World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Alfred W. Pezzella
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Waltham, Massachusetts
Honored By
Robert R. Luise
Relationship
Cousin
1ST LIEUTENANT. HE WAS A BOMBARDIER IN THE 93RD BOMB GROUP OF THE 8TH AIR FORCE. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN THE HEROIC LOW LEVEL BOMBING OF THE PLOESTI OIL REFINERIES ON AUGUST 1, 1943, KNOWN AS OPERATION TIDAL WAVE. HE WAS THE LEAD BOMBARDIER OF THE 93RD BOMB GROUP FOR THE MISSION, FLYING IN THE GROUP'S LEAD B-24 BOMBER, 'HELL'S WENCH', PILOTED BY THE GROUP COMMANDER, COLONEL A. BAKER. HELL'S WENCH CRASHED IN FLAMES AFTER SEVERAL HITS BY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE, WITH NO SURVIVORS.