World War II Honoree

Anthony V. Yannucci

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Jacqueline Y. Menkes & Elisabeth Y. Fitzhugh

Relationship

Daughters

FOUGHT IN NORTH AFRICA IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS. HE WAS A MASTER PLANE MECHANIC ON B-52 AIRCRAFT AND RESCUED A FLIGHT CREW FROM A BURNING PLANE IN NORTH AFRICA AFTER IT LIMPED HOME FROM A BOMBING RAID IN GERMANY, RECEIVING A MEDAL FOR HIS HEROISM. ALSO SERVED IN ITALY. HE WENT TO SOUTH AMERICA BEFORE BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE SERVICE AT THE END OF THE WAR. HE JOINED THE ARMY PRIOR TO PEARL HARBOR AND VOLUNTEERED FOR THE ARMY AIR CORPS AS SOON AS IT FORMED. HE WAS ACCEPTED INTO PILOT'S SCHOOL BUT UNDER PROTEST FROM HIS FAMILY, WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ADDED RISK OF BEING A PILOT, HE ACCEPTED TRAINING AS GROUND CREW CHIEF. HE ENDED UP TESTING PLANES BUT DID NOT FLY IN BATTLE.