World War II Honoree

Emil William Faltisek, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

East Bernard, Texas

Honored By

Patsy Faltisek

Relationship

Sister

VOLUNTEERED AT 18 YEARS OF AGE. CALLED TO DUTY IN 1944. SELECTED TO SERVE IN EUROPEAN THEATRE AS A MEMBER OF 351ST BOMB GROUP, 508TH BOMB SQUADRON. DEPARTED ON THE QUEEN MARY IN LATE 1944 FOR STATION POLEBROOK, ENGLAND. FLEW IN 24 MISSIONS AS THE TAIL GUNNER IN A B-17 BOMBER OVER GERMANY AND GERMAN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF POLAND, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA, AND NORTHERN FRANCE. TYPICAL MISSIONS LASTED 9-10 HOURS. P-51 AND P-47 FIGHTERS WOULD JOIN THE B-17S' AS THEY CROSSED THE ENGLISH CHANNEL OUT OF POLEBROOK, OFFERING PROTECTION FROM ENEMY PLANES. ON MAY 31, 1945, WAS SHIPPED BACK TO THE UNITED STATES TO PREPARE TO GO BACK TO THE PACIFIC, BUT WAS NOT SENT. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ON JANUARY 31, 1946. AWARDED WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, SHARP SHOOTERS MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATRE RIBBON, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN MEDAL WITH 3 BATTLE STARS, AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.