Florida Gator has a truly interesting yet tragic story. The gentleman on the right is Major Bill Pagh, and on 11th August 1944 he led the 312th Bombardment Group on a low-level mission against Utarom in Dutch New Guinea. Pagh had just been assigned this A-20G-40-DO, serial #43-21379, and the noseart as you see here was taken the day before anti-aircraft fire disentigrated Pagh and his gunner from the sky.

The Group lost other ships that day, but Pagh would especially be missed. From Florida, hence the name of his ship, he held exceptional leadership qualities. The aircraft carried the letter W on the tail, chosen by crew-chief Joseph Wray.

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