He was called to active duty November 27 1943 and trained as a gunner, leaving for the ETO in January 1945. On 20th February the target was Berlin, a tail wind of 100mph outbound and head wind back. It was a chaotic return - the B-17s scattering and fuel very low and they started to dump as much as possible, including ammunition. Leon opened his gun cover and a shell exploded burning his hands and eyes, needing treatment at the base hospital. On R& R afterwards he went to a dance and met his future wife Vera. 11 missions from February 26, 1945 through April 24, 1945



AM/ WW II VM/ GC