STK0033. Moonlighting by Stan Stokes. Stan Stokes painting depicts a P-38 mission flown by 10 Fighter Group pilots Milton B. Adams, Joe Gunder, and Bill Harris in early February 1945. The 18th Fighter Group, part of the Thirteenth Air Force, moved its base of operations to Lingayen Gulf from Mindoro in early 1945. The group participated in numerous daylight strafing missions of Japanese targets on Northern Luzon. The missions were largely very successful and the Japanese had a high chance of getting hit hard by the 18 h whenever they attempted to move men or supplies. In response to the punishment being inflicted by these missions, the Japanese switched to nighttime truck convoys. Typically accompanied by numerous trucks with either 50 caliber or 20min quad machineguns, the nighttime convoys became the principal means for moving both arms and supplies south. Although the P-38 Lightnings flown by the group were not equipped for night fighting, and the pilots lacked any training for such missions, the pilots felt that under the right conditions (clear skies and plenty of moonlight) that they could successfully navigate to and attack their targets. Harris and Adams decided to experiment with some evening missions when sufficient moonlight was available to identify targets. Their experiment proved successful, and Joe Gunder decided to join them on their moonlighting missions. With the moon at its peak, the three P-38 pilots had good hunting results for several evenings in a row. Although the moon was waning, the three agreed to one final mission that month. On this mission the three P-38 pilots lingered for about an hour over their target area without spotting anything. As they began to head for home they noticed a long convoy of approximately 100 vehicles. They were stopped in a narrow valley about three miles long surrounded by 2000-foot high steep hillsides. The road through the valley was straight, and the convoy was a sitting duck, All three pilots peeled off and made a high speed strafing pass. They got several hits, and a number of the fuel trucks in the convoy were set ablaze. The three made a second pass hitting additional vehicles and scattering the Japanese truck drivers. One final strafing pass was made. During this pass Joe Gunders right engine must have been hit. Gunder tried to feather his prop and still gain altitude to get out of the narrow valley. Instead Gunders aircraft lost speed and altitude and his P-38 slammed into the side of the valley. The next day a Philippine radio message was received indicating that Gunder had died and that his body had been recovered. Following the War, Bill Harris, who was the highest scoring ace of the Thirteenth Air Force with 16 victories, left the service and returned to his native California, where he has been active for more than fifty years in the farming, ranching, and lumber businesses. Milton Adams remained in the USAF until retirement, rising to the rank of Major General. Adams currently resides in Laredo, Texas. This painting is dedicated to the memory of USAAF Captain Joe Gunder whose ultimate sacrifice typifies the courage and resolve of Americas greatest generation. Only two prints of this edition remain. Signed by top 13th Air Force Ace Lt. Col. Bill HarrisL and Maj Gen Milton Adams (deceased). Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Size 22 inches x 18 inches (56cm x 46cm)
