Joseph J Pavelko
Military ROLL OF HONOURU. S. Army Air Forces
B-24 Aerial Gunner
KIA= 22 DEC 1943 onboard B-24 #42-7554 "Tail End Charlie"
Crashed into the cemetery in Mrins, Netherlands after coming under attack by German fighters.
A. L. DESTRO II
B-24 - #42-7554 - 8th AF, 445th BG, 702nd BS - stationed in NOV 1943 at RAF Tibenham.
Crashed into the cemetery in Mirns, Friesland, the Netherlands on 22 DEC 1943, killing 7 of the 10 crew.
Story written about the crash in MAR 2015 by Mr. Jaap Halma
http://www.heritageleague.org/brian/54.pdf
11 NOV 2015 Commemoration ceremony photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-24_liberator_42-7554/albums
11 NOV 2015 YouTube video of event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVpI3Tf-GWc
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Wing
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-465407
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-807665 / # 12035086
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14061673 / O-732613
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38188018
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-674179 / 129-07-0548
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Tail End Charlie
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 22 December 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Tivetshall
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Died |
22 December 1943 | 22 DEC 1943 in Mirns, Netherlands. His B-24 crashed into a cemetery. | |
Born |
Pennsylvania | 1924 | |
Buried |
Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, The Netherlands, M 10 14 |
Revisions
I have the complete and accurate story, see links below. My uncle was the Bombardier
My uncle was the Bombardier onboard
http://media.nara.gov/nw/305270/EE-2946.pdf
The PIC/Pilot of #42-7554 "Tail End Charlie" crashed in Mirns, Holland 22 DEC 1943...my uncle was the Bombardier
Verified from original copy from Ancestry.com on his burial certificate states awarded purple heart
Birsic, ABMC, 2AD Honor Roll / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia