Frederick John Cataldi was born on August 4, 1914, in Spangler, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Carlo Cataldo and Elizabeth Valant Giraulo. He was married to Grace Mary Martino Cataldi. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on June 1, 1942. He served in the 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-17F #42-5788 nicknamed 'Pluto's Avenger' and also known as 'A.O.G. Not in Stock,' during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, during Mission #111 to Aschersleben, Germany, B-17F #42-5788 Pluto's Avenger was attacked by German fighters. The aircraft remained in a controlled shallow dive with its #4 engine smoking before crashing near Duffel, 15 km southwest of Antwerp, Belgium. Tragically, four crew members died and six others became prisoners of war, while Major George Weinbrenner evaded capture and returned to the UK in September 1944.

TSgt Catildi was captured and taken as a prisoner of war in Germany. He was severely wounded by flak and died as a POW on March 25, 1944, at St. Giles Belgian Hospital in Brussels. He is now buried in the Holy Name Cemetery New, Ebensburg, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: http://www.303rdbg.com/