World War II Honoree

Albert Andrew Giuffre

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

West New York, New Jersey

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 18 APRIL 1941 AT NEWARK, NEW JERSEY. 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 FLIGHT ENGINEER 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. HE MANAGED TO BAIL OUT, BUT WAS CAPTURED AND HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR AT STALAG 7A, MOOSBURG IN SOUTHERN BAVARIA, GERMANY.