Albert Joseph Aleksyn was born on August 19, 1925, in Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio. He was the son of Anthony Aleksyn. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17G #43-38697 during World War II.

On February 3, 1945, during a bombing mission over Berlin, the B-17G 43-38697 was involved in a mid-air collision with another B-17 42-97387, nicknamed "Maude An' Maria," from the 602nd Bomb Squadron of the same group. The collision occurred near Lehmke, Germany, resulting in the crash of both aircraft. Tragically, eight of the nine crew members aboard 43-38697 were killed in the collision, and only one survived and was taken as a prisoner of war.

SSgt Aleksyn was among those who lost their lives in the crash and is now buried in the Clinton Grove Cemetery, Clinton Township, Macomb County, Michigan, USA. Albert J. Aleksyn's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 28, in the bottom right wing (section D).

Source of information: B-17flyingfortress.de, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org