Joseph Mangano

S/Sgt. Joseph N Mangano was assigned to the 301st BG 32nd Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Ball Turret gunner.

I was the ball turret gunner on a 32nd Sqd. B-17. We were shot down over Verona, Italy March 22, 1944. We ditched several miles off shore in the Adriatic Sea. A Naval vessel picked us up late that night and put us ashore. A little hazy on the details but we all made it back to our squadron, Foggia, Italy. Guess what?. My next mission March 28, was back to Verona. I was not a happy camper but the Lord took care of me and I was able to complete my credited 50 missions by May 12, 1944. I have been in touch with our pilot, Doug Moore, living in California. Former Staff Sergeant, Joseph Mangano, One Main Street, Hermitage, PA

This is my original crew. All with the exception of one ( second from right, bottom row ) were 32nd squadron members. Photo was taken just before we shipped to Casablanca, Africa. November 1943 ? Back row starting from the left. William Epps, Pilot, Lyman Whitney, co-pilot, Robert Sullivan, Navigator, Tompkins, Bombardier Do not remember his first name as I lost my crew list. Bottom row starting from the left. John Wheeler, Engineer, Alfoso Chavez, Waist gunner, Robert ? Radioman, Thomas Wages, Waist gunner, Herb Lewis, Tail Gunner, was taken ill just before we shipped out. Joseph Mangano, Armament. Was to be a waist gunner but I volunteered to be a ball turret gunner and as a result flew with random crews as there was a need for ball turret gunners.

Sullivan met me at the plane on my last mission.

On leave at home after my missions and by coincidence my cousin was on leave having completed his 25 with the 8th. As I had a Presidential Unit Citation the PR asked us to meet with Mrs. Roosevelt at a USO.

The following information on Joseph Mangano is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on S/Sgt. Mangano. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Joseph Mangano's military record please contact us.

Date	Order	Award	Document Originator	Rank
05/14/1944	General Order (GO)* : 451	AM/4OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster	Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force	Current Rank: S/Sgt
05/14/1944	General Order (GO)* : 452	AM/5OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Silver Oak Leaf Cluster = 5 OLCs	Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force	Current Rank: S/Sgt
06/19/1944	General Order (GO)* : 1165	AM/6OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster	Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force	Current Rank: S/Sgt

* Documents are of the type/classification of "General Order" for most award documents. The listed documents are GO, General Order unless otherwise stated. For example. Special Orders.

The Issuing Authority is the Command and author of the document.

25-Feb-44 PUC

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