Alexander Frank Markowski
Military
Added photo
Object Number - UPL 20553 - S/Sgt Alexander F. Markowski (courtesy Markowski family via Jerry Zak)
Alexander Markowski enlisted in the Air Corps in April 1942 and followed training in aerial gunnery and engineering. He graduated as a Sgt from the Wendover Aerial Gunnery and Fire Control School in 1943. He met fellow engineer Sgt Joseph Strukel at Moses Lake, Washington and both were later members of the William Quaintance crew in the 306th Bomb Group / 369th Bomb Squadron which was sent overseas and arrived in England in October 1943. Alexander was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 5 January 1944 and was promoted to Technical Sergeant on 15 February 1944. He was the sole survivor from the loss of B-17# 42-31695 on 22 February 1944. Made a Prisoner of War (POW) he was detained for 15 months and returned to the US. He started a machine repair business in Utica, NY which he managed with his wife Marietta. Alexander Markowski died at an early age in 1970.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33551808
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31158525
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17128889
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34201982 and O-632869
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13056724 and O-739471
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group
Missions
- Date: 22 February 1944
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
22 March 1913 | ||
|
Enlisted |
28 April 1942 | in the Air Corps | |
|
Other Captured |
22 February 1944 | made a prisoner after bailing out | |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW |
22 February 1944 - 23 May 1945 | Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16 | |
|
Died |
20 June 1970 | ||
|
Born |
|||
|
Buried |
Revisions
Added " / " in the "Role/job" field as a Separator to aid readability.
Updated a Buried event per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 48977641.
SOURCE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48977641/alexander-f.-markowski
MACR 2652
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records
Data from research made on the crew of 42-31695 by Jerry Zak, nephew of Engineer Joseph Strukel (KIA)
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2652 / MACR 2652, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, First Over Germany pg. 217, NARA / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
