Embedded Files
Cadet Seel during flight training at Cimarron Field In Oklahoma City in November 1941 -- he was there during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He trained in the AT-6 "Texan," a plane which he co-owned after the war.
Lt. Peter Seel in South Carolina in 1942 prior to flying with his crew to North Africa in March 1943.
From the official statement regarding the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Seel:
From the 447th Bomb Squadron War Diary: Additional Narrative for November 1943:** DFC ***
PETER B. SEEL, 0-660008, Captain (pilot), Athens, Ohio. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theatre of Operations as pilot of a B-25 type aircraft. While leading a thirty-six plane formation to Gerbini Satellite field number one, Capt. Seel’s plane received repeated direct hits by anti-aircraft fire, wounding his turret gunner and damaging one engine. Unable to pick out the assigned objective because of poor visibility, and briefed for no alternate target, Capt. Seel displayed outstanding determination and flying skill in maintaining flight long enough to lead his group on a highly destructive bomb run over the Gerbini Airdrome. Then, unable to maintain altitude, he returned safely to his base by a separate course. His courageous leadership and selfless devotion to his responsibilities reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
In North Africa in 1943 -- Dad is on the left in the back row. The plane was named the "Buckeye Cannonball" after his Ohio roots--the name "Myra" on the front was the name of the crew chief's wife. At the time this photo was taken, they had flown 42 missions based on the bomb symbols below the pilot's canopy. Pete and his crew flew 50 missions in North Africa and Italy in 1943 before rotating stateside in December of that year. The crew members are (L-R) standing in the back row next to Capt. Seel, Lt. Roy W. Tate (bombardier), Lt. Stephens H. Batchelder (co-pilot), Lt. Arnold F. Bodine (navigator), and kneeling (L-R) TSgt. James P. Balsom (radio operator-gunner), SSgt. Samuel Nittle (flight engineer-gunner), and TSgt. Aage E. Jensen (turret gunner). As far as is known, Roy Tate is the surviving crew member and lives in New Port Richie, Florida.
B-25s from the 447th fly past Mount Vesuvius near Naples, Italy as it explosively erupted in 1944.
The B-25 Mitchell was a fast medium bomber that could absorb a lot of damage from flak and still return home.
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