To Kevin: Here Is A Compilation of All of The

To Kevin:
Here is a compilation of all of the emails I received and links that I found regarding my
search for information about my father, your Grandpa. I know I visited hundreds of sites
and wish I had kept a log of each. Enjoy the story as it unfolds.
I am so sorry that GeoCities has closed. I’ve gathered all that I have and am passing a
copy to you for safekeeping. I’ll try to duplicate as much as I can remember about my
tribute page and any other information I have in my head or in writing.
Growing up I knew little about dad (grandpa) other than he served as a pilot in WWII, on
a B-24 bomber, and that he flew in the Korean War, in a B-29, and died in a crash coming
home from a mission. Other than that, I knew very little, other than a couple of medal in
the attic, a ring in grandma’s drawer and his service cap. Grandma spoke of him, but
without great detail. Also, back then, I didn’t know what to ask. I did see the teletype
advising her of dad’s death and remember her saying that the chaplain who came to the
house was a bit drunk. (Back then I couldn’t understand how a man of the cloth could
have been drunk, but after all I have read I can now understand the painful position they
must have be given to announce the deaths, accidents, missing in action or captured.
Almost 40,000 died and 100,000 wounded. I’m sure the numbers were higher as many
reports were, I am sure, lost or not written up correctly.)
In WWII he was stationed in Torretta Field, Italy. From that station they would fly
missions across Italy, Yugoslavia, Romania, Austria, France & Germany and bomb
strategic sites as necessary. I’ve included a couple of flight plans from 1944 that mention
his name and provide a map of the target. On the plans, top secret at the time, they outline
the day and time of liftoff, the other planes involved and their call signs. Also shown are
the check points and alternate routes and targets. I found these very interesting. I’ve gone
to many, many sites, but have come up empty handed. I know he was with the 484 Bomb
Group, but I don’t know the Squadron nor his plane number. A good site for the Group is
15thaf.org/49thBW/484thBG. I’ve attached a couple of aerial shots of the airfield where
you can see how the planes were parked in little groups along the runways. Almost looks
like a housing development. And that’s about as much as I know of his WWII
experiences. I know his navigator was Ollie Glass who, with his family, became good
friends of ours. Irene Glass, his wife lives in Florida and is in her 90’s. Grandma speaks
of her from time to time. Ollie was instrumental in relocating our family to Levittown.
We rented a home, as many GI families did, at the time, on 87 Sugarmaple Lane over by
Division Avenue which is next to Bally’s. He then helped grandma find and purchase the
Radial Lane home. I remember spending a lot of time at their home for gatherings. Wish I
knew then what I know today and would have grilled him about dad.
And then the Korean War broke out and dad was in the first wave of reservists to head
over there. Just before the North Koreans stormed South Korea, dad had made some
disparaging remarks to the upper officers regarding the conditions of the old B-29 which
were taken from mothballs to be used in the war. They didn’t like his comments and took
away his flying privileges. But, just as the war broke out, they restored his status and off
he went. One of the attachments is a copy of the notice of restoration. The service was
great. They would screw you if you spoke up and then couldn’t wait get you to the front
when things went wrong.
As a kid I knew very little. On the 54th anniversary of his death I was surfing the net and
to my surprise found an article regarding the crash and an actual picture of the crash site.
(http://www.rb-29.net/HTML/29wfw.htm) And that started my quest. From there I found
several sites mentioning the plane’s tail number 44-61813. That number was my primary
search criteria. I searched and read, searched and read. Most were a duplication of the
prior sites, but I pushed onward. And then I found the photographer who had actually
been at the crash scene and took the only known photos. I zipped off an email to him and
he was kind enough to email me back with what he knew and saw on that fateful day. I’m
attaching the photos which he sent me and a copy of his email. I was able to hook
grandma and him, Wayland Mayo, so they could speak on the phone. I’m sure it was
tearful on both ends. Apparently dad was in a B-29 that had been converted from a
bomber to a reconnaissance plane. They were shooting pics of a prior bombing over the
Yalu River which borders China and North Korea. Up until this time the Russian and the
Chinese had stayed out of the fight. Until the beginning of November 1950. The Russians
had their fast MIG’s ready in the Chinese airfields, manned by the best pilots they had
from WWII, who were also called Honchos. The MIGs attached the much slower B-29
and managed to disable two of he four engines on one side of the plane. During the
attack, the tail gunner, Sgt. Harry Levine, was able to shoot down one of the attackers. He
was credited with being the first enlisted man to shoot down a MIG from a B-29. Quite
an accomplishment for his day as the lumbering B-29 was easily outmanned by the much
faster and better maneuvering MIGs. By the way, a B-29 was never designed to fly with
two engines out, especially two on one side of the aircraft. Nevertheless, they managed to
cross North Korea and the Sea of Japan and returned to Johnson Air Base in Japan. On
their last approach they crashed short of the runway. The plane split in two and the wing
assembly crashed over the cockpit killing, I believe, five that were in the cockpit. The
crew in the rear of the plane was able to walk away from the crash. Wayland’s email
pretty much gives all of the detail.
Here’s a new explanation that I just discovered:

“On November 9, 1950, two Soviet MiG-15s of 72nd GvIAP intercepted the 31st SRS
RB-29A #44-61813 “Over Exposed” over Sinuiju, where the Soviet flight leader Major
Bordun riddled the recon plane with 37 mm shells.
Sgt Harry J. LeVene, gunner, received credit for the first B-29 jet victory of the Korean
War, destroying one of the attacking MiG-15s. The RB-29 #44-61813 almost reached
Johnson AFB, crashing during the final approach. Five crewmembers died in the crash,
three from the 31st SRS, Capt Robert A. Mitchell, Jr., MSgt Avery J. Green, and SSgt
Orvis J. Gunhus, and two from other units, Capt Robert E. Laden, TDY from the 23rd
Reconnaissance Squadron, and 1Lt James M. Schooley, from the 20th Weather
Squadron.”
Dad’s loss was very important in the war. The brass now realized how vulnerable the
aircraft were without fighter support with the MIGs entering the war.
From there I was able to start putting together the Tribute page. I had a couple of pictures
of dad and part of his WWII crew which included Ollie Glass and dad’s 19 year old co-
pilot. What I miss most are not my words or even the pictures. What I miss the most are
the comments I received from various individuals who checked out the site and were nice
enough to leave thoughtful writings. There were soldiers who had served in Korea at the
time and later on. A couple of grandma’s friends had sent their regards an old timer from
the diner. And then there were the children of other members of the crew. Amazingly, two
or three sons had contacted me and advised that their fathers had been on the plane, but
had survived. One son who lost an uncle also sent me an email. I have their emails, but I
miss their first contact.
I was also contacted by the son of the pilot who flew the plane during WWII. Mostly,
back then, it was in the Asian theater. Its name, which was shown on it’s nose art, was
“Over Exposed”. But it was also used on the Pacific theater known as “Pacific Princess”.
I hope I saved the pictures somewhere, but I know they are available on the net.
In my search I was actually able to find the two Russian pilots names who were given the
credit for the damage which led to the crash. The Russians actually released information.
FW: Johnson AFB
From: frogeye1959 . (frogeye1959@hotmail.com)
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:18 PM
To: frogeye1959@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:04:08 -0500

