S/Sgt. Thomas Lonergan Grady, tail gunner in a B-24 in the CBI during WWII, February - December, 1943. A total of 48 missions flown. Also an artist, and witness to things good and things heartbreaking during the war.
He was born in Boston on June 11, 1918, to attorney Frederic J. Grady and Eleanor C. (O'Brion) Grady. He was an accomplished artist, and graduated from the Vesper George School of Art in Boston. He also studied illustration under Harvey Dunnin New York City, and met Norman Rockwell.
After training for the war, S/Sgt. Grady arrived Feb. 5, 1943, at Pandaveswa (HQ), having traveled a circuitous route that included Brazil. The crew were sent immediately to Guya. 1st mission from there on Feb. 8. Then in April moved to Bishnupur, then (still in April) to Panagarh until December, then S/Sgt Grady departed the theater. (492nd left Panagarh in January, 1944.)
Had and crew take-off crash on March 20th, 1943, in B-24 "WE'REWOLVES," at Panagarh, piloted by "Two Gun McCoy" Lt. E. L. McCoy. Live bombs were strewn about, but none exploded.
As tail gunner he was able to see a collision on October 26, 1943, between B-24 "Boogie Woogie Bomb Buggy" and a Japanese Zero fighter, and his official statement was:
"As Tail Gunner on the lead ship of the second element, I was in a good position to see the B-24 go down.
I glanced at the B-24 in question just at the moment of the collision between the B-24 and the Zero. It was rather like an explosion in the rear section of the B-24 with pieces flying in all directions. The tail section was shattered and the plane from the side windows forward began a slow spin toward the earth. I saw one chute open shortly after the collision. The Zero began to spin down faster than the B-24 and I saw it crash but could not watch long enough to see the B-24 hit the ground. I saw no fires during the time I watched."
Only one of the crew survived, Bombardier, 2Lt. Gustaf E. Johnson, who was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese.
This event had a strong impact on Sgt. Grady, and he later painted the incident based on his vivid memories.
Sgt. Grady was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Grady worked as a technical illustrator for the National Radio Company in Malden and for Honeywell Inc. in Waltham for many years until he retired at age 70. He was a member of the American Legion China Post No. 1 operating in exile. He continued his interest in art throughout his life, attended a weekly portrait drawing class until the age of 89, sending annual pen and ink Christmas cards to his friends and family. He is remembered as a gentleman and a scholar, with a great sense of humor.
(Supplemental information/materials courtesy of Sgt. Grady's daughter's tribute at http://dainthecbi.com/grady.html, obituary published by Union Leader on Jan. 11, 2011, and other online sources.)
