10 Dec. 1941: Capt. Colin P. Kelly, Jr.'s 19th Bomb Grp. B-17C became the first B-17 shot down during WWII.

Informed that a Japanese carrier was headed for Luzon, Kelly and his six-man crew hastily took off from Clark Field and set off searching for it with just six 600-lb. bombs aboard.

Not long into their flight, they spotted several ships, including what appeared to be a battleship and a heavy cruiser. Not seeing a carrier, Kelly continued until they became low on fuel before turning back to attack the other ships.

They made three passes at 20,000 feet, the first two to allow the bombardier to set up for a precision attack. He released the bombs on the third pass scoring near misses on either side of the largest vessel and a direct hit amidships that resulted in a huge explosion that caused the ship to list.

A flight of Japanese Zeroes jumped them as they returned to base, severely damaging the bomber. After passing over the coastline, Kelly ordered his crew to bail out while he held the plane level. All but one man, TSgt. William Delehanty, successfully parachuted before the B-17C crashed in a field. Delehanty's body was found about 50 yards from the wreckage and Kelly's was found closer still with an unopened parachute.

Although early reports suggested they had sunk the battleship Haruna, which was not even in the area, it was eventually determined they had badly damaged the light cruiser Natori.

Kelly was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his clear-headed leadership and bravery in staying aboard until his crew successfully got clear.

For details, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Kelly

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) A 1942 portrait of Kelly next to his B-17C at Clark Field on Luzon. (2) Clark Field personnel scramble to get Capt. Colin Kelly's B-17C ready to fly. (3) Saburo Sakai, Japan's leading ace, makes a pass at Capt. Kelly's B-17C. (4) Attacking Zekes finish off Kelly's B-17C. (5) Crewmen jump as Capt. Kelly's shattered B-17C plunges toward the ground.