11 March 1944

SUBJECT: Commendation.

TO: 2nd Lt. Celesta B. Harper, 350th Bomb. Sqdn. (H)

1. Special recognition is hereby tendered you and your entire
    crew for your fine conduct during a most dangerous and strenuous initiation
    into combat flying.

2. Your first four operational missions have been flown in the
    brief period of nine days, and all have been deep penetrations of Germany
    proper. After your inaugural trip, to Brunswick on 29 February 1944, you went
    on the tentative mission to Berlin on 3 March, and the great attacks on the
    German capital on 6 and 8 March.

3. Probably few bomber pilots and crews have had such an epic
    introduction to battle, and your courage, resolution and effectiveness in the
    circumstances certainly merit the highest praise.

4. Please accept, and convey to all members of your crew,
    my sincere thanks and congratulations.

                                                                                /S/ John M. Bennett, Jr. ,
A TRUE COPY                                                          JOHN M. BENNETT, JR. ,
                                                                                Lt. Col. , Air corps,
                                                                                (Acting) Commander
                                                                                100th Bomb. Group.

WALTER G. BURKE,
1st Lt. , Air Corps.

Mission Log of the C. B. "Red" Harper Crew while with the 100th.
Courtesy of C. B. "Red " Harper in September 1994. . pw