(J. Florentine)
2/Lt. William C. Florentine Jr.
(J. Florentine)
2/Lt. William C. Florentine Jr.
338th FS - States - 13 November 1943 (Prisoner of War)
| Assigned Aircraft |
P-38H CL-42-66732 |
| Mission History |
Not Known |
| Mission List |
Not Known |
| Notes | Born in Downers Grove, Illinois, 24 November
1916. Undertook pilot training in Arizona in 1942. Graduated in Class 43C. Known as 'Bill' MACR No. 01270 Missing in action on 13th November 1943. Hit by fighters near Bremen flying P-38H CL-42-66732. Captured and made a prisoner of war. Major Richard Busching, squadron commander, reported the ensuing R/T conversation: "Warcraft leader from Florentine, I'm on fire I guess I'll have to bail out. Florentine from Warcraft leader, if you are on fire, bail out. I can't help you I'm about out of gas. Busching from Florentine, my engine's on fire I guess I'm going to have to bail out... I guess, I guess this is it." Passed away on 23rd March 1995, in Santa Clara, CA. |
| Memories |
Bill Florentine tells his story (reproduced with kind
permission from Robert M. Littlefield's book, 'Double Nickel - Double
Trouble'.) "He spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft I up near the north sea. Very cold. It also cured him of any taste he may have had for cabbage." (Jeff Florentine) |
| Additional Photo |
Lt. Florentine whilst on pilot training in Arizona. (J.
Florentine) (Photo opens in a new window. Close window to return to this page) |