Plane # 40-2278

Crew from 37th Squadron, 17th Group - (Bail Out)

Lieutenant Bower and crew successfully bombed the Ogura refinery, two factories and a large warehouse along the docks at Yokohama. This they accomplished despite two enemy fighters that trailed them inland, and a series of barrage balloons over their target. On their flight to reach China flew over a Japanese weather boat. They strafed and sank it before flying on to bail out over China Sergeant Duquette broke his foot when he parachuted to the ground and was transported in a sedan carried by local Chinese as the entire crew traveled to join up with Lieutenant Joyce's crew from the 10th aircraft. Both crews reached Chuhsien four days later.

Bower William M (0-398577)
Colonel - Pilot Crew 12

 

Born February 13, 1917, Ravenna, Ohio

Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1934. Attended Hiram College and Kent State University, Ohio. Commissioned October 4, 1940 and rated as Pilot. After Tokyo Raid, served in England with 8th Air Force bomber units from September, 1942 until September, 1945. Graduate of Air Command and Staff College. Has served in California, Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Georgia as well as Newfoundland since World War II. Retired 1966. Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Commendation Ribbon and Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.

 

 

Blanton Thadd Harrison (0-421030)
Lieutenant Colonel - Co-Pilot Crew 12

 

Born February 25, 1919, Archer City, Texas.
Died September 27, 1961

Attended Texas State Teachers College. Entered service on November 25, 1940 at Dallas Texas. Completed flight training in July 1941. Remained in China-Burma-India Theater after Tokyo Raid until July, 1943. Escaped from enemy territory after plane crash in Burma. Stationed in Alaska, British West Indies, and the Philippines after World War II. Retired for physical disability on November 15, 1960. Died in Orlando Florida. Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade, and Chinese Order of the Cloud Banner, 5th Class.

 

 

Pound Jr., William Roy (0-419332)
Lieutenant Colonel - Navigator Crew 12

 

Born May 18, 1918, Milford, Utah
Died July 13, 1967

Attended Santa Monica California Junior College two years. Entered service May, 1940 at March Field, California. Commissioned and rated as navigator in June, 1941. After Tokyo Raid, flew 50 missions in ETO between September, 1942 and March, 1944. Released from active duty, August, 1948. Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.

 

 

Bither Waldo J (6101457)
Major - Bombardier Crew 12

 

Born October 31, 1906, Houlton, Maine.
Died February 25, 1988, Fort Worth, TX

Graduated from Houlton High School, Houlton, Maine and attended Ricker Classical Institute. Entered service on January 27, 1925. Served in Coast Artillery in Philippines from 1925 until 1928. Enlisted Army Air Corps and completed armorer and bombardier-navigator training. After Tokyo Raid was commissioned and served as Aircraft maintenance Officer in European Theater of Operations and Japan, in addition to Stateside service. Retired January 31, 1954 with over 28 years of service. Employed by General Services Administration. Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Chinese Army, Navy and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.

 

 

Duquette Omer Adelard (6143447)
Staff Sergeant - Engineer-Gunner Crew 12

 

Born January 25, 1916 West Warwick, Rhode Island
Killed in action June 3, 1942 - Sergeant Duquette was KIA six weeks after the raid when his plane crashed into a mountain while returning from a bombing mission MIA Lashio, Burma.

Attended High School for two years. Entered service on February 2, 1938 at Providence, Rhode Island and served at Fort Slocum, New York and Albrook Field, Canal Zone before joining the 37th Bomb Squadron and Pendleton, Oregon. Remained in China-Burma-India Theater after Tokyo Raid. Was killed on June 3, 1942 when plane crashed into mountain after bombing Lashio, Burma while en route to Kunming, China. Decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.