World War II Honoree

Paul Bangiola

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Boonton, New Jersey

Honored By

John Peterson

HE ENLISTED AS AN AVIATION CADET IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS, JUNE 30, 1942. AFTER OPERATIONAL TRAINING THROUGH THE THIRD AIR FORCE IN PERRY, FLORIDA, HE WAS TRANSFERRED OVERSEAS AND JOINED THE 57TH FIGHTER GROUP, 66TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, NAPLES, ITALY, WHEREUPON HE PARTICIPATED IN THE TRANSFER OF THE GROUP FROM NAPLES TO CORSICA, AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF 'OPERATION STRANGLE.' HE FLEW 50 MISSIONS UNTIL HE WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN ACTION ON HIS 50TH MISSION, WHILE STRAFING A GUN EMPLACEMENT NEAR BUCA, ITALY. HE PARTICIPATED IN DIVE-BOMBING AND STRAFING MISSIONS, AND THE INTERDICTION OF SUPPLY LINES. THE LAST MISSION FLOWN ON MAY 27, 1944, RESULTED IN A CRASH LANDING ON CORSICA, AFTER SUSTAINING FOUR HITS FROM 20MM GROUND FIRE. AFTER AN 8-MONTH HOSPITALIZATION AND 14 MONTHS ON THE GROUND, HE WAS RESTORED TO FLYING STATUS AND SEPARATED FROM THE SERVICE ON MARCH 18, 1946, WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS; THE PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS BATTLE RIBBON, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS WITH 2 BATTLE STARS, AMERICAN THEATRE MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. IN ADDITION, HE PARTICIPATED IN THE AWARD OF THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION OF THE 57TH FIGHTER GROUP AND GROUP.