The B-24 "The Frendlin" and crew in China during WWII.
This B-24J, serial #42-73265 was assigned to 425th Bomb Squadron at Kunming. The plane departed Liuchow on 20 May 1944 for a planned sea sweep mission with return to Kunming. However, it was hit by enemy fire during the mission forcing the crew to bail out prior to reaching a friendly airfield. All crew members were assisted by American Missionaries, Chinese villagers and guerilla's to reach an American base safely. Crew members on that mission were:
- 1Lt. Chester R. Bohart (pilot)
- 1Lt. Grant C. Pratt (co pilot)
- 1Lt. Donald B. Duffey (navigator)
- 1Lt. Clune J. Clifford (bombardier)
- T/Sgt. Charles P. Yelton (engineer)
- T/Sgt. Russel A. Giles (radio operator)
- S/Sgt. Walter L. Yearick (ass't. engineer)
- S/Sgt Max C. Elder (gunner)
- S/Sgt Francis J. 'Midge' Meaney, Jr. (gunner)
- S/Sgt. Milton A. McGee (ass't. radio operator)
'Midge' Meaney's story of the incident and the amazing aid the crew received can be read here: