Peter F. Ferdinand Jr. was born on August 29, 1924, in Drifton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Peter F. Ferdinand Sr. and Anna Birosh Ferdinand. He was married to Ruth O'Donnell Ferdinand. He graduated from Hazleton High School. He enlisted in the service on November 27, 1942. He served in the 565th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-24 #44-10513 nicknamed "Old Glory'' during World War II.

On November 21, 1944, the ''Old Glory'', piloted by Lt. Rhine, was flying in the No. 4 position of the lead squadron at about 13,000 feet while assembling with other Eighth Air Force bombers over England near RAF Hethel, where aircraft were tightly circling in a “buncher” pattern to form a combat box before heading toward enemy territory; during this hazardous phase, it collided mid-air with another B-24, 42-50452 (Earthquake McGoon), as both aircraft were turning in the same direction and converging while focusing on formation spacing, resulting in a catastrophic impact that sent 44-10513 into a violent, uncontrollable spin before crashing near Carleton Rode, England, destroying both bombers and killing 17 airmen in total, including most of the crew of Old Glory, while only two crew managed to bail out in time.

TSgt Ferdinand survived the incident and returned to duty, going on to fly 16 combat missions over enemy territory and endure multiple life-threatening events, including a dramatic bailout during his final mission on Christmas Day 1944 in Belgium when his B-24 King Size was destroyed by enemy fire near Lafosse, leaving only him and one other crew member alive, after which he evaded capture with the help of locals, made his way back to Allied lines, and later completed his service in the United States. He became a longtime business owner and community leader, serving as the owner of Ferdinand’s Bar for 30 years and as a Butler Township Supervisor from 1976 to 1982. He died on April 11, 1998, and is now buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Drums, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.b24-kingsize.com