Peter F Delao Jr

Military
media-39491.jpeg UPL 39491 Lt. Peter F. Delao, Jr. Lisa Delao

Delao

Object Number - UPL 39491 - Lt. Peter F. Delao, Jr.

SWA in B-17 #42-30088 'Squawkin' Hawk' over Stuttgart, Sept. 6, 1943. Pilot was Capt. Sumner Reeder.

Lt. Delao was Reeder Crew's first Bombardier.

Reeder's crew was one of the original "Bloody 100th" US crews to arrive at Thorpe Abbotts.

Lt. Delao completed 13 missions. On Sept. 6, 1943, he was severely wounded in Stuttgart air battle. Delao suffered numerous injuries to his eye, head, arm, leg.

The plane Reeder's crew flew that day was actually a brand new B-17, later to be "Horny II". Their "Squawking Hawk" was being retro-fitted that day with new plexiglass, procured by Copilot Lt. Harry Edeburn. Sadly, Lt. Edeburn was mortally wounded during Stuttgart. Navigator Russ Engel, also wounded during this air battle - somehow took copilot Edeburn 's place, despite his own injuries.

Thanks to amazing flying skill of Capt. Reeder and crew, they safely returned from enemy territory.

Both Lt. Engel & Lt. Delao were SWA (Severely Wounded in Action), and their wartime service ended.

Delao was hospitalized at several RAF, US military hospitals for months following Stuttgart.

Delao was from San Antonio, Texas.

Died Jan., 2017 in San Antonio.

Buried at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Tx.

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30088) nicknamed "Squawkin' Hawk I" of the 100th Bomb Group, signed by personnel. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Thorpe Abbott. Home 17/5/44. 100th Bomb Group.' Printed caption on reverse: '53312AC - Proud Veteran Goes Home ... With hundreds of autographs on its sleek hull, the war-weary veteran Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Squawkin' Hawk I" is shown shortly before it took off from its 8th AAF bases in England to return to the U.S. for retirement. Covering 47,720
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Squawkin Hawk II
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron 100th Bomb Group

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Born

Revisions

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Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

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Lisa Delao

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Lisa Delao

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Lisa Delao

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Lisa Delao

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L.Delao

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Lisa Delao

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L.Delao

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- Lisa Delao

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100th Bomb Group Foundation Directory, 2000 - 2001, 1 Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. 1 p. 507by Bishop & Hey / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Peter F Delao: Gallery (5 items)