Brletich Matt James

Name:

Matt James Brletich

Rank:

Sergeant

Serial Number:

37570442

Unit:

790th Bomber Squadron, 467th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1984-10-08

State:

Minnesota

Cemetery:

Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing, St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA

Plot:

Block 4

Row:

Lot 233

Grave:

7

Decoration:

Comments:

Matt James Brletich was born on April 5, 1923, in Keewatin, Minnesota, to Ivan Brletich and Mary Ostercevich. Matt had one older brother, Frank John Brletich (b. 1921), a younger brother, John Vincent Brletich, and a younger sister, Rose Marie Brletich (b. 1924).

On June 30, 1942, Matt enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was admitted and began his training as an air gunner. After completing his training, Matt was assigned to the 790th Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group, stationed at RAF Rackheath in England. From here, Matt and his crew flew multiple missions against Germany.

During Matt's last mission, he managed to leave the aircraft in time. Matt was soon captured and taken to a POW camp, where he served the rest of the war.

After the liberation, Matt returned to America. In November 1951, Matt was involved in an accident. The car he was driving crashed into the back of a truck. Matt's co-driver, Charles J. Hecomovich, was killed. Matt himself was injured.

Matt died on October 8, 1984, in Hibbing, Minnesota.

Source of information: www.slodrenthe.nl

Source of photo: www.teunispats.nl