24 Friends and Family Edition for the crew of Jo only signed and numbered by the artist and Co-Pilot John Homan.

Of Extraordinary Courage. The 489th Bomb Group is flying a critical resupply mission as part of a 2,000 plane operation headed to Holland September 18, 1944 part of Operation Market Garden. The 82nd Airborne 505 PIR are badly in need of ammo, food and fuel. Coming into the crowded Drop Zone N at 500 feet and fast is the B-24 named "Jo", flown by pilot Lt John Predgen and Co-Pilot Lt. John Homan. With three passes around the drop zone before going in they are shot at by the Germans in the woods. As their turn comes to go in they watch two other B-24's crash and burn in front of them. "Jo" has lost its number 3 engine before they drop their supply load and immediately after completing that mission "Jo" loses number 4 engine plus all hydraulic power. The cockpit fills with a hydraulic fog so thick John cannot see the instruments nor his pilot Lt. Predgren beside him.

Feathering the damaged engine, applying full left rudder then adding power to engines 1 and 2 "Jo" stabilizes at 200 feet. Slowly gaining altitude up to 800 feet and setting a course to an emergency airfield in England.

On approach to the landing strip a B-24 crashed and is burning. "Jo" is right behind them with wheels and flaps having to be operated manually. The bravery and skill the pilots and crew show this day as the plane lands on the runway. Jo slides past the burning aircraft but with the tires flat from enemy fire and only one stabilizer the crew cannot keep the plane on the runway. It slides off into the grass and folds up. Everyone is safe and mostly uninjured but the plane is a total write off. For their actions this day Lt. John Predgen and Lt. John Homan receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Of Extraordinary Courage is based on the terrific book by Dr. Jared Frederick and John Homan, Into the Cold Blue: My World War II Journeys with the Mighty 8th Air Force. Lt. Homan personally consulted with Larry to ensure the accuracy of the scene depicted.

The book is available at: https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781684515158/into-the-cold-blue/