On November 24, 1944 the B-29 "Dauntless Dotty" under the command of Colonel Robert K. Morgan (third from left), led the first strike on Tokyo since the Doolittle Raid in 1942.  Months later this same aircraft was turned over to a new crew to be ferried back to the United States.  Just before midnight on June 5, 1945 the "Dauntless Dotty" and her thirteen man crew landed on Kwajalein to refuel.  A few hours later the aircraft took off from the airstrip, became airborne, and about forty seconds later crashed into the ocean killing ten of those aboard.  A number of members of VMB-613 witnessed the crash, most notably, Sergeant Robert L. Marx, who was standing guard on "Easy" beach and witnessed the entire incident.  Sergeant Marx was subsequently interviewed as a witness, however his testimony was dismissed by the investigating officer as "impossible."  During 2006 an unsigned statement attributed to Sergeant Marx in the official accident report was brought to his attention which he adamantly disputed.  This has led to support the beliefs of a number of researchers that the true cause of the accident may have been concealed with "doctored" testimony.  The wreckage of the "Dotty" and the remains of the ten men who were trapped inside her when she sank have never been located.  The wreckage is believed to be at a depth of approximately 6,000 feet.  Based on various hydrographic studies and Sergeant Marx's recent interview, a search to locate the "Dotty" is being planned.  Additional information concerning the search for the "Dotty" can be found at the NUMA Press Release.

Photograph: U.S. Army Air Forces (via Linda Morgan)