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Personal info

Full name
MILANO, Joe
Date of birth
20 December 1915
Age
28
Place of birth
Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Hometown
Pierce County, Washington

Military service

Service number
39193565
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
735th Bombardment Squadron,
453rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 April 1944
Place of death
North of Brunswick, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 22 21

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Milano (father)
Julia Milano (mother)
Louis Milano (brother)
Delina Milano (sister)
Carina Milano (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
41-29571
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 3928

More information

Undersigned was radio operator on the B-24 of which S/Sgt Joseph Milano was waist gunner, 2nd Lt William T. Easterling, co-pilot; and S/Sgt Chauncey A. Rogers, ball turret gunner. While on bombing run over Brunswick, Germany, enemy fighters shot out the controls and No. 4 engine. The co-pilot was killed by a direct hit from a 20mm shell. S/Sgt Milano and Rogers failed to parachute out when the other seven members of the crew (including the radio operator) did. The seven parachuting out were captured by the enemy, but all were later liberated.
Statement from Robert N. Mitchell, 15382059, T/Sgt, 800th AAF Base Unit.

Source of information: FOHF, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten