Joseph Frank Fertitta

Military

Joseph Fertitta was Tail Gunner on B-17F #42-3029 "Wallaroo", shot down by Flak on mission to V-weapons site at Le Meillard, France on 14 January 1944. Had completed 3 missions. Prisoner of War (POW). Sent to the Luftwaffe Interrogation Center at Dulag Luft, Oberursel (Frankfurt). NARA WWII POW record : "Interned at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia, then moved to Wobbelin bei Ludwigslust and to Usedom Bei Savenmunde."

Air Crew Wings, Caterpillar Club Member, POW Medal, EAME Medal, WW II Victory medal.

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16061078 / O-742551
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-752544
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13084785
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18118979
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31192480
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

Ground personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Wallaroo". Passed as censored, then marked 'Confidential' 27 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '303. 27-8-43 A.' On reverse: 'Confidential Until Re-Classified By Censor' and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wallaroo
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag Luft 4, Gross Tychow, Pomerania

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, United States 24 July 1922

Enlisted

30 October 1942 Houston, Texas

Other

Prisoner Of War (POW)

14 January 1944 Interned Stalag Luft 4, Gross Tychow/Tychow, Poland. NARA WWII POW database : " Returned to military control (RMC) 11 May 1945."

Died

23 July 2008 Beaumont, Texas
Beaumont, Texas

Buried

Joseph Fertitta rests at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont, Texas

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
NARA WWII POW records
Veterans Affairs BIRLS death File

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR # 1965

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 1965, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, Roster