On August 10th 1944 the Griffith's (Griffin??) crew in their B-24 'Tar Heel Baby' of the 704th Squadron were flying a mission to the south east of Paris, target a railroad bridge. No 4 engine developed a problem. They were able to offload their bombs but then a second engine started giving trouble forcing them to leave the formation. Descending to 8,500 ft and flying at very low speed the plane was a sitting duck for enemy fighters. Their call for help was speedily answered by a pair of yellow-nosed P-51's - the 'Little Friends'- who shepherded 'Tar Heel Baby' across the English Channel and to safety. After jettisoning all moveables they arrived back at base just one hour after the rest of the Squadron. The incident reported many years later was somehow picked up in 2001 by one Howard A. Spaulding late of 375th Sqdn 361st Fighter Group. It was probably he - in his yellow-nose P-51 - who had been responsible for escorting 'Tar Heel Baby' home.



DFC/ Air Medal w/ 4 Oak Leaf Cluster/ EAME w/ 4 stars.