World War II Honoree

Nick Corbo

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Scotia, New York

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON APRIL 15, 1942 AT ALBANY, NEW YORK. ASSIGNED TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATRES OF OPERATION, 20TH AIR FORCE, XXI BOMBER COMMAND, 313TH BOMB WING, 505TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (VERY HEAVY), 483RD BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT NORTH FIELD ON TINIAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS. ON FEBRUARY 10, 1945, HE FLEW AS AN AERIAL GUNNER AND RADIO OPERATOR ABOARD A BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS NICKNAMED 'SLICK’S CHICKS' (TAIL # 42-24784). IT WAS ONE OF 120 AIRCRAFT LAUNCHED IN A WING FORMATION TO BOMBARD THE NAKAJIMA AIRCRAFT ASSEMBLY PLANT AT OTA ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF TOKYO, JAPAN. WHILE OVER THE TARGET AT AN ALTITUDE OF 28,000 FEET, THE GROUP WAS ATTACKED BY A BAND OF NAKAJIMA KI-44 SINGLE-ENGINE 'TOJO' FIGHTER PLANES. DURING THE ATTACK HIS AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A MID-AIR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER B-29 BOMBER, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT AND AIRCREWS.