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| Cpl. Skapik was a tail gunner on a B-24 in the 494th Bombardment Group such as this one. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/494th_Air_Expeditionary_Group |
Joseph W. Skapik could have been 100 years old today.
He was born on March 12, 1917 in Maryland. His Slovak speaking parents were both born in Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) and immigrated in 1905. His father was a tailor. Joseph had three older sisters and an older brother. He also had a younger sister. By 1940 Joseph had completed three years of high school and was working as a craftsman mechanic.
Joseph enlisted in the Army Air Corp on February 3, 1943 and became a corporal in the 866th Bomber Squadron, 494th Bombardment Group which operated in the Pacific Theater. This was the last Bombardment Group formed to fly B-24s. He served as a tail gunner.
Cpl. Skapik was killed on January 25, 1945. He was originally buried in Leyte.
His remains were returned to be buried at Baltimore National Cemetery.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
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R.I.P.SIR
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