From: tom@rsains.com
Subject: Johnson AFB
http://www.b-29s-over-korea.com/Photo_Gallery_I/slideshow.html
FW: B-29s in Korea
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:18 PM
From: mcgilwe@comcast.net
Subject: Re: B-29s in Korea
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 16:02:28 -0700
Tom,
I must've been still asleep. I have two of you in my address book. The other TM is
tom@rsains.com. I meant to ask, is (was) this you or are there two Tom Mitchell's
sending me e-mail?
I also screwed up Red Wings Over the Yalu, China, the Soviet Union, and the Air War in
Korea by Xiaoming Zhang.
Both books are extremely well researched. I wish I could say the same for some
American authors. B-29 Superfortress Units of the Korean War is filled with errors but
the pictures are worth the price of admission. Many errors were copied directly from
official documents. I have the 307th's reports for the month of October, 1951 and in one
place Kadena is referred to as a base in "Japan." The islands were part of the Japanese
Empire but never referred to in that context. The problem arises when historians,
including one of the most famous, write things like "B-29s attached to the 307th
Bombardment Wing, based in Japan..." which gives the impression that they flew out of
Yokota. Unfortunately, most histories were written by the lowest ranking guy in the unit
(because nobody else wanted the job, as in "Befor I coodn't spel pilet, now I are one.") I
shouldn't say so, but some of the crewmembers I presently correspond with don't spell
much better.
Mac
This is the email from the man who witnessed the crash and took the photos:
FW: RB-29 813

Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:18 PM
From: koreavetmayo@worldnet.att.net
Subject: RB-29 813
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 14:44:39 -0500
Hello Tom,
In answer to your email perhaps I can shed some light on the tragic event as I was an
eyewitness. Our squadron, the 91st SRS was originally stationed at Kadena AFB on Okinawa,
and then moved for a short stay at Johnson AFB in Japan. Next move was our last to Yokota
AFB. One day I was drinking a coke on the flight line after loading our guns for a mission the next
day. Suddenly there was a lot of activity with trucks, jeeps, etc rushing down to the end of the
runway. My pilot, Captain Torry, told me they had just received a radio message from 813 saying
they had been jumped by Migs and received severe damage to two engines on one side, both
now feathered. The possibility of flying across the ocean with two out on one side all the way
back to base was of course very slim. I grabbed my camera and caught a ride in a passing jeep
to the end of the runway. We waited for what seemed an eternity, and then suddenly there in the
distance was 813 . She had made it back, a masterful flying job by the pilot. 813 began final
approach and everything looked normal, except of course the damage to the two engines. As she
approached the runway, lined up perfectly, the flaps were lowered. At that time the plane suddenly
took a dive into the ground, just short of the runway. The front section dug into the ground turning
upside down. The wing section flipped over and ended up upside down on top of the nose
section. The aft section rode up on top of the wing section.
The nose section of course received major damage. At that time the back door opened and first to
jump to safety was my best friend S/sgt Warren. I shot a whole roll of film, however during the
years it disintergrated. The only photos remaining are the ones on my website. The photo of 813
on the flight line was taken the day before. 813 was always parked right next to my plane, Tiger
Lil. Our crews were very well acquainted with each other, I was an enlisted man and your father
was an aircraft commander. However I do remember having short conversations with him on
numerous occasions. I must say he must have been one heck of a pilot to nurse that plane all the
way back home, only to end up a few feet short of the runway. As I remember the tail gunner shot
down a Mig, this being the first time a prop bomber had downed a jet fighter.
So that briefly is the story. It still lingers in my memory after all these years. A tragedy with little
understanding as to "why".
The Korean war was full of incidents which convince us that the war was a no win situation, and
yet if necessary I would gladly do it all again.
Thank you for your email, I wish you the very best.
Take care,
WAYLAND MAYO
5970 Purdy Ln.
West Palm Beach
FL 33415
561-968-6041
FW: Questions ?
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:17 PM
Subject: Questions ?
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 14:51:25 -0500
Hello Tom,
You asked about the nose art on 813. I collect nose art books and am quite familiar with most of
them, however I can't seem to remember any nose art on 813. Yes, I have seen photos of Our
L'Lass but I just can't relate it to that plane. I will keep looking as I am not sure of my
recollections.
Yes I am familiar with acig.org. Nearly all Migs were flown be the best pilots Russia had. They
were called "Honcho" pilots. All identification was removed before flight. The North Korean pilots
were far infurior to the Russians.
You might if you have time read my story on page one entitled "Ride along on a combat mission
with the 91st SRS". The story is really typical of any combat mission flown by the 91st. It will give
you an idea of exactly what your fathers' crew did on a mission. All missions were TOP SECRET.
They involved flights over Manchuria, China, and Russia. Of course our government denied
everything, as in the U2 incident.I have flown many times to Antung, a large Chinese airfield, over
Manchuria, and Vladisvostok, Russia. Most all flights started at Pyongyang and went north
through Mig Alley at Sinanju and Sinuiju, then photograph all the bridges on the Yalu. Our losses
were unacceptable and finally all B-29 flights had to be discontinued.It did not seem possible to
do this 50 times without getting shot down.
If I find anything concerning the nose art I will let you know.It is becomming very difficult to get
any first hand information now as we are all reaching the end of line.
Take care,
Wayland Mayo
FW: Photos
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@hotmai
m:
l.com)
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:17 PM
> From: frogeye1959@hotmail.com

> To: koreavetmayo@worldnet.att.net
> Subject: Photos
> Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005 12:10:11 -0500
>
> Hey Wayland:
>
> May I have your permission to use the photos you had taken of my father's B-29
#4461813 if I put together a web site in honor of him. I am thinking of creating a
geocities site and would really like to post the photos as well as links to the stories that I
have found.
>
> It has been a pleasure talking with you. And thank you very much for talking with my
mom. I haven't seen her this excited in a very long time.
>
> Sincerely yours,
> Tom Mitchell
>
>
>
> frogeye1959@hotmail.com
FW: pictures
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:16 PM
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:56:16 -0500

Subject: Fw: pictures
----- Original Message -----

From: Tom Mitchell
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 1:57 PM
Subject: pictures
http://www.bob-west.com/MISC-PHOTOS34.html
FW: RB-29 #44-61813
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:15 PM
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:03:09 -0500

Subject: Fw: RB-29 #44-61813

To: Tom Mitchell
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: RB-29 #44-61813
Tom,
Been busy & gone, but wanted to get back before departing town (again). If you peruse
my index, http://mywebpages.comcast.net/b29sinthekoreanwar/home.htm
you should find more B-29 nose art scattered about.
Mac
E. J. McGill
Tucson
From: Tom Mitchell
To: mcgilwe@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 2:58 PM
Subject: RB-29 #44-61813
I found your site and I have to thank you for all of your work. My father Robert A. Mitchell
was the pilot of RB-29 #44-61813. 54 years ago today he crashed. Amazing that anyone
walked away from the wreck.
Your site is the only one that I have found with the nose art.
Thank you,
Tom Mitchell
FW: B-29 Specs
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:15 PM
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:05:06 -0500

Subject: B-29 Specs
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/b29sinthekoreanwar/b29facts.html
FW: lavene.pdf
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:14 PM
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 15:55:57 -0500

Subject: lavene.pdf
http://afehri.maxwell.af.mil/info/pdf/lavene.pdf
FW: Working on web site
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:14 PM
> From: koreavetmayo@worldnet.att.net

> To: frogeye1959@hotmail.com
> Subject: Re: Working on web site
> Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 14:00:44 -0500
>
> Hello Tom,
>
> I just took a look at your website. It is very well thought out and to me
> quite dramatic. I hope you can get the information you are looking for. I
> may have asked this before, did you request and receive his records from the
> AF ? I am looking into B-24 archives now but am short on info. Great start.
>
> Take care,
>
> Wayland Mayo
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "frogeye1959 ." <frogeye1959@hotmail.com>
> To: <koreavetmayo@worldnet.att.net>
> Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 3:26 PM
> Subject: Working on web site
>
>
>>
> > Hey Wayland:
>>
> > Thought I would write to let you know that I have begun my little tribute
> > page for my father. Go to www.geocities.com/frogeye1959 for a look at the
> > work in progress. I still have images to enter and more text to write and
> > need to rearrange a few things. But I am sure you can get the jist of the
> > message I'm trying to provide.
>>
> > I'll keep you informed as I plod along.
>>
> > Sincerely,
> > Tom Mitchell
FW: Honoring ROBERT A MITCHELL
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:14 PM
> Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 14:24:59 +0500

> From: frogeye1959@hotmail.com
> Subject: Honoring ROBERT A MITCHELL
> To: hbarker@kwp.org; tbarker@kwp.org; frogeye1959@hotmail.com
>
>
> From Ted and Hal Barker at the Korean War Project:
>
> Thank you very much for visiting the Korean War Project.
>
> If you would like to reach others who knew
> ROBERT A MITCHELL ,
> we suggest you visit the Korean War Project page of
> his unit at:
>
> http://www.koreanwar.org/html/looking_for.html
>
> If you need help, please Email us immediately. We are
> here to help you Remember.
>
> Hal and Ted Barker - Korean War Project
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
>
> Honoring ROBERT MITCHELL
>
> Key: 20611
> Casualty Date: 1950-11-09 00:00:00
>
FW: Okinawa records
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
1:14 PM
frogeye1959@
To:
hotmail.com
Subject: Okinawa records
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:48:53 -0500
Hello Tom,
I was looking through some old records and found this one, dated June 30, 1950, just five days
after the war started.Since it is 55 years old it has deteriorated considerably. Look at order
number 4. it says 1st Lt. Robert A. Mitchell. Is that your dad? The order came from the 31st SRS
at Kadena AFB on Okinawa. This was before the 31st was redesignated the 91st and shipped to
Japan. I am not having any luck finding much in the way of flight crew listings of the 484 BG.
There is plenty of information concerning the activities but no actual crew listings. As I mentioned
before there were more than 18,000 B-24s made with maybe two or three crews on each one. I
have stacks of books on the Korean war, the last one I got was by Robert Dorr which lists all the
units that were active in the war. There is much on the 91st, including my plane and comments.
However they only list three RBs from the 91st. I did run across an organization for members of
the 484th. Perhaps you should join this group and look for someone that has knowledge of crews
that were there. Keep trying.
Take care,
Wayland Mayo
FW: The Earl E. Myers Story, Chapter 20 - The Korean War And The Move To Yokota
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
1:13 PM
frogeye1959@h
To:
otmail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 09:44:16 -0500

Subject: The Earl E. Myers Story, Chapter 20 - The Korean War And The Move To
Yokota
The Earl E. Myers Story, Chapter 20 - The Korean War And The Move To Yokota.jpg
FW: Sgt Harry Lavene
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:12 PM
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 15:03:32 -0500

Subject: Fw: Sgt Harry Lavene

From: BOMBGRP98@aol.com
To: tom@rsains.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 2:18 PM
Subject: Re: Sgt Harry Lavene
In a message dated 2/23/2005 10:56:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, tom@rsains.com writes:
I saw your note at the Korean War Project regarding Harry Lavene and the MIG he shot
down. Harry was the tail gunner of RB-29 #44-61813. My father Robert A Mitchell was the
pilot of that plane. They crash landed on 11/9/50 at Johnson AFB, Japan after being
attacked near the Yalu River. Harry was one of the survivors. Here is the link to the official
transcript reflecting Harry's kill:
http://afehri.maxwell.af.mil/info/pdf/lavene.pdf
Sincerely yours,
Tom Mitchell
frogeye1959@hotmail.com
OH!!! BTW. What was the name of that aircraft? During WW II, it was named "OVEREXPOSED"
with the 55th Recon Sq.
Also later in the war, the 91st came under the command of the 98th Bomb Wing. So we welcome
everyone to join our association. See the membership page of my WEB.
Herb
FW: 813 info
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
1:10 PM
frogeye1959@h
To:
otmail.com
Subject: 813 info
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 14:26:12 -0500
Hello Tom,
Yes it's me again. I found this photo taken months before the war. That is 813 parked behind my
plane, Tiger Lil. You can zoom in and read 813 on the rudder. 813 just had the circle X painted.
Notice my plane has no designation on the rudder, it was painted the next day. Also note there is
no nose art on the left side of 813. The photo of Our L'Lass belongs to AC # 951. It is wrongly
reported on another B-29 website.As mentioned previously the two planes were always parked
next to each other. This photo really good only for conversation. I am sending two more photos of
the crash, neither really good enough for publication but I thought you might want to see them.
Keep up the good work.
Take care,
Wayland Mayo
FW: Emailing: 4752
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@hotmai
m:
l.com)
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:09 PM
frogeye1959@hotmail
To:
.com
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 16:30:42 -0500

