Leonard Edward "Lum" Tomaski was born on August 26, 1920, in Momence, Illinois, the son of Edward George Tomaski and Mary M. Rutkowski. Lum was the eldest of three children. He had a brother, Andrew Michael Tomaski (1923), and a sister, Esther Tomaski (1929).

After graduating, Lum went to work at Fife Fabrics Inc. in Momence.

On February 16, 1942, Lum enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was admitted and began his training as an air gunner. After completing his training, Lum was assigned to the 790th Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group, stationed at RAF Rackheath in England. From here, Lum and his crew flew several missions against Germany.

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

After the liberation, Lum returned to America. Here, he married Helen Mabel Frank on October 13, 1945. Together they had three children.

Lum was a handyman and wiring man. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans, a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a lifetime member of the ex-Prisoners of War and the Second Air Division of the Eighth Air Force. He was also a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local and served as trustee and treasurer of the Momence Fire Protection District from 1980 to 2008.

Lum passed away on August 10, 2009.

Source of information: www.slodrenthe.nl

Source of photo: www.teunispats.nl