T/Sgt.

Joseph George Rachunas

Engineer / Top Turret Gunner / Waist Gunner / Tail Turret Gunner

545th Bomb Squadron

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

Serial Nr 6847286

POW 13/04/1944

Missions Credited - 24

T/Sgt.

Joseph George Rachunas

Engineer / Top Turret Gunner / Waist Gunner / Tail Turret Gunner

545th Bomb Squadron

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

Serial Nr 6847286

POW 13/04/1944

Missions Credited - 24

Joseph George Rachunas was originally assigned the the 6th Service Squadron, on 15th January 1943. This unit had been formed in 1942 as a support unit, and by mid-November 1943 had beceome the 443rd Sub Depot at Grafton Underwood, under the command of Major John H. Humphries. The unit was responsible for the mechanical and engineering support to the 384th Bomb Group, tasked very much with "Keeping the Show on the Road".

After a request to transfer to a combat unit, Joseph was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 7th September 1943. He was classified as a gunner, but notably across several positions - Engineer/Top Turret, Waist Gunner and also Tail Turret Gunner. He was to go on to fly 24 combat missions - two as a waist gunner, 1 as top turret, 19 as tail gunner and 2 as togglier. His first mission was to be on the 30th October 1943, however this was recalled - his first combat mission credited came on the 3rd November 1943, on mission #34 to the port at Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

His engineering background was to supposedly to come to the fore after a mission on 26th November 1943 - he was flying on the crew of "Damn Yankee", the first mission of the new Commanding Officer, Dale Smith. Two serious issues facing crew aside from combat were the extreme cold and the risk of hypoxia - a lack of oxygen. Whilst at altitudes generally above 10,000ft the crew were served oxygen through a system on each aircraft, there were risks that would prevent adequate supply with symptoms of a lack of sufficient oxygen often difficult to spot in the heat of combat.

On this particular mission, T/Sgt. Rachunas was operating the left waist gun. The first issue to arise for the crew were three 'hung' incendiary bombs in the bomb bay. Bombardier 2nd Lt. Warren E. Parmer had the unenviable job of trying to free the munitions, whilst suspended above the open bomb bay with no parachute - the confines of the area were too small to be able to wear one. Eventually it would appear some were freed however in Dale Smiths memoirs, he does state that one bomb remained attached by one single shackle hook and hung suspended, with the arming vanes having wound off, fully arming the weapon. The weapon finally released itself as the aircraft descended.

On his return, the bombardier did his usual 15 minute oxygen check - there was no respone from the ball turret gunner. On the intercom, T/Sgt. Rachunas was instructed to go and check. Attaching himself to a portable walk round oxygen bottle, he left his position to check. Also suffering from a lack of oxygen for some reason not documented was the navigator. The second waist gunner, S/Sgt. Glen A. Carter, was instructed to go and assist him. On his return, S/Sgt. Carter noticed there was no sign of T/Sgt. Rachunas. Returning to the ball turret area, he found Rachunas suffering from a lack of oxygen. Attending to the ball turret gunner first, he cranked the turret round so as to be able to access the gunner, and pulled him into the aircraft where he started to provide oxygen, whilst at the same time assisting T/Sgt. Rachunas to reconnect to the main oxygen supply in the aircraft. With all men now back onto oxygen, the situation resolved itself. Pilot Lt. Siguard Thompson was later to credit S/Sgt. Carter with saving all three mens lives.

On his return and mindful of his near miss, T/Sgt. Rachunas was reportedly determind to find a solution to ensuring the supply, and uptake, of oxygen at all positions in the aircraft could be centrally monitored, and acted upon if there became an issue. It's documented he divised a 'blinker' system that could be fitted in the nose of the aircraft and was overseen by the Bombardier. The idea was reportedly put before Headquarters, for submitting back to the USA as a potential modification. There is however currently no record of such an item being produced and fitted to B-17's.

On the 13th April 1944, the 384th's mission #89, T/Sgt. Rachunas was part of the crew of 1st Lt. Edward Anthony Fioretti, onboard B-17G #42-38112 "Mrs Geezil". After being attacked by German fighters between 13.54pm and 13.57pm, "Mrs Geezil" entered a spin, eventually exploding. Seven parachutes were seen to have emerged, although T/Sgt. Walter E. Stuhl was to be killed either whilst in the air in his parachute, or on the ground. T/Sgt. Rachunas was blown clear of the aircraft after it exploded. Along with five other members of the crew, he was to spend the rest of the war as a POW, in Stalag 17B at Braunau Gneilendorf, Austria until the camp was liberated.