The 497th was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) in September 1944, being assigned to the XXI Bomber Command 73d Bombardment Wing in the Northern Mariana Islands, and stationed at Isely Field, Saipan.

From Asheville, North Carolina, Morgan had been the pilot on the majority of the missions flown by the B-17 Flying Fortress Memphis Belle, which was officially designated the "first" bomber to complete 25 operations in the European Theatre of Operations, while flying out of England with the 91st Bomb Group, VIII Bomber Command.

[5][6] Memphis Belle was the first combat-veteran bomber to return to the United States as part of a publicity campaign to sell war bonds.

On 24 November 1944, Morgan had led 111 aircraft of the 73rd Bomb Wing to Tokyo for XXI Bomber Command's first strike against the Japanese mainland.

Brigadier-General Emmett O’Donnell flying the Dauntless Dotty led 111 B-29s against the Musashima [sic] engine factory.

Also flying at 30,000 feet meant that the planes frequently flew in a jet stream wind that was between 100 and 200 mph which further complicated bomb aiming.

Charles McMurray (also spelt McMurry in one source), of Memphis, Tennessee, were thrown from the wreckage and were recovered by a rescue boat after some 45 minutes in the water.