Joseph C. Saleski was born in 1918. He was the son of Charles and Katherine M. Saleski.

Joseph served in the 861st Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Bombardier on the B-17 #44-8246 during World War II. He died on November 4, 1944, two days after his airplane was shot down by flak and crashed at Sommerda, Germany. Four crew members were Killed in Action, and seven were taken as prisoners.

Joseph bailed out and landed near Leipzig, Germany. Fellow crewmember Lt Schulman believed that he was attacked by German civilians who stabbed him with pitchforks, puncturing his lung. He was admitted to the hospital and died of his wounds two days later. He was buried temporarily at Leipzig East Cemetery on November 9, 1944, then his remains were re-interred and reburied at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meriden, CT.

The crew members were Capt Vernon Alexander Harry Graves, Dave First, Don Schuiman ex nav, Chas Mills, Salvatore Sciame, Harry Froese (7 Prisoner of War); Joe Saleski, Howard Claydon, Lt Bob Waggoner tg, Lt Col George Whitlock mission pilot (4 Killed in Action).

1Lt Saleski is listed on the 493rd Bomber Group Honor Roll located in St. Mary the Virgin Church, Clopton, England, but his middle initial is inscribed as G.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com