Arthur J Bertagna

Military
media-54834.jpeg UPL 54834 TSGT Arthur J. Bertagna
Bombardier/Aerial Gunner
340th BG - 488th BS - 12th AF
KIA 16 April 1945

Object Number - UPL 54834 - TSGT Arthur J. Bertagna Bombardier/Aerial Gunner 340th BG - 488th BS - 12th AF KIA 16 April 1945

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Units served with

A B-25 Mitchell (7C) of the 340th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force takes off.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6953321
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-828759
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
  • Nicknames: Sweat Pea
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Cook County, Illinois 2 September 1924

Enlisted

Chicago, Illinois 30 October 1942

Other

Combat Mission

Casalecchio, Italy 12 October 1944 43-35983

Other

Combat Mission - Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

San Michele, Italy 21 January 1945 Arthur J. Bertagna, 16145320, T/Sgt, 488th Bomb Sq, 340th Bomb Gp. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as bombardier in a B-25 type aircraft. On 21 January 1945, T/Sgt. Bertagna flew in an attack upon a railroad bridge near San Michele, Italy. Upon the completion of the bomb run, a B-25 crashed into his aircraft severing nearly all of the tail assembly and causing the bomber to fall from the pilot's control. Courageously remaining at his post as his pilot regained control and manouvered the crippled plane into level flight, T/Sgt. Bertagna quickly charted an unbriefed course and guided his pilot around known enemy gun positions back to base. Then, skillfully manipulating the trim tabs, T/Sgt. Bertagna enabled his pilot and co-pilot to effect a perfect emergency landing without injury to the crew. On more than fifty combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United State

Died

Tyrrhenian Sea off the east coast of Corsica 16 March 1945 The a/c Pelton was piloting, B-25J 43-27551, crashed in flames into the Tyrrhenian Sea shortly after takeoff.

Buried

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial No Known Grave Tablets of The Missing Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy PLOT Tablets of the Missing

Arthur J Bertagna: Gallery (1 items)