.gif)
The Ruptured Duck (B-25)
Encyclopedia
"The Ruptured Duck" was the nickname of a World War II North American Aviation
B-25B Mitchell
medium bomber (S/N 40-2261) piloted by Lt. Ted W. Lawson
of the 95th Bombardment Squadron
, USAAF. The aircraft was one of sixteen B-25B's which participated in the Doolittle Raid
on Japan commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (later General) Jimmy Doolittle
. After bombing Tokyo
on April 18, 1942, Lawson ditched "The Ruptured Duck" in the sea near Shangchow, China
due to being unable to find a landing field on the mainland because of rain and darkness. A different B-25 is on display at the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor in the colors and livery of "The Ruptured Duck" (another B-25B, painted and marked as Doolittle's aircraft, is on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio).
, a reprisal air raid on Japan was urged by President Roosevelt. After considering other aircraft types, Doolittle (named as planner of the raid by Army Air Forces chief Gen Henry H. Arnold) chose the relatively new B-25B, and a total of 24 such bombers were selected to participate in the mission. Only sixteen would eventually attack Japan; the others were spares used during training.
The bombers were detached from the 17th Bomb Group (Medium), based at Lexington County Army Air Base, Columbia, South Carolina. In early 1942 the aircraft were sent to the Mid-Continent Airlines modification center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for installation of additional fuel tanks. The aircraft were further modified by:
Two bombers also had cameras installed to record the raid's bombing results.
Volunteer crews from the 17th Bomb Group, including Lt. Lawson, were gathered together in Columbia for an unspecified "extremely hazardous" mission. The 24 crews selected then picked up the modified bombers in Minneapolis and flew them to Eglin Field, Florida, beginning 1 March 1942. At Eglin, the crews received three weeks of intensive training in aircraft carrier deck takeoffs, low-level and night flying, low altitude bombing, and overwater navigation.
Lt. Col Doolittle stated in his after action report that an operational level of training was reached despite several days when flying was not possible because of rain and fog.
During a practice run, Lawson scraped the bottom of his plane's tail
when he rotated the nose of the bomber too high before attaining takeoff speed. The following is from Lawson's book Thirty Seconds over Tokyo (Random House pub. 1943). "One morning I came out to my plane and found that somebody had chalked the words 'RUPTURED DUCK' on the side of the fuselage. I grabbed Corporal Lovelace, a gunner I knew, and asked him to paint some sort of design on the ship. He's a good caricaturist. Lovelace got out his stuff and painted a funny Donald Duck
, with a head-set and the earphone cords all twisted around his head. Lovelace did a swell job in blue, yellow, white and red. Then he added something that gave all of us another laugh. Under Donald Duck he drew a couple of crossed crutches. The other boys now got busy with insignias."
The origins of the name, "The Ruptured Duck" referred to a patch (later an Honorable Service Lapel Button) worn on the uniform of returning veterans, explained K.T. Budde-Jones, Pacific Aviation Museum director of education. "It meant they were being discharged and said, 'I'm not AWOL, I'm allowed to wear this uniform until I get my civilian clothes.' And of course everyone wanted one because it meant you were going home. The patch was of an eagle in a wreath, but everyone thought it looked like a duck, a ruptured duck."
Although "The Ruptured Duck" became the most well-known of the Doolittle Raid aircraft because of Lawson's book and a 1943 movie of the same name, seven other bombers carried distinctive nose art and individual aircraft names: "Whiskey Pete" (aircraft No. 3), "Green Hornet" (aircraft No. 6), "Whirling Dervish" (aircraft No. 9), "Hari Kari-er" (aircraft No. 11) "Fickle Finger" (aircraft No. 12) and "(The) Bat Out of Hell" (aircraft No. 16). Doolittle's personal aircraft, S/N 40-2344, carried no special markings.
As a result of the operational training, one other aircraft was heavily damaged in a takeoff accident, and another was taken off the mission because of a nose wheel shimmy that could not be repaired in time.
On 25 March, the remaining 22 B-25s took off from Eglin for McClellan Field, California. They arrived on 27 March for final modifications at the Sacramento Air Depot. A total of 16 B-25s were ultimately selected to fly the mission and were flown to Alameda, California, on 31 March to be loaded aboard the USS Hornet
. Initially, only 15 planes were planned as the attacking force, but a 16th aircraft, by last minute agreement with the Navy, was squeezed onto the deck. This aircraft was to be launched shortly after departure from San Francisco to provide feedback to the Army pilots about carrier takeoff characteristics. Once underway, however, Doolittle decided to forego that flight.
