 In January 1943 , the squadron was ordered to conduct bombing missions , alternating between bases in Espiritu Santo , Nadi , and Guadalcanal . These missions consisted of teams of four to eight planes , with no fighter support . It was during these flights that Roddenberry faced Japanese fighters for the first time . On August 2 , 1943 , while flying out of Espiritu Santo , Roddenberry was piloting a B @-@ 17 but realized the plane did not have enough speed to take off . He applied the brakes to stop the aircraft but they did not respond . The tail brake was applied but it also failed . The plane overshot the runway by 500 feet ( 150 m ) and impacted trees , crushing the nose , and starting a fire . Bombardier Sgt. John P. Kruger and navigator Lt. Talbert H. <unk> were both positioned in the nose and died on impact . While an official report absolved Roddenberry of any responsibility , there were those in the squadron who blamed him for the men 's deaths . Early in September 1943 , the squadron was rotated back to the United States . The crew was transported on an old Dutch freighter across the Pacific ; upon his arrival , and reunion with his wife , his picture was featured in the Los Angeles Times . 
