B-26 Invader in Korea "Dear Sis ... The Commies have .50 caliber machine guns, 20 mm, 40 mm, 85 mm, and 105 mm anti-aircraft guns and some son-of-a-b**** with a rifle shot us down ... I don't reckon you need to tell mom about my hairy story." - Letter written home by Lt. Charles Hinton on Jan. 8, 1952 The World War II-era B-26 Invader was the Air Force's light bomber during the Korean War. Third Bomb Group (Light) and 452nd (later 17th) Bomb Group (Light) aircrews used their B-26s to strike the enemy's storage centers and transportation system. For the first year of the war, they flew these "interdiction" missions during the day, but increased enemy antiaircraft fire and the MiG threat later forced them to fly at night. Exhibit Case: B-26 navigator Maj. Paul Tkacz of the 95th BS (L) wore this flying suit. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for a night mission near Oro-Ri, North Korea, on Aug. 21, 1952. Lt. Col. Alfred Lettier, 730th Bomb Squadron, 452nd Bomb Wing, wore this World War II vintage cap and jacket from October 1950-May 1952. Robert Witham, a B-26 gunner in the 90th Bomb Squadron (Light), 3rd Bomb Wing (Light), carried this lighter on missions as a good luck charm. Click here to return to the Interdiction Overview. Find Out More Related Fact Sheets Douglas B-26C (A-26C) Invader Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.