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MICHALSKI, Joseph Bernard - Date of
birth
3 February 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33700166 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
422nd Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 August 1944 - Place of
death
Jena, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 4 | 23 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank S. Michalski (father)
Stella S. (Przywarty) Michalski (mother)
Josephine P. Michalski (sister)
Melsina Michalski (sister)
Francis Michalski (brother)
Leo F. Michalski (brother)
Charles E. Michalski (brother)
Howard N. Michalski (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6304 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Bohlen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil industry
MACR: 8436
More information
Joseph B. Michalski graduated from St. Michael's High School and was employed by Max Azen's Fur Corporation.He enlisted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 17 August 1943 and was overseas for three months.
According to a witness statement of the pilot, 1st Lt Darrell V. Betz, who was the only survivor, a burst of flak tore off the right wing at the number four engine and the airplane broke in half at the ball turret. The controls were completely shot away and it was impossible to control the aircraft. It went into a spin and only Lt Betz was able to bail out. The other eight crew members were killed.
They were initially buried at the cemetery of Vollradisroda on 18 August 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.archives.gov - Enlistment Record, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Veteran Compensation Application File / Family Trees, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.armyairforces.com, www.newspapers.com - The Pittsburgh Press
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Sharon Senger