"The Ultimate Sacrifice" Limited Edition Print — Hand signed by ten veterans from the squadron

"The Ultimate Sacrifice" — On August 18, 1943, Maj. Ralph Cheli led a strike group from the 38th Bomb Group in a daring assault on the Japanese airstrip at Dagua, New Guinea, as part of a coordinated low-level B-25 strafer attack on the Wewak complex's four airfields. Despite battling severe weather along the northern coast of New Guinea, Maj. Cheli's unit was intercepted by approximately ten enemy 59 Sentai Oscar fighters. One of these fighters made a five o'clock pass at the lead B-25, causing significant damage to its right engine. As flames engulfed the wing and black smoke billowed from the engine nacelle, Maj. Cheli's aircraft began to lose power rapidly. In spite of the critical damage, Maj. Cheli heroically maintained his role as leader of the formation, pressing the attack across the target. He continued to strafe the airstrip and disperse his parafrag bombs, ensuring the mission's success. Only after the attack was fully underway did he veer out to sea, where he was forced to