In 1941, Peter Calabro of Bridgeville Pa started the Calabro Tire Business, but in 1943, the call to duty came for Peter to serve his country in WW2. Peter was assigned to the 15th Air Force, 97th Bomb Group, 340th Bomb Squadron and was stationed in Amendola, Italy. Peter Calabro's primary position was a Waist Gunner , but he also operated as a Top Turret gunner. Per his written word, Peter was on the B17 Flying Fortress "Phyllis" because she "had the stuff." Peter flew a total of 30 missions while he was stationed in Amendola. The last mission for Peter was during "Operation Market Garden" when he was a Right Waist gunner on the B-17G, 44-6256. Peter's crew was shot down by flak over Hungary, Budapest. Several of Peter's crew members reported he was KIA on this last mission. Per written word of a crew member in the declassified documents: "The rest of us were definitely assured by the Partisians that he had been killed by the Germans. Presumably killed mid-air while bailing out cause they shot at everyone of us." Peter's family was informed that this son of Bridgeville passed away in the war...



"As I descended, I counted 4 or 5 parachutes around me. Bullets were flying all around. It was amazing I was not hit. When I landed, I lay very still on the ground and played dead to save myself." (Peter Calabro)



Several of the Hitler youth came over to Peter while he was on the ground and were initially hesitant to touch him. Peter was wearing an electric suit with wires that were still attached. When these youth realized the situation was not threatening, "they began to beat me." Peter reported, "An older German solider yelled at the kids to stop. He may have saved my life. At that time I was not aware of what happened to the other crew. I was the only one captured."After being captured by the German soldiers, Peters personal items were taken from him, he was sent to a German farmhouse which turned out to be a "German Headquarters facility." Since there was no POW camp in the farmhouse, "they put me in a closet under a staircase to sleep."



From the time of his capture, Peter reported "they moved me from one prison to another." Peter was captured by the German Land Army and he was moved around to "10 different prisons for 2 months." Per Peter, "One prison was especially bad, like a mid evil dungeon. During this time, I was their only prisoner, and stayed in each camp alone." Calabro was then sent to "Zagreb, German Air Force Headquarters. Peter was examined by a doctor for "metal fragments and removed some of it, but he said the rest would come out by itself."



In November of 1944, Peter was moved to another camp in Northern Poland and eventually ended up in Stalag Luft IV. While he was there, Peter met up with two of his friends, George Abood and George Shady. (Shady and Abood were cousins). Calabro, Abood,and Shady were all friends who lived in Bridgeville, Pa. These three men did spend time together in Stalag Luft IV. It is reported that Calabro and Shady were sleeping in the same barracks, but Calabro decided to give his bed to Abood so both the cousins could be together. Peter's bed switch for Abood and Shady lead to both cousins to remain together, side by side, for the remainder of their WW2 experience.



In January of 1945, the Russians were moving in from the east and Peter was moved again "by train via box car for 8 days and nights." The POW's in these box cars suffered in the bitter cold and in horrendous conditions. Peter then was in "Nuremberg for several months before being moved to Museberg, Germany" on foot. Per Calabro, "This trip took about 4 or 5 days."



Peter Calabro was liberated with his POW's in May of 1945 and then sent to "Camp Lucky Strike in France. We were shipped home on a Liberty Ship and arrive in June of 1945." Sargent Calabro was honorably discharged on 10/8/1945.



Peter returned back to his friends and family Bridgeville Pa which included Abood and Shady. As a result of the men meeting in Stalag Luft IV, they remained life long friends. In 1948, Peter married his love Vera Gentile and had a daughter and two sons. Peter Calabro expanded his tire business. In 1967, he added automotive services and moved the business to Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Peter was active in his community. He served on the local Chamber of commerce, was president for several years, and honored by the Chamber as Man of the Year. Peter was an active member of the Bridgeville Kiwanis for many years and on the Board of Directors for Reliable Bank from the late 1980's until 1994. Peter Calabro retired from his business in 1999. Calabro Tire &Auto Service, since 1941, is still a thriving and successful business in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.



Peter Calabro of the 15th Air Force, 97th Bomb Group, 340th Bomb Squadron flew 30 missions,presumed KIA by his crew, was a POW from 9/20/1944 until 5/1945. Peter survived multiple POW camps under the Nazi regime, but his heroic act of kindness to bring two cousins back together in a POW camp was greatest gift in the history of the 3 men's lives.



Sargent Peter Calabro, your service to your country as a military man and in the Bridgeville community is a one of a hero. Your experience shows others the strength of one's spirit when it is tested by the obstacles and challenges of war. Thank you Sargent Calabro for answering the call to duty.