From: frogeye@optonline.net
Subject: Emailing: 4752
FW: 91SRS (31SRS) RB-29 Story
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:08 PM
From: JimBardJr@adelphia.net
Subject: 91SRS (31SRS) RB-29 Story
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 15:26:26 -0500
Tom,
I am the Secretary of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
Association (91SRWA). Formed about 10 years ago, we have 185
dues paying members and have contact information on about
250 others. About 20% of the membership is ex-91SRS.
Below you will find an exchange of e-mail between myself and
Wayland Mayo; I also got your name from a letter sent to me
by Harry Mason. Eureka (a light just came on in my head) -
You are Eileen's son. We have given her a Life Associate
Membership in our organization.
I got your e-mail address from a note sent to you by Wayland
Mayo. I believe Harry Mason may also have talked to you
about our organization. Did he send me your snail mail
address? If so, I would have mailed you our latest
newsletter - the Recon Recorder. If not, send me the address
and I'll mail it next week. It includes several pages of
chit-chat, our financial figures, stories, reunion
information, and rosters with names you may recognize. I do
know that Harry is working on an application for you.
23-27 August of this year we will be having a reunion at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. You might be interested in
attending.
Question? Don't hesitate to respond.
Jim Bard
PS: I started this note in response to the following from
Wayland. Do you mind if I print the story in our newsletter?
If that is okay, can you forward it to me via e-mail?
Hope to hear from you soon.
From: Wayland Mayo
To: Jim Bard
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 2:51 PM
Subject: Re: 91SRS RB-29 Story
Hello Jim,
Thanks for the information concerning the exact cause of death of 2Lt Angulo during the Tiger Lil
shootdown. As to my email to Tom Mitchell: He has started his own website as a tribute to his
father, Capt. Robert Mitchell. He has published my email as well as eight photos, some of the
accident. I do not know who actually has ownership of his email, however I would feel better if
Tom gave permission rather than myself. I somehow feel he has "priority" over it.
May I suggest you contact Tom and if he says O.K. then everyone will be happy.
Take care,
Wayland Mayo
From: Jim Bard
To: 91SRW/Wayland Mayo
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 1:24 AM
Subject: 91SRS RB-29 Story
Wayland,
Harry Mason sent me a copy of an e-mail you sent to Tom
(Mitchell?). (frogeye1959@hotmail.com) Subject: RB-29
813, Nov 25, 04
Two favors:
1. Give me permission to print the story in our 91SRWA
newsletter.
2. Send it to me by e-mail so that I don't have to
retype it.
Can do?
I also took a look at your website (just a glance) and
the Tiger Lil story. Maybe I can shed some light.
2Lt. Sigfredo Angulo bailed out, hit the side of the
cliff, and then fell into the water and drowned.
The 91st SRS was reactivated in 1948 and assigned to
the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Ft. Dix
(later McGuire AFB). After outfitting, the squadron was
"detached" and sent to FEAF for operational control.
(SAC did not officially have an overseas reconnaissance
mission.) The wing was responsible for logistical
support in the form of airplanes and equipment, but
had no operational responsibilities. Although it
remained assigned to the 91st Wing, it never returned;
it was deactivated upon return to the ZI at a base in
Washington (state). Few people were aware of the SAC
connection.
Jim Bard
jimbardjr@adelphia.net
FW: Johnson AFB
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:07 PM
Subject: Johnson AFB
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 15:39:50 -0500
Tom,
I am not a historian or geographer but one thing caught my
eye.
Okinawa and the rest of the Ryukyu Islands were taken from
the Japanese in 1945 and returned to Japan in 1972. In the
intervening years they were administered by the U.S. I don't
know what their legal status was, but during the 50s and 60s
we never used "Okinawa, Japan" when referring to Johnson,
only Okinawa.
I don't know if this means anything or not.
Jim Bard
jimbardjr@adelphia.net
FW: You have received photos from Adobe Photoshop Album
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
1:07 PM
frogeye1959@h
To:
otmail.com
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 13:24:45 -0500

From: frogeye@optonline.net
Subject: You have received photos from Adobe Photoshop Album
Dad, Jack LaForrest, his 19 year old co-pilot & Ollie Glass, radio/gunner going to Italy
1944 from Mitchel Field here on Long Island.
FW: Johnson AFB
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: Johnson AFB
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 14:09:54 -0500
Tom,
To tell the truth, I'm now confused. I always pictured
Johnson on Okinawa along with Kadena. But now I see the
91SRS overseas locations are listed as:
Kadena AB, Okinawa
Johnson AB, Japan
Yokota AB, Japan
So, I must now assume that Johnson was on the big island. I
can't find anything more definitive.
Jim
FW: Johnson AB Japan
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:06 PM
Subject: Johnson AB Japan
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 01:27:58 -0500
Here is the answer......

http://users.ev1.net/~vmitchel/JAB.htm
FW: June 6
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:05 PM
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 12:30:04 -0500

Subject: June 6
http://www.461st.org/Missions/June1944.htm
FW: B-24 Liberator
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
1:05 PM
frogeye1959@h
To:
otmail.com
> Subject: RE: B-24 Liberator

> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 09:34:55 -0500
> From: Patrick.Keeffe@madmuseum.org
> CC: Patrickkeeffe@aol.com
>
> Hi, Tom...thanks so much for your note and for the great photo of your
> Dad and the mission records. (Our computer died and I was finally able
> to get into my AOL account last night, so just got your note.) I was
> talking with my Dad last night and told him about our correspondence and
> am going to send him the documents. He was excited.
>
> Just looked at your site for a few minutes and it looks really
> interesting. Will spend some time with it this weekend. I have attached
> another story I had published, about my Dad surviving the war--thought
> you might enjoy reading it.
>
> At work and must run. It would be fun to meet at some point--two coots
> with stories to trade. Thanks again--I'm enjoying our correspondence,
> and our personal, family connections to such important history. Take
> care...Pat
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: frogeye1959 . [mailto:frogeye1959@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2005 3:31 PM
> To: patrickkeeffe@aol.com
> Subject: B-24 Liberator
>
>
> Dear Patrick:
>
> Thank you for writing back, regardless of the time frame. Your parents
> are
> much more important than this old coot. Besides I have a mom who I must
>
> watch like a hawk also.
>
> I am sending you three pages in PDF format as that seemed to be the best
> for
> viewing them. Keep in mind that these have been copied many many times
> and
> the quality diminished by the time they were given to me. I hope you
> and
> your family enjoy the information.
>
> In tribute to dad, I have begun construction of a tribute web page.
> Please
> feel free to visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I am having a blast
> building it. I was just notified the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
>
> that they are going to publish it in an upcoming newsletter.
>
> See you at the next air show. I'll be the one with the wide eyed, child
>
> like look, wishing he could step back in time and fly one of those
> babies.
>
> Sincerely yours,
>
> Tom Mitchell
>
> ps: That's dad in 1944 on the left, his co pilot Jack LaForrest(19 yrs
> old)
> and Ollie Glass radio/gunner on the left. They were at Mitchel Field
> getting ready to be shipped overseas during WWII.
>
>
>
FW: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:43:35 -0500

Subject: Fw: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number

To: Tom Mitchell
Cc: Nolan F Strange ; Jess Richey
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 2:53 PM
Subject: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number
Tom,
Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that appear on my
web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers because of the fact that nose art
was at the discretion of each crew and not a function of tail number. In other words, if an
aircraft was removed from service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the
replacement aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months,
usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose art with their
version.
You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed" could have
been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing is for 44-61813, so we can
be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It also appears in the crash photos, even
though we cannot see the nose art.
I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no number that
matches that on any of the listings I've received from others. This presents a second
anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door numbers match tail numbers, the
aircraft serial numbers were, in fact, sometimes not the same as the tail numbers.
According to information I have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on
the tail that did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to
confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we had a different
call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how many we had by asking
Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only one confused.
I've linked your web site on my Index (home) page.
Stay in touch,
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:25 PM
Subject: #44-61813
EJ:
Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and "Overexposed". If you look
at each photo, they had been painted on the same plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951
not #813. Wouldn't this indicate that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote
of "Over Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to you
later. And here I thought I found the right nose art.
If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a tribute page to my dad.
Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am getting there bit by bit.
And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine for you.
Take care,
Tom
FW: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:04:38 -0500

