Hometown: San Bernardino, California
He did not go overseas with the 306th BG. Assigned overseas in June 1944. On his 20th mission, Sept. 27, 1944, they were shot down on the way home from Kassel. Sammy was one of three of the crew that survived. After parachuting safely he was captured and sent to Oberousal for interrogation and processing. On Oct. 3, 1944 he was sent to Stalag Luft#4 until February 1945, when the camp was evacuated by foot. After two days on the march, two of them (at night) escaped from the column, Feb. 15, 1945. They were recaptured on March 1st, then processed and sent to Griefswalde on March 7th until April 15th, then to Stalag Luft #1 until the camp was liberated by the Russians on May 1, 1945. Plane was 'Eileen' #4250324.
Source: American Air Museum in Britain
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