World War II Honoree

Joseph M. Giermek

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Fort Niagara, New York

Honored By

Judith & Mark

Relationship

Children

STAFF SERGEANT WITH 305TH BOMB GROUP, 365TH BOMB SQUADRON, 8TH AIR FORCE. STARTED FLYING COMBAT BOMBING MISSIONS AFTER SOME TRAINING. BOMBING MISSION ON MAY 13, 1944 WAS A TARGET IN POSEN, POLAND, AN AIRCRAFT FACTORY. NOT VISIBLE FOR BOMBING DUE TO CLOUD COVER. WENT ON TO SZCZECIN, POLAND, ANOTHER AIRPLANE FACTORY AND RELEASED THE BOMBS. THAT WAS A SECONDARY TARGET. ON MARCH 6, 1945 IT WAS THE FIRST DAYLIGHT BOMBING OF BERLIN BY THE 8TH AIR FORCE. INDUCTED ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1942; DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 30, 1945. AVIATION (FLIGHT) ENGINEER (748) AND GUNNER. SERVED IN NORMANDY, AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE. AWARDED THE AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 2 BRONZE STARS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE WITH 1 OVERSEAS SERVICE BAR. SERIAL NUMBER 32550970.