Vincent Charles Manzella was born on July 12, 1921, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was the son of Joseph James Manzella and Mary D. Manzella. He was a graduate of the local high school and an active member of St. Anthony Church, the St. Anthony Society, Holy Name Society, Sons of Legionnaires, Sigma Phi Delta Club, and the Dunkirk Post No. 62 American Legion Drum Corps. He entered the U.S. Air Force on May 23, 1942. He served in the 347th Bomber Squadron, 99th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Bombardier of B-17G #42-32097 nicknamed "Slipstream" during World War II.

On December 18, 1944, Slipstream took part in a major bombing mission against the Odertal refinery as part of the 99th Bombardment Group’s strategic air campaign. A veteran aircraft with about 90 completed missions, Slipstream flew in the last squadron of the formation. After bombs were released, the aircraft fell slightly behind and was attacked by German FW-190 fighters, sustaining severe damage that knocked out its controls and set parts of the bomber ablaze. As the crew attempted to abandon the aircraft, additional attacks and centrifugal forces inside the spinning bomber killed several airmen before they could escape. The aircraft ultimately exploded and crashed near Bystrovany, along the Bystřice River in the present-day Czech Republic, scattering wreckage across nearby fields and villages. Seven crew members were killed, while three survived by parachuting and were captured by German forces.

Sgt Manzella was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Saint Anthony Cemetery, Fredonia, Chautauqua County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, http://www.leteckabadatelna.cz/