Subject: Fw: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number

To: Tom Mitchell
Subject: @WL Re: $CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number
Tom,
I couldn't read the orders clearly, but probably close enough to get the drift.
It isn't in the orders (that I can see), but your dad's concerns about the B-29s is one that
all crewmembers who had some knowledge of the aircraft expressed. In order to get the
B-29 into the air over Japan as soon as possible, Boeing accepted an engine that was
decidedly inferior to the one envisioned & planned for production. Instead of the P&W
R-4360 (installed later on the B-50), Boeing hung four Wright R-3350s on the B-29. In
addition to having 5,200 less horsepower, the Wright was extremely temperamental and,
frankly, dangerous. It only made matters worse when maintenance was poor. The brass,
of course, knew little or nothing about the airplane (much less the engines) and acted
accordingly.
Perhaps I've mentioned that our assigned B-29 was rat-infested?
Regards, Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: @CHECK++ Nose Art vs. Tail Number
Mac:
Thank you for the info. You are certainly a warehouse of useful information. I can see
how things don't always appear as they seem. And of course, parts may have been taken
from one plane that was out of service and used on another without changing a number.
I am attaching a document for you to read. Apparently, dad was a little outspoken about
the condition of the planes and told some brass to fly them themselves. For that he was
suspended from flying. This form releases him back into service. Note the release date is
6/25/50. The day after the invasion. So in essence, they were saying "You are a bad boy,
unless we reallly need you."
And note that Wayland Mayo's name is shown in the third paragraph. He provided me
with the document.
Thanks again and keep up your excellent work.
Tom
FW: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 15:16:25 -0500

Subject: Fw: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813

To: Tom Mitchell
Subject: @WL Emails that X in the Morning: 44-61813
Tom,
I read the "Biography" section of the web site & learned that the young man's grandfather
was discharged a couple of years before the Korean War started. This means that there
was another version of "Over Exposed," that may or may not have been 44-61813. I seem
to recall picking up refurbished B-29s at Grand Central here in Tucson that had the nose
art removed but still showed traces of the original dimly outlined. At any rate, B-29s
came out of mothballs & retrofit without nose art, or the black underbelly (which
explains why you can see faint traces of black underbelly paint on early KW B-29s that
were later repainted with black bottoms.)
I was able to read the orders so you needn't resend them.
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Subject: 44-61813
Mac:
Here's that link to "Over Exposed" (two words):
http://members.fortunecity.com/poppop10/noseart.html
The plot thickens.....
Tom
FW: acid link
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:04 PM
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:01:03 -0500

Subject: acid link
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_315.shtml
FW: Accident Report
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:03 PM
> Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:47:40 -0500

> From: frogeye@optonline.net
> Subject: Fw: Accident Report
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Craig A Fuller" <aair@juno.com>
> To: <frogeye@optonline.net>
> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 8:35 PM
> Subject: Re: Accident Report
>
>
> > Tom,
>>
> > My apologies for not responding sooner. I am just now getting caught up
> > on e-mails after moving home and home office.I could not find an accident
> > report on the crash, perhaps it was considered a combat loss, even though
> > it made it (almost) back to base.
> > http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/pmkor/korwald_info_1126.htm
> > From:
> > http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/pmkor/korwald.htm
> > Sincerely,
>>
> > Craig Fuller
> > AAIR Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research
> > Falcon Field Station Box 22049
> > Mesa, AZ 85277-2049
> > (480)-218-8198
> > aair@juno.com http://www.AviationArchaeology.com
FW: B-29 #461813
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:02 PM
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:52:28 -0500

Subject: Fw: B-29 #461813

From: Charles Stone
To: Tom Mitchell
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: B-29 #461813
Dear Tom,
It warms my heart to hear from you. It is for people just like you that I have created this
web site.
Regarding the MiG, I do recall having that brought to my attention.
Please greet your Mom for me and peace be with you, today and every day.
Chuck Stone
-----------------------
On Nov 9, 2004, at 2:59 PM, Tom Mitchell wrote:
I read the article "William F. (Bill) Welch — 31st and 91st SRS
Recollections" today with great interest. You see the pilot of RB-29 #461813 was
my father Robert A. Mitchell. 54 years ago today. It was a Thursday. I find it truly
amazing that the plane could make it to Johnson AFB with only two starboard
engines. How anyone lived the crash I don't know.
Did you know that the MIG shot down was the first MIG downed by a B-29?
But, thank you for allowing me to read the article. I will make sure I show it to
my mom.
Sincerely,
Tom Mitchell
FW: Sgt Harry Lavene
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:02 PM
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:53:43 -0500

Subject: Fw: Sgt Harry Lavene

From: BOMBGRP98@aol.com
To: tom@rsains.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 10:24 PM
Subject: Re: Sgt Harry Lavene
In a message dated 2/23/2005 3:04:03 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, tom@rsains.com writes:
Hey Herb:
You have helped to solve my nose art delema for #44-61813. From what I have found,
the plane was "Pacific Princess" with the 444th BG in WWII. Then must have been
switched to "Overexposed" as you stated. Then it must have been repainted to "Our L'
lass". Both photos of Overexposed and Our L' lass reflect the number 1951 on the front
wheel flap. So, Our L'lass was probably dad's plane or possibly just befor he took over.
Unfortunately, my mom have no recollections of nose art information.
Of the many books I have on B-29s, I find errors in all of them.
One source I have is that there were no causalities in the crash of 44-61813.
Gary Valiant's book "Vintage Nose Art" has a PIC of B-29 "OVEREXPOSED", however without
any other identification such as unit of assignment or serial number. I have other evidence this
particular B-29 was S/N 44-61999 and was salvaged in Germany in 1950. I have reason to
believe "OVEREXPOSED" and Our L' Lass were NOT the same, as I list Our L' Lass as S/N 44-
61915. Another reference I have is that 44-61813 was Pacific Princess.
I know that there were sometimes more than one B-29 with the same name. I also have evidence
that the same aircraft at times had different names.
Herb
version.
Stay in touch,
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Subject: #44-61813
EJ:
Take care,
Tom
--Forwarded Message Attachment--

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:56:28 -0700
To: tom@rsains.com
Tom,
accordingly.
Regards, Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Mac:
with the document.
Tom
To: Tom Mitchell
Tom,
Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that
appear on my web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers
because of the fact that nose art was at the discretion of each crew and not
a function of tail number. In other words, if an aircraft was removed from
service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the replacement
aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months,
usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose
art with their version.
You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed"
could have been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing
is for 44-61813, so we can be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It
also appears in the crash photos, even though we cannot see the nose art.
I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no
number that matches that on any of the listings I've received from others.
This presents a second anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door
numbers match tail numbers, the aircraft serial numbers were, in fact,
sometimes not the same as the tail numbers. According to information I
have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on the tail that
did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to
confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we
had a different call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how
many we had by asking Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only
one confused.
Stay in touch,
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Subject: #44-61813
EJ:
Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and
"Overexposed". If you look at each photo, they had been painted on the same
plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951 not #813. Wouldn't this indicate
that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote of "Over
Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to
you later. And here I thought I found the right nose art.
If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a
tribute page to my dad. Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am
getting there bit by bit.
And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine
for you.
Take care,
Tom

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 12:23:47 -0700
To: tom@rsains.com
Tom,
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Subject: 44-61813
Mac:
Tom
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.

Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 10:24:02 -0700
Subject: Re: RB-29 #44-61813
To: tom@rsains.com
Tom,
Been busy & gone, but wanted to get back before departing town (again). If you peruse
my index, http://mywebpages.comcast.net/b29sinthekoreanwar/home.htm
you should find more B-29 nose art scattered about.
Mac
E. J. McGill
Tucson
From: Tom Mitchell
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 2:58 PM
Subject: RB-29 #44-61813
I found your site and I have to thank you for all of your work. My father Robert A. Mitchell
was the pilot of RB-29 #44-61813. 54 years ago today he crashed. Amazing that anyone
walked away from the wreck.
Your site is the only one that I have found with the nose art.
Thank you,
Tom Mitchell

Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 12:53:01 -0700
To: tom@rsains.com
CC: nolanfstrange@bellsouth.net; jlr98513@aol.com
Tom,
version.
Stay in touch,
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Subject: #44-61813
EJ:
Take care,
Tom

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:56:28 -0700
To: tom@rsains.com
Tom,
accordingly.
Regards, Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Mac:
with the document.
Tom
To: Tom Mitchell
Tom,
Unfortunately, I cannot resolve the tail number/nose art discrepancies that
appear on my web site. Originally, I'd not planned to list tail numbers
because of the fact that nose art was at the discretion of each crew and not
a function of tail number. In other words, if an aircraft was removed from
service, sometimes the nose art would be painted on the replacement
aircraft. Because crews flew combat only a certain number of months,
usually around six months, the new crew would often replace the old nose
art with their version.
You can see where this leads. In this case, "Our L'Lass" & "Overexposed"
could have been on both 951 and 813. The serial # on the Korwald listing
is for 44-61813, so we can be pretty certain that is the one that crashed. It
also appears in the crash photos, even though we cannot see the nose art.
I have to assume that 1951 would have been 44-61951, but I have no
number that matches that on any of the listings I've received from others.
This presents a second anomaly, which is: Although most of the nose door
numbers match tail numbers, the aircraft serial numbers were, in fact,
sometimes not the same as the tail numbers. According to information I
have received, some units were permitted to put numbers on the tail that
did not match the serial number. Don't ask me why. It may have been to
confuse the enemy, just as later on each time we flew a B-47 or B-52 we
had a different call sign--not that the Soviets couldn't have found out how
many we had by asking Boeing. The upshot is that I am probably the only
one confused.
Stay in touch,
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Subject: #44-61813
EJ:
Seems there is some confusion as to the nose art for "Our L'Lass" and
"Overexposed". If you look at each photo, they had been painted on the same
plane, but the number on the wheel flap is #951 not #813. Wouldn't this indicate
that it was not the nose art of 44-61813? Also, I ran across a phote of "Over
Exposed" (two words) with a different drawing altogether. I'll have to get that to
you later. And here I thought I found the right nose art.
If you get a chance visit www.geocities.com/frogeye1959. I have started a
tribute page to my dad. Keep in mind it is still under construction, but I am
getting there bit by bit.
And now back to your website. I find it fascinating and will have a link on mine
for you.
Take care,
Tom

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 12:23:47 -0700
To: tom@rsains.com
Tom,
Mac
From: Tom Mitchell
Subject: 44-61813
Mac:
Tom
FW: 110950
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 1:00 PM
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2005 13:09:13 -0400

Subject: 110950
501109 USAF RB-29 1 x MiG-15 1 x B-29 crashed on landing from damage

received
1. 28 IAD V-VS MiG-15 1 x F-80
2. USAF F-80 1 x MiG-15 (Grachev/139 IAP)
3. Podgornyi/67 IAP V-VS MiG-15 1 x B-29
4. Bordun/72 GIAP V-VS MiG-15 1 x B-29
Note: this was information released from the Russian files after they unclassified their
information
Major Bordun was given the credit for the damage to Dad’s plane.
FW: airborne
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@hot
m:
mail.com)
Sat 11/14/09 1:00
Sent:
PM
frogeye1959@hot
To:
mail.com
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:27:38 -0400

Subject: airborne
B-24 Italy
FW: aerial%20-%20large
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
12:59 PM
frogeye1959@
To:
hotmail.com
Flight planes for a bombing run in Italy.
FW: Torretta Field
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
12:59 PM
frogeye1959@h
To:
otmail.com
FW: F-13 OVER EXPOSED
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 12:58 PM
From: jmbailey@consolidated.net
Subject: F-13 OVER EXPOSED
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 11:04:36 -0500
.ExternalClass p.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass li.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass

div.ecxMsoNormal {margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New
Roman';} .ExternalClass a:link, .ExternalClass span.ecxMsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-
decoration:underline;} .ExternalClass a:visited, .ExternalClass
span.ecxMsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;} .ExternalClass
span.ecxEmailStyle17 {font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;} @page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;} .ExternalClass div.ecxSection1 {page:Section1;}
Robert Mitchell
My father Capt Klondys R Bailey piloted “Over
Exposed” from the Kandena Airstrip on Okinawa.
He was assigned to the 1st PRS/ 3rd PRS (VLR)
(5/19/1944 thru 1/16/1946).
I have his leather jacket patch, his Smokey Hill Army
Air Field crew button No.769,some misc photos, a
copy of Super-Fort with Over exposed photo,
including nose art and aircraft Serial # (11/24/1945).
I have done some research into F-13’s, and my
biggest and most rewarding find was a copy of the
volume 26 number 2 summer 1981 AAHS JOURNAL.
This is a research project 7807 by David Morris
entitled EYE IN THE SKY….The Boeing F-13.
My fathers Nose art is normally listed as “unknown”
and the photos I find of it are cuts from his F-13-A-50-
BN ser # 44-61813 but I am having little luck getting
that changed.
After the war was over, he was re-assigned to the
“Crossroads Project atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in
July 1946. The only records I have of that is letters he
sent to mom, but young boy I seem to remember a
nylon flight jacket with the 20th AF and the 9th RS.
Shini provided me with your name and e-mail. If you
don’t mind I would be indebted to share information
with you as I have spent the last 6-7 years trying to
piece my fathers military history.
By the way mom told me that dad had painted her
name on the back of the pilots seat.
Thanks in advance, Jay M Bailey
FW: photo
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@hotm
m:
ail.com)
Sat 11/14/09 12:58
Sent:
PM
frogeye1959@hotma
To:
il.com
Subject: photo
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 14:04:33 -0500
Robert,
Thanks for sharing. I hope you find the attachment interesting. I am having scanner problems, but
I will send you some more photo’s at a latter date……..Jay Bailey
> From: jmbailey@consolidated.net
> Subject: RE: photo
> Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 19:27:35 -0500
>
> Tom,
> Here are a few photo's you might find interesting.....Jay
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: frogeye1959 . [mailto:frogeye1959@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 10:03 AM
> To: jmbailey@consolidated.net
> Subject: RE: photo
>
> Jim:
>
> What a great photo to have. Isn't it amazing how young the crew was and yet
>
> to have accomplished so much.
>
> Be well,
> Tom
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Jay Bailey" <jmbailey@consolidated.net>
> >To: <frogeye1959@hotmail.com>
> >Subject: photo
> >Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 14:04:33 -0500
>>
> >Robert,
>>
> >Thanks for sharing. I hope you find the attachment interesting. I am having
> >scanner problems, but I will send you some more photo's at a latter
> >date....Jay Bailey
> Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.12/461 - Release Date: 10/2/2006

