Actually, simular instances happened all through the war. I've read about situations where the pilot stood on the wing, reached back into the cockpit and removed oxygen hoses, communication plugs, family pictures. I was privilaged to help set up
Col. Robert Morgan at a couple of gunshows in the early 90's in Dallas, and he told me stories of what he saw in the sky over Europe. For instance, he told me about seeing aircrew holding on to a B-17 waist gun while he buckled on his chute with one hand.
Charlie Bond explained to me once what it was like getting shot down in a burning P-40 over China. Years ago I had the privilege of meeting
George Gay at an airshow and he spoke of some of the other pilots in Torpedo 8 at Midway.
John Waldron standing up in the cockpit as the plane hit the water. Yeah, I'd say amazing things happened all the time during that war. What did they say about the Marines on Iwo Jima? "Uncommon valor was a common virtue" Thank God for men such as these...
Brad.