Edward J. Czarnecki (1922 – 1955) Born in Wilmington, Del., joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in December 1941. In May 1942, he enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps. Following training, he left for the Pacific Theatre in February 1943 and in July was assigned to the newly-organized 475th FG, 431st FS. By August 1943, he was based at Port Moresby flying a P-38 Lightning Fighter.
That August, as part of a 75 plane escort protecting 5th Air Force bombers en route to Wewak, Czarnecki shot down two Zekes. During another heavy engagement in the same area, Czarnecki, dove to the defense of B-25s being attacked by Japanese fighters and shot down a fixed-gear “Nate.” Soon after, the 475th began attacks on Japanese shipping at Rabaul. He became an ACE when he was credited with six confirmed and three probable victories.
In October 1943, on a fighter sweep over Rabaul, he had to bail out. He evaded Japanese patrols and was rescued the following February by the USS Gato. He returned to the U.S. and over the next two years served as survival training instructor, gunnery instructor and flight instructor in Texas, the Philippines and the Pacific Theatre.
In 1947, Ed served as a counter intelligence officer and investigator in the U.S. and Europe. He spoke fluent Polish and there he interviewed liberated Polish prisoners. He retired from active service in June 1953. Among the medals he was awarded were the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star. He passed away from cancer on July 27, 1955.
