Shot down near Bremerhaven, Germany, on 9/26/44 in B-17 "Hurry Home" #43-37818, Prisoner of War (POW).



2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak serial number O-706042 was the co-pilot of the B-17 "Hurry Home" during mission 648, September 26, 1944.



While escaping the aircraft 2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak broke his leg and upon landing, injured his back. He was taken POW and held at Hospital Sandbostel that Serves Stalag 10-B.



MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) 9401 reports that on September 26, 1944, at 1610 hours, the "Hurry Home" took a direct flak hit in the right wing just after bombs away.

Eyewitness statements in the MACR report as follows: "This aircraft flew #3 in the 2nd lead element squadron of the low group of 4A wing. This group bombed Bremerhaven as a last resort target. Aircraft #818 received a direct flak hit over target just after bombs away. At 1610 hours this aircraft was observed to be on fire with the entire right wing ablaze and part of #4 engine falling away. The aircraft went into a spin and then exploded and disintegrated. It was last seen a few miles north of the spot where it suffered initial damage. 2 to 3 chutes were seen before aircraft exploded."



MACR reports that 3 men were able to escape this aircraft:



1st Lt. Roman Pajakowski navigator

2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak pilot

T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr Top Turret



Pajakowski and Dvorak were taken POWs. T/Sgt. Galen E. Miller Jr's body was recovered and was buried October 3, 1944, at Garrison Cemetery Wesermuende-Geestemuende in Section II, Area G, Row 51, Grave #50.



This was part of mission #648 which originated from Rattlesden as part of the Eighth Air Force 447th Bomb Group, 709th bomb squadron operations in the bombing of Bremen.



The bombing of Bremerhaven resulted in damage to U-Boat #3509 which was being constructed at the Schichau Seebeckwerft facility.



The entire crew of the B-17 "Hurry Home" #43-37818 was as follows:

1st Lt. Robert C. Calef Jr. Pilot, serial number O-821216

2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak Pilot, serial number O-706042

1st Lt. Roman R. Pajakowski Navigator, serial number O-707974

1st Lt. Donald N. Fenrenbach Bombardier, serial number O-756962

T Sgt. Paul R. Krubel Radio Operator, serial number 11069263

T. Sgt. Galen E. Miller Jr Top Turret, serial number 33574233

S. Sgt. Frank J. Martin Ball Turret, serial number 31139065

S. Sgt. Wayne S. Thompson Tail Gunner, serial number 38370670

S. Sgt. John Karbowsky Waist Gunner, serial number 33591618



TSgt. Paul R. Krubel and SSgt. Wayne S. Thompson's bodies were recovered near Cuxhaven, Germany, prior to November 3, 1944. They originally had interment at Brockeswald Cemetery Grave #96D and #97D.



On June 26, 1949, Mrs. Nora K. Hauptman, Paul's mother, applied for a headstone or marker via form 623 for her son TSgt. Paul R. Krubel, who had reinterment at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield, MA. Veterans Section Plot #13.



Memorial to the crew of the Hurry Home:



http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=652971



Major George James Dvorak, 87, died peacefully on Veteran's day, November 11, 2007 at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born February 12, 1920 in Berwyn, Illinois. As a teen, when his dad was out of work, George helped support his family of seven by pushing a wheelbarrow for 40 cents an hour, withholding only a small amount of his wages for himself. At age 16, he pursued his boyhood dream of flying like a bird, by spending all he had saved on flying lessons. Then, at age 19, he began a long and valued Air Force career when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, July 19, 1939. As an airplane mechanic in the famous 19th Bombardment Group, he was stationed at Clark Field in the Philippines when WWII began. He later became a B-17 Bomber pilot and flew 18 Missions involving over 180 combat flying hours in the European Theater of Operations. After being shot down and captured in Germany, he was POW from September 27, 1944 to April 29, 1945. He later delivered supplies in the Berlin Airlift. During the Korean War he specialized in troop transport. He also flew Cold War spy missions when he was based in Prestwick, Scotland from 1958 to 1960. As a command pilot in the Air Rescue Service, he proudly escorted Air Force One May 5, 1960 with President Eisenhower aboard. He retired from the Air Force October 31, 1960. Between fishing trips in California Shasta Mountains, he designed, built and flew a one-man experimental air craft called the Dvorak Mini One.