"The last attack of the day from Midway was made by five B-17’s (Flight 93) commanded by Capt. Donald E. Ridings, which took off at 1545. Again the objective was the enemy carriers to the northwest. By this time clouds had gathered in the north to a heavy overcast at 12,000 feet, and Flight 93 had no better fortune than Flight 92 in finding their target. Their only contact was a cruiser which they found bearing 325° about 425 miles from Midway and which they attacked at 1825. The ship maneuvered violently and threw up heavy antiaircraft fire, which was ineffective at the 11,000 foot altitude from which our attack was made. Thirty-two bombs were dropped, with 2 near hits, but no direct hits were seen."

"On the second run over the target the bomb bay gasoline tank fell with the bombs from Capt. Robert S. Porter’s plane,32 which left the formation. The squadron commander followed him down to render any aid he could, and saw him head for Midway. About 2330 the plane radioed “out of gas and landing” and was not seen afterwards. On the return, the planes became separated in the clouds and could not find Midway until guided in by radar.

B-17E Flying Fortress serial #41-2529; Capt. Glen H. Kramer’s plane (5th BG, 72nd BS) exhausted its gasoline before reaching the island and landed 50 miles out at sea with the loss of Sgt. Freebourn E. Durrett, radio operator - aerial gunner.

These two aircraft were the only B-17s lost in the entire Midway battle."

Freebourn E Durrett