World War II Honoree

Anthony J. Belli

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

GRADUATED AS VALEDICTORIAN FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 1942, BUT BEFORE CROSSING THE STAGE, THE 17-YEAR OLD ENLISTED IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS WITH HIS MOTHER'S GRUDGING CONSENT. HE REPORTED TO ITALY AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 97TH BOMB GROUP, 340TH BOMB SQUADRON. HE WAS AMONG THE YOUNGEST FOUR-ENGINE B-17 BOMBER PILOTS DURING WWII. AT 20, HE CO-PILOTED HIS FIRST 2 COMBAT MISSIONS AND LED 12 OTHER SUCCESSFUL COMBAT MISSIONS. HE ONCE HAD A 12-HOUR MISSION TO BERLIN WITHOUT ENOUGH FUEL TO RETURN BUT STILL MANAGED TO SOMEHOW GET HIMSELF AND HIS CREW BACK SAFELY.