May 12th, 1943 (Last Entry)


Nine T.B.F.’s and ten S.B.D.’s – Fighter escort raid on Munda airstrip.  Another pilot flew my plane.  Ensign Swootser, gunner Whitelead, radioman Cramer.  Plane return shot to hell.  Cramer was wounded in the back, not serious.

Journal - Last Page

"The story of Rattle asses plane, T-15"

She played an important role bombing Japanese bases at Munda, Regata Bay, Vanga Vanga and Kelili Field on Bouganville.  After her crew were killed when flying in a DC3, she was being flown back to New Hebrides, but crashed at sea, some where between Guadalcanal and Esperito Santos.

She flew twenty seven missions and had 78 holes in her, personally counted by George Retelas. George was with her from San Diego, U.S.S. Long Island, Honolulu, U.S.S. Altamaha, Figi Island, New Hebrides and Guadalcanal.

Rattleasses plane - Letter
Courtesy: San Diego Air & Space Museum
"Michael O'Malley Special Collection"

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