06 MAY 1945
Second Lieutenant Donald F. McKeon, pilot of "Playmate Three Seven", departed Puerto Princessa (Palawan) at 0730, arriving at his orbit point off Cecir Mer Island at 1245. He remained at his rendezvous point with his fighter cover until 1400, during which time he received a message from Lieutenant Bethel, who stated that he was in trouble, one engine having been shot out and his compass damaged. Further radio conversation revealed that Lieutenant Bethel had four hours of fuel supply left and thought he could make his base. They departed for Puerto Princessa at 1400, the "Cat" keeping the B-25 in visual contact. Lieutenant McKeon advised Lieutenant Betherl to ditch his plane before dark if his fuel would not hold out. At 1903, when 37 minutes out of Puerto Princessa, Lieutenant Bethel was forced to ditch his B-25 at 09°10'N, 118°26'E on the open sea in swells of from three to five feet and a ten knot wind. The ditching procedure was accomplished in a skillful manner, all six members of the crew escaped without injury. Lieutenant McKeon followed the B-25 down, landed just behind it and by 1908, as darkness was closing in, rescued the crew, took off and landed at Puerto Princessa at 1940.

The survivors, all members of the 390th Bomb Squadron, 42nd Bomb Group were as follows: (P) Lieutenant Robert R. Bethel, (CP) F/O Claire Jance, (N) Lieutenant Charles F. Easton, (E) Corporal Wendell S. Whitcomb, (R) Private Raif Techelaki, (G) CPL Norman E. Layok. None of the survivors was injured. Lieutenant Bethel stated that while over the target, his starboard engine was shot out by flak and his compass damaged. He immediately contacted the rescue plane and was escorted until he was forced to ditch. He paid high tribute to the efficiency and cooperation of Lieutenant McKeon during the perilous flight and his timely rescue.

MISSION: timeline documented by the crew and submitted with Squadron History:

0615:	Take-off, Morotai.
1245:	Arrived Cape Bajor, Borneo, orbit point.
1315:	Watched bombing of Mangarr, headed for base at 1320.
1400:	Sighted personnel aboard native boat, made landing and picked up personnel. 00°45'S, 118°18'E.
1445:	Picked up message of crash landing at 00°30'S, 121°50'E.
1510:	Sent message to dispatch another Catalina because we were low on fuel.
1535:	Message from base as to personnel that were first picked up.
1605:	Infomed base who first survivors were.
1635:	SIghted eleven (11) men in life rafts, B-24 crew.
1640:	Landed to pick up survivors, all aboard and take-off at 1707.
1750:	Radioed ETA and notified base of pick up of SNAFU.
2105:	Landed, Morotai.
	Download the actual mission report taken from the microfilm