World War II Honoree

Harry S. Cepura

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Buffalo, New York

Honored By

James M. Laverick

Relationship

Friend

HE ENLISTED IN 1939. AT THE START OF THE WAR HE FLEW ON B-18 AIRCRAFT CONDUCTING ANTI-SUBMARINE PATROL MISSIONS OUT OF BRITISH GUIANA, HIS CREW SCORED THE FIRST HIT ON A GERMAN U-BOAT IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC. HE WAS LATER ASSIGNED TO EUROPE WITH THE 15TH AIR FORCE. HE FLEW OVER 50 COMBAT MISSIONS (TWO TOURS) AS A WAIST GUNNER/RADIO OPERATOR IN B-24 AIRCRAFT. HE FLEW OUT OF ITALY ON MISSIONS OVER AUSTRIA, POLAND, YUGOSLAVIA AND ITALY.