My next door neighbor was a Bombardier, B-17's, flying out of No. Africa and Italy. Name, Jack Barkovic. 52 missions, became an instructor until wars end, left service as a Major.
He was astoundingly clear on details of wartime service, he related the dismal surviveability stats at the beginning. Then the Red Tails began their escort missions, which made an enormous improvement in preventing crew losses.
Jack once said that untold numbers of bomber crews owed their lives to the Tuskegee Airmen. We were having some bourbon, he lifted his glass and said "to you, gentlemen," then he saluted them.
Thank you, General, I salute you and all of your fellow pilots. Good men indeed.