John C Byczkowski
MilitaryJohn C. Byczkowski was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Order of Légion d'Honneuris Chevalier(Knight) for heroism. On a mission bombing German positions over France, armed bombs became lodged in the bomb rack, he shed his parachute and crawled out over the open doors with a crowbar, waiting precious seconds until the aircraft had cleared a French town. He freed the bombs and lost consciousness, fully expecting to fall to his death. He was pulled in by his crew at the last second.
Damaged by flak and landed in Sweden on 6/21/44 in B-24 #42-109816, Interred (INT).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: War Goddess
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Buffalo, New York, USA | ||
|
Other Interned (INT) |
Denmark | 21 June 1944 |
Revisions
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Flagged as a "Possible DUPLICATE" in the Nickname field so an Admin can check out this person.
MACR 6544 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database