The Pilot that Tried to Save His Crippled Friend

Claim your SPECIAL OFFER for MagellanTV here: sponsr.is/mage... Start your free trial TODAY so you can watch "The Portillo Expedition: Mystery at Bouganville"
This is the story of B-29 Superfortress "Waddy's Wagon" and it's pilot, Captain Walter "Waddy" Young. It follows their famous bombing of Tokyo with the 497th Bomb Group and their fateful mission on January 9th of 1945. This was made using the World War II flight simulator War Thunder - Download free here: playwt.link/tj3 Hope you enjoy! Please like, comment, and subscribe. #WW2 #WWIIHistory #WarThunder
RESEARCH SOURCES: Research sources in all of my content include the United States National Archives (NARA) - and specifically, Missing Air Crew Reports, as well as combat reports and diaries from various fighter and bomber squadrons. catalog.archiv...
Join my FREE WWII History Newsletter:
tj3history.ck....
Want to fly with me in one of these great WWII flight sims? Join my discord!
/ discord
Have an idea for one of my videos? Submit it here! forms.gle/91xw...
If you want to support TJ3 History and get access to special VIP content, please check out these awesome links!
Patreon - / tj3history
TJ3 History Merch Store!
TJ3History.shop
Follow me on social media for updates!
Facebook - / tj3history
Twitter - / tj3history
Twitch - Twitch.com/TJ3...
Instagram - / tj3history

[@TJ3]

Claim your SPECIAL OFFER for MagellanTV here: sponsr.is/magellantv_tj3histo... Start your free trial TODAY so you can watch "The Portillo Expedition: Mystery at Bouganville"

[@serpilyeter2944]

You Videos is cool

[@josephwear9572]

TJ3 would you be so kind as to tell me what film you used near the middle of this video? It looks like a documentary shot either during or just after the war.

[@privatepilot4064]

Although a very noble act, when flying in bomber formation without fighter escort there is very little you can do if anything to save a stricken comrade. Personally, in that situation you need to cut your loses and keep moving. Instead of one lost crew and aircraft you now have two. RIP and thank you for your service.

[@scottyb68]

While I admire loyalty I have to say that trading 20 lives for 10 and 2 Superforts for 1 was a damn stupid thing to do. He did nothing that could save his friend and killed his own crew. A officer must be thinking of big pictures. Further, he weakened the Combat Box, risking other crews and Forts.

[@badboyvr4]

Reminds me of the scene in the movie "Twelve O'Clock High" where Gregory Peck chews out one of his aircraft commanders for this exact same thing. Peck went on to say "this group, this group" , he was talking your first responsibility. Peck then ordered that roommate assignments be changed, that way nobody got too close to a roommate and became best friends with them.

[@vincentstella5131]

Having served in combat as a pilot I fully understand and empathize with the choice Walter Young and his crew made for their friends. If you have never served with friends in combat you may never understand why choices like that are made. In a phrase Waddy Young would probably approve of, please don't be an armchair quarterback if you've never been on this kind of field. I salute him and all those who gave their lives so that others may live.

[@Beauloqs]

​​​@@vincentstella5131 poor leadership and amateur heroics got his whole crew killed for nothing, I'm sure their families were delighted about the sacrifice ......and before you start you're not the only veteran in town. Some of us remember a not too distant conflict when American A10 pilots managed to kill more of us than the Iraqi's..........typical American gobshite talk from someone who's probably a PlayStation ace with that attitude, grow up.

[@Beauloqs]

100% had he survived he would have been charged.

[@Tempestzzzz]

@@vincentstella5131 I can't understand why Miss 'Behavin did'n't try to ditch. Being captured by the Japanese by now aircrew knew was not pleasant.

[@outlet6989]

I'm sure some of the crews who witnessed this said to themselves, "Sorry, but better you than me." War is, after all, an exercise in personal survival.

[@unclesmrgol]

My relative -- Joe Gatto, tailgunner on Waddy's Wagon. Thank you for remembering him and his buddies.

[@TJ3]

Wow, very cool.

[@mattwilliams3456]

I’m not sure how he’d feel about your profile pic…

[@JasonMcCord-qk3yb]

@@mattwilliams3456Well, it’s actually Mandarin. It’s Zodiac calligraphy for “Dragon”. In WW2 the Chinese were technically US allies, so I think his relative would probably approve.

[@bisnuto]

​@@mattwilliams3456鬼畜米兵

[@moonshineofthemoon8054]

God darn! B29 stories need to be told more and I love that TJ says more B29 stories. Excellent work on keeping historical stories alive.

[@TJ3]

Thank you!!

[@aquarius5719]

These are stories about people getting shot like a sitting duck. Scary stories.

[@DaveSCameron]

Without fkn #adverts

[@JasonMcCord-qk3yb]

Yep! They are often incredibly scary stories, Imagine: having to turn back to Japan; a country you just BOMBED, for “safety”! You would hope

[@moonshineofthemoon8054]

@@aquarius5719 I would never be a bomber crew in WW2 ever

[@raymondyee2008]

Omg I still remember that B-29 nose art. Damn shame this was never shown in movies or Tv.

[@TJ3]

Agreed!

[@paulmazan4909]

Thank you for that one. I had mentioned Waddy's Wagon in the remarks on one of the nose art videos and asked if you could find any information on it. Boy did you ever! Thanks for filling in the story.

[@TJ3]

Thanks for watching!

[@captsunny9946]

I’m sitting here in shock after watching this video, having heard somewhat conflicting stories all my life about the fate of my fathers only brother, Lt Benjamin “ Benji” Crowell and the crew of the misbehaving “ B 29. At 81 years old I heard first hand stories of my surviving aunts and uncles and their wartime experiences. Prior to Ben’s deployment to Saipan, he flew B 24s based in North Africa. His younger sister Benita was an Army Air Corps Nurse in Europe, and married an Officer of same service . Ben’s oldest sister worked in an ammunition plant in Elkton , Md. My father Eugene had served before the war in the Air Corps, at Langley Field, then at the Canal Zone Panama, where although he was an aircraft mechanic, his duty station was the Officers pool….performing exhibition diving as well as lifeguard ing. Evidently the Colonel’s daughter had something to with that! Growing up with the Greatest Genaration as mentors was a blessing, appreciated more as time goes by. I firmly believe we owe them everything for their sacrifices. By the way, all of the eligible family member served when called during the 60s, myself in the Medical Corps, Army then Navy as a reservist. This film is the only time my Uncle has ever showed in this manner, may he and all others who gave their all Rest in Peace….you are remembered always!

[@OcotilloTom]

Cap. I'm glad to hear you got more info. on your family member. I'm sure others in the family will be pleased as well. My father served with the Marines in the Pacific during WW-2. He was the reason I joined the Marine Corps right after high school in 1964. I served two combat tours with the Infantry in Vietnam. First tour as a machine gunner (0331) and 2nd. tour as a Platoon Commander (0369) of a Combined Action Platoon. I retired after after 20 years in the Marine Corps in 1984. Tom Boyte GySgt. USMC, retired Vietnam 1965-66/1970-71

[@brianmellott3193]

A very good friend of mine lost his uncle on Waddys Wagon. Bernard Black was the flight engineer. At this same time, my uncle was a mechanic on b29s located near Guam and Tinian between fall of 1944 through the end of 1945. The stories and actions these men took I am still in awe of. Bless each of their souls.

[@bevintx5440]

The truth is that he has no hope, whatsoever of helping his friend’s plane, given that it headed back to Japan. There were only two possible outcomes. Either both planes would surrender or both planes would be shot down. The hard, heroic thing would have been to recognize that and keep his crew safe.

[@Semiba]

I live near where Waddy grew up, and I've been to his hometown, leading me to be extra invested in this one. It almost brings a tear to my eye.

[@kudukilla]

I know that town well, same town that Jake “McNasty” McNeice, the leader of the group that sported Mohawks on D-Day, spent a lot of his childhood. They both graduated from the same HS.

[@gunsaway1]

He violated a standing order never leave the group

[@Marty1833]

We few. We happy few. We band of brothers, for he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother.

[@BarneyR-u2d]

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, orders or not. Many corpsman died defying orders not to help our wounded. U saw a short video on just such a young man just a few days ago. I do respect your opinion though. ❤

[@S01DATT]

And violate the group integrity

[@cjaquino28]

Absolutely. But if a close friend is in great peril, and you can help, I bet you would jump to their aid, even at your own peril. I ask you, is it stupidity and sentimentality, or is it camaraderie?

[@donalharris3724]

@@cjaquino28Stupidity. He reacted emotionally and not with his head. His friend on the other plane was going to die no matter what Capt Young did. All he accomplished was kill every member of his own crew and put the rest of his flight in danger. Officers are supposed to be able to think clearly while under stress. He did not.

