Famous People of Richmond, Virginia

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General Douglas MacArthur

General MacArthur's departure from the Philippines - After midnight on 3-17-1942, two B-17's taxi out onto Del Monte airfield, Philippines. General MacArthur sat in the radio operator's seat. MacArthur's chief of staff, General Richard Sutherland, was squeezed into the bomb bay. 1st Lt. Frank P. Bostrom's overloaded B-17, Flying Fortress, staggered into the air from Del Monte airfield with one engine spluttering. MacArthur's four year old son, Arthur, became air sick. Arthur's Chinese amah, Au Cheu, also traveled with MacArthur to Australia. MacArthur never spoke a word on that flight, he was so depressed. Their five hour flight took them over the captured enemy islands of the Celebes, Timor, and the northern part of New Guinea. Somehow they managed to avoid enemy Zero fighters. When they reached Darwin, they found that it was under Japanese attack, so they diverted to Batchelor airfield, about 50 miles away. They disembarked from the aircraft at Batchelor at about 9 a.m., weary but safe.

Picture left, 1945, MacArthur returns to the Philippines. "I shall return"

Jack Apple

Jack Apple, back row left, Army Air Force, a Richmond boy, volunteered to be part of that special crew to get General MacArthur out of the Philippines. We are so proud of Jack's many deeds; he was the crew chief on that B-17.

Jack's missions from 7-12-43 to 6-1944: The Battle of Rabaul, Bismark, Solemans, Lae, Lae, Wewack, Finchaven, Wewak, Wewak, Rabaul, Rabaul, Rabaul, Rabaul, Rabaul, Rabaul, Rabaul, Rabaul, Alexishaven, Bismark, Gasmala, Wewak, Wewak, Wewak, Gloucester, Gloucester, Gloucester, Gloucester, Gloucester, Gloucester, Gloucester, Alexishaven, Saidar, Alexishaven, Madang, Alexishaven, Manns Isle, Manns Isle, Wewak, Wewak, Madang, Wewak, Manns Isle, Hollandia, Madang, Hollandia, Adm., Wewak, Wewak, Biak, Biak.

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