The members of crew #2419 were:
1/Lt Richard F. Cooney (A/C)
1/Lt Arnold W. "Slim" Meyer (Pilot)
2/Lt Janius Hunsucker (Navigator)
1/Lt Edward T. Peltzer (Bombardier)
1/Lt Frederick R. Bohl (Engineer)
S/Sgt J. C. "Flip" Gober Jr. (Radio)
1/Lt Harold G. "Hal" Harner (Radarman)
T/Sgt Cecil E. Newkirk (CFC)
Sgt Albert W. Carroll (R Gunner)
S/Sgt Kenneth E. Jenkins (L Gunner)
S/Sgt Roy "Swampy" Johnson (T Gunner)
The crewmembers received DFCs for their participation in mission #44, the May 25 mission to Tokyo.
Photo courtesy of Phil Carroll
The crew of "Irish Lullaby", stateside
Standing - Left to Right: S/Sgt Roy "Swampy" Johnson (Tail Gunner), S/Sgt Kenneth E. Jenkins (Left Gunner), Sgt Albert W. Carroll (Right Gunner),
T/Sgt Cecil E. Newkirk (CFC Gunner), S/Sgt J. C. "Flip" Gober Jr. (Radio Operator).
Kneeling - Left to Right: 1/Lt Richard F. Cooney (A/C Commander), 1/Lt Arnold W. "Slim" Meyer (Pilot), 1/Lt Frederick R. Bohl (Engineer),
1/Lt Harvey H. Egner (Navigator), 1/Lt Edward T. Peltzer (Bombardier), 1/Lt Harold G. "Hal" Harner (Radarman).
Photo courtesy of Frank Barrella
Crew #2419, the crew of "Irish Lullaby"
Standing - Left to Right: S/Sgt J. C. "Flip" Gober Jr. (Radio), S/Sgt Kenneth E. Jenkins (Left Gunner), Sgt Albert W. Carroll (Right Gunner),
S/Sgt Roy "Swampy" Johnson (Tail Gunner), T/Sgt Cecil E. Newkirk (CFC Gunner).
Kneeling - Left to Right: 1/Lt Edward T. Peltzer (Bombardier), 1/Lt Harvey H. Egner (Navigator), 1/Lt Harold G. "Hal" Harner (Radarman),
1/Lt Frederick R. Bohl (Engineer), 1/Lt Arnold W. "Slim" Meyer (Pilot), 1/Lt Richard F. Cooney (A/C Commander).
According to the DFC Citation:
For extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight 25 May 1945. These individuals were combat crew members
flying a B-29 based in the Marianas Islands on a low level, night
incendiary attack made on important industrial facilities in the city of
Tokyo, Japan. On the target approach, this plane was picked up and held by
twenty searchlights, directing heavy intense flak. The left elevator and
horizontal stabilizer of the tail assembly were almost demolished by hits;
the two forward gun turrets, the mixture control on number two engine,
eight minor control cables, and all radio equipment were shot out. The
radio operator was wounded. The number three engine was hit and caught
fire. In spite of this, the burning engine was not feathered because of
the need for all available power and the attack was pressed home and the
bombs released on the briefed aiming point, contributing materially to the
burning out of more than twenty-two square miles of the city of Tokyo.
Overcoming the grave difficulties brought about by the damage to the
airplane, they returned over the 1200 miles of open water with one engine
out and one crippled. The determination, courage and teamwork displayed by
this crew, veterans of repeated assaults against the Japanese homeland
reflect great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.
First Lieutenant RICHARD F. COONEY as Airplane Commander
First Lieutenant ARNOLD W. MEYER as Pilot
First Lieutenant HERVY H. EGGNER as Navigator
First Lieutenant EDWARD T. PELTZER (then Second Lieutenant) as Bombardier
First Lieutenant FREDERICK R. BOHL (then Second Lieutenant) as Flight
Engineer
First Lieutenant HAROLD G. HARNER (then Second Lieutenant) as Radar Gunner
Technical Sergeant CECIL E. NEWKIRK as Central Fire Control Gunner
Staff Sergeant J. C. GOBER Jr. as Radio Operator
Staff Sergeant KENNETH E. JENKIN as Left Gunner
Staff Sergeant ROY JOHNSON as Tail Gunner
Sergeant ALBERT W. CARROLL as Right Gunner
[Transcribed by David Wilson, son of Sgt Bernard E. Wilson (Gunner, "Anonymous IV")]
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