Military History 12: Japan

 

A few days prior to our shipping out I was called to the CO's office. He informed me that along the line a mistake had been made in informing me of my rights. That at my request I could be sent home in a few days. At this time we knew we were going to be flying B-29 bombers over North Korea. I replied that I was a member of an outstanding crew and that I would prefer to go with them.

Within a few days Burt Crandall, the bombardier, came down with appendicitis. As they drug him down the hall for an operation he was screaming "but they will go without me." We waited a week so he could go along. When we arrived at Forbes a headline from the Topeka paper read "Mormon B-29 Crew to Arrive."

Wanda decided she wanted to be as close to Korea as possible so instead of going home to Kentucky she went to Bellflower, California with our three girls. She had never been to California. However, her doctor, Joe McCracken of Louisville, Kentucky had moved to that area. Don Funk, the pilot was from Los Angeles. Violet Robb the radar operator's wife from Colorado decided to go also.

When we arrived at Atsuki Air Base, just out of Tokyo, again the banner headlines were posted "Mormon B-29 Crew to Arrive Soon." When we landed we were met by the LDS Study Group Leader.

In the summer of 1945 I had made some landings at Yokota Air Base. Now in 1952 I was back just a few miles from Yokota. Most all of the civilian help on the base was Japanese. 

 

Yokota Air Base, Japan

 

 

 

11 May 1952

Japan

Dear Mom and Dad,

Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Thanks for being my mother. This will be a week old by the time you get it but I just feel like visiting a while. We went to Sunday School this morning and enjoyed a very good special program. Some of the boys have families here so we did have some mothers present. It is wonderful having a nice branch to attend. Makes home seem a lot nearer. I thank my Heavenly Father that you two taught me the principles of the Gospel. You are both very nice to have for parents. I’d like to spend a week-end with you just any time.

Yes! I have received three of your letters. I got the one today written May 3. I enjoy them very much. I’m sorry to hear you haven’t disposed of the farm yet. Looks like it is moving mighty slow.

This good old sunshine should help Dad a lot. I’m going to miss working in a garden this Spring. I’ve sure had lots of time since I’ve been here. It seems the planes are fewer than the crews. So far we have only flown once and it was a training mission. It will probably be two more weeks before we make any missions.

Most of the bombs here are dropped on bridges and railways. I guess it has been a long time since a city has been bombed. I’d much rather bomb objects such as a bridges. Only one man has been hurt in the past six months from enemy action. Most of the trouble is mechanical failure on take-off. A lot of it pilot error. But then the average crew spends his time in the club bar drinking. We don’t worry any!

In our spare time we usually play sports. Sometimes we golf. Sometimes bowl or games of some [kind]. All the crew but three now have bikes. We spend a lot of time riding around the countryside on them. I like mine fine and if I can will send it home when I leave.

The weather here is very nice. The temperature is around 75 in the day and 60 at nite. The yards & countryside are covered with the most beautiful flowering shrubs I have ever seen. I’d like to have some back home.

98% of all the farm work is done by hand. All the cultivating is hand work. The wheat and other small grains are planted in rows and cultivated like a garden. There is never a week showing anyplace. The top soil looks to be 6 feet deep most places.

Tell everyone at the Family Reunion hello for us. We’d like to be there. I guess Marge will have her husband to show off this year.

I’ll close this and go get some chow. The food here is very good.

Lee