Killed in Action (KIA). Shot down 17 April 1943 in B-17 #42-5337 'Short Snorter III'. Target was Bremen, but a/c was attacked by fighters and flak. Plane ditched in North Sea. 2 survivors were picked up 11 miles north-west of the German island of Norderney.



Joseph served as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner on B-17 "Short Snorter III" (#42-5337), 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.



He resided in Kent County, Rhode Island prior to the war.



He enlisted in the Army on March 27, 1942 in Providence, Rhode Island. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Shipping and receiving clerk and also as Single, without dependents.



B-17 "Short Snorter III" #42-5337 was hit and damaged by flak during a mission over the city of Bremen, Germany. They eventually, due to the damage, crashed into the North Sea.



Joseph was declared "Missing In Action" in this crash during the war.



He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart.



The 91st Bomber Group lost 11 B-17's on this mission.



Service # 31112002



Son of Martin and Mary (Bator) Rekas.

The Eight crew member lost on #42-5337:



Brandenburg, Lawrence J. ~ T/Sgt, Radio Operator, IA

Hamrick, Victor L. ~ S/Sgt, Waist Gunner, WV

Lindsey, Nathan F. ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, FL

Rekas, Joseph A. ~ S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, RI

Roy, Anthony J. ~ S/Sgt, Tail Gunner, MA

Scavello, Sebastian ~ T/Sgt, Engineer, CT

Schippang , Alvin T. ~ S/Sgt, Waist Gunner, PA

Slivkoff, George ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, CA



Two member of the crew became POW's:



Maiorca, Rocco J. ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator

Dobsa, Albert ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier



Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters