World War II Honoree

Martin C. Zajac

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Gallitzin, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Bernard A. Rafacz

Relationship

Nephew

SERVED IN THE 20TH U.S. AIR FORCE FROM FEBRUARY 1945 UNTIL NOVEMBER 1946, ASSIGNED AS A CREW CHIEF WITHIN THE 4TH EMERGENCY RESCUE SQUADRON STATIONED ON GUAM, SAIPAN AND ENIWETOK. HE WAS PRIMARILY INVOLVED IN AIR AND SEA RESCUE OPERATIONS INVOLVING MODIFIED B-17 AIRCRAFT THAT HAD THE CAPABILITY OF 'LAUNCHING' A MOTORIZED LIFE BOAT VIA ITS BOMB BAY DOORS. HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE OF DOWNED AMERICAN AIRMEN FLYING B-29, P-51 AND P-38 AIRCRAFT IN THE COURSE OF THEIR MAKING BOMBING RUNS TO JAPANESE-HELD ISLANDS. AFTER THE WAR, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO SEA RESCUE OPERATIONS SUPPORTING THE ATOMIC BOMB TESTS AT BIKINI ISLAND. FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR EFFORT HE WAS AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON AND THE WWII VICTORY RIBBON.