Warren Cook and crew joined the 754th Squadron in the last week of June 1944.  While some crew members missions vary, most of the crew flew their first mission in early July and completed their tour of 35 in December 1944.

Compiled from 754th Squadron Records

Lt. Finlayson's mission to Munich, July 11, 1944: Mission number four was on aircraft #108 [Envy of 'em All, II], attacking Marshalling Yards, duration 8:20 hours.  You probably are aware that the 8th decided to train bombardiers (normally manning the nose turret) in navigation, for obvious reasons.  On this particular mission, Jimmie [Bradley] sat at the navigators "desk" (ha! ha!) and I got into the nose turret.  As you know, "follow-aircraft" had the bombardier toggle when he sighted the lead ship drop its bombs.  Having been to gunnery school in Fort Meyers, FL, between Basic Navigation School and Advanced Navigation School (both in Monroe, LA) it was assumed I knew how to fire .50 caliber machine guns.  (Let alone "toggle"!!)  Well, try as I might, I could not "charge" the gun.  I kept pulling back on the crank [handle] to no effect.  My mind raced with the knowledge we were on a combat mission over enemy territory (might we be attacked by the Luftwaffe?) and my failure in the nose turret made me increasingly flustered, frightened, flailing, etc.

Unbeknownst to me, the hose from my oxygen mask became disconnected from the connection to the aircraft's supply, and I passed out.  Fortunately for me, Cookie just about then had a, "Is everybody all okay?" call over the intercom.  No reply from the unconscious Finlayson; Jimmie hand-cranked the nose turret, pulled me from it, and applied 100% oxygen.  Whether all these years since this near-death, I have been a little crazy, I leave to others to judge!!"

B-24H-25-FO 42-95108 M Z5

Photo: Alice Burman