WWII "strategic" bombing was generally about the greatest waste of men & materiel in the history of warfare, based on what I've read - and, in 69 years that's rather a lot. The 8th AF lost more personnel than the Marines in the Pacific Theater.
Their bravery was never in doubt but post war Strategic Bombing report was pretty clear about high level daylight bombing and it's ineffectiveness. Low level medium bombing was pretty effective but the losses were incredible as well.
My grandfather was 2 weeks from going to the ETO as a ball turret gunner in B-17's in the 8th in 43 and got pulled for pilot training and spend spent the rest of the war in flight school or as an instructor. I'm sure it disappointed him but the odds of him being around to see me winged would have been low.