Michael Joseph Brennan Jr. was born on September 12, 1925, in New York, New York County, New York. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-17 #42-97266 nicknamed "Godfather's Inc" during World War II.

On April 25, 1945, Godfathers Inc. embarked on its 36th combat mission, targeting the Škoda Armament Works in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia—a significant producer of weapons for the German military. During the bombing run, the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire (flak), resulting in the failure of engine number two. The damage forced the crew to abandon the aircraft, which ultimately crashed near Litice, close to Pilsen. Three of the eight crew members survived by parachuting out while the remaining were Killed in Action.

TSgt Brennan was taken prisoner and led through Litice to the nearby Bory airfield, where he was subsequently executed by members of the Wehrmacht. He is now buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA. Michael J. Brennan's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 11, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, http://www.leteckabadatelna.cz/, www.398th.org