Joe had a rare talent for flying that I have never seen equaled in any of my students while I was an instructor, or in any pilot I have met since. He handled these big four engine ships as though they were some sort of a little light training plane.
Everyone was constantly remarking about it. Colonel Gerhart, our group’s C.O. rode back from Africa with Joe, and on arrival here told me that Joe was the finest four engine pilot he had ever ridden with. I concur with him.
Never have I seen a youngster learn so quickly as Joe did. He was the first co-pilot in the group to check out as a first pilot, and likewise, the first co-pilot to take over a crew.”
– Capt. Harry M. Conley, 95th Bomb Group (H)
“Little Joe”
Joseph Herbert Noyes was born on August 11th 1921 in Beach, North Dakota, to Walter and Frances Noyes.
He had two younger brothers, Bob and Walter, and they grew up at 410 West Lee Street, on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington.
While attending Queen Anne High School, Joe’s aspiration was to attend The Boeing School of Aeronautics in California. From a young age, he knew he wanted to become a pilot. Flying was in his future.
As one of the first of his peers to obtain a driver’s license, he utilized this privilege by delivering food for a local grocer. That was his first real job, and he enjoyed every minute of it.
Joe Noyes is fondly remembered for being hard-working, dedicated to his commitments, and possessing a keen sense of humor.
After graduating from Queen Anne High School in 1940, Joe enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard.
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th 1941, his (then girlfriend) Donna remembered that he was at Fort Lewis for a weekend drill. She hastily got a ride down to see him, not knowing if and when he would be sent to the war. It wasn’t long before they became engaged.
In 1942, Sergeant Noyes finally saw an opportunity to earn his wings and follow his dreams of flying. He volunteered to become a Flying Sergeant, thinking that meant he would safely ferry aircraft between the factory and a delivery point.
Instead, to his complete surprise, he was among a small group selected to become co-pilots on the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
By all accounts, Joe was an excellent student pilot, flying the Vultee BT-13 and AT-6 Texan. As a U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet, he went through training at Lemoore Basic Flying School, California (S Flight, Class 42K). He later attended advanced flight training at Luke Field, AZ.
After flight training, Joe Noyes was promoted to “Flight Officer” which was a rank that nobody had heard of before. He and another pilot Paul E. Perceful joked about whether or not this allowed them entry into the officers’ club.
Pilot training complete, Joe was assigned to the 334th Bomb Squadron in the 95th Bomb Group (H).
The 95th flew its B-17s overseas to war, via a southern route which originated in Florida. After a stop at Morrison Field in West Palm Beach, they proceeded to travel by way of Boriquén, Puerto Rico, then British Guiana, Brazil (Belem and Natal), Senegal, and Morocco.
In England, they were moved from Alconbury to Framlingham, a move which even Lord Haw Haw acknowledged. Later they were permanently assigned to Horham Airbase, next to the village of Horham, about 4 miles southeast of Eye, in Suffolk.
During his first few combat missions, Joe was a co-pilot in the right seat beside Capt. Harry M. Conley. When Harry was eventually promoted and became the new squadron commander, Joe inherited his crew and moved over to the left seat.
Harry thought quite highly of his flying abilities, and would one day mention Joe in his book “No Foxholes in the Sky” where he shared a letter home that he wrote on June 26th 1943.
About Joe, he said:
I turned my crew over to my co-pilot, little Joe Noyes, a youngster of nineteen, and I’m certainly proud of him. He has done a swell job.
The other day I flew with Bob when we went into the Ruhr and Little Joe flew off our wing. He really stayed there all through a tough fight, and every time I looked over he was laughing at me.
He is my boy and I’m mighty proud of him. He is so little that he sits on a parachute and THREE cushions to see out the window.
He is the favorite of the whole group.
– Capt. Harry M. Conley, 95th Bomb Group (H)
Joe usually flew a B-17 named Blondie II, and his nickname was painted under the left pilot seat window. His fiancée’s name, Donna Davis, is also visible, in the photo below, from 1943.
On August 17th 1943, with Joe in the left seat, the Joe Noyes crew participated in the infamous Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission. Despite the pressure, the crew safely made it to North Africa, where the last known photo of Joe Noyes was taken (see below).
In Joe’s last letter home, dated September 8th 1943, (see full text below) he wrote optimistically about his pending commission and promotion to First Lieutenant. He also mentioned flying the new group commander, Colonel Gerhart (later General Gerhart) across Africa for plane repairs during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission.
Since he had also heard of Italy’s surrender, this gave him some encouragement that the war was almost over. He hoped to finish his required 25 combat missions before 1944.
Letter home, September 8th 1943
Joseph H. Noyes
Flight Officer
334th Bomb Squadron
95th Bomb Group
A.P.O. 634
Dear Mother and Dad,
I haven’t written you in a few days, we have been a little busy again lately.
I just heard over the radio that Italy has surrendered. It will make it a little easier for us now when they start operations out of Northern Italy.
Donna said in one of her letters that you had returned from Frisco after seeing Bob.
My navigator was wounded on a raid yesterday. He probably will never fly again. I haven’t seen him since they took him to the hospital. I won’t be able to get down there for a couple of days yet.
My old airplane Blondie is in the hangar again getting some more repairs and a new engine. They seem to hit her everyday but they can’t knock us down.
If we can just have some good weather for a few days and lots of hopes out, I will be through combat before long. I am sure I will be through by Christmas but I won’t be home just then. Not too long afterwards though I hope.
I had to go into London before a final board for my commission. All I am doing now is waiting for it to come through the mail. It should be here by the first of next week.
When we were in Africa I flew Col. Gerhart across Africa for some plane repairs. He is our new group commander. We hit it off OK. He promised me a 1st just as soon as this comes through. I have been leading a flight quite a bit lately and Captain Conley told me tonight he wanted me to practice leading the group. It means much more work, but I am hoping I will be through before them because you’re right out in front there where you really get the fine works.
I was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross on our trip deep in Germany when we landed in Africa. It usually takes a couple of months for them to come through. I have two Oak Leaf Clusters in my air medal now.
Well I guess that’s all the news; don’t worry about me they had their chance to knock me down! It’s too late now.
Hope to see you all soon.
Lots of Love all,
Joe