Aircraft Action Report for June 12th 1944 (pg1 of 5)

The night before their first combat hop (to Guam) the pilots and aircrewmen of VT-1 likely didn't get much sleep. Even those with previous combat experience were nervous and anxious. Just before leaving the ready room to man their planes, fellow pilot and friend Norman Merrell confided to Francis Flynn: "Flynnie, I will probably be the first to get it."

They launched in the early morning of June 12th 1944 to bomb Orote Airfield on Guam. This flight was VT-1's first venture into combat and their baptism by fire. As they approached Orote Airfield they received heavy anti-aircraft fire from the Japanese guns.

*According to Flynn: "While taking evasive action and trying to locate my target I veered to starboard at one point and found myself very close, as if flying wing, to Lt Merrell's plane. I saw only a small trail of flame coming from his bomb bay. As I looked in horror he waved to me … I lost contact as I continued my dive." Norm's words to Flynn as they left the ready room proved prophetic.

*Quote from Francis Flynn's letter dated 6 April 1992

Francis Flynn (1919)