WW2 Fallen - B-17 mechanic Sam Eliah and Rat Pack tie-in

Sgt. Paul Eliah was killed when ten 500 lb bombs exploded by accident.
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/3607 

Sam Paul Eliah never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on February 3, 1918 in New York. His parents Richard and Emily were both born in Syria. His father worked as a grocery merchant. Sam had three older brothers (at least two served in the army during the war) and two younger sisters. By 1940 Sam's father had died and he was living with his widowed mother. He had completed one year of high school and worked as a laborer.

He was drafted into the army on April 24, 1942. His enlistment records says he was married, but I don't have any other information about this. Sam joined the Army Air Forces where he became a sergeant in the 412th Bombardment Squadron, 95th Bombardment Group. He was mechanic in the ground support crew. Sgt. Eliah's squadron was based in Alconbury Royal Air Force Base.

On May 27, 1943 the ground crew was loading the 500 lb bombs on B-17 #42-29685 when one of the bombs exploded. It caused a chain reaction with the other nine 500 lb bombs, killing 19 men, including Sgt. Eliah, and seriously wounding 21 others. The B-17 was completely obliterated as can be seen from this hole. 

Crater left by explosion that killed Sgt. Eliah.
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/3607 

Three other B-17 were damaged beyond repair and six others were damaged but repairable.

His grave is at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston, New York.

Thank you Sam for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Sam.

Last year on this date I profiled Eldon Allen, who died in the Battle of Buna-Gona. You can read about Eldon here.

Joey Bishop

Also born on the same day as Sgt. Eliah was the entertainer Joey Bishop. He served as a sergeant in the Special Services (the entertainment branch of the military) during the war. He was a comedian and talk show host and a member of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack. He died in 2007.

WW2 vet Joey Bishop visiting troops in Vietnam.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/126593439500822011/ 

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!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

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