3rd Bomb Squadron's B-25J "Smilin' Jack" (named after the popular 3rd Bomb Squadron commander, Maj. Jack M. Hamilton, thence “Smilin’ Jack”). This B-25, A/C #714, serial #43-27809, was taking off from Liangshan on mission #112A to bomb and strafe railroad yards at Loyang when the pilot lost control and crashed just to the side of the runway.
3nd Bomb Squadron (Provisional) was assigned to 1st Bomb Group (Prov.) of Chinese American Composite Wing, attached to Fourteenth Air Force 1943-1945.
(Much thanks for info provided by Margaret Kincannon and Tony Strotman.)
