On days when our squadron did not fly a mission proficiency checks, both squadron and individual, flights were ordered. We hated these feeling we should have the day off. On such a day our crew was assigned a "bombing" check flight. I was to drop five 100 lb practice bombs from 10,000 ft. We were standing by the aircraft when a jeep pulled up to the hard stand. Out stepped Col, William C. Sipes, 303rd Bomb Group Commander. He informed us he was going to ride along. That made this 19 year old 2LT a little nervous to say the least. The Col. occupied the co-pilot seat. We took off, made the five bomb runs. I folded up shop and stretched out on the floor. A few minutes later I heard "co-pilot to bombardier, what is our location". I had no idea as I had been relaxing. I took a quick look and didn't see a thing I recognized so replied "Sir, I don't know". He said if you will look straight down you will see our base and the intercom went silent. I thought, boy am I in trouble and expected to receive some rather firm comments from the Col. after landing. I dropped out of the nose hatch of the B-17 when on the ground and waited. Col. Sipes deplaned and headed strait for me. I came to attention and when he got about ten feet from me, he pointed his finger and with a smile said "Gotcha". He then complimented me on the accuracy of my five bomb runs, got in his jeep and drove off. Boy was I relieved. A week or so later I was assigned Lead Bombardier status.
