To Fight Another Day by Brian Bateman

Somewhere in the Pacific, late 1945. The 11-man crew reaches their rafts in safety before the giant bomber sinks into the sea. The crew is fighting not only to survive the ditching, but also the vast ocean and fast approaching dusk...

Ships, submarines, and search planes were placed along the routes of the bombers in order to give the crews a chance for survival. Via radio and some lady luck, the crew has made contact with one of these ships along the route, as seen on the right as it approaches the crew. Lucky to fight another day...

Signed by the artist and Col. John Misterly, a B-29 crew member of Here's Hopin' based with the 58th BW, 444th BG on Tinian. Col. Misterly spent 8 days in the Pacific when the crew ditched after a bombing mission over Japan in May 1945. They were rescued by a Navy submarine on day 8.

Brian Bateman won the Individual Achievement Award for "To Fight Another Day" at the 2010 ASAA forum in San Diego.

Signature:

Col. John MISTERLY - (signed in silver ink)