World War II Honoree

Joseph 'Joe' Guastella

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Tampa, Florida

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Second Lieutenant. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps July 30, 1942 at Tampa, Florida. As a graduate of the Advanced Flight Aviation Cadet Training program, he accepted his Commission and Silver Pilot Wings. He served as a Pilot, who flew the B-17H ‘Flying Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 703rd Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group and an element of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at Tibenham Royal Air Force Station England. On Wednesday, August 16, 1944 the ‘Flying Fortress’ with ten crewmembers, departed England on a bombing mission to Dessau, Germany. While over the target, the Bomber was hit by German anti-aircraft ground flak fire. The aircraft while losing altitude, suffered a Mid-Air-Collision, with another B-17H ‘Flying-Fortress’. He was able to bail-out, and later captured by the German Armed Forces in the vicinity of Mosigkau, Germany. His captors transferred him to the Prisoner of War Camp, Stalag Luft III Sagan-Silesia Location: Sagan, Germany. He passed away Saturday, August 17, 1944 in a Prisoner-of-War Hospital of serve wounds; with burial in the POW Camp Cemetery. In the post-war era, this Airman’s family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at the L’Unione Italiana Cemetery, located at Ybor City, Florida. He served his Country with Pride and Honor. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Air Medal, Purple Heart, and his Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Lieutenant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, and the Purple Heart for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.