Michael Ralph Ciano

Military

After Gunnery training, Michael Ciano left the US in October 1943, flew Southern Route via Puerto Rico, Brazil, Dakar, Senegal, Marrakech, French Morocco and reached Scotland with his Group. Shot down over Belgium 12 April 44 on 8th mission in B-24 42-7601 'Sin Ship'. Prisoner of War (POW) in Stalag XVIIB, Braunau, near Krems, Austria. On 6 April 1945 went on a 190 mile forced march westward. Reached Allied lines. Liberated 3 May 1945.

Connections

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Units served with

A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.

445th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

William T Burtt

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-746654
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Peter Mather Clark

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11100656
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Albert P Gilsdorf

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-805904
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Robert Thomas Hansen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32385014
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Richard Franklin Hanson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39193191
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner

Aircraft

42-7601

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Signal Squares on the airfield at Tibenham, B-24 Liberators of the 398th Bomb Group are visible in the background. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Tibenham Signal Squares.'

Tibenham

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Tivetshall

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Newark, New Jersey 18 April 1921

Other

Bailed out

12 April 1944 of 42-7601 over Belgium

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

12 April 1944 - 3 May 1945 Captured and interned at Stalag XVIIB in Braunau, near Krems, Austria. NARA WWII POW records : "Returned to Military Control '11 March 1946'"(sic).

Died

16 September 2001

Buried

Michael Ciano rests at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 3828
NARA WWII Draft Card
NARA WWII POW records
VETERANS' BIRLS files

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self, MACR 3828 & p230 in the book SECOND AIR DIVISION edited by Randy Baumgardner, D790.A2S45