DAVID THATCHER

Sargent David Thatcher was the engineer/gunner on the 7^th bomber to take off from the carrier.  Bombs were dropped in the industrial section of Tokyo with three 500# demolition bombs incendiary cluster bombs.  The pilot, Ted W. Lawson, attempted landing on the coast of China in rain and fog.  The wheels of the plane hit the water and wrecked the plane.  Thatcher was the only crewmember not seriously hurt.  Medical aid was reached with the help of the Chinese Guerrilla forces after 3 days.  Lawson’s leg had to be amputated due to infection.  All crewmembers of the 7^th bomber were carried to safety in China and flown to the U.S. in June.