Operations Order No. 4, 39th Bombardment Group to re-deploy to the United States and deactivate was dated 29 October 1945. Crew 23 returned in the last aircraft that departed Guam. The original crew had flown 30 combat missions and except for the Airplane Commander returned to the ZI. The redeploying crew 23 was composed of the 39th Bomb Group staff members including Group Commander Lt Col James H. Thompson, staff navigator Anthony Quesada and others including James Wyckoff and Ed Wiley. After landing in California, all 39th BG personnel heading east spent two weeks at Camp Stoneman before boarding troop train for a five day trip to Fort Dix, New Jersey for separation or reassignment. The officers rode in the Pullman coach car which was the Waldorf Astoria when compared with the tier-bunked "cattle cars" the airmen occupied - but everyone was on their way home and at this point if necessary would have walked to the East Coast without complaining.

L to R: Lt Col Jim Thompson, Capt Joe Semanek, Crew Chief Beverly, and Capt Tony Quesada planning the Homecoming Flight Schedule.