On January 1 and 2,1945, the squadron went on Practice Full Alert. Panamanian newspapers and news magazines from the U.S. indicated the alert was occasioned by unsettled Panamanian political conditions.

On 22 January 1945, the 29th B.S. and the 3rd B.S. engaged in a CPX mission, with the 3rd B.S. in the lead. Radar of the lead plane was inoperative and a plane from the 29th established visual contact with the CV Shangri-La. The formation completed its bomb run without interception from carrier planes. Vertical photographs of CV Shangri La and its escort were taken.

On 27 January 1945, Major Don W. Bailey resumed command of the squadron after completing temporary duty in the U.S. On this same day the squadron returned from temporary station at Howard Field to it's permanent station at Rio Ha to. The move was made by truck and plane.

During January 1945 the officers strength was 61 and the enlisted strength decreased from 379 to 312. A total of 380 hours of training flying and 118 hours of operational flying were flown during the month.

On February 6, 1945 eight officers and twelve enlisted men, combat crew members, returned to the U.S. following replacement policy. They were replaced by eight officers and seven enlisted men from the 3rd Bomb Squadron on 7 February 1945.

On February 1945 at 0145 hours the 29th Bomb Squadron was placed on a Full Red Alert indicating danger of air and ground attack. All personnel were at alert posts within 15 minutes or less. It was learned the following morning that the alert was called because of political activity in Panama. The alert was canceled at 1200 hours on 24 February 1945.

During the month of February the strength of the squadron was 62 officers and the enlisted strength fell from 312 to 296. A total of 512 hours were flown,.478 hours of training and 34 hours of operational flying.

On 6 March 1945, the squadron participated in a "Search Light Mission" over the Canal Zone with 7 aircraft. On 17 March forty five officers of the squadron participated in another of their series of "Beer Ball" games.

During March the officer strength of the squadron increased from 62 to 64. There were 296 enlisted men on duty. A total of 687 hours were flown, 571 hours of training. 58 hours of operational, and 58 hours of "Other".

On 28 March 1945 the 29th Bomb Squadron was accorded battle participation credit for anti-submarine operations. Personnel eligible for this award can wear a bronze star on the American Theater ribbon. Award effective 24 November 1943.

In April of 1945 the squadron was ordered to take station at the Galapagos Islands. On 26 April an advance party of 2 officers and 20 enlisted men departed from Rio Hato. Following were 49 officers and 94 enlisted men who left Rio Hato at 0700 hours in 12 B-24s J's and L's and arrived at Seymour Island at 1300 hours on 30 April 1945. Five officers and 156 enlisted men left Balboa by ship to Seymour Island, also on 30 April 1945. The ship arrived at the Island on 3 May 1945.

During April 1945 the squadron flew 320 training hours and 123 hours of "other". Squadron morale was poor after the move, due primarily, because approximately fifty per cent of the squadron had previously served eleven months at the Galapagos Island.

On 8 May 1945 Lt. Col. Don W. Bailey was released from assignment and transferred out of the squadron. Maj. Paul J. Quin assumed command of the squadron.

On 22 May 1945 two combat crews joined the squadron by transfer from the 3rd Bomb Squadron. The following men were members of these crew s: Charles E. Meketa, pilot; James McKay, co-pilot; Alfred Dias, bombardier; Richard Capps, navigator, James Chandler, engineer; Ernest Gonzales, radio operator; Ralph Wren, arm. gunner; Ernest Drawdy, gunner; Paul Whiteman, gunner; Charles Withrow, gunner; George Olson, pilot; Henry Baldwin, copilot; John M. Brown, bombardier; Harry Rodgers, navigator; Guy Evans, engineer; James McFall, radio operator; George Lombardi, arm. gunner; Paul Crouse, gunner; Miles Sitterson, gunner.

On 21 May 1945 a B-24L #44-41641 was reported missing at 00-55S-89-21W. The aircraft had taken off at 1435Z on a training flight in the local area. The ETA was 1705Z. The plane was last seen by another squadron plane in the area of San Cristobal Island at about 1515Z and was not contacted thereafter. The squadron was alerted for a search at 170OZ. At 1740Z the squadron requested Base Operations to attempt to get a radar fix on the missing plane if possible. At 1740Z the Navy Ground Radio Station was requested to guard 500 kc. At 1833Z five 29th B.S. planes were sent out to search all islands in the Galapagos area except Culpepper and Wenmon. Three of the planes circled San Cristobal Island. A C-46 arriving from the Zone assisted in the search which ended at dusk.

On 22 May 1945 the search continued from dawn to dusk. B-24s, a C-47 and navy aircraft all were involved in the search. Four planes circled San Cristobal Island and at least two planes were in the vicinity all day.

On 23 May 1945 the search was resumed at dawn. Eight planes went to the outer limits of previous searches. At 1421Z, Capt. Wm. Knight, Operations Officer, took off in a O-47 to examine San Cristobal Island. At approximately 1450Z oxygen bottles and one survivor were sighted at Bahia Rosa Blanca. The radio in the search plane was inoperative so Capt. Knight returned to the Base. Maj. Quinn returned to the area in a C-47, dropped supplies and equipment, and found another survivor about 1/4 mile from the first.

At 163OZ a Navy crash boat departed the base with Lt. Col. Johnson aboard and reached the area at approximately 2030Z'. The second survivor appeared to be badly injured so the crash boat was directed to him. The second survivor was Cpl. Richard A. Tremper. His injuries were serious so a Navy PBM was requested to come to the scene. Lt. Comdr. H.P. Gerdon, U.S.N. made a landing near a dangerous coast line. and removed Cpl., Tremper and returned to the base. The first survivor was identified as Cpl. Walter S. Beebe.

