World War II Honoree

John Edward Chernosky

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Greenpoint, New York

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY AFTER BEING DRAFTED BY THE U.S. ARMY AND TRANSFERRING TO THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS. TRAINED AS A NAVIGATOR ON THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS. SHOT DOWN OVER BELGIUM WHILE ON A MISSION TO BOMB LEIPZIG, GERMANY. BAILED OUT AND FOR 7 MONTHS EVADED CAPTURE WHILE BEING HIDDEN BY MEMBERS OF THE BELGIAN UNDERGROUND. EVENTUALLY REACHED ALLIED TERRITORY. WAS AWARDED AN AIR MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON AND A PRESIDENTIAL CITATION.