Streamed live on December 2, 2024
Art McGann was waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator and flew 43 missions in the Pacific, including a record-breaking raid on Balikpapan, Borneo, on August 13, 1943. The bombing of Balikpapan was a defining moment for McGann and his unit, the 31st Bomb Squadron of the 13th U.S. Army Air Force.
The mission was the longest over-water bombing raid attempted at the time—17 hours and 10 minutes round-trip. Tasked with crippling Japanese oil supplies, the squadron targeted refineries producing a significant portion of Japan’s aviation fuel. Departing from Darwin, Australia, the B-24 bombers, each loaded with six 500-pound bombs and 3,500 gallons of fuel, barely cleared the runway.
Upon reaching Balikpapan, the first plane’s payload triggered massive explosions that engulfed the harbor in flames. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, McGann’s squadron inflicted severe damage on refineries and ships. Returning to base was equally perilous, with planes enduring attacks from Japanese fighters and fuel shortages. The squadron’s success earned them accolades and a place in military history.
Born during the Great Depression, McGann grew up in a family of 12 children in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school in 1942, he worked various jobs before enlisting in the Army Air Force. Inspired by a desire to contribute to the war effort, McGann trained as an aerial gunner, eventually joining the crew of a B-24 Liberator. Before deploying to the Pacific, McGann narrowly escaped death in a training accident.
In February 1944, his B-24 crashed shortly after takeoff in California, killing two crew members and leaving McGann with severe burns. After a month of recovery, he resumed training and was stationed in the Solomon and Admiralty Islands, where most of his missions originated. Combat missions were grueling and dangerous. McGann vividly recalls the stench of death on newly captured islands and the terror of Japanese fighter attacks.
During one mission, his plane returned to base with bomb bay doors stuck open, leaving the crew exposed to freezing temperatures. On another, a crew member was killed, and the team had to carry his body back, a memory that haunts McGann to this day.
After 13 months overseas, McGann returned home, marrying Dorothy Savage in July 1945. Post-war life saw him working as a plumber, carpenter, and later as a trucking office manager. The couple raised two sons and remained active in their community. McGann’s contributions were recognized during events like the Keystone Wing’s annual ’40s Hangar Dance, where his bravery and sacrifices were honored. Reflecting on his service, McGann emphasizes the value of life, faith, and the freedoms he fought to protect.
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