During April 4, 1945 over Kiel Germany the crews plane the Bit-O-Lace was shot up by flak over the target. Bombs had become lodged in the bomb bay and could not be released electrically or mechanically. The bombs needed to be dropped to safely return the crew. 1st Lt. Szewczyk, with no parachute and held only by his feet by two other crew members, dangled out of the bomb bay to release the bombs himself, nearly falling out of the plane himself. For this action 1st Lt. Szewczyk received the Distinguished Flying Cross.



DFC/ Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Clusters