FW: ArmyAirForces
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
12:57 PM
frogeye1959@h
To:
otmail.com
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:30:01 -0500

Subject: ArmyAirForces
FW: other B-29/F-13 overexposed nose art
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 12:57 PM
To: ddrudick@hotmail.com
CC: BobPMD@aol.com; b29mann@frontiernet.net; frogeye1959@hotmail.com
Subject: other B-29/F-13 overexposed nose art
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 07:57:38 -0500
Things in history can seem confusing….Jay

FW: RB29 crash
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 12:56 PM
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 12:56:46 -0700

From: jeffparker98@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: RB29 crash
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the reply and the information. I've been looking for information from time to
time for the past 6 years. I ran across a couple of pictures of the wreck and eyewitness
account on rb-29.net about 5 yrs ago. I saved the page to my laptop and called my dad,
telling him what I found. He was very surprised. Up to that point my dad spoke very little
of his time during the war. I knew he was involved with a plane crash, but no details.
When I showed him the article and pictures I could tell he became choked up, and after a
few minutes I saw a tear roll down his face. He didn't talk for several minutes.
A few things that might interest you - My dad said that Harry Lavene had gone AWOL
(jumped the fence to go into town) a few days before the final flight and got caught. He
lost his stripes, being busted down to private. When he shot down the Mig the base CO
realized that it wouldn't look good to the press, so Harry got his stripes back. My dad told
him he couldn't have worked it out better. My dad said that Harry was not in the front of
the plane, but was strapped in the back with him.
A couple of years ago I ran across a guy who was researching b29 v.s. Mig skirmishes. I
wrote to him and the result was finding out it was a russian pilot that strafed the plane.
This guy was able to go to Moscow and go through the 50 yr old mission records.
Ironically there were two russian officers that claimed the shoot. If you would like I can
send you copies of the translated records. It must have been a witness, because the
russians did not record that they lost any planes that day, and we know that the Mig was
shot down.
I just exchanged emails with Wayland Mayo last week. He said his records did not show
my dads name on the crew list, but he pointed out that they were incomplete. When I ran
across your website I decided to try getting a complete crew list. I wonder if the air
force/dod still has records from that time?
I have a question of curiosity. Is the name frogeye1959 reltated to an Austin Healy
Sprite?
Regards,
Jeff
Tom Mitchell <frogeye@optonline.net> wrote:

Jeff:
It was certainly a pleasure seeing your email. It really took me for a shock as I do not get
many hits on the website let alone a reply.
Unfortunatley, all of the info on the site is basically what I have. Mom's memory is not up
to par and she doesn't remember any other names.
I'm sorry your dad doesn't want to get involved, but I can certainly understand his
reasons. They all went thru terrible times and sometimes it is best to forget. Doesn't really
matter, he's still a hero in my book.
There are a couple of names which I can forward to you:
Jay Baily (jmbailey@consolidated.net). His dad was the pilot of #813 during WWII. We've
had some good exchanges over the past year.
Jim Bard (jimbardjr@adelpphia.net). Jim is the secretary of the 91st Strategic
Reconnaissance Wing Assoc (91SRWA). That was the eventual group that #813
belonged to. They have a nice newsletter that is published during the year.
Wayland Mayo, don't have a current email, lives in Florida. He was the photo/gunner on
'Tiger Lil', which was always parked next to #813. Tiger Lil was the plane MacArthur used
for his flight over Korea.
If you haven't already visited, koreanwar.org is a great place to look around. Might get
some info there.
A better email for me is is you would like to write.
Again, thank you so much for thinking of me. I have found that there are so many sons
and daughters who would like more info about their dad's service time. Most of the info is
there somewhere, we just have to search, search, search...
Love to your dad,
Tom Mitchell
From: Jeff Parker
To: frogeye@optonline.net
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 5:35 PM
Subject: RB29 crash
Dear Tom,
I came across your web site recently & signed your guest book. My dad,
Bill Parker, was the photo/gunner on the final flight of your dads plane,
#813. He's still with us, but says he doesn't want to get involved. His
memory of some details has faded over time, but he does have some
stories to tell.
I'm trying to come up with a crew list for the flight, but have hit some road
blocks. Do you have any information in this area? During previous
research I was able to learn the possible identity of the MIG pilot that
strafed the plane.
Like yourself I have great respect for my dad and his service to our
country, and I appreciate your web site.
Sincerely,
Jeff Parker
FW: Oh Boy!
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 12:56 PM
Subject: Oh Boy!
Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:20:09 -0500
Hi Tom,
I happened across your tribute to your father this Friday before I left to visit
with my fathers Photo navigator and Radar Navigator in Providence Rhode
Island. I saw something that knocked my socks off!!!!! (44- 61813). That is
the A/C # of the F-13 that my father and his crew was assigned to and flew
from Kansas to Okinawa. He was the AC and then was assigned the
Operations Officer at Kadena Air Field. (See attachment orders) Bob, my
fathers Photo Navigator gave me the Boeing factory tag from 44-61813!
(See 2nd attachment). My Father also gave the ultimate sacrifice, as he died
as a result of overexposure to radiation in 1948!
E-mail me a time when it would be convenient to call you and your phone
number…..Jay Bailey
Res # (936) 441-8334
Mobile # (936) 537-1886
To: jmbailey@consolidated.net
CC: minnowfish@comcast.net; acohen102@cox.net; lewjanrem@netzero.com;
Jmskvarna@aol.com; lchrist699@verizon.ne; Esromi@aol.com; nlazzaro@cox.net;
aesgreen@eng.ufl.edu; rahargarten@yahoo.com; Cbeckdot@aol.com;
chappy@dc.rr.com; mcook1@tampabay.rr.com; pcaswell@edgarcorp.com;
Cad45y@aol.com; AHLTC@aol.com; jmcgloho@asheboro.com; biljac1@webtv.net;
clara_molnar@yahoo.com; acampbl@bellsouth.net; armour1944@yahoo.com;
sbvette@juno.co; pianonnie@awesomenet.net; info@jetstraining.com; B52bill@aol.com;
'BobPMD@aol.com'; b29mann@frontiernet.net; CHASOPITZ@aol.com;
Ladd175@yahoo.com; Asylumer@aol.com; lleroygee@sbcglobal.net;
jackrand@maine.rr.com; callahanjohn@att.net; w9jbl@comcast.net;
mlbafoley@juno.com; rdm216@yahoo.com; 'shane.anderson@woodburyweb.com';
Subject: my visit
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:19:24 -0500
Hi Photo recon contacts,