On 24 May 1945 a ground party under the command of Capt. E.F. Herrington was sent to the scene to continue the search. Statements from the survivor able to talk said other survivors were highly unlikely. After further searching with no positive results the search was terminated with the returned of the search party on 25 May 1945.

The following parts of the aircraft and equipment were found along the beach:

• 1-Nose wheel from the B-24
• 1-Rear door from bomb bay to waist
• 8-Individual oxygen tanks
• 3- Large oxygen tanks
• Torn life vest
• Half inflated life vest
• Empty navigators kit
• Headrest from pilots seat
• 6- Ditching ribs
• Parts of bomb bay, radar equipment, emergency water and ration box, and flight deck

Killed in the crash were the following airmen: Lt. Carl P. Haugen. pilot; Lt. Emerson Riffo. co-pilot; Lt. Theodore J. Stanford, navigator; S/Sgt. Raymond Olson, Cpl. Charles F. Glass, Cpl. Sam E. Edmondson.

Survivors were: Cpl. Walter S. Beebe and Cpl. Richard A. Tremper.

The squadron strength for May 1945 was 60 Officers and 294 Enlisted men. A total of 581 hours were flown during the month.

On 5 June 1945 all base personnel were ordered to wear neck ties after 1800 hours and all day on Sunday and Holidays in compliance with Base and 6th Air Force directives. This order by the Base Commander Lt. Col. Johnson was not received with much enthusiasm by the troops of the squadron.

NOTE: Starting in June 1945 the "Official History" was reduced to short one or two line items. No reason was given for this change. For June 1945 the squadron was manned by 60 Officers and 293 enlisted men. Total flying hours was 601 hours.

On 31 July 1945 the enlisted men of the squadron collected about t300 to purchase war bonds for the widow and,,-baby daughter of one of the crash victims. The little girl was born on 21 July just one month after the crash.

On 11 July the last of 3 B-24s assigned to the squadron arrived at the base. These were "M" models' painted black underneath and were in the very last group of B-24s made. These planes were produced by the "Ford" motor company.

The 15th and 16th of August 1945 was designated as an official holiday commemorating the end of the war. On 17 August 1945 the squadron resumed normal duties. On 18 August 1945 the squadron received telegram concerning a missing B-17 in the Salinas. Ecuador, area. The squadron was asked to send aircraft for search. Four B-24s were sent on the 19th and after two days search returned on the evening of the 20th. The B-17 was found by natives where it had crashed into a mountain. On 25 August 1945 Capt. Wilcox, Squadron Intelligence Officer, was requested by base to travel to Salinas and Quayaquil for the purpose of investigating Ecuadorian workers who were given jobs at this base. On 29 August 1945 Personnel of the squadron were individually asked if they cared to volunteer for further military duty in this area, another area, or if they wanted to be discharged as soon as possible. A very large majority agreed that they would prefer the discharge. On 30 August 1945 the morale is low for several reasons. For example: because of requirement to sign for an additional 6 months in this area to be eligible for a furlough in the U.S. and because of strict mail censorship. During August 1945 a total of 768 hours were flown and the squadron was staffed by 58 officers and 300 enlisted men.

The Official V-J day was set as 2 September 1945 but no official celebration was held on the base and very little signs of hilarity were observed. Mostly a keen interest in the progress of the occupation forces landing on Japan proper was observed. However, church attendance proved that all troops were thankful for the war's end. Base and squadron teams were involved in sporting events. On 4 September 1945 censorship was lifted and morale rose. On 5 September 1945 morale continued to climb as a point system for discharge allows credit to 2 September 1945. On 11 September 1045 Captains Lange and Knight (Pilots) received orders for discharge (85 points 12 May 1945). On 22 September 1945 a total of 26 men were to report to the Zone for discharge (90 points 2 September 1945). Squadron planes will take them to the Zone. On 24 September 1945 the squadron troops were informed about re-enlistment possibilities in the Regular Army. (Very little excitement from troops) On 25 September 1945 men over 35 receive orders for discharge. On 27 September 1945 the squadron was officially advised that it will move to Rio Hato within a few weeks. The air echelon was to move out on 2 October and ground echelon will remain to aid in preparing Base equipment for shipment to depots. On 30 September 1945 the 70 point men received orders to move out on 3 October 1945. The Engineering Section will be hit severely--the Ordnance Section will be completely wiped out. The squadron is very defunct as an operating unit. The future status of the squadron is not definitely known. During September 1945 the squadron flew 533 hours and had 53 officers and 263 enlisted men on duty on 30 September 1945.

On 2 October 1945 Maj. Paul Quin, Commanding the 29th Bomb Squadron, released the following statement: Between crew rotation and point system discharges. all original 29th B.S. pilots have now left our- organization. Flying officers have shown considerable interest and ability in taking over certain ground jobs. Original squadron ground officers and men had become somewhat lax because of length of service in this area and lack of a definite workable rotation policy. Squadron on the job training (flying officers learning ground jobs) has saved much time and confusion in the emergency of the squadron movement along with continual loss of experienced personnel.

NOTE: The air portion of the squadron began to move out on 2 October 1945 to take base at Rio Hato so the above was the last Official History written at the Galapagos Islands. The records show that the 29th Bomb Squadron was inactivated on 1 November 1946, so we have almost a full year of no "Official History" to refer to. An attempt will be made to have all remaining former members of the 29th B.S. to write up any activities, personal experiences that they may remember about their service in the 29th. These will then will be added to the end of each appropriate time period including the period while at Rio Hato until November 1946. I am sure each of us has many activities, remembrances, anecdotes, lies and exaggerations to help bring back some of the fond and maybe sad memories we all were involved in.

C. Meketa

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