Identified pilot's cap

This cap belonged to 1st. Lt. Edward S. Wolejko. Wolejko was the pilot of the Moonshine Raiders Inc., a B-29. 331st Bomb Group, 315th Bombardment Wing, 20th Air Force at Guam. Photos of the bomber have been attached. Wolejko’s card was found tucked behind the sweatband and his name is written as well. 

This particular cap is interesting, as Wolejko flew his bomber on a mission over an Allied POW camp (Americans imprisoned by Japanese forces) to drop food, clothing, and medicine to the malnourished prisoners. The POW camp was Camp Hoten, Mukden (Shenyang), Manchuria. About 2,000 allied prisoners passed through it. Prisoners were forced to labor in steel & lumber mills, textile production, and a leather tannery. 

A prisoner of the camp, Lee “Jack” Gardner kept a secret diary (contraband). In his diary, he recorded an account in which Wolejko flew over the camp, dropping food and medicine to the emaciated POWs. This camp was known to test biological weapons on American prisoners. A note was attached with the food dropped by Wolejko. Gardner copied the note in his diary:

“Buddies

We are the fellows who were lucky enough to be able to drop these supplies to you. We would like very much to hear from you. We would like to know how the majority of you are feeling and in what condition you received these supplies. We wish you a speedy return to the states and hope that our next trip is to take some of you home to your loved ones. With great desire to help you further, we remain Crew 14.

Crew 14 (Moonshine Raiders Inc.)
Hdqts. 16th Bomb Gp.
A.P.O. 1821, Box 276
% PM San Francisco, Calif.
(GUAM.)
Pilot Lt. Wolejko, Ed, Sunderland, Mass.
Pilot Lt. Vernooy, Russ, New Brunswick, NJ
Bomb. Lt. Mayer, Stan, Brooklyn, NY
Rooak. Lt. Kiel, Ken, Kinderhook, NY
Nav. Lt. Welch, Ed, Union City, Tenn.
Eng. TSgt. Hinds, Ward, Indianapolis
Radio. Sgt. Herriman, Richard, Washington, DC
Scanner. Sgt. Perrin, Jerome, Stanton Island, NY
Scanner. Sgt. Reardon, Charles, Monessen, Penna”

In the coming days after Wolejko’s airdrop, 6 OSS men were dropped into the camp to liberate it on August 16th, 1945.

A fascinating account of the POWs experience has been recorded by Gardner’s son who currently maintains the diary. Multiple photos of Wolejko’s B-29 are attached. He is at the top left of the group photo. I’ve attached his wedding photo and his air cadet photo. Wolejko received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. 

There are multiple accounts of the beatings and torture endured by the POWs. Despite the numerous hardships and war crimes, this particularly POW camp is not well known about today, even to locals of the area in Korea. 

Wolejko lived in Sunderland, Mass. This cap was found in an estate sale just 30 minutes South in Springfield. Even after longer than 75 years, it really did not move far.

Now, it’s permanent residence is on display in Indiana, at the Museum of the Soldier’s 315th Bombardment Wing Exhibit. The 315th reunions were held here for decades. The color photographs of the bomber/squadron are owned by the Museum of the Soldier, who were kind enough to to let me use them. They are some wonderful gentleman and I highly recommend visiting them if you’re in the area. 

Though I no longer own this cap, it remains one of my favorite finds to this day. I am happy that it now belongs to a great home where it can be enjoyed by more than just me.