| Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress 42-24853 “Live Wire” burns after crash landing on Iwo Jima’s South Field. The 20th Air Force’s 96th’s mission sent 101 B-29 Superfortresses against the Tachikawa Hikōki Kabushiki Kaisha (“Tachikawa Aircraft Company”) on April 24, 1945, the 2nd of 4 eventually completive missions against the plant. 474 tons of bombs strike the factory, and B-29s claim 16 Japanese fighters. 21 B-29 strike alternative targets of opportunity. 5 B-29s, including “Live Wire” are lost on this mission. “Live Wire” completed the mission, but due to battle damage, diverted to Iwo Jima. The B-29 ran into a line of 9 North American P-51 Mustang fighters based on Iwo when it veered off the runway and ran into 9 aircraft. The B-29 burst into flame. The crew of “Live Wire” bailed out and survived, but 4 P-51s were destroyed, including P-51D-20 Mustangs 44-63417 and 44-63993. A bulldozer was also destroyed. The crew of 42-24853 “Live Wire” was led by aircraft commander 1st Lieutenant Ernest M. Shirley Jr. (March 4, 1921 – April 25, 2008). The co-pilot was 2nd Lieutenant Floyd A. Bishop (August 10, 1920 – May 29, 2018); the Navigator was 2nd Lieutenant Robert A. Leonard (1921 – ????); the Bombardier was Seymour A. Appleblood (November 25, 1924 – Still living as of March 2024); the flight engineer was Technical Sergeant John J. Dipaola (October 29, 1924 – February 26, 2016); the radar navigator was Technical Sergeant Lucien Desilets (June 22, 1916 – February 18, 1996); the radio operator was Sergeant Lawrence J. Bruggen (December 17, 1921 – April 17, 1988); the central fire control gunner was Technical Sergeant Martin B. Davidow (December 21, 1922 – April 22, 2018); the right gunner was Staff Sergeant Lawrence E. Selby (February 9, 1917 – September 25, 1988); the left gunner was Sergeant Meredith C. Rose (May 27, 1919 – August 1, 1990); the top gunner was Michael W. Sojka (1921 – 1995); crew chief was Master Sergeant John A. Mullins (May 5, 1920 – January 13, 1988). | |
| Image Filename | wwii2162.jpg |
| Image Size | 296.70 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1800 x 1194 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Arny Air Force |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 24, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | Iwo Jima |
| Country | Bonins |
| Archive | National Museum of the United States Air Force |
| Record Number | 090625-F-1234K-180 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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