The raiders flew towards Japan in sections of three-four aircraft before changing to single-file at wavetop level to avoid detection. After bombing 10 military and industrial targets in Tokyo
where Lawson dropped his bombs, the other targets were two sites in Yokohama
, and one each in Yokosuka, Nagoya, Kobe
and Osaka
. Subsequently, 15 of the 16 bombers proceeded southwest along the southern coast of Japan and across the East China Sea
towards eastern China. One B-25, extremely low on fuel, headed instead for the closer land mass of Russia.
With night approaching and weather rapidly deteriorating, the aircraft were also running low on fuel. Lawson realized he would probably not be able to reach the intended "safe" bases in China. Like other crews who decided on either abandoning their aircraft by bailing out or crash-landing on the coast, the mission of "The Ruptured Duck" ended prematurely when Lawson crash-landed off the coast near Shangchow, China.
Lawson lost a leg and suffered other serious injuries as a result of his crash landing, but like most of the B-25 crews that came down in China, eventually made it to safety with the help of Chinese civilians and soldiers. Rather than considering the Doolittle Raid a failure, the U.S. government awarded the survivors a Distinguished Flying Cross
.
The Doolittle Raid was the subject of two 1944 feature films including Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
based on a book of the same title by Captain Lawson (promoted after his return to duty). Spencer Tracy
played Doolittle and Van Johnson
portrayed Lawson in an accurate depiction of the mission. Throughout both the book and film, "The Ruptured Duck" formed the backdrop of the Doolittle Raid. Over the years, the imagery of Lawson's aircraft became identified closely with the Doolittle Raiders. Recently, the Pacific Aviation Museum – Pearl Harbor opened its doors and one of its premier displays was a Doolittle Raiders B-25 marked in the colors of Lt. Lawson's "The Ruptured Duck."
, California
and attended Los Angeles
City College. He joined the Army Air Corps in March 1940.
After the Doolittle Raid, he authored Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, an account of his participation in the Doolittle Raid. The book was subsequently adapted into a film
of the same name.
Later in the war, he served as Liaison Officer, U.S. Air Mission, Santiago, Chile from May 1943 until April 1944. He was retired for physical disability on 2 February 1945. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.
Lawson owned and operated a machine shop in Southern California, as well as working for Reynolds Metals as liaison between the company and the military. He died in his home in Chico, California on 19 January 1992. He was portrayed in the movie "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" by Van Johnson.
. He graduated from Portland High School in Portland
, Oregon
, in 1937. He studied law
at Albany
and Northwestern colleges in Portland until he enlisted as a Flying Cadet in the USAAF on 7 February 1941. He graduated from Advanced Flying School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
on 27 September 1941.
Davenport was injured during the crash-landing in China
after the raid. He managed to evade capture with the help of friendly Chinese. After successful escape and recuperation, he returned from India in October, 1942. He was later technical advisor for the film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. Davenport served in Alaska, flying P-40 Warhawk, P-38 Lightning
and P-51 Mustang
aircraft from 1944 until 1947. He had been commanding officer of several fighter units and also commanded an Air Defense Command unit in the 1960s flying F-106 Delta Dart
jet interceptors.
He also served in Korea
and flew 86 combat missions and rose to the rank of Colonel
in the U.S. Air Force. His decorations include the Silver Star
, Legion of Merit
with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
, and the Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. Davenport died on 14 February 2000 in Panama City, Florida
, aged 81. Tim Murdock played the part of Dean in "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo."
and attended the University of Missouri
. He enlisted as a Flying Cadet on 12 October 1940 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and graduated from navigator
training and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant
on 5 December 1941.
McClure dislocated both of his shoulders in the crash after the raid and was hospitalized until June 1943. He was assigned duties as a navigator instructor and again hospitalized from February 1945 until June 1945. He was retired for physical disability on June 1945 with the rank of captain. His decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart
, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. In "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," his part was played by Don DeFore.
with the rating of bombardier on 16 December 1941 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. He was injured during the crash-landing in China
. After returning to the United States, he was stationed at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana
when he was killed in an aircraft crash near Versailles, Ohio
on 20 November 1942.
Clever had risen to the rank of first lieutenant prior to his death. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. He was portrayed in the movie by Herbert Gunn (as Gordon McDonald).
. Upon his high school graduation, He enlisted on 3 December 1940 and completed the Airplane and Engine Mechanic Course in Lincoln, Nebraska
in December 1941.
Thatcher was the only crew member to avoid serious injury when "The Ruptured Duck" crash-landed just off the China
coast, enabling him to help the rest of the crew evade capture.
