On 2018-06-22 19:50:57 +0000, Stormin' Norman
<norman@schwarzkopf.in.memorium> said:
> This is an interesting story with a group of fascinating pictures of
> the specially painted G4M Bettys that were used to ferry the Japanese
> officials from Tokyo to the island of Iejima where they then boarded
> C-54s and flew to meet MacArthur in Manila.
>
> http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/451/Green-Cross-to-Bear.aspx
Flying
>
with the 9th fighter Sq, 49th Fighter Group out of Okinawa, my father
along with Major "Pete" Petrovich, Capt. Ed Howes, Lt. James Poston,
and Lt. Smith made up the "Surrender Betties" P-38 escort to, and from
Ie Shima on August 19, and August 21.
Then on August 30 1945 the eight 9th FS P-38 pilots with the most
combat time made up the MacArthur Honor Squadron, all were veterans of
the Leyte Campaign, and four, Major Petrovich, Capt. Howes, Lt. Poston,
and my father had started the War in New Guinea and were on second
tours. The others were Lt. Gribble, Capt. Clark, Lt. Corley, and Lt.
Smith. They landed at Atsugi Air base southeast of Tokyo becoming the
first group of the advanced echelon of the pre-surrender occupation.
--
Regards,
Savageduck
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