The American serviceman S/Sgt. Laurell E. Julius (ASN 6937706), B-25 bomber mechanic & engineer/gunner in the CBI during WWII.
S/Sgt. Julius (a corporal then) was assigned to 89th Reconnaissance Squadron (attached to 17th Bomb Group) and one the volunteers that were chosen to participate in the training for the April 1942 bombing mission on Tokyo in reprisal for the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Julius' crew, along with 26 other crews, participated in specialized training at Eglin Field, Florida, being readied for the Tokyo raid. While flying with his B-25 and crew en route back to California for loading on to the USS Hornet for the mission, Julius' aircraft experienced engine problems and was delayed from arriving with the other crews. Because of this Julius' crew was put on board the Hornet as standby personnel for the mission. Julius was not used on the mission flown, nonetheless he served as a mechanic in support of the raid while on board the Hornet.
Upon return to the States following launch of Tokyo Raid, Julius was assigned to the 491st Bomb Squadron and embarked for the CBI theater, where he was awarded the DFC and Air Medals for distinguished service.
Julius and Francis Strotman overlapped by only 11 days; Strotman arriving at Yangkai on 5 June 44, and Julius departing on June 16th.