Albert E. Novak was born on January 15, 1916. He was married to Maxine E. Rinck Novak. He served in the 20th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bomber Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-17 #42-107118 nicknamed 'Snafuperman' during World War II.

On August 29, 1944, the 15th Air Force dispatched the 2nd Bomb Group toward the Moravská Ostrava industrial and fuel complex (present-day Ostrava, Czech Republic) on what the Group designated Mission 263. Over the White Carpathian Mountains near the Czech–Slovak border, a large force of German fighters struck the rear formation, destroying the entire 20th Bomb Squadron in a fierce and rapid engagement now remembered as the Battle over the White Carpathians, which resulted in 41 American airmen killed in action, with 28 initially buried in a mass grave at Slavičín and others taken prisoner. Among the aircraft lost was “Snafuperman” (42-107118), a B-17G that came under intense fighter attack. Its No. 1 engine caught fire, the No. 2 supercharger failed, and the No. 3 engine was knocked out, leaving the bomber fatally crippled. It ultimately crashed between Metylovice and Frýdek-Místek in what is now the Czech Republic, resulting in two fatalities and eight crew members taken prisoner.

2Lt Novak was captured and taken as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 1, Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia. He ended his military service as a Lieutenant Colonel. He died on April 26, 1995, and is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay Township, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA.

Source of information: b17flyingfortress.de, www.findagrave.com, aad.archives.gov