[@The1trueJester]

This may be in the top three best videos I've ever seen from you, TJ. Keep up the excellent work, keeping history alive and immortalizing these brave heroes.

[@TJ3]

What a compliment! Thank you!

[@PontiacBanker]

My Grandfather was a Bombardier/Navigator on a B-29 in the 873rd BS, 498th BG, and that January 9, 1945 raid on Tokyo was his very first (of 30 missions total). It was a 14 hour 25 min mission according to his official report of action.

[@iamrichrocker]

had a feeling this was going to be a sad story..no doubt these brave men were the greatest generation..thx TJ...

[@Orca4135]

Thank you as always, for your hard work saving history. Brave heroes like Captain Young and his crew should never be forgotten!

[@jacoblytle123]

By far the best wwii KZbin channel there is. Nobody comes even close too you!

[@TJ3]

I appreciate that :)

[@joehayward2631]

I was in US Marines, yes ive been in war. Its amazing how the bond with war fighting brothers will sacrifice to save their brothers. Especially when chance of success is very little but all know death is coming.

[@johnfun3394]

Wow, a bunch of unsung heroes, truly one of the great generations!

[@kennedysingh3916]

Great but tragic story. I believe he and his crew did some of their training in my country, Jamaica 🇯🇲, at the old US army airbase Vernam Field. My grandmother 👵 use live and operated a shop south of the base in the village of Gim Mi Mi Bit and remember the time B29's came there on training missions. Crew members plus regular soldiers would by from her the US military 🪖 even renovated her shop. As civilians, we were not allowed to take pictures but I know some crews did and I would love to see if any of them have any of my grandmother at her shop back then. I know of one B29 pilot who took pictures outside the base but his son was not able to put his hands them. His father flew the ship call Sweet Chariot.

[@yveaux500]

Saw that photo of Waddy's Wagon so many times and therefore sort of assumed they had made it through the war as their sad fate was never mentioned in captions. Walter Young was very brave but also very stupid. He must have known what the outcome would be and now 20 man are dead instead of 10. Still, true heroes. All of them. RIP.

[@Paladin1873]

A court-martial offense if he had survived, he sacrificed his crew and the integrity of the box formation for a crippled bird that was as good as lost. If he had succeeded in saving everyone, he would have received the Medal of Honor, but fate is no respecter of heroes. "To do good to mankind is the chivalrous plan, And is always as nobly requited; Then battle for freedom whenever you can, And, if not shot or hang'd, you'll be knighted. - Lord Byron

[@classicalricky]

I really love how you added the irl footage of the raid. Really adds to the authenticity

[@magellantv]

This was an incredible story and a wonderful video to watch. Thank you for creating such great content!

[@TJ3]

Thanks for your support! :D

[@magellantv]

@@TJ3 You're so welcome! Thanks for teaching us incredible things!

[@raven_1133]

7:57 AUGH! THAT IS ONE HELL OF A LINE! “Well bud, what are you waiting for…”

[@ual737ret]

Another excellent presentation of WW2 history. A great story well presented.

[@TJ3]

Thanks!

[@MrRobster1234]

Great video about a story I have known about ever since reading Steve Birdsall's "Saga of the Superfortress" many years ago. I am surprised that you didn't mention Walter young's last transmission. Apparently he called "We've got to back this formation up!"

[@LancelotChan]

I can't comment on whether bringing their b29 home and crew members safe to fight for another day is a more rational and better choice or not. It could be. However, I can admire his courage to go along with his friend, knowing it would be a no return flight. I suspect he also had the permission of all crew members before doing so, knowing none of them would survive anyway. These courage is rare!

[@TJ3]

Agreed!

[@Bigsky1991]

Turning back towards Japan was a ludicrous decision...the smarter move is to get the stricken Bomber out to Sea as far as possible making repeated coded Mayday calls. Then friction the controls, order a bailout where survival of the crew goes to over 80% .... Waddys Wagon could have circled giving coordinates and gun support until a Sub or Surface unit arrives. What they did was brave...but ultimately foolish.

[@howardbowen-RC-Pilot]

The B29 programme was actually more expensive to produce than the Atomic bomb project. Gives you some idea of how much of a giant technological leap forward the B29 was. It was a long way to Tokio and back.

[@jimshoe402]

I flew in one 4 men watching 4 engines for Fires Bad engines and mine were NEW..😁😁😁

[@raykennedy8498]

R.I.P. both crews, and think you for the nations young men, and women who served and are serving today.