Upon returning to the United States, Thatcher later served in England
and Africa
until January 1944. He was discharged from active duty in July 1945 after stateside assignments in California
. Thatcher reached the rank of Staff Sergeant
. His decorations include the Silver Star
, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.
Thatcher is the last survivor of the crew. As of January 2011, only 5 out of the original 80 raiders are still alive. He was portrayed in the 1944 film, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo by actor Robert Walker.
North American Aviation
North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service...
B-25B Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
medium bomber (S/N 40-2261) piloted by Lt. Ted W. Lawson
Ted W. Lawson
Major Ted W. Lawson was an American officer in the United States Army Air Forces, who is known as the author of Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, a memoir of his participation in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942...
of the 95th Bombardment Squadron
95th Reconnaissance Squadron
The 95th Reconnaissance Squadron is a United States Air Force reconnaissance unit based at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska...
, USAAF. The aircraft was one of sixteen B-25B's which participated in the Doolittle Raid
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
on Japan commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (later General) Jimmy Doolittle
Jimmy Doolittle
General James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle, USAF was an American aviation pioneer. Doolittle served as a brigadier general, major general and lieutenant general in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War...
. After bombing Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
on April 18, 1942, Lawson ditched "The Ruptured Duck" in the sea near Shangchow, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
due to being unable to find a landing field on the mainland because of rain and darkness. A different B-25 is on display at the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor in the colors and livery of "The Ruptured Duck" (another B-25B, painted and marked as Doolittle's aircraft, is on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio).
Preparations for the Doolittle Raid
Following the attack on Pearl HarborAttack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, a reprisal air raid on Japan was urged by President Roosevelt. After considering other aircraft types, Doolittle (named as planner of the raid by Army Air Forces chief Gen Henry H. Arnold) chose the relatively new B-25B, and a total of 24 such bombers were selected to participate in the mission. Only sixteen would eventually attack Japan; the others were spares used during training.
The bombers were detached from the 17th Bomb Group (Medium), based at Lexington County Army Air Base, Columbia, South Carolina. In early 1942 the aircraft were sent to the Mid-Continent Airlines modification center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for installation of additional fuel tanks. The aircraft were further modified by:
- Removal of the lower gun turret
- Installation of de-icers and anti-icers
- Steel blast plates mounted on the fuselage around the upper turret
- Removal of the liaison radio set
- Installation of three additional fuel tanks and support mounts in the bomb bay, crawlway and lower turret area to increase fuel capacity from 646 to 1,141 U.S. gallons (2,445 to 4,319 litres)
- Mock wooden gun barrels installed in the tail cone, and
- Replacement of their Norden bombsight with a makeshift aiming device.
Two bombers also had cameras installed to record the raid's bombing results.
Volunteer crews from the 17th Bomb Group, including Lt. Lawson, were gathered together in Columbia for an unspecified "extremely hazardous" mission. The 24 crews selected then picked up the modified bombers in Minneapolis and flew them to Eglin Field, Florida, beginning 1 March 1942. At Eglin, the crews received three weeks of intensive training in aircraft carrier deck takeoffs, low-level and night flying, low altitude bombing, and overwater navigation.
Lt. Col Doolittle stated in his after action report that an operational level of training was reached despite several days when flying was not possible because of rain and fog.
Origins of the name
Tailstrike
Tailstrike is an aviation term that describes an event in which the rear end of an aircraft touches the runway. This can happen during takeoff of a fixed-wing aircraft if the pilot pulls up too rapidly, leading to the rear end of the fuselage touching the runway. It can also occur during landing...
when he rotated the nose of the bomber too high before attaining takeoff speed. The following is from Lawson's book Thirty Seconds over Tokyo (Random House pub. 1943). "One morning I came out to my plane and found that somebody had chalked the words 'RUPTURED DUCK' on the side of the fuselage. I grabbed Corporal Lovelace, a gunner I knew, and asked him to paint some sort of design on the ship. He's a good caricaturist. Lovelace got out his stuff and painted a funny Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
, with a head-set and the earphone cords all twisted around his head. Lovelace did a swell job in blue, yellow, white and red. Then he added something that gave all of us another laugh. Under Donald Duck he drew a couple of crossed crutches. The other boys now got busy with insignias."
The origins of the name, "The Ruptured Duck" referred to a patch (later an Honorable Service Lapel Button) worn on the uniform of returning veterans, explained K.T. Budde-Jones, Pacific Aviation Museum director of education. "It meant they were being discharged and said, 'I'm not AWOL, I'm allowed to wear this uniform until I get my civilian clothes.' And of course everyone wanted one because it meant you were going home. The patch was of an eagle in a wreath, but everyone thought it looked like a duck, a ruptured duck."
