Steve A. Marushok was the son of Andrew Marushok, Sr. He enlisted at age 18 and served for 2.5 years before re-enlisting for overseas duty in February 1944. He completed his training at Sheppard Field, Texas; Harlingen, Texas; Keesler Field, Mississippi; Charleston, South Carolina; and Westover Field, Massachusetts. He graduated as an aerial mechanic from Kessler Field on November 30, 1943, and received his wings at Harlingen, Texas, on April 4, 1944. Steve served as a gunner in the 762nd Bomber Squadron, 460th Bomber Group, Heavy, in Italy and completed 28 missions over Germany.

On June 30, 1944, B-24G 42-78258 of the 460th Bombardment Group departed its base in Italy as part of a major Fifteenth Air Force mission against the oil refineries at Blechhammer, one of the most heavily defended industrial targets in Europe. After bombing the objective, the formation encountered deteriorating weather, scattered cloud layers, and aggressive German fighter opposition while withdrawing south toward the Adriatic. In the confusion of the return leg, 42-78258 became separated and was attacked repeatedly by interceptors defending the Hungarian airspace corridor. Witnesses later recalled an aircraft from the group trailing smoke and losing altitude near the Lake Balaton region. Unable to maintain formation, the Liberator descended toward the countryside west of the lake, where it ultimately went down near Tapolca. The crew members faced varying fates; some were captured and became prisoners of war, while others were killed in the crash.

SSgt Marushok was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com