Name:
Leo Grikstas
Rank:
Flight Officer
Serial Number:
T-000178
Unit:
509th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomb Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1992-02-07
State:
New York
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F/O Leo Grikstas, co-pilot of the B-17 42-2838 “The Concho Clipper”, took off from station 110 Polebrook, UK on a bombing mission over Saint Nazaire’s submarine pens along “Flak Alley”. Over the target and harassed by Fw-190 fighters, they had just released their payload when an 88mm flak shell burst in the bomb bay, killing three gunners and the radio operator. The pilot dove to extinguish the ensuing fire in both right engines but could not regain control. The order was given to bail out and the plane subsequently crashed in two main pieces. Grikstas was taken prisoner.
He died on February 7, 1992 at the age of 72 in Rome, New York but his current burial place is unknown.