[@cammobunker]

Waddy Young violated orders, exposed the rest of the group to increased danger by taking his fort out of the box, and got himself and his entire crew killed trying to protect another aircraft. Brave? Maybe, although he should have known perfectly well this was a pointless effort. Stupid? I'm pretty sure his crewmen and their families would think so. I heard a B-17 tail gunner say one time that nobody wanted to fly with the wannabe hero pilot, as they'd seen too many be killed, along with their crews. I think Waddy wanted to be a hero like he'd been in sports. End result? Another aircraft lost (and at this point we needed all the Superforts we could lay hands on) 10 more needlessly dead men, and an unknown amount of bombs not dropped on Japan. There's nothing to admire here, except his crew, who had no say in Waddy's grandstanding. Had he survived this stunt he almost certainly would have been in big trouble, and if any of his crew had been killed or injured he might have faced a court martial. Rule No. 1 was "stay in formation if at all possible". Period. Chiseled in stone, end of message. The crews all knew that falling out of formation when there were fighters around was a bad day, and normally nobody could help.

[@Marty1833]

Plenty to admire. These guys put duty before self and all knew the risk but still continued to carry on with the mission. Plenty of documented cases of Soldiers disobeying orders and jumping on grenades to save others, medics running into open fields of fire trying to protect the wounded knowing they would most likely be KIA. Quite a few would receive the MoH. I mean unless you were there and can verify that all of his crew didn’t agree, how can you blast a man who died trying to protect one of his brothers in arms.

[@Tempestzzzz]

@@Marty1833 Tricky situation. Some may have not wanted to do it...but you don't say anything and hope for the best....and when you land you look to join another crew. Bomber crews are not a Democracy. Heroic yes. But it was the wrong decision.

[@rpm12091]

My father was in the 73rd. Bomb Wing. I knew about Waddys Wagon but never knew how it was lost

[@Desertgunslinger11]

Covered, Rangers. SEALs, and everything in between. Stop with your comments.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Brave men giving there all to try to save there friends.....Thanks TJ3 History for another fine video 👍👍 Old F-4 Shoe🇺🇸

[@TheJoyfulOwl-qg1yr]

What this guy did was dead wrong. He sacrificed his entire crew (men with families) and a very expensive & valuable B-29 to try to save a plane that was unsavable and according to military strategy was to be considered expendable not to mention endangering the rest of his group by pulling out of formation.

[@born2fly1948]

Thank you for this and other wonderful stories of true heroes from the Greatest Generation.

[@Rodg470]

There's a Waddy Wagon noise art in a aviation museum in Galveston tx I have a picture of it

[@a.j.martin7059]

How did all 10 crew members feel about basically a suicide mission at that point to save essentially a doomed crew? Was this a case of trying to save the battle and losing the war? Anyway, all those guys, on both sides, are heroes. I lost a brother in WWII over Germany in a B-24.

[@chrislaursen8723]

Thanks for sharing this incredible story

[@triggersights]

At 6:56 that looks like old stock footage of Robert Morgan, the pilot of the Memphis Belle. He volunteered to fly B-29's over Japan after surviving his 25 missions in the B-17 over Europe and Germany.

[@wcate8301]

Great story, but a few minor faults. Whoever did the video graphics needs to learn a little history. A B29 showering decoy flares is a several decades historical anachronism. And a B29 with an inboard engine afire is a GET OUT RIGHT NOW scenario. The engine case is cast of magnesium, which once lit is not extinguishable. When the fire reaches the header tank, the heat of the fire will soften the wing spar and fold up the wing. The resulting spin will pin everybody in place, wherever they happen to be.

[@Rods67]

Brave - but not smart. He lost his plane and crew and accomplished nothing because he disobeyed orders. That's why this story has not been told more often. I admire his guts - but not his decision.

[@GramPaSmokes5]

Walter"Waddy" Roland Young was the first consensus All-American football player at the University of Oklahoma in 1938, as well as a 3rd round draft pick of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the NFL. The man was a hero before he went to war. He's still a hero in Ponca City Oklahoma

[@Treecko-rw1gp]

You know its gonna be a good day when TJ uploads

[@TJ3]

Wooo!

[@Tht1superchargedcivic]

Im in history class playing this in my side tab and god I love this channel keep in the good work 💪😮‍💨

[@TJ3]

Haha thank you!

[@MrWest3]

Selfless heros. Thank you for sharing!

