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Personal info

Full name
MASTALSKI, Joseph J
Date of birth
26 April 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Onnalinda, Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Beaverdale, Cambria County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
O-692501
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
816th Bombardment Squadron,
483rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
18 July 1944
Place of death
Near Memmingen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
G 7 19

Immediate family

Members
Anthony Mastalski (father)
Mary J. Mastalski (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-107172
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Memmingen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 7153

More information

Lt Col Willard S. Sperry:
"On 18 July 1944, the 483rd Bombardment Group went into the assigned target area without fighter escort or other group support. As the initial point was approached, approximately seventy-five enemy fighters swept by the group formation on the right, making a wide turn at the rear in preparation for a tail attack. Three B-17s were shot to pieces while in level flight and while maintaining their positions in formation. A fourth went down, apparently shot out of control, and broke apart as soon as the ship went into a spin."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, WWII Draft Card, www.fold3.com, www.newspapers.com – Pittsburgh Post Gazette Pennsylvania 4 October 1944, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Jul.44.html

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Ron H.