On 1 December 1943, on return from the mission to Solingen, Germany, severe turbulence over England forced the crew to bale out near Lasham in B17#42-30714 "Hustling Sue" piloted by CPT. George Reese. 1 KOM 9 RTD.

Geno DiBetta was pilot of B-17G #42-31388 on the 11 February 1944 mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Engines were damaged by flak over the IP and then shot up by fighters, exploded, and crashed near Beauvais, France after the crew baled out except for BTG S/Sgt James H. Coleman. This was Geno DiBetta's 17th mission, He and five other crew members managed to evade capture, with the help of French citizens and memebers of Résistance organizations. Hidden in secret camps in the Fréteval forest, near Châteaudun, France. Liberated there by US troops, he returned to his unit in England on 15 August 1944. Reassigned to CONUS at Lockbourne AAF, Columbus, OH through Mitchell Field. Separated from Active Duty on 8 October 45.

See the full story of his evasion at https://www.evasioncomete.be/fdibettge.html

Awards : Air Medal with2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart.