LT COL US AIR FORCE WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM
Crew of My Gal Georgia 456th Bomb Group, Stornara, Italy
Name and rank of the members of the crew Address during WWII 747th Bom Squadron Age FAG
1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN Pilot 915681
2nd Lt. Clem B. Myers 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR Co-Pilot 1023089
2nd Lt. Chester F. Zajac 118 Prospect Ave. Bayonne, NJ Navigator 25 112254520
T/Sgt. Edwin T. Brownell North Pownal, VT Engineer 22 51175807
S/Sgt Joseph Benko, 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT Radio Operator 24
S/Sgt Peter J. Lysek Summerdale, AL Nose Turret Gunner 20 131687730
S/Sgt Kenneth A. Breshears Goodson, MO Upper Turret Gunner 22 8903182
S/Sgt Ernest M. Lorelli 323 Oakland Ave., Punxsutawney, PA Lower Turret Gunner 20 65059326
S/Sgt Lacy C. Geddie 1605 N. John Street, Fayetteville, NC Tail Turret Gunner 21 146928597
------------------------------------------------------------
Twice 1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma, B-24 Liberator pilot, of Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN ordered his crew to bail out and twice he stopped the orders because the entire crew wanted to ride their plane in.
The heavy bomber, "My Gal Georgia". had been hit by two huge bursts of flak over Port San Stefano, Italy and had suffered 250 flak holes. The two inboard motors were shot out, two main tires blown, the braking system destroyed and gasoline was spraying from pierced fuel tanks. The plane had been hit before the target, but it made its run in formation.
"After the run I peeled off and away from the formation for the danger of an explosion aboard was imminent," Leukuma said. "The crew could have left but they wanted to stick."
Any plane able to take that punishment and keep on flying would not let us down at the last moment," explained 2nd. Lt. Chester F. Zajac, 25, Navigator, of 118 Prospect Ave., Bayonne, NJ. He was the chief persuader for allowing the crew to stay by the pilot.
"God only knows how Leukuma did it, but he did it."remarked 2nd. Lt. Clem B Myers, 27 co-pilot, of 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR. "We had only a few minutes gas left when we headed in."
Just before landing Leukuma shouted, "hang onto your hats, fellows, here we go."
The heavy bomber hit smoothly on the flat tires and wobbled to a stop halfway down the runway. Sweating crew members poured out from every opening.
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
Crew of My Gal Georgia 456th Bomb Group, Stornara, Italy
Name and rank of the members of the crew Address during WWII 747th Bom Squadron Age FAG
1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN Pilot 915681
2nd Lt. Clem B. Myers 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR Co-Pilot 1023089
2nd Lt. Chester F. Zajac 118 Prospect Ave. Bayonne, NJ Navigator 25 112254520
T/Sgt. Edwin T. Brownell North Pownal, VT Engineer 22 51175807
S/Sgt Joseph Benko, 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT Radio Operator 24
S/Sgt Peter J. Lysek Summerdale, AL Nose Turret Gunner 20 131687730
S/Sgt Kenneth A. Breshears Goodson, MO Upper Turret Gunner 22 8903182
S/Sgt Ernest M. Lorelli 323 Oakland Ave., Punxsutawney, PA Lower Turret Gunner 20 65059326
S/Sgt Lacy C. Geddie 1605 N. John Street, Fayetteville, NC Tail Turret Gunner 21 146928597
------------------------------------------------------------
Twice 1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma, B-24 Liberator pilot, of Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN ordered his crew to bail out and twice he stopped the orders because the entire crew wanted to ride their plane in.
The heavy bomber, "My Gal Georgia". had been hit by two huge bursts of flak over Port San Stefano, Italy and had suffered 250 flak holes. The two inboard motors were shot out, two main tires blown, the braking system destroyed and gasoline was spraying from pierced fuel tanks. The plane had been hit before the target, but it made its run in formation.
"After the run I peeled off and away from the formation for the danger of an explosion aboard was imminent," Leukuma said. "The crew could have left but they wanted to stick."
Any plane able to take that punishment and keep on flying would not let us down at the last moment," explained 2nd. Lt. Chester F. Zajac, 25, Navigator, of 118 Prospect Ave., Bayonne, NJ. He was the chief persuader for allowing the crew to stay by the pilot.
"God only knows how Leukuma did it, but he did it."remarked 2nd. Lt. Clem B Myers, 27 co-pilot, of 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR. "We had only a few minutes gas left when we headed in."
Just before landing Leukuma shouted, "hang onto your hats, fellows, here we go."
The heavy bomber hit smoothly on the flat tires and wobbled to a stop halfway down the runway. Sweating crew members poured out from every opening.
