Email to me from Mr Okeefe

Email to me from Mr. Joe O’keefe, who was an Engineer Gunner and a Tech Sergeant with 38^th Bomb group on a B-25 participated in the actual Choshu bombing on February 20, 1945.

(I’m grateful that Mr. O’kefee granted permission and allowed me to put his email in the original form on my website. Reading his email made me feel like I was on the mission with him. Dr. Paul Hsiao)

Paul. (

You did a great job on that web site.I would be delighted to have you use

picture any way you wish..

While I am here,I want to tell you another story.We were sent on a mission

from Luzon to China coast to look for Japanese ships.We flew along coast of

China and found nothing.Shortly after we left ,we sighted a Japanese

transport with no guns,but it had a blue cross on it.Three Zero's were

flying over ship.We flew around it three times and decided to let it be.We

did not know if it was a Hospital ship or not.It was a stalemate,We flew

to secondary target to release bomb load..Joe

Hi Paul,

I was studying to be a pilot, had 17 hours in Stearman, PT 17.During my training injured my right arm in soccer game and class moved forward and I could not keep up.

I decided to go to Aerial Gunnery school in Las Vegas. It was a great training school. Then went to Mechanical school studying about engines of B-25.

in Amarillo, Texas.

I was classified as an Engineer Gunner. I was a Tech Sergeant.

Another story. Our crew off the Philippines,, sunk a Destroyer with a 500 pounder. I remember going in on first wave,two planes abreast receiving heavy

flakThe bomb went down smoke stack and on pulling away ready to strafe again, it was an inferno.It was combat but felt bad about all those lives.

The mission to Choshu I don't remember too much.Time over target goes fast.I remember

being waken in middle of night on Luzon.Going over to Mess tent and receiving on real egg ,sunnyside up.The air strip had lighted candle vessels along runway on take off.We flew not to high,I wore Tee shirt,Navy dungarees and May West.We carried a 45 pistol.I was out of uniform.I traded dungarees with a sailor.It was very lax in my outfit..It was a beautiful day.As we approached target, we dropped down to sea level to avoid radar.Approaching target,we gained altitude to come in high.We were first to hit target.Six planes abreast,extremely close together.The flak was intense,very intense.I was in top turret as usual,which I liked,I truly didn't think we were going get through,Their aim was good.It seemed totally black infront of us.

The first thing I saw was Japanese soldier on a bike on my right.I still remember his cap.On the left was a fisherman,who seemed unconcerned.I did not try to hit Japanese on bike.Thought that he was not military target.All I was trying to do is pick out valid looking targets.I can't tell you what the were.

I was glad when we were done On on our way back.We had rations on a mission,A Crackerjack like,which had bar of candy,small can of Spam and cheese,four crackers and 4 cigarettes.

I stayed in turret looking at beautiful sky and sea and tried to turn off.When we landed,we counted at least 17 holes in aircraft.

After a mission,the Medics offered you two shots of whiskey.I did not drink alcohol but I took one once or twice.The Medic asked me if he could have my drink and said yes.At Manhattan College,in Bronx,N.Y.,A student studying Pre Med,told me he was the one I gave my drink too.

I have not spoken much about my service experiences.Maybe once in awhile while teaching Biology Class,I would tell humorous one to get their attention.So this gives me some opportunity to think way back.

I hope that Wars will go away and all would be safe and happy. Joe