[@Jack-zv2fb]

Brand new video posted right as a wake up. Brilliant way to start my day.

[@TJ3]

Thanks for watching!

[@e_sd]

this is a close third but my top two favorite air stories are "no bullets fly" which has a sabaton/yarnhub video/song, and when two B-17's collided mid air and were lodged together and made it safe to base while still conjoined.

[@jacksavage7808]

Best editing and visuals of our heros.

[@TJ3]

Thanks :)

[@brucethecurmudgeon8538]

American fighting men fight for each other in spite of the mortal danger. Waddy showed he was willing to die to help a fellow American have a chance at living.

[@charlesanzalone5846]

Unfortunately killed his crew also

[@bobcfi1306]

All heros. But watching the movie 12 O’clock High. Your first duty is to the formation. Dropping out to cover a wounded aircraft was against the greater good. God bless our flighting men and women.

[@samuelweir5985]

That's a cold-blooded take on this but probably a proper assessment. The video described the danger to a single B-29 falling out of the combined defensive gun protection of the box formation. Well, two B-29's falling out of the protection of the box formation isn't any better. Yes, war is cruel.

[@Dount3321]

Hi Tj good luck on letters from war and pls make more B24 stories and more vids on the blodyhundreath

[@TJ3]

Thanks! And I'll try :)

[@Dount3321]

Thank you😁@@TJ3

[@dougmasters4579]

Great video as always, tj.

[@lil2nerdy645]

Masters of the Air needs a Pacific companion piece in the form of depicting B-29 crews. Come on Apple+ or HBO let's rack em up and knock em down! Btw TJ have you ever seen or even flown on Fifi the B-29?

[@TJ3]

I have been inside but never flown on it!

[@rodneymoore7270]

THANK YOU SIRS!!!! YOU ARE IMAGES OF TEH LEVEL OF COURAGE THAT GAVE JAPAN ZERO CHANCE OF ANYTHING OTHER THAN DEFEAT!!!!

[@jovanlopez1660]

Second to Nunn.. behind Mark Felton 👍 I love this channel 😁

[@gregorysims0077]

Wow what a story thank you for sharing this

[@mattfulmer4243]

TJ...I totally LOVE all your video's, but THIS might be the best EVAH!

[@TJ3]

Thanks so much!!

[@Tempestzzzz]

I read about this story years ago. I wonder why Miss 'Behavin just didn't continue out over the Pacific Ocean and ditch (possible air sea rescue?). Turning back to Japan and bailing out there? Not a very pleasant thought. Heroic? Yes. But the wrong decision. Nobody else dropped out of formation to do this. REPEAT..... NO ONE ELSE DROPPED OUT OF FORMATION. This not like throwing yourself on a grenade. This was a conscious decision by the Pilot in Charge (PIC). Bomber crews are not democracies...you might think "Oh WTF!!! What are we doing!" But don't voice it and hope for the best. We all have movies playing in our head where we are the 'Star'...it comes out alright cuz it has in the past. Lot to unpack on the nose art. It is after all WADDY'S WAGON. You are riding in Captain Walter "Waddy" Young wagon...... You are along for the ride...like it or not. FWIW I did 4 years USAF and my Father did 24 US Army. Salute! RIP! Excellent video. First Cass production.

[@gregbolitho9775]

I thought The Dodgers were a baseball club? They were mentioned in the Becker Tv series as bein in New York? Nice 1 Waddy!

[@BillyJ244]

It was a brave and human thing to do. I would like to think everybody was in agreement when he dropped out of formation to help his buddy.

[@RuralTowner]

I'm reminded vaguely of an instance in Europe with B-17s where one tried or did help another heavily damaged B-17 to safety by basically carrying it on it's back. This being after bombs had already been dropped. Can't recall if it was somewhere here on YT or back on the OLD History Channel & my search attempts keep turning up unrelated results or the Charlie Brown//Stigler instance which is most certainly NOT it.

[@ddemier]

Keep these coming. Amazing content

[@MrShenyang1234]

These men had a whole lot of courage. Unless you were there, it is probably best not to opine as to what one would have done or should have done under similar circumstances. God Bless all of those Men & Women who sacrificed their lives in war, for the benefit of future generations.

