World War II Honoree

Charles F. Gustina

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Syracuse, New York

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 14 JANUARY 1943 AT SYRACUSE, NEW YORK. ASSIGNED TO THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 464TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), 776TH BOMB SQUADRON, AT PANATELLA ARMY AIR BASE, ITALY. ON 11 DECEMBER 1944, HE WAS THE NAVIGATOR ONBOARD A B-24 LIBERATOR NICKNAMED THE 'FAST NUMBER' (RECALL LETTER: BLACK E; TAIL # 42-95337). WHILE ON A BOMBING MISSION THAT DAY OVER THE SOUTH ORDNANCE DEPOT AT VIENNA, AUSTRIA, THE AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY FLAK FROM AN 88MM GERMAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN, THAT BROKE OFF PART OF THE RIGHT WING, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE AIRCRAFT.