Memorial

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Sgt William W. Hrapsky graduated from Nesquehoning High School in 1936. and was a hotel manager. He enlisted in New York City, New York on 19 October 1942.

Statement from Herbert J. Burgasser;
"I was flying in the Ball Turret position of ship no. 42-30765, in which Lt Emil Urban was the pilot, when I saw ship no. 42-5846 go down over the target. It was out of control and spinning down in flames when I last saw it, and at this time no fighters were attacking it. I was in the ship that was flying in the #2 position, second element, low squadron of the low group. Ship 42-5846 was in the same element, #3 position."

Statement from 2nd Lt Emil L. Urban;
"I was the pilot of A/C no. 42-30765, which was flying in the No. 2 position. At approximately the time of the bomb run, which was about 1147, fighters jumped us from the direction of 11 o'clock. One of the fighters rammed B-17F A/C no. 42-5846 which was flying in the #3 position. It was under control for about a minute then flipped over on its back and went into a spin."

Seven crew members were killed, three were taken prisoner.