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
LT COL US AIR FORCE WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM
Crew of My Gal Georgia 456th Bomb Group, Stornara, Italy
Name and rank of the members of the crew Address during WWII 747th Bom Squadron Age FAG
1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN Pilot 915681
2nd Lt. Clem B. Myers 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR Co-Pilot 1023089
2nd Lt. Chester F. Zajac 118 Prospect Ave. Bayonne, NJ Navigator 25 112254520
T/Sgt. Edwin T. Brownell North Pownal, VT Engineer 22 51175807
S/Sgt Joseph Benko, 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT Radio Operator 24
S/Sgt Peter J. Lysek Summerdale, AL Nose Turret Gunner 20 131687730
S/Sgt Kenneth A. Breshears Goodson, MO Upper Turret Gunner 22 8903182
S/Sgt Ernest M. Lorelli 323 Oakland Ave., Punxsutawney, PA Lower Turret Gunner 20 65059326
S/Sgt Lacy C. Geddie 1605 N. John Street, Fayetteville, NC Tail Turret Gunner 21 146928597
------------------------------------------------------------
Twice 1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma, B-24 Liberator pilot, of Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN ordered his crew to bail out and twice he stopped the orders because the entire crew wanted to ride their plane in.
The heavy bomber, "My Gal Georgia". had been hit by two huge bursts of flak over Port San Stefano, Italy and had suffered 250 flak holes. The two inboard motors were shot out, two main tires blown, the braking system destroyed and gasoline was spraying from pierced fuel tanks. The plane had been hit before the target, but it made its run in formation.
"After the run I peeled off and away from the formation for the danger of an explosion aboard was imminent," Leukuma said. "The crew could have left but they wanted to stick."
Any plane able to take that punishment and keep on flying would not let us down at the last moment," explained 2nd. Lt. Chester F. Zajac, 25, Navigator, of 118 Prospect Ave., Bayonne, NJ. He was the chief persuader for allowing the crew to stay by the pilot.
"God only knows how Leukuma did it, but he did it."remarked 2nd. Lt. Clem B Myers, 27 co-pilot, of 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR. "We had only a few minutes gas left when we headed in."
Just before landing Leukuma shouted, "hang onto your hats, fellows, here we go."
The heavy bomber hit smoothly on the flat tires and wobbled to a stop halfway down the runway. Sweating crew members poured out from every opening.
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
Crew of My Gal Georgia 456th Bomb Group, Stornara, Italy
Name and rank of the members of the crew Address during WWII 747th Bom Squadron Age FAG
1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN Pilot 915681
2nd Lt. Clem B. Myers 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR Co-Pilot 1023089
2nd Lt. Chester F. Zajac 118 Prospect Ave. Bayonne, NJ Navigator 25 112254520
T/Sgt. Edwin T. Brownell North Pownal, VT Engineer 22 51175807
S/Sgt Joseph Benko, 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 498 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT Radio Operator 24
S/Sgt Peter J. Lysek Summerdale, AL Nose Turret Gunner 20 131687730
S/Sgt Kenneth A. Breshears Goodson, MO Upper Turret Gunner 22 8903182
S/Sgt Ernest M. Lorelli 323 Oakland Ave., Punxsutawney, PA Lower Turret Gunner 20 65059326
S/Sgt Lacy C. Geddie 1605 N. John Street, Fayetteville, NC Tail Turret Gunner 21 146928597
------------------------------------------------------------
Twice 1st. Lt. Joseph F. Leukuma, B-24 Liberator pilot, of Route 3, Box 114, Dassel, MN ordered his crew to bail out and twice he stopped the orders because the entire crew wanted to ride their plane in.
The heavy bomber, "My Gal Georgia". had been hit by two huge bursts of flak over Port San Stefano, Italy and had suffered 250 flak holes. The two inboard motors were shot out, two main tires blown, the braking system destroyed and gasoline was spraying from pierced fuel tanks. The plane had been hit before the target, but it made its run in formation.
"After the run I peeled off and away from the formation for the danger of an explosion aboard was imminent," Leukuma said. "The crew could have left but they wanted to stick."
Any plane able to take that punishment and keep on flying would not let us down at the last moment," explained 2nd. Lt. Chester F. Zajac, 25, Navigator, of 118 Prospect Ave., Bayonne, NJ. He was the chief persuader for allowing the crew to stay by the pilot.
"God only knows how Leukuma did it, but he did it."remarked 2nd. Lt. Clem B Myers, 27 co-pilot, of 2501 Vance St., Little Rock, AR. "We had only a few minutes gas left when we headed in."
Just before landing Leukuma shouted, "hang onto your hats, fellows, here we go."
The heavy bomber hit smoothly on the flat tires and wobbled to a stop halfway down the runway. Sweating crew members poured out from every opening.
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
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