This painting is by artist Mike Hagel. The original is in the Air Force Museum next to the OA-10A of the 2nd ERS. It depicts the rescue of Lieutenant Charles Strader on Thanksgiving Day, 23 November 1944, (Read the mission report) in Makassar Harbor, Southwest Celebes, East of Borneo. Makassar Harbor is 900 miles from Middleburg Island where the rescue ship and the P-38 were based. The PBY was airborne 18 hours and 20 minutes  and was almost out of gas when it landed. The escorting P-38's were airborne 10 hours and 15 minutes and was the longest P-38 mission of WWII. The rescue ship was piloted by Lieutenant John Dickinson. Click HERE to see the "Ode to the 2nd ERS" written by Charles Strader! See a HI RES version. (Courtesy Alice Tully Atkins)


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