[@birdk3421]

On November 24, 1944, the 244th Squadron, based at Chofu Airfield, was deployed to the Musashino air defense. During this time, the squadron leader, Major Fujita, and the veteran pilots were transferred, and second Lieutenant Kobayashi took command as the squadron leader. The most famous photograph is probably the 244th Squadron's Ki-61 (Hien) D-type No. 4424 (the squadron leader's aircraft), which is thought to have been taken around the end of December 1944. There are also many other photographs of pilots from the unit's special attack squadron. Unfortunately, due to the decline in pilot skills, poor manufacturing quality, and a lack of aircraft in the first place, they were unable to carry out sufficient interceptions like the one in the video. But they had no choice but to fight. They had families on the ground.

[@robertweeks7554]

Great content, Keep up the great work!!!

[@shawnrichey5847]

I visited the War Birds museum in Nampa Idaho to tour war planes from ww1 through Korea. There was alot of history demonstrating the evolution of technology to see. What I came away with was our greatest leaps forward were designd to kill each other more efficiently. when we were done doing that, these same technologies made our lives easier. I wasn't aware of the impact that trip was going to have on me, I was only going to look at cool aircraft. 😢

[@babygravyYT]

coach coming out with another banger. W

[@renardfranse]

this was explained in the movie 12 o'clock high

[@Beauloqs]

Poor judgement.

[@raysantiago3750]

Beautiful B-29 ❤️

[@SuperDiablo101]

I've got an old water color painting similar to this story depicting b29s in a nighttime bombing raid over Tokyo its signed by the artist but not sure who It was or how much it's worth

[@rikijett310]

He seems to have chosen quite poorly.

[@davidbensema1764]

Another great B-29 story! How are you able to recreate the nose art for the video?

[@TJ3]

Had it custom made :)

[@Jag-alskar-dig]

TJ 3 History wow I have discovered a GEM on KZbin‼️

[@brooksroth345]

Love this channel. Unfortunately Waddy died because he was stupid. Brave though it was. He obviously violated orders.

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

Court martial offense? Pulling out of formation to cover a stricken bomber that far from base? Sad to say, poor judgement, however heroic.

[@AlanRogers250]

One thing, American military aircraft have one roundel on the upper left wing and one on the lower right wing. They do not have roundels on both upper and lower wings. I see this all too often, I think this is caused by the animation algorithm causing mirror images on both wing surfaces.

[@kudukilla]

Yes and no. Depends on what stage of the war.

[@dasjuggernaut1]

He knew they would die and did not want his brothers to die alone.

[@geoffburrill9850]

Brave move but very foolish and a waste of lives.

[@MrBloodSacrifice]

Idk why but the title reminds me of that time the B-17s flew on top of each other

[@daitoryu]

The title should read, "The Pilot Who tried to Save His Crippled Friend"

[@mrs6968]

Tyvm

[@jthegrind]

You gotta think he had the okay from all his crew mates before making that courageous decision.

[@TJ3]

I'd think so! But we will never know.

[@wingedbuffalo4670]

