Stephen A. Milewski was born on April 28, 1924, in Delaware. He was the son of Peter Milewski. He enlisted in the service on February 17, 1943. He served in the 775th Bomb Squadron, 463rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-17 #42-31685 nicknamed 'Pete's Playhouse' during World War II.

On May 10, 1944, the “Pete’s Playhouse” took part in a bombing mission against the important German industrial target at Wiener Neustadt, Austria. As part of the 15th Air Force operating from Italy, the aircraft and its crew flew deep into heavily defended enemy territory, where intense anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition were common. During the mission, the bomber was hit by German flak, severely damaging the aircraft. Unable to maintain formation or safely return to base, the crew was forced to abandon the aircraft or attempt to control it as it descended. The B-17 ultimately crashed near Vöstenhof, southwest of Wiener Neustadt. Of the ten-man crew, five were killed in action, while five managed to survive and were captured, becoming prisoners of war.

SSgt Milewski was wouned and captured by German forces near the crash site of his B-17. According to the MACR, on May 25, 1944, he and ball turret gunner Eugene Parker were transferred from Luftwaffe Hospital 5/XVII in Felbring (Muthmannsdorf). They were then transported by train through Vienna and, after a long and painful journey, arrived at Stalag Luft 4 in Gross Tychow (Tychowo, Poland). He died on October 28, 1994, and is now buried in the Saint Denis Cemetery, Havertown, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, americanarchive.iwm.org.uk