Pilot 1st Lt. Edward J. Czarnecki, O-732179 (rescued) Wilmington, DE
Shot Down October 23, 1943
MACR 1235

Pilot History
Born October 14, 1922 in Wilmington, Delaware. Both of his parents were born in Poland, so he spoke Polish fluently. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in Saskatchewan, Canada in December, 1941, where he received flight training in the Tiger Moth. He enlisted in the USAAF on May 27, 1942, graduating on October 30th. He received further training at a base in Merced, California (where he met his wife) and then Luke Field, Arizona.

He left the US for the Pacific Theater on February 20, 1943. On March 12, 1943 he was assigned to the 8th FG, 80th FS, based at Mareeba. On 1 July he was transferred as one of the initial pilots assigned to the newly-organized 475th FG, 431st FS and assigned to Port Moresby on August 14, 1943.

Four days later, as part of a 75 plane escort protecting 5th Air Force bombers in route to Wewak, Czarnecki scored his first victory, flaming two Zekes near Wewak. On 21 August another heavy engagement took place in the same area. Flying high cover, Czarnecki dove to the defense of B-25s being attacked by Japanese fighters and shot down a fixed-gear Nate.

Moving to Dobodura, the 475th began attacks on Japanese shipping at Rabaul. The Japanese retaliated with an attack on the American Fleet at Oro Bay on the 15th. The 431st intercepted 40 Japanese fighters and Czarnecki knocked down a Zeke and received credit for another as a probable. He became an ace two days later when he downed two more Zekes near Buna. Credited with 6 confirmed and 1 probable victories.

Mission History
On October 23, 1943 on a fighter sweep over Rabaul, near Lakunai Drome. He bailed out southern Gazelle, and made it to shore in his dinghy. (Another report says he bailed out and landed in a tall tree.) He evading Japanese patrols. Friendly locals who were loyal to Gordon Manuel saw him brought to Australian coastwatchers led by Major Roberts on November 9th. He was rescued on February 5, 1944 by USS Gato that surfaced in Open Bay to rescue the group of downed Allied pilots.

Relatives
Suzanne Walker (daughter)
"After he and others were rescued by the US submarine, they were debriefed in Brisbane and he was returned to the USA on March 10, 1944. He returned to the Pacific Theater from August 1, 1944 to October 1, 1944. He was in the US from October 6, 1944 until Feb. 6, 1946 when he returned to the Pacific Theater. According to my mother, he spent some time in the Philippines doing survival training. He worked for a time as a gunnery instructor at Foster Field, Texas during 1945. At various times, he worked as a flight instructor.

According to the records of his service, begining December, 1947, Ed received 6 months of training as an investigator at the CIC school. I don't have documentation, but I understand that he did investigative work on US bases and at some time was transferred to Europe where he apparently interviewed Polish prisoners (who had been liberated in 1945).

He retired from active service on June 12, 1953, with an appointment to the Maryland Air National Guard on November 22, 1953. He died from stomach cancer at the VA hospital in Baltimore, MD on July 27, 1955. Among the medals he received were the Purple Heart, DFC, Silver Star."

References
Hostages To Freedom mentions Czarnecki page
70,000 to One mentions Czarnecki
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information

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