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B-24 "The Frendlin" And Crew

"The Frendlin" and crew in China during WWII.

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:

- http://usaaf-in-cbi.com/308th_web/friendlin.htm

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Dwayne H. Mengel
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195