Rocco Joseph Maiorca

Military
media-33769.jpeg UPL 33769 Rocco Joseph Maiorca with wife, Frances in Los Angeles, California.

Family photos

Object Number - UPL 33769 - Rocco Joseph Maiorca with wife, Frances in Los Angeles, California.

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. Maiorca swam 3 hours to the shore. Became a Prisoner of War (POW) at Stalag Luft 3 and moved to work camps - ending the war at Munich.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37114199
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Second Lieutenant A.C. Dobsa of the 91st Bomb Group, on his return to Bassingbourn after the Antwerp raid, 6 April 1943. Passed for publication 6 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'Photo Shows - 2nd Lieut. A.C. Dobsa of New York City (Bombardier) with a dirty face but smiling happily on his return from the Antwerp raid. He also took part in Sunday's raid on Paris. And April 6th 1943 PN. On reverse: Planet News Ltd and US Army Press Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Print No: 256835. Press caption f
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-729731
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35274442
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-791463
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31112002
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Short Snorter III
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany
  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag 7a, Moosburg

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Bottom Creek, WV 5 September 1915

Enlisted

Los Angeles, California 17 December 1941

Died

El Sereno, California 26 May 1984

Revisions

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Contributoramaiorca
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Daughter's account

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Daughter's account

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added a "-" to the A/C tail # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

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ContributorHacking
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margraten

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Contributoramaiorca
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Family history

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Contributoramaiorca
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Contributoramaiorca
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Personal interview.

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Personal interview.

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Family photo

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Contributoramaiorca
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1. Personal interview

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Contributoramaiorca
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1. Clipped Wings by O.M. Chiesl
2. Personal interview

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ContributorAAM
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Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 16090, Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces Vol. 1 p. 105 by Bishop and Hey, The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingborn p. 38 by Havelaar, NARA. WWII National Monument entry

Rocco Joseph Maiorca: Gallery (5 items)