Although "The Ruptured Duck" became the most well-known of the Doolittle Raid aircraft because of Lawson's book and a 1943 movie of the same name, seven other bombers carried distinctive nose art and individual aircraft names: "Whiskey Pete" (aircraft No. 3), "Green Hornet" (aircraft No. 6), "Whirling Dervish" (aircraft No. 9), "Hari Kari-er" (aircraft No. 11) "Fickle Finger" (aircraft No. 12) and "(The) Bat Out of Hell" (aircraft No. 16). Doolittle's personal aircraft, S/N 40-2344, carried no special markings.
The Doolittle Raid
On 25 March, the remaining 22 B-25s took off from Eglin for McClellan Field, California. They arrived on 27 March for final modifications at the Sacramento Air Depot. A total of 16 B-25s were ultimately selected to fly the mission and were flown to Alameda, California, on 31 March to be loaded aboard the USS Hornet
USS Hornet (CV-8)
USS Hornet CV-8, the seventh ship to carry the name Hornet, was a of the United States Navy. During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and participated in the Battle of Midway and the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai Raid...
. Initially, only 15 planes were planned as the attacking force, but a 16th aircraft, by last minute agreement with the Navy, was squeezed onto the deck. This aircraft was to be launched shortly after departure from San Francisco to provide feedback to the Army pilots about carrier takeoff characteristics. Once underway, however, Doolittle decided to forego that flight.
The attack on Japan
On the morning of 18 April 1942, the USS Hornet launched its 16 B-25s 170 miles (275 km) farther from Japan than planned, due to a Japanese picket boat spotting the American fleet. (The 16th bomber was made part of the mission force at the last minute.) Despite the fact that none of the B-25 pilots had ever taken off from an actual carrier deck before, all 16 aircraft launched safely.Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
where Lawson dropped his bombs, the other targets were two sites in Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, and one each in Yokosuka, Nagoya, Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
and Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
. Subsequently, 15 of the 16 bombers proceeded southwest along the southern coast of Japan and across the East China Sea
East China Sea
The East China Sea is a marginal sea east of China. It is a part of the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of 1,249,000 km² or 750,000 square miles.-Geography:...
towards eastern China. One B-25, extremely low on fuel, headed instead for the closer land mass of Russia.
With night approaching and weather rapidly deteriorating, the aircraft were also running low on fuel. Lawson realized he would probably not be able to reach the intended "safe" bases in China. Like other crews who decided on either abandoning their aircraft by bailing out or crash-landing on the coast, the mission of "The Ruptured Duck" ended prematurely when Lawson crash-landed off the coast near Shangchow, China.
Lawson lost a leg and suffered other serious injuries as a result of his crash landing, but like most of the B-25 crews that came down in China, eventually made it to safety with the help of Chinese civilians and soldiers. Rather than considering the Doolittle Raid a failure, the U.S. government awarded the survivors a Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
.
Aftermath
Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo is a 1944 MGM war film. It is based on the true story of America's first retaliatory air strike against Japan four months after the December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The movie was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Sam Zimbalist. The screenplay by...
based on a book of the same title by Captain Lawson (promoted after his return to duty). Spencer Tracy
Spencer Tracy
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was an American theatrical and film actor, who appeared in 75 films from 1930 to 1967. Tracy was one of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, ranking among the top ten box office draws for almost every year from 1938 to 1951...
played Doolittle and Van Johnson
Van Johnson
Van Johnson was an American film and television actor and dancer who was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios during and after World War II....
portrayed Lawson in an accurate depiction of the mission. Throughout both the book and film, "The Ruptured Duck" formed the backdrop of the Doolittle Raid. Over the years, the imagery of Lawson's aircraft became identified closely with the Doolittle Raiders. Recently, the Pacific Aviation Museum – Pearl Harbor opened its doors and one of its premier displays was a Doolittle Raiders B-25 marked in the colors of Lt. Lawson's "The Ruptured Duck."
Ted W. Lawson
Ted W. Lawson was the pilot. Lawson was born 7 March 1917 in FresnoFresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and attended Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
City College. He joined the Army Air Corps in March 1940.
Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo is a 1944 MGM war film. It is based on the true story of America's first retaliatory air strike against Japan four months after the December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The movie was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Sam Zimbalist. The screenplay by...
of the same name.
Later in the war, he served as Liaison Officer, U.S. Air Mission, Santiago, Chile from May 1943 until April 1944. He was retired for physical disability on 2 February 1945. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.
Lawson owned and operated a machine shop in Southern California, as well as working for Reynolds Metals as liaison between the company and the military. He died in his home in Chico, California on 19 January 1992. He was portrayed in the movie "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" by Van Johnson.
Dean Davenport
Dean Davenport was Lawson's co-pilot. He was born on 29 June 1918 in SpokaneSpokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
. He graduated from Portland High School in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, in 1937. He studied law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at Albany
Albany, Oregon
Albany is the eleventh largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon, and is the county seat of Linn County. It is located in the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Calapooia River and the Willamette River in both Linn and Benton counties, just east of Corvallis and south of Salem. It is...
and Northwestern colleges in Portland until he enlisted as a Flying Cadet in the USAAF on 7 February 1941. He graduated from Advanced Flying School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on 27 September 1941.
Davenport was injured during the crash-landing in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
after the raid. He managed to evade capture with the help of friendly Chinese. After successful escape and recuperation, he returned from India in October, 1942. He was later technical advisor for the film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. Davenport served in Alaska, flying P-40 Warhawk, P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
and P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
aircraft from 1944 until 1947. He had been commanding officer of several fighter units and also commanded an Air Defense Command unit in the 1960s flying F-106 Delta Dart
F-106 Delta Dart
The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it has proven to be the last dedicated interceptor in USAF service to date...
jet interceptors.
He also served in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
and flew 86 combat missions and rose to the rank of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the U.S. Air Force. His decorations include the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Oak leaf cluster
An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
, and the Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. Davenport died on 14 February 2000 in Panama City, Florida
Panama City, Florida
-Personal income:The median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830...
, aged 81. Tim Murdock played the part of Dean in "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo."
Charles McClure
Charles L. McClure, (4 October 1916 – 19 January 1999) was Lawson's navigator. He graduated University City High School, University City, MissouriUniversity City, Missouri
University City is an inner-ring suburb in St. Louis County, Missouri. The population was 35,371 in 2010 census. The city was shaped by Washington University in St. Louis, whose campus abuts the city to the southeast....
and attended the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. He enlisted as a Flying Cadet on 12 October 1940 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and graduated from navigator
Flight officer
The title flight officer was a military rank used by the United States Armed Forces where it was an air force warrant officer rank. It was also an air force rank in several Commonwealth nations where it was used for female officers and was equivalent to the rank of flight lieutenant...
training and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on 5 December 1941.
McClure dislocated both of his shoulders in the crash after the raid and was hospitalized until June 1943. He was assigned duties as a navigator instructor and again hospitalized from February 1945 until June 1945. He was retired for physical disability on June 1945 with the rank of captain. His decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. In "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," his part was played by Don DeFore.
Robert Clever
Robert Stevenson Clever (22 May 1914 – 20 November 1942) was Lawson's bombardier. Clever enlisted as Aviation Cadet at Vancouver Barracks, Washington on 15 March 1941 and was commissioned as Second LieutenantSecond Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
with the rating of bombardier on 16 December 1941 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. He was injured during the crash-landing in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. After returning to the United States, he was stationed at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
when he was killed in an aircraft crash near Versailles, Ohio
Versailles, Ohio
Versailles is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. It is the only village in Wayne Township. The population was 2,589 at the 2000 census. The proper local pronunciation of the name is "Ver Sales", with the accent on the second syllable.-History:...
on 20 November 1942.
Clever had risen to the rank of first lieutenant prior to his death. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. He was portrayed in the movie by Herbert Gunn (as Gordon McDonald).
David Thatcher
David J. Thatcher (born 31 July 1921), was the only enlisted crew member and served as the flight engineer/gunner. Thatcher was born in Bridger, MontanaBridger, Montana
Bridger is a town in Carbon County, Montana, United States. It is part of the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 745 at the 2000 census.The town of Bridger was named for the scout Jim Bridger...
. Upon his high school graduation, He enlisted on 3 December 1940 and completed the Airplane and Engine Mechanic Course in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
in December 1941.
Thatcher was the only crew member to avoid serious injury when "The Ruptured Duck" crash-landed just off the China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
coast, enabling him to help the rest of the crew evade capture.
Upon returning to the United States, Thatcher later served in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
until January 1944. He was discharged from active duty in July 1945 after stateside assignments in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Thatcher reached the rank of Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
. His decorations include the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.
Thatcher is the last survivor of the crew. As of January 2011, only 5 out of the original 80 raiders are still alive. He was portrayed in the 1944 film, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo by actor Robert Walker.
