Joseph M Palatas
Military
Fold3.com
Object Number - UPL 21096 - Flight Officer Joseph M. Palatas, Bombardier
A Minor League Baseball player, Joseph M. Palatas signed with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization in 1942 and was assigned to the Springfield Cardinals of the Class C Middle-Atlantic League. He was expected to join the Springfield Cardinals of the Class C Western Association for the 1943 season but entered military service in September 1942.
He trained as a bombardier with the Army Air Force, and after earning a commission as a Flight Officer In January 1944.He was assigned to the 325th Bomb Squadron of the 92nd Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force at Poddington, England.
See more at: http://www.baseballsgreatestsacrifice.com/biographies/palatas_joe.html#…
Connections
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Units served with
![B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 92nd Bomb Group fly in formation over countryside. The aircraft, from left to right, are B-17G (NV-P, serial number 44-8354), B-17G (NV-U, serial number 42-97288) nicknamed "Flag Ship" and an unknown B-17G (NV-E) from the 325th Bomb Squadron. Image stamped on reverse: 'The R.L. Cavanagh Photo Collection' [stamp]. Handwritten caption on reverse: '48354, Little Runt. PFF.' [Caption refers to another B-17 nicknamed"Little Runt" either B-17G (NV-P, serial number 42-97515) or B-17](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379200.jpg.webp?itok=MbsLLiLg)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 11 April 1944
Places
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Stalag 341, Stalag 11-A
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died P |
Altengrabow | 11 April 1944 - 11 April 1944 | On April 11, 1944, on only his second mission, Palatas was the bombardier on a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 42-97240), piloted by Second Lieutenant Robert Rasmussen, that was headed for a bombing raid over the industrial center of Stettin, north of Berlin, Germany. Severe anti-aircraft fire was encountered over the target area, and the B-17 was crippled, forcing the crew to bale out. Critically wounded, Palatas was captured by German troops and taken to the hospital at Stalag 11a Prisoner of War camp in Altengrabow, Germany, where he succumbed to his wounds the same day. |
|
Born |
Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
Revisions
Updated personal, biographical details and media by courtesy of Gary Bedingfield at http://www.baseballsgreatestsacrifice.com/biographies
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3673 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
