Thomas Michael Mangan was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 13, 1922. He was inducted into military service in 1943, and eventually was sent to Navigators School, emerging as a 2nd Lieutenant and was awarded wings.

He was assigned to the operational training unit of the 388th Bomb Group where he was assigned to a crew and practiced combat techniques, including target recognition and long-distance navigation. The crew deployed to England in July 1944 and was assigned to the 561st Bomb Squadron at Knettishall, England.

The crew flew 21 missions, of which F/O Mangan participated in 19. On the mission for October 18, 1944, the group attacked targets in the Kassel area. Strong head winds prevented the formation from making the return trip as planned, and the B-17, # 42-97328, nicknamed "Heavens Above," in which F/O Mangan was in ran out of fuel and made a safe emergency landing in Belgium. The crew returned home, and another crew returned the aircraft, which flew a combat mission the next day.

On November 5, 1944, the Group was directed to bomb targets in the Ludwigshaven area. Flak over the target was intense, as shown by the fact that out of 26 aircraft, 2 was shot down and 13 received significant battle damage. No enemy fighters were involved.

Mangan's aircraft received a flak hit in the wing, rendering # 3 engine inoperative and setting the wing on fire. The pilot put the aircraft into a steep glide, attempting to blow out the fire and also to reach friendly lines. The aircraft, however, made a crash landing at Kirchheim, Germany. The wreckage caught fire, destroying the aircraft. Only two of the crew managed to escape from the wreckage but were captured.

The seven airmen killed in the crash were buried in the Parish cemetery at Bolan. Later, the remains were exhumed, and as individual identification could not be established, the bodies were returned to the U.S. and buried in a common grave at Arlington National Cemetery. Flight Officer Mangan was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, airforce.togetherweserved.com