UPL 41298
IMAGE1Lt Eugene J Zakovec, entered the USAAF from: Nebraska. He trained as a fighter pilot and served with the 385th Fighter Squadron. On the 9th April 1945 Eugene was part of an Escort operation supporting 8th Air Force bombers on a mission to Germany. He was flying in the No.4 position of a flight from the 384th Fighter Squadron when they approached the German airfield at Rheine. He attacked the airfield and when he was pulling out of his strafing run his P-38 Lightning (42-67957) was hit by heavy ground fire. The aircraft climbed steeply for about 100ft and then slammed into the ground and exploded, killing Eugene outright. He is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery Neupre, Belgium... Photo source: Patty Carr
Connections
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 364th Fighter Group 385th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-750764
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit: 364th Fighter Group 385th Fighter Squadron