Melvin Samuels served in the 535th Bomber Squadron, 381st Bomber Group (Heavy) as a Sergeant and Radio Operator on the B-17 #42-29923 "Lucky Strike" during World War II. On January 4, 1944, his aircraft, having been battle damaged on a bombing mission to Kiel, Germany, ran out of gas and crash landed in Cawston, Norfolk, England, while returning to base. Lt. Kraut and Sergeant Rivera (his crewmates) were fatally injured. The eight remaining crew members (including SGT Samuels) survived.