For once I'm taking a contrarian view. Almost every critique I've read thus far has been from some "armchair QB" with "20/20 hindsight" who has probably never served 1 day in combat -- but who somehow feels entitled to look down his/her "superior" nose in judgment criticizing Capt Waddy Young for "violating standing orders," "sacrificing his crew pointlessly," and potentially "weakening the combat box" ... "he was selfish and lost his head," he 'failed to remain cool under pressure, ... blah, blah, blah. Many are likely "technically valid" observations EXCEPT the slanderous accusation that Waddy supposedly "lost his head" and/or "failed to remain cool under pressure." People who claim that are IGNORANT of what they accuse; they WEREN'T THERE and therefore they truly "KNOW" NOTHING of the sort !!!!! I happen to believe quite the OPPOSITE of the outrageous, disrespectful presumption (supported by ZERO factual evidence) that would hold that Capt Young "panicked," "failed to remain cool under pressure and exercise good judgment," etc. I hold this view based upon the following FACTS and reasonable inferences: 1) Waddy was a grown man and a college graduate; he wasn't some teenage kid. 2) Waddy had played varsity football for Oklahoma and was an All-America selection at a time when there was NO "platoon system," players stayed in the game and played both ways (offense and defense) -- and typically played hurt and "rubbed dirt/mud and grass" into bleeding wounds to stanch the blood flow ... and he also played in the NFL for 2 seasons. Hardly a "shrinking violet." 3) MOST IMPORTANTLY, by January of 1945, Waddy was a HIGHLY EXPERIENCED COMBAT PILOT who had flown MANY long-distance combat missions in multiple aircraft (at the very least the B-24 and B-29) against fierce opponents -- he was hardly some "green" and inexperienced pilot prone to "panic" in the heat of combat. 4) He was a LEADER whose MEN respected and admired (and likely "loved") him -- plainly obvious from the nose art pictures. 5) One who "panics" in the fire of combat typically FLEES FROM the threat/danger, he doesn't rush headlong into it -- especially with the odds of survival NOT on your side by joining a dire situation where you are significantly outnumbered and hopelessly outgunned, and where the aircrew you're trying to assist is flying a burning aircraft that's breaking up and likely able to contribute little, if anything, to the combat engagement. 6) Finally, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, I'm always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt and err on the side of NOT presuming the worst about them. Moreover, because Waddy was such a TEAM-oriented guy (again, based upon his history playing college and pro football, his extensive military combat experience already, and the nose art depicting EVERY MEMBER of his aircrew/"team"), I'd bet dollars to donuts that Waddy's ENTIRE CREW wanted to come to the stricken B-29's assistance -- i.e., Waddy did NOT recklessly "throw away" his crew member's lives doing something they -- to a man -- didn't want to do. Finally, how does anyone "KNOW" with CERTITUDE that Waddy didn't receive "tacit approval" to break formation and go to the other B-29's aid? There are NO reports of the mission commander in charge of the entire formation ordering Waddy to get back in formation. Again, NOBODY "KNOWS" -- and I'm NOT willing to "throw" a selfless and heroic aircrew or even solely their Captain "under the bus" for aiding brother warriors in combat. I guarantee that a healthy %age of the citations for the Medal of Honor, DSC, Navy Cross, Silver Star, etc. speak of heroic actions that likely "technically" violated "standing orders" -- and many such decorations were bestowed upon servicemembers who forfeited their lives in the process.

[@Tempestzzzz]

No record of him formation lead giving him orders to help Miss 'Behavin. And no others turned back to help or recalling him to the formation. In fact the record is silent on that (heh... some things are best not documented due to outcomes) And what was the aim in turning back to help escort Miss 'Behavin over Japan? So they could bail out..... because Miss 'Behavin couldn't make it to Guam. And if you escort them over to bail out over Japan (ugh)...then it's just you...AND ONLY YOU...flying back. With less fuel. Less ammunition....and no protective formation.

[@wingedbuffalo4670]

@@Tempestzzzz Hi @Tempestzzzz ... You confirm my point: NOBODY "KNOWS." And you're spot-on that the record is silent on the issue of permission/non-permission to break formation. That would be a given, because no superior officer could EVER document the fact that he authorized a subordinate officer to disobey standing general orders, or HIS butt would be in a sling. Alternatively, if he did order a return to the formation that was nonetheless disregarded, nobody (whether an officer senior in grade or not) is going to publicly "throw under the bus" a well-liked and well-respected fellow G.I. who has likely sacrificed his life to aid another member of the team. I suspect it was a situation of the mission leader telling Waddy: "I can't officially authorize you to do this, but I understand and respect the daylights out of you; we have to disavow knowledge of what you're doing, and you're on your own ... good luck buddy." As for the "aim" in turning back TOWARDS Japan to assist Miss Behavin, that's another murky area where I don't necessarily think we can make assumptions. In other words, I'm NOT necessarily "CERTAIN" that, "just because" he turned back "towards" Japan to assist Miss Behavin, we can automatically presume that it was Waddy's intended objective to fly either "TO" or "OVER" Japan. Simply because "towards Japan" was the direction in which they were last seen/reported before disappearing into cloud cover, that does NOT RULE OUT the possibility Waddy may have had another destination as his flying objective. By 1945, the Japanese were on the run as our forces kept "tightening the noose" and shrinking the vast areas of territory Imperial Japanese forces were able to control in the the Pacific. Just as the original plan for the Doolittle Raid in April 1942 had the objective to keep flying the B-25s past Japan and land in China, so too MAYBE (???) Waddy conjured up a plan to try to arc West and escort Miss Behavin to China (or elsewhere NO LONGER under Japanese control on mainland Asia) -- especially if Miss Behavin had lost its navigational capability. The B-29 would have enough fuel for such a one-way mission if it weren't going to try to return all the way to Saipan. That's certainly a thought I might consider if I were in Waddy's boots.

[@kudukilla]

Here’s a similar example. Waldron, the leader of Torpedo 8 at Midway was insubordinate taking his squadron out of the flight to nowhere, got all but one of his squadron killed and is viewed as a hero.

