) Sent:

Sat 11/14/09 12:52 PM

To:

[email protected]

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: FW: B29 44-61813 Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:49:51 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: B29 44-61813 Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:45:49 -0500 .ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Tom My uncle died the same day as your father. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: B29 44-61813 Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:55:05 -0500 .ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass EC_body.hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Paul: Thank you so much for your fast reply. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw you make an entry onto my tribute page. With the help of the internet, of course, I have searched and searched and searched to my heart's content for information. Besides what is written on the website, I found the son of another crew member(still living) and the son of the pilot who flew the plane in WWII. I have to get all my junk together and get you copies with names. The latest piece of information I found was a copy of the FEAF report on the accident. I'm still trying to decipher that report. I'll get myself to work very soon and will pass on every piece of info I have to you. A good website to poke around is www.koreanwar.org. I'm sorry to hear that your uncle died. Was it on the 11/50 crash or in another accident? Another hero given up to God!

Thanks again for writing. I will keep you abreast of any information I can find and forward. Sincerely yours, Tom [email protected]