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| Raymond Piotrowski was a B-24 navigator in the 93rd Bombardment Squadron. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77077865/raymond-h-piotrowski https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-24/b-24-liberator-41-24226/ |
Raymond H. Piotrowski never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on August 13, 1918 in Connecticut. His parents John and Romalda were both born in Poland. His father worked as a lock factory milling machine operator and later as a lock maker. Raymond had two older brothers, one older sister, two younger sisters and one younger brother. By 1940 Raymond had completed four years of high school and worked as a time keeper while living at home.
He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on June 9, 1942. He became a second lieutenant and navigator in the 409th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. The 93rd BG was the first B-24 unit sent to England. It operated out of England for a time and was sent to the Mediterranean for much of 1943 before returning to England in October 1943. Lt. Piotrowski joined the 409th BS around this time. He would participate in missions to Berlin, Breman, and Kiel, among other targets, always making it safely back to base.
The target for March 13, 1944 was Poix, France. Taking off in bad weather the pilot had to rely on instruments and did not notice when he flew into heavy prop wash in a cloud. The pilot was not able to regain control of the plane. It fell into a spin, the tail broke off and the bomber crashed at Walnut Tree Farm in Suffolk. Lt. Piotrowski was killed in the crash.
His grave is at St Mary's Cemetery in Terryville, Connecticut.
Last year on this date I profiled Charles Robinson, USS Luce. You can read about Charles here.
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.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
I have updated Lt Pietrowski's page on the AAM with his picture. I have acknowledged your site in the attribution. If this is Not OK then please inform me and I shall delete it. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/178819
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