United States World War II Army Air Corps Soldier. He was considered the greatest escape artist of the Second World War, earning the nickname of "The Grey Ghost" from his Nazi German captors for his ability to avoid detection and escape. He served during the war as a tail gunner on board a B-17 bomber that was part of the 92nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. His exploits began when he was shot down, and almost immediately escaped after his capture. He would escape the Germans six more times, and was the only American prisoner to escape the infamous Luft Stalag 17-B prison camp outside of Krems, Austria (the German air force prison camp that inspired the 1953 movie “Stalag 17”). He later served with distinction during the Korean War. For his service he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart and the POW Medal. A movie and a book "The Flame Keepers" detailed his wartime experiences.
United States World War II Army Air Corps Soldier. He was considered the greatest escape artist of the Second World War, earning the nickname of "The Grey Ghost" from his Nazi German captors for his ability to avoid detection and escape. He served during the war as a tail gunner on board a B-17 bomber that was part of the 92nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. His exploits began when he was shot down, and almost immediately escaped after his capture. He would escape the Germans six more times, and was the only American prisoner to escape the infamous Luft Stalag 17-B prison camp outside of Krems, Austria (the German air force prison camp that inspired the 1953 movie “Stalag 17”). He later served with distinction during the Korean War. For his service he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart and the POW Medal. A movie and a book "The Flame Keepers" detailed his wartime experiences.
Bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni
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