Forced Down in Yunnan
On August 14, 1944--Chinese Air Force Day--Capt. Mark T. Seacrest led a two-plane formation to skip-bomb a twin highway bridge located near Lashio, starting point of the Burma Road's south end. Hit by ground fire, both B-25s went down. Capt. Seacrest kept his A/C #714 in the air until he reached friendly territory, but it took eleven days for him and his aircrew to "walk out" and return to their 3rd Bomb Squadron.
Retaking Myitkyina
Mitchells of the 3rd Bomb Squadron provided air support to Chinese ground troops as they retook the city of Myitkyina following a 78-day siege. “They knew we were paving the way.”
Near Miss Over Wuchang
James H. Mills, at that time a staff sergeant, clearly remembered his mission to Hankow-Wuchang on July 24, 1945, when he was hit in the leg by a spent bullet that penetrated the B-25’s fuselage but caused no injury to him.
Honoring the Fallen: 1/Lt. Robert J. Koss
1/Lt. Robert J. Koss was the final member of the fatal 3rd Bomb Squadron mission of May 16, 1945, to be returned to his hometown for reburial.
Honoring the Fallen: Sgt. James A. Wadlow
Sgt. James A. Wadlow served as engineer-gunner and operated the waist guns on the ill-fated 3rd Bomb Squadron mission against the Japanese-held airfield at Ichang (Yichang) on May 16, 1945. Their B-25 was shot down by enemy ground fire and all six of the aircrew were lost.
Honoring the Fallen: 2/Lt. Barton L. Wherritt
Flight Officer (posthumously promoted to 2nd Lieutenant) Barton L. Wherritt was a member of a six-man aircrew that perished after their B-25 was shot down over the Japanese-el airfield at Ichang (Yichang).
Honoring the Fallen: 1/Lt. Donald J. Davis
1/Lt. Donald J. Davis was the pilot of a six-man aircrew that was lost when their 3rd Bomb Squadron B-25 was shot down over Ichang (Yichang) on May 16, 1945. His remains were recovered and returned to his home in California for reburial on July 13, 1949.