Thomas P Styslinger
Military
42-29365
466th BG | 787th BS
08 Apr 1944 National Archives and Records Administration
A/C # in IWM Database is incorrect as stated (41-29365)
It SHOULD BE 42-29365.
Object Number - UPL 42639 - MACR 3840 42-29365 466th BG | 787th BS 08 Apr 1944
Shot down 8 April 1944 in B-24 #41-29365, Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O 684326
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA | 6 November 1923 | |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Germany | 8 April 1944 | |
|
Died |
Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 15 August 2005 | When Tom Styslinger touched down on German soil in 1944, it was the beginning of a 13-month stint in a prisoner-of-war camp. "Dad was a navigator aboard a B-24 bomber that was shot down in Germany," said his son, Tim Styslinger. "He managed to parachute to safety, but the Germans were waiting for him." Thomas P. Styslinger, of Fox Chapel, a former software executive with U.S. Steel Corp., died Monday, Aug. 15, 2005, at Mercy Hospital, Uptown. He was 82. "Dad was 150 pounds when he was captured and 96 pounds when he was liberated in 1945," his son said. "But that didn't deter Dad from returning to active duty during the Vietnam War, navigating planes that were resupplying the troops on the front lines. "During one mission, Dad's plane was so riddled with bullets that they figured that they might have to abandon their plane." Mr. Styslinger was a major in the Air National Guard when he was called back to active duty from 1968-71 and rose to the rank of colonel, said another son, Tom Styslinger. "He said: 'When you're called up to defend your country, it's your duty to support our troops.' "Mom agreed. She supported Dad during the years he was away from home serving in Vietnam." Tom Styslinger said five members of his father's family -- including Mr. Styslinger's father -- served during World War II. "Dad's brother, Bob, who was awarded a Bronze Star, died in action during the Korean War," he said. Upon returning to Pittsburgh at the end of World War II, Mr. Styslinger, with the help of the GI Bill, enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh and received a degree in mechanical engineering. "My father had a part-time job painting railroad cars while attending Pitt," said Tom Styslinger. In 1947, Mr. Styslinger began a 30-year career with U.S. Steel. In 1948, he married Ann Kane, of Wilkinsburg, who he met at a skating rink. "Tom was a happy-go-lucky guy, but I could also see that he was a man of integrity," said Mrs. Styslinger. In 1977, Mrs. Styslinger enrolled at Community College of Allegheny County as an accounting major, when her husband, after retiring from U.S. Steel, organized the first of his two software firms. Upon graduation, she became his accounting manager. Raised in both Homewood and Wilkinsburg, Mr. Styslinger was one of 12 children of William and Grace McGuire Styslinger. To help his parents during the Depression, Mr. Styslinger, while attending Central Catholic High School in Oakland, sold newspapers and did a number of odd jobs. In 1941, Mr. Styslinger graduated from high school and enlisted in the Army Air Corps, attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant. "Dad recalled how they had to fly many daylight bombing missions," said Tom Styslinger. "They lost a lot of planes and a lot of men, but they understood what had to be done." Mr. Styslinger is survived by his wife, Ann Kane Styslinger; five children, Ann Urish and her husband, Kenneth, of McCandless; Robert C. Styslinger, of Fox Chapel; Jean Nasca and her husband, Dr. Thomas, of Malvern, Chester County; Thomas P. Styslinger and his wife, Lynn, of Cary, N.C., and Timothy F. Styslinger and his wife, Ruby, of Kensington, Md.; 13 grandchildren; two sisters, Grace Buckmaster and Marian Bomber; and a brother, George Styslinger. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at McCabe Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 6214 Walnut St., Shadyside. A prayer service will be held there at 10 a.m. Friday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Scholastica Church, Aspinwall, where he was a member Pittsburgh Tribune Review |
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Revisions
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources
Added a "-" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
ContributorBrad Sullivan
Changes
Contributor[email protected]
Changes
Sources
Son. Updated the spelling of the last name. Styslinger not Styalinger. Added DOB.
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3840 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
