World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Joseph B. Betenjany
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Brooklyn, New York
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 15 MAY 1942 AT FORT JAY ON GOVERNORS ISLAND IN NEW YORK HARBOR. ASSIGNED TO THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, 12TH AIR FORCE, 42ND WING, 320TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (M), 444TH BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT DECIMOMANNU AIR BASE, SARDINIA. ON 23 AUGUST 1944, HE FLEW IN THE BOMBARDIER POSITION ABOARD A MARTIN B-26G MARAUDER NICKNAMED 'PANCHO VILLA' (TAIL # 43-34240). THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED ANTI-AIRCRAFT FLAK TO THE RIGHT ENGINE, WHILE ON A MISSION TO BOMBARD A ROAD BLOCK AT COVIGLIANO, ITALY. IT BECAME ENVELOPED IN FIRE, WENT INTO A SPIN, AND EXPLODED BEFORE IMPACTING THE TARGET AREA.