Carlton A. Josephson was born on April 15, 1918, in New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut. he was the husband of Gemma Aubin Josephson.

He served in the 535th Bomber Squadron, 381st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Left Waist Gunner on the B-17 #42-31097 'Mission Belle' during World War II. He was one of the survivors of their December 1, 1943 mission over Leverkusen, Germany, when their aircraft was hit by flak and attacked by enemy fighters. The airplane was severely damaged, so the crew decided to ditch the airplane in the River Lek between Streefkerk and Nieuw-Lekkerland, Netherlands. During the enemy attack, one member was Killed in Action while two other members drowned in the river. The surviving members were taken as POWs. Sgt Josephson was sent to Stalag Luft 17B near Krems, Austria.

Carlton was employed with Stanley Works in New Britain, retiring after 43 years. He was a member of the American Legion and former president of the Southington Little League. He died on March 19, 2001, at the age of 82, and is now buried in the Saint Thomas Cemetery, Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com