S/Sergeant Francis S. 'Pete' Kowalk (TG) - Flew on all of the Capt Edwards Regular and Lead Crew missions except for missions 103, 107, 159, 182, 187, 193. Missions 159 & 187 flown as Waist Gunner. Flew with other Pilots on missions 176, 212, 218. Completed 30 mission combat tour on 5 Sept 1944.















On 21 June 1944 bombing run the aircraft encountered intense anti-aircraft fire. A direct hit in the waist of the plane struck a box containing approximately 60 flares and ignited them. Almost immediately dense smoke filled the airplane and flares began to explode. Distrgarding his personal safety, he made his way through the billowing smoke to the burning box in which flares were still going off and aggempted to drag it to the waist door and trow it out. He succeeded in getting the box almost to the door, suffering buns about the yeys and cheeks but was forced to abandon the attempts because of the intense heat. He went for a fire extinguisher when he collapsed.



DFC w 1Oak Leaf Cluster/ Air Medal w3Oak Leaf Cluster/ Purple Heart; ETO w/ 3 battle stars/ Good Conduct Medal/Victory Medal