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Edward L. Vacek, 2007
Audio interview
Branch of Service: U.S. Army Air Force, 381st Bomb Group
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Military Service: Drafted, April, 1943 - September, 1945
Missions completed by Edward L.
VacekA
calendar Mr. Vacek received in Rapid City before his tour of
duty in WWII. He used the calendar to mark his bombing missions. Mr.
Vacek's last mission is shown on Sept. 22nd, 1944.
Article- In one mission two of
Mr. Vacek's engines were destroyed by enemy gunfire. Col. Harold J.
Rau, shown in the photo, escorted Edward L. Vacek's crew to a safe
landing area. Then Mr. Edwards was at a Santa Anna Hospital in
California; one day he was hitchhiking from Los Angeles to Santa
Anna. A young female picked up Mr. Vacek and gave him a ride to the
hospital. The Good Samaritan was Col. Harold J. Rau's wife. Mr.
Vacek commented, "What are the odds?" |
Edward L. Vacek, 2007 (Interviewed by Janet Davison, SDPB Radio)
Edward L. Vacek, 1945
September 25, 1944, photo taken the
day Edward L. Vacek returned to the
United States after completing 34 missions.
This picture was taken in 1944 while in training at Rapid City, SD.
Edward
L. Vacek is pictured front row, first gentleman on the right.
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