Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
GORCZYCA, Joseph J - Date of
birth
1921 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
New Jersey -
Hometown
Sayreville, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-812079 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
760th Bombardment Squadron,
460th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
3 December 1945 - Place of
death
Vicinity of Sanok, Poland
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Walter Gorczyca (father)
Sophie Gorczyca (mother)
John Gorczyca (bother)
Helen Gorczyca (sister)
Mary Gorczyca (sister)
Stanley Gorczyca (brother)
Theresa Gorczyca (sister)
Ronald Gorczyca (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-78678 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Ditney Hill
Destination: Blechhammer, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 10106
More information
1st Lt Joseph J. Gorczyca was a foreman before he enlisted in Newark, New Jersey on 20 June 1942.1st Lt Owen A Kampen:
On 2 December 1944, our target was Blechhammer South O/R, Germany. We were flying position #4, high box, first attack unit. Blue “C” for Charlie, #42-78678, piloted by 1st Lt Ralph E. Beam, was flying lead position, high box, first attack unit. While on the bomb run, Lt Beam’s aircraft was hit by flak in the bomb bay. The bomb bay doors were badly damaged and some of the bombs fell out. However, he continued on the bomb run, synchronised, and dropped two bombs over the target. After being hit, a gas leak developed in the bomb bay. No engines were smoking and seemed to be running smoothly. When last sighted, Lt Beam was heading east towards the Russian lines. No chutes were visible at any time.
1st Lt Ralph E. Beam:
He bailed out and the crew believes that he may have been shot in his chute as a few of the other were shot by persons our soldiers on the ground.
He was officially declared dead one day and one year after he was reported missing in action.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com – 1930/1940 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Have Paws will travel