George A. Bertuzzi served in the 353rd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Radio Operator on the B-17 #42-97580 during World War II.

On May 29, 1944, his crew took off from Lucera Airfield in Italy on a mission to bomb the Aerodrome in Wollersdorf, Austria. Their bomber was heavily hit by flak (anti-aircraft fire), and the aircraft exploded en route to the bombing site. Of the ten members who parachuted out of the flak-damaged and burning aircraft, 2 were killed, 5 were rescued by partisan forces, 2 were captured and taken as prisoners, and 1 died of wounds. SSgt Bertuzzi was one the POWs. He was taken to Stalag 3 and Stalag IV-A.