>>9670111 When the crew of the "All American" (pic) tried to throw a rope to the tail gunner, and pull him into the fuselage, the tail began to oscillate and threaten to detach. It was so weak that firing his guns caused the plane to turn, and it needed his weight to stabilize it. Observing, but unable to fight, he rode home alone.

It earned him the nickname of "Lonesome".

o7