35 plus bombing missions. Diary entry: Target today was Hamburg. Crossed North Sea and hit land about 11 a. m. Half an hour before arriving at destination the #4 supercharger ran away and we started getting flak. William Rowe, the skipper, had a helluva time handling the ship. Reached objective and 200 guns opened up the worst barrage of flak seen yet. Plane partially crippled, position that of a lame duck. Last ship of the last group to reach the target. After reaching target, we were unable to stay with the formation. Pilot asked navigator the distance to Sweden, but the navigator thought we should stay with the formation and try to make it home as we were too far from Sweden. Sighted a squadron of Libs from our group a few miles away, and we tacked on. They began descending, we stayed at 18,000'. No enemy fighters jumped us. We made our approach and had a nice landing. Am now going to bed and am too tired to answer letters. Hard to make my family understand, in consideration of their feelings and censorship. Our ship was hit by flak but no one was injured. Don't know how many ships were lost today but our squadron returned intact. Mission was quite rough and I hope tomorrow's is easier.



Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Defense Service Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Navy Civilian Service Award