“Bear Down”

Also known as 'Wildcat' and 'U Name It Peg,' this B-24D served with four 93rd Bomb Group squadrons over its career: the 329th (call letter Q), 409th (letter Q in earlier records; G on the 22 May 1944 NARA original loading list), 330th (call letter L), and 328th (call letter D). It went on to become the 93rd Bomb Group's second formation lead assembly ship.

On November 18, 1943, 869-Q, piloted by Captain Russell DeMont, took part in the Circus's attack on the German fighter repair base at Kjeller, outside Oslo. During the fighting that followed on the withdrawal over the Skagerrak, gunners Sergeants James H. McMahon and William J. Nelson, both aboard 869-Q, were credited with downing Ju-88s as a mixed force of German fighters attacked the formation.