We Flew Alone: United States Navy B-24 Squadrons in the Pacific February 1943 to September 1944 (Schiffer Military History) - Softcover

Often the men manning such positions were not even mentioned in official after action reports as being the agent responsible for bringing down an enemy aircraft. Instead, the only name mentioned was the pilot.

Nate “Gremlin” Hodge a 24-year-old crewmember of Lieutenant Hager’s crew summed up the feelings among gunners when he stood in Commander Sears’ office after the war. His old skipper looked at the enlisted man’s uniform and asked, “Where’s all your medals?” Hodge replied, “What medals sir?” Sears couldn’t believe Hodge hadn’t been awarded any medals for his service with VB-104.

“We didn’t get a damn thing at the time. It took me eight years after the war to get the Purple Heart for wounds I suffered in 1944.”

A bomber crew was made up of men who relied on each other during an engagement. The pilot relied on his gunners to defend the aircraft from attack and the latter relied on the pilot’s ability to command a four-engine bomber. They worked as a team, enlisted or not. To give a plane commander solitary credit for bringing down enemy aircraft was a disservice to the individuals who actually brought enemy aircraft down.

Late in 1944, the system was revamped with every man entitled to an Air Medal or DFC based upon the number of missions flown. Still others were eventually awarded the Navy Cross or the Silver Star. However, some men still resent the fact that often they were overlooked for contributing to the success of a mission. It was often unfair to some and sometimes over generous to others, based on the circumstances. The issue remains unresolved with medals still trickling down to men over 50 years after the fact. Too little, too late.