1st Lt Charles C Royce was the Co-Pilot in the Kelly Flight Crew during their first dozen missions. The Kelly crew was one of the first dozen crews in the 819th Bombardment Squadron when it was formed in the summer of 1943. Starting in Oct 1943, they were stationed at Wheeler Field, Oahu. Their job was to give new flight crews their last couple of months of training before they began combat with the 7th Army Air Force.

The Kelly crew was sent on Dispatched Service with the 38th Bombardment Squadron in Jan 1944, and began flying combat missions from Nanumea (and later Kwajalein). They returned to the 819th BS in Apr 1944. In Jul 1944 the Kelly crew was sent on Dispatch Service with the 392nd Bombardment Squadron.

In Aug 1944 the 819th BS left Oahu and began combat operations from Saipan. The Kelly flight crew rejoined them there. The crew completed their required 35 missions in Oct 1944.

Members of the Kelly flight crew were:

Robert B Kelly Jr (Pilot)

Charles C Royce (Co-Pilot, Jan - Mar 1944)

Robert M Anderson (Co-Pilot, Jul - Oct 1944)

Leroy J Conn (Navigator)

Bernard T Westerman Jr (Bombardier)

Norris P Sensel (Engineer)

Henry F Lee (Radio Operator, Jan - Mar 1944)

Raymond M Royall (Radio Operator, Jul - Oct 1944)

Harlan G Mitchell (Radar Operator)

George F Whelan (Ass't Engineer)

Joseph M Cottetta (Ass't Radio Operator)

William J Haubert Jr (Tail Gunner)

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Anderson_Daily_Bulletin_1944_Nov_21_page_13:

Hoosier Describes Iwo Jima Mission As Toughest Yet

Seventh A. A. F. Headquarters, Central Pacific — (Delayed)— The toughest mission flown by the crew of the 7th A. A. F. Liberator Bomber, "Puddle Jumper," which has made 35 strikes in the Central Pacific, was a mission against Iwo Jima, according to Staff Sgt Harlan G. Mitchell, Brazil, Ind., the nose gunner. "[On 26 Aug 1944 we] ran into the heaviest flak of any of our missions." said Sgt Mitchell. ‘When the flak hit us it sounded as if the plane was being ripped apart. However, we got through it to drop our bombs, which landed in the target area and started fires.’’

During the return flight, the plane’s tail gunner, Staff Sgt William J. Haubert, Marion, 0H, shot down one of a dozen or so attacking Jap Zeros, Sgt. Mitchell said. "Bill spotted the Jap at 2,000 yards and started shooting,” he said. "It appeared as if the Jap was heading straight into us, but at 500 yards he fell off and went into a spin into the ocean.” The "Puddle Jumper” got back to base safely—with 40 flak holes in the wings and fuselage. On another mission over Iwo Jima, the "Puddle Jumper” was more fortunate. Other planes in the formation were hit, Sgt. Mitchell said, but the "Puddle Jumper" came through I unscathed.

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The first dozen missions flown by the Kelly flight crew was in the role of a substitute crew in the 27th, 38th, and 392nd Bombardment Squadrons

Missions flown by the Kelly crew from Nanumea:

Date/Target: 21 Jan 1944 - Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll ----------Airplane: B-24: Nipponese Clipper, #42-72966

Date/Target: 23 Jan 1944 - Wotje Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Nipponese Clipper, #42-72966

Date/Target: 25 Jan 1944 - Kwajalein Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Nipponese Clipper, #42-72966

Date/Target: 4 Feb 1944 - Taroa Island, Maleolap Atoll ----------Airplane: B-24: Pacific Avenger, #42-72975

Date/Target: 14 Feb 1944 - Ponape Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Pacific Avenger, #42-72975

Date/Target: 23 Feb 1944 - Kusaie Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Duckin Ducklin, #42-72971

Date/Target: 27 Feb 1944 - Ponape Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Duckin Ducklin, #42-72971

Missions flown by the Kelly crew from Kwajalein:

Date/Target: 3 Mar 1944 - Ponape Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Duckin Ducklin, #42-72971

Date/Target: 11 Mar 1944 - Wake Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Come Closer, #42-72973

Date/Target: 15 Mar 1944 - Truk Atoll ----------Airplane: B-24: Come Closer, #42-72973

Date/Target: 23 Mar 1944 - Wake Island ----------Airplane: B-24: Heaven Can Wait, #42-73492

Date/Target: 28 Mar 1944 - Truk Atoll ----------Airplane: B-24: Bomb Baby, #42-72976

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Capt Charles C Royce spent time as part of the Halsey/Randall Flight Crew. The Halsey crew was of the original twelve flight crews in the 392nd Bombardment Squadron. George E Halsey, seriously wounded Dec 20, 1943 over Maloelap. He was sent back to the States, and spent the rest of the War ferrying planes.

Jack L Randall took over as the new pilot for the flight crew.

Soon after that, David L Stewart was replaced by Charles C Royce as the Co-Pilot of the crew. Lt. Randall and his crew would go on to complete 30 combat missions with the squadron in May 1944.