 Pease continued to fly missions with the group in defense of Java until the end of February 1942.As the Japanese advanced in the Philippines, Pease was ordered to lead three B-17s of the 19th BG to Del Monte Field on Mindanao to evacuate General Douglas MacArthur, along with the general's family and staff, to Australia.One of the battered planes was forced to abort early, while another developed engine trouble and crashed south of Del Monte.