[@mattwilliams3456]

I don’t think he panicked, but he did let his emotions get he and his men killed. I think you’d be losing your dollars and someone would be keeping their donuts regarding a vote being taken. As is often told to you in the military, you’re there to protect democracy, not practice it. The odds of a superior officer in the formation giving any type of tacit approval is romantic, but completely unrealistic. Even if one was dumb enough to do so there isn’t a snowballs chance in the South Pacific that it would remain a secret. GIs talk, and something like that would be such juicy info that someone else who was on that frequency would have told someone else, and there would have been at least one radioman or Captain who would have been a stickler for the regs and recorded it in the logs. I’m a retired medic. When a man went down out in the open you had to run some cold math in your head before making a decision. What’s the likelihood of successfully saving him? What’s the likelihood that I become a casualty while trying? Do I have other wounded already that need continuing care? Is there another medic around to take over if I go down? How likely are we to take additional casualties not related to rescuing that man that I won’t be able to treat if I go down in the attempt. My responsibility is to the entire unit. If there aren’t other serious casualties, I have medical backup, or the risk of additional casualties are low then yes, I can go try to get that guy off the X and treat him. I get to make the choice to risk only my life, but I’m not ordering someone else to come with me. If the situation is such that trying to rescue him is likely to result in me being hit and the odds are other wounded will die without my care, then unfortunately I have to prioritize them and the best I can do is to try to help end the battle as fast as possible so I can then render him aid. Waddy was brave, but this was the wrong call and he let down his crew and their families as well as the rest of the formation.

[@wingedbuffalo4670]

@@kudukilla Good one -- many thanks for contributing sanity and non-judgmentalism to the discussion!

[@SNP-1999]

Although I have studied the allied air war over Europe in WW2 for over 50 years, I hardly know anything about the air war over Japan. Can anybody recommend a good book on the subject ? I would be much obliged and thanks in advance.

[@ww2dogfighter1944]

My great grandfather had a cousin on the B29 that also dropped down he said to me from his cousin he said Never leave a man behide and thats what waddy did

[@kevinchristensen84]

Wanna hear something stupid? Before I got my glasses on, I thought the nose art was the cast of Dradon Ball Z.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

I wonder why they headed back towards Japan as there were American subs and ships off the coast to pick up downed flyers.

[@haroldmclean3755]

Lest We Forget

[@NigelAnderson-iu2bs]

WoW id seen that photo of Waddys wagon hundreds of times and never knew they were all KIA :(

[@valor6711]

Everyone saying it was stupid, I’m sure the crew knew that but tried regardless. That’s why it’s heroic, the crew chose to risk their lives for their friends. It ended up not working, and that’s why we’re criticizing them but I’m sure the crew knew that it probably wouldn’t have worked.

[@TheFunkhouser]

Huh.. Im 6.3 and 220 lbs and I could sit in the P47 cockpit easy! They have a couple of display here you can pay a little bit and get to sit in them. Tons of room

[@aefbNone]

wut is it now? b-24 or b-29?

[@Waynejack2373]

I have thought about this upload for a few days now.. This pic is a very famous pic and i have many books on nose art so have seen it many times...The one thing that really bugs-niggles me about this pilot is that his recklessness killed his entire crew... Theres a reason why they have formations,. At sea the ships never left the pack to pick up survivors for 1 reason and it was a good reason. any that did often needed rescuing themselves..yes i get its safer in numbers but 3000 miles away over sea was a stupid thing to do.. he trained as a fighter pilot and it seems that notion never left his mind, but when your in command of a bomber its not you and your plane... great pic and great upload as per TJ but this guy was stupid imho... although very brave to come back after his first tour, if id of been on his crew as the plane went down id of been curing him thats for sure...

[@Jon-es-i6o]

I wonder, we’re the radar guided turrets on the B-29, more effective than the manned turrets of the B-17s?

[@bernardkroeger4045]

Amazing technology. No wonder the B29 cost so much to develop.😃

[@samuelweir5985]

"Radar-guided turrets"? I don't think that those B-29 turrets were radar-guided. They were optically guided by crewmen on the B-29. Radar-guided guns like those on the B-52 came later.

[@Mr-Damage]

He killed his crew.

[@DaveSCameron]

*Irvings, * Tony’s and *Konys?😂😂😂😂

[@WO2Royalengineersretired]

It’s called being .. human with empathy !

[@jon9021]

All I can say is…bloody hell…