Boeing B-17 SYMBOLS TELL STORY OF U.S. BOMBER'S VICTORIES. Staff Sgt. P. Hoffecker of the U.S.

Boeing B-17 SYMBOLS TELL STORY OF U.S. BOMBER'S VICTORIES. Staff Sgt. P. Hoffecker of the U.S. Army Air Forces looks out of the cockpit of an American Liberator bomber whose record in operations from a New Guinea base is told by markings on the big plane's side. The bomber, named 'Honi Kuu Okole', has a record of seven Japanese ships damaged or sunk, 18 Japanese planes destroyed, 28 bombing missions and nine Purple Heart decorations won by crewmen. The Purple Heart is an American decoration presented to U.S. officers and enlisted men honorably wounded in action.