| Staff Sergeant Edward J. Krauk | Class of 2005  |
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| United States Army Distinguished Flying Cross |
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Edward J. Krauk - 15118161, S Sgt, 445th Bombardment Squadron, 321st Bombardment Group. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as engineer-gunner in a B-25 type aircraft. On 25 February S Sgt Krauk flew in an attack upon a railroad bridge near Campo, Italy. Upon commencement of the bomb run, shell fragments from intense anti-aircraft fire holed the left wing tank and severed a fuel line. Immediately gasoline flooded the bomb bay and fumes filled the rear of the aircraft. Despite the danger of explosion, S Sgt Krauk, realizing that the fuel supply would soon become exhausted, removed his parachute and catching up a first-aid kit lowered himself into the bomb bay. With spraying gasoline saturating his clothing, S Sgt Krauk skillfully joined the severed ends of and using bandage and tape reduced the flow of fuel to a minimum. As a result of his courage and resourcefulness, S Sgt Krauk’s pilot was able to return the B-25 successfully to base. On sixty combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Link below shows B-25 supposedly taking Eddie a ride when he was 92 years old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZbgBJ3PajM Eddie as turret gunner during WW2
Presumably air crew friends on the B-25D Eddie passed away on September 19, 2018 at 97 years old. Obituary for Edward KraukEdward Krauk, 97, Sept. 19, 2018, Cleves. Beloved husband of the late Mabel Pauline Krauk (nee Nieder), devoted father of Pam Inman (Dan) & the late Joe Krauk (the late Debbie), loving grandfather of Stephen Krauk (Lisa), Jessica Offill (Corey), Leah Krauk, Brittany Hendrigsman (Brian) & Kenny Inman, gr. grandfather of Debbie, Conner, Myla Mae & James Dean, beloved son of the late Tekla & Albert Krzak, dear brother of the late Joseph Krzak, Emily Krauk, Mary Macenko, Albert (Dock) Krauk, Emil (Chaney) Krauk & Annabel Oldaker. Mr. Krauk was an Army Air Force veteran of World War II. He was assigned to the 57th Bomb Wing, 445th Bomb Squadron, 321 Bomb Group. He flew 70 B25 missions as mechanic, tail gunner & top gunner. Mr. Krauk earned an Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star & Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic actions over Campo, Italy. His memberships include American Legion Miller-Stockum Post 485, Yeager Benson Memorial American Legion Post 199 & Ohio Military Hall of Fame. Mr. Krauk also owned Eddie’s Gulf between 1939-1984 in Cleves, OH. Visitation Sun., Sept. 23, 3-6 PM at the Dennis George Funeral Home, 44 S. Miami, Cleves, OH 45002. Mass of the Christian Burial Mon., Sept. 24, 10 AM at St. Joseph Church, 25 E. Harrison, North Bend, OH. Memorials may be directed to 57th Bomb Wing, 3404 Reedsport, Bakersfield, CA 93309 or St. Joseph Church Choir, c/o the funeral home.
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