On March 1, 1945, personnel of the Chinese-American Composite Wing’s 3^rd Bomb Squadron stationed at Liangshan assembled on the field and posed for photographs. In position behind them was A/C #714, considered to be "the least shot up" of the squadron’s B-25Js. The first photo included all but a few of the Americans assigned at that time, and then they separated for pictures of only the officers, only enlisted men, and the softball team. These photos represented a significant event: the squadron’s transition in leadership. Major Mark T. Seacrest and Captain Jack M. Hamilton, the outgoing and incoming commanding officers, were pictured together. Both men served with distinction and represented the highest level of excellence in command.

Beginning in mid-April 1945, about two hundred 14^th Air Force fighters and bombers attacked Japanese targets in areas from southern China to the northern China plain, hitting numerous targets that included bridges, river shipping, town areas, trucks, railroad traffic, gun positions, storage areas, and general targets of opportunity. Among the attack planes were those of the Chinese-American Composite Wing. The 3^rd Bomb Squadron’s A/C #714, “Smilin’ Jack,” named in honor of the squadron’s popular commander, Capt. Jack M. Hamilton, was a victim of the raid against Loyang on April 16, when a tire blew out on takeoff.