the B-29 Spearhead, named in honor of the Marines that battled the Japanese for Iwo Jima


Dave L. Rogan, AC, 1st Squadron recalls:

 "On May 28, 1945, General A.W. Kissner, Chief of Staff, 21st Bomber Command, wrote to General Keller Rockey, Fifth Marine Division, that as a token of respect and appreciation of the great contribution made by the Fifth Marine Division in the taking of Iwo Jima; they desired to name a new B-29 for the them, and to inscribe the Division Insignia on the plane.

 Our crew was selected for this honor and crew 11A was proud to have a new ship named “The Spearhead”. The brass of the Fifth Marine Division and the 9th BG got together and had a dedication ceremony on Tinian, August 17, 1945.

About 100 Marines including their band took part. “The Spearhead” also took part in the ceremony. All in all, it was fun, and since our crew led many missions, “The Spearhead” was an appropriate name. Its two waist gunners were twins (Burton and Langdon Dyer) and as far as I know, were the only twins to fly combat missions together."

25 missions, scrapped in Aberdeen in '46


https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-29/44-69975.html
http://9thbombgroup.org/9th-BG-Aircraft/spearhead-a.jpg



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