World War II Honoree

Tony Pompa

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Silvis, Illinois

Honored By

John Pompa & Frank Pompa

Relationship

Nephews

ENLISTED IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS ON 7-18-41. ARRIVED IN GROTTAGLIE, ITALY IN MID-DECEMBER 1943, VIA CASABLANCA AS MEMBER OF THE 449TH BOMB GROUP, 15TH AIR FORCE, 717TH SQUADRON. SERVED AS TAIL GUNNER ABOARD SEVERAL B-24 LIBERATORS AND ULTIMATELY LOST HIS LIFE ABOARD A PLANE (THE URCHIN LURCHIN) ON 1-31-44. THIS PLANE WAS THE LEAD SHIP, PILOTED BY THE GROUP COMMANDER. THE SHIP WAS HIT BY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE AS IT RELEASED ITS BOMB LOAD OVER AVIANO, ITALY. DURING EVACUATION, PARACHUTE BECAME DISENGAGED. KNOWING WOULD NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THE PLANE, ASSISTED BOTH WAISTS GUNNERS IN THEIR ESCAPE.