Name:
Jimmie G. O'Leary
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
Unit:
353rd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
0000-00-00
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Comments:
Jimmie G. O'Leary served in the 353rd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Photographer 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 O'Leary was one of those who were rescued.