I visited with my fathers Photo Navigator Leonard “Bob” Plotkin and Radar
Navigator Joseph “Joe” Loughnane in Providence Rhode Island 3 weeks
ago….WOW!!!
We visited from 11:00 am till 9:00pm. MAN, the stories they told (they hadn’t
seen each other for around 40 years).
They had copies of orders, photos, maps, and even the Boeing factory
plaque off the F-13, 44-61813 they crewed!
I learned so much! So I want to share some of it…Enjoy
With the help of many of you guys, Bob Mann, Glen Carmine, and Shane
Anderson I am getting enough info to start a web page on the 1st
PRS…….thanks for all your input and keep making suggestions….
By the way, the last attachment is what we look like now!...... Jay Bailey,
proud son of Captain Klondys R Bailey
Bob, Joe & Jay
Subject: 44-61813
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:46:06 -0500

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the “rock”. I’ll forward it to my group of contacts.
I just came across….
A Tribute in Honor of:

Robert A. Mitchell, Jr.
2/22/20 - 11/9/50
And noticed that you were his son! (frogeye1959) A great Tribute!!!
Then it clicked…..your father and my father both were A/C’s of 44-61813.
Dad and his crew were assigned to 813 at Smokey Hill and flew it to
Okinawa to join the 1st PRS at Kadena field.
After dad was discharged and came home, he passed away after a lengthy
battle with cancer resulting from an overexposure to atomic radiation.
In 1995 I started researching his military history so I could make scrapbook
or wall hanging for my two sons , that never got to meet their
grandfather……any way, this August I located my fathers Photo Navigator
and Radar Navigator and went to visit them…..what a blast ….the stories
they told were priceless. I am well on my way to meeting my goal, and now
I am going to do a web page on the 1st PRS and Capt K R Bailey.
Bob even kept the Boeing Plaque when he was discharged!
Keep in touch…….Jay
FW: WWll gun camera link
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 12:54 PM
To: b29mann@frontiernet.net
CC: Asylumer@aol.com; shane.anderson@woodburyweb.com;
Subject: WWll gun camera link
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:04:01 -0500

I don’t search youtube, but one of my pilot friends sent me this link…..man
it must or been tough!!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tn6I1S8tH5w
FW: prayer
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@
m:
hotmail.com)
Sat 11/14/09
Sent:
12:54 PM
frogeye1959@
To:
hotmail.com
To: frogeye1959@hotmail.com; b29mann@frontiernet.net; BobPMD@aol.com
CC: binijukujoe@yahoo.com; Asylumer@aol.com
Subject: prayer
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:01:13 -0600
Any of you know the story of this prayer?......Jay
FW: B29 44-61813
frogeye1959 .
Fro
(frogeye1959@hot
m:
mail.com)
Sat 11/14/09 12:53
Sent:
PM
frogeye1959@hotm
To:
ail.com
From: pdg722@hotmail.com
Subject: B29 44-61813
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:06:58 -0500
Dear Mr. Mitchell,
I received your letter today and I would like to thank you for your response. Please accept
my condolences on the loss of your father and my thanks for the sacrifice he made for his
country. I have just began to research the death of my uncle Avery Green who I think was
the flight engineer on your father's plane. He was killed before I was born but my mother
spoke of him often. She wrote a poem about his final mission which I will send to you
very soon. I just wanted to get a response back to you quickly. I am attaching a photo of
my uncle. Again thank you for you reply and I hope we can both share what we know.
Sincerely,
Paul Garland
FW: B29 44-61813
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 12:52 PM
Subject: RE: B29 44-61813
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:45:49 -0500
Tom
My uncle died the same day as your father.
From: frogeye1959@hotmail.com
To: pdg722@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:55:05 -0500
.ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass

EC_body.hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Paul:
Thank you so much for your fast reply. I can't tell you how excited I was when I
saw you make an entry onto my tribute page. With the help of the internet, of
course, I have searched and searched and searched to my heart's content for
information. Besides what is written on the website, I found the son of another
crew member(still living) and the son of the pilot who flew the plane in WWII. I
have to get all my junk together and get you copies with names. The latest piece
of information I found was a copy of the FEAF report on the accident. I'm still
trying to decipher that report. I'll get myself to work very soon and will pass on
every piece of info I have to you. A good website to poke around is
www.koreanwar.org.
I'm sorry to hear that your uncle died. Was it on the 11/50 crash or in another
accident? Another hero given up to God!
Thanks again for writing. I will keep you abreast of any information I can find
and forward.
Sincerely yours,
Tom
FW: B29 44-61813
Sent: Sat 11/14/09 12:52 PM
Subject: FW: B29 44-61813
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:49:51 -0500
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:45:49 -0500
.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage

{font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Tom
My uncle died the same day as your father.
To: pdg722@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:55:05 -0500
.ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass

EC_body.hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Paul:
Thank you so much for your fast reply. I can't tell you how excited I was when I
saw you make an entry onto my tribute page. With the help of the internet, of
course, I have searched and searched and searched to my heart's content for
information. Besides what is written on the website, I found the son of another
crew member(still living) and the son of the pilot who flew the plane in WWII. I
have to get all my junk together and get you copies with names. The latest piece
of information I found was a copy of the FEAF report on the accident. I'm still
trying to decipher that report. I'll get myself to work very soon and will pass on
every piece of info I have to you. A good website to poke around is
www.koreanwar.org.
I'm sorry to hear that your uncle died. Was it on the 11/50 crash or in another
accident? Another hero given up to God!
Thanks again for writing. I will keep you abreast of any information I can find
and forward.
Sincerely yours,
Tom

To Kevin: Here Is A Compilation of All of The

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To Kevin:

Here’s a new explanation that I just discovered:

Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:04:08 -0500

FW: RB-29 813

> From: frogeye1959@hotmail.com

Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:56:16 -0500

----- Original Message -----

Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:03:09 -0500

----- Original Message -----

Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:05:06 -0500

Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 15:55:57 -0500

> From: koreavetmayo@worldnet.att.net

> Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 14:24:59 +0500

Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 09:44:16 -0500

Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 15:03:32 -0500

----- Original Message -----

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 16:30:42 -0500

Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 13:24:45 -0500

Here is the answer......

Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 12:30:04 -0500

> Subject: RE: B-24 Liberator

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 11:43:35 -0500

----- Original Message -----

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:04:38 -0500

----- Original Message -----

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 15:16:25 -0500

----- Original Message -----

Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:01:03 -0500

> Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:47:40 -0500

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:52:28 -0500

----- Original Message -----

Regarding the MiG, I do recall having that brought to my attention.

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:53:43 -0500

----- Original Message -----

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2005 13:09:13 -0400

501109 USAF RB-29 1 x MiG-15 1 x B-29 crashed on landing from damage

Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:27:38 -0400

.ExternalClass p.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass li.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass

> Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.12/461 - Release Date: 10/2/2006

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:30:01 -0500

Things in history can seem confusing….Jay

Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 12:56:46 -0700

Tom Mitchell <frogeye@optonline.net> wrote:

Hi Photo recon contacts,

.ExternalClass p.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass li.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass

A Tribute in Honor of:

.ExternalClass p.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass li.ecxMsoNormal, .ExternalClass

Dear Mr. Mitchell,

My uncle died the same day as your father.

.ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass

.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage

My uncle died the same day as your father.

.ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass

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