World War II Honoree

Edward Wianecki

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Buffalo, New York

Honored By

Joseph A. Bligh

Relationship

Friend of Honoree's Nephew, Richard Wianecki

WAS NAVIGATOR/BOMBARDIER IN B-24 LIBERATOR 4-ENGINE HEAVY BOMBERS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ALSO PILOTED AS NEEDED. SERVED WITH THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 97TH BOMB WING, 450TH BOMB GROUP FROM BASES IN SOUTHEAST ITALY FROM DECEMBER 1943 TO SEPTEMBER 1944. TARGETS INCLUDED MUNICH, GERMANY, THE RUMANIAN OIL FIELDS OF PLOESTI AND OTHER LARGE INSTALLATIONS. COMPLETED 50 MISSIONS AND ONCE SPOTTED A JET. IT WAS ALMOST CERTAINLY A TWIN-ENGINE MESSERSCHMITT ME-262, THE WORLD'S FIRST OPERATIONAL JET FIGHTER AND FASTEST WWII AIRCRAFT. AWARDS INCLUDE THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC) FOR PHYSICALLY FORCING OPEN STUCK BOMB BAY DOORS TO DROP THE LOOSE PAYLOADS THAT HAD BEEN PARTIALLY RELEASED IN THE BELLY OF HIS AIRCRAFT. RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE.