New Member - My two grandpas flew in the Eighth and Seventh AF

[Guest dgibson]

Hello anyone, everyone,

 

My name is Dave, and I'm here seeking any information on both on my grandpa's WW2 experiences. I already have tons of material on them, but I love finding more! I scanned all of their documents and pictures, and it's been an amazing journey peering into their lives back in 42'-45'.

 

Joseph A. Carty was a Bombardier with the 100th Bomb Group, 350th BS out of Thorpe Abbotts from Feb 44' through Aug 44'. He was on the first daylight bombing mission over Berlin by the US. Completed 35 missions and joined the Luckye Bastardes Club.

 

Fredrick J. Gibson flew P-39's, P-38's, and eventually P-51's with 15th FG, 46th FS and then the 21st FG, 531st FS in Canton, Makin Atoll, and Iwo Jima at various times spanning from March 43'- May 45'. He participated in the fighter missions against the Gilberts/Marshalls, and then from Iwo Jima flew the very first VLR mission over Tokyo. Proud member of The Tokyo Club.

 

As I said, if anyone has anything to add on the above, any pictures etc, please let me know.

 

Thanks,

 

DG

[Rakkasan187]

Welcome DG,

 

It sounds as if your GFs had some interesting history.. Nice to hear that you have scanned and recorded your family history..

 

Leigh

[Backtheattack]

Hello Dave, welcome to the forum. Great you remember your family

[Guest Don in Oregon]

Hello Dave,

 

My Dad, Captain John S. Barker, was a contemporary of your grandfather Fredrick Gibson. Dad was in the 21FG, flew P39's off Makin and P51's off Iwo, and he too flew the first VLR mission from Iwo escorting B29's against the Japanese home islands on 7 April 1945. 

 

Attached is the Distinguished Unit Badge awarded to officers and men of the 7th Fighter Command who participated in that mission.

 

I'm new here, hope this post works. If so I have more.

 

Don Barker

Distinguished Unit Badge.pdf

[Guest Don in Oregon]

P39's being transported on Escort Carrier Nassau ACV-16.

 

P39's launching from Nassau (my Dad at far left in front of island).

 

P39 on Butaritari (my Dad second from left).

[Guest Don in Oregon]

 

This is the mission chart my Dad used on the first VLR mission of 7 April 1945, flying a P51 Mustang from Iwo Jima to escort B29's over the Japanese home islands.

 

The chart includes penciled annotations made during the pre-mission briefing. "Dumbo" indicates locations of PBY flying boats orbiting at rendezvous points to rescue pilots in trouble. "Darkeyes" were subs stationed closer in. This air-sea rescue system was so successful that if you got away from the home islands you were almost guaranteed to get home.

 

The Mustang's navigational equipment consisted of a magnetic compass and the pilot's wristwatch. Fortunately Tokyo was almost exactly due magnetic North from Iwo. The fighters were escorted by a navigational B29 to the initial point, and then from a post-attack rendezvous point back to Iwo.

 

These were the longest duration, regularly flown fighter missions of WWII. Three or four hours over open water with no navigational landmarks, half an hour over target, then 3-4 hours back. In a single-engine plane running at lean mixture for maximum range. 

 

 

[dgibson]

On 10/24/2021 at 1:25 PM, Guest Don in Oregon said:

 

This is the mission chart my Dad used on the first VLR mission of 7 April 1945, flying a P51 Mustang from Iwo Jima to escort B29's over the Japanese home islands.

 

The chart includes penciled annotations made during the pre-mission briefing. "Dumbo" indicates locations of PBY flying boats orbiting at rendezvous points to rescue pilots in trouble. "Darkeyes" were subs stationed closer in. This air-sea rescue system was so successful that if you got away from the home islands you were almost guaranteed to get home.

 

The Mustang's navigational equipment consisted of a magnetic compass and the pilot's wristwatch. Fortunately Tokyo was almost exactly due magnetic North from Iwo. The fighters were escorted by a navigational B29 to the initial point, and then from a post-attack rendezvous point back to Iwo.

 

These were the longest duration, regularly flown fighter missions of WWII. Three or four hours over open water with no navigational landmarks, half an hour over target, then 3-4 hours back. In a single-engine plane running at lean mixture for maximum range. 

 

 

Don! Thank you for your replies, and you certainly have some amazing pictures. I'm sure I have two pictures with your father on Makin.

DG

[dgibson]

Mission accomplished! I was able to make connection with Don. 

 

[yokota57]

On 10/24/2021 at 2:02 PM, Guest Don in Oregon said:

P39's being transported on Escort Carrier Nassau ACV-16.

 

P39's launching from Nassau (my Dad at far left in front of island).

 

P39 on Butaritari (my Dad second from left).

This one was printed in reverse. I flipped it so the National Insignia is on the P-39s top port wing, and the carriers island